What We're Really Doing Here in Iowa

Some of you don't know why we moved halfway across the country (from Utah to Iowa) for only a year. So let me catch you up.

Christian has been in his Ph.D. program at BYU for the last 4 1/2 years. He has finished all of his coursework, and has passed his dissertation (the big ugly paper you have to write in order to get a Ph.D.). In order to get a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, you also have to complete a 2000 hour internship before graduating (that is one year full time). Last January he went on interviews, and at the end of February we found out that his internship would be at ISU in Ames, Iowa. So in July we moved to Ames and he started his internship (i.e. "job") August 1st. But it is only a one year contract. His job ends July 31, and our lease for the place we are renting is also up July 31. So right now we are applying for jobs, actual jobs, that would be long-term positions. Christian prefers university counseling centers, because he loves working with college-aged people. (Plus we will have good insurance and benefits, yay!) We have applied at counseling centers across the country, and we'll see what happens. We should be hearing pretty soon with offers for interviews (in the next month, we hope). Then we see what job offers come in. Christian graduates from BYU with his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology on August 15, 2008, so we will be in Provo that weekend. Besides that, we have no idea where we will be after July 31.

When I went to the temple two weeks ago, the first counselor in the bishopric asked me what we would be doing next year. I told him we really don't know, but that there is a 95% chance we will be moving (ISU currently doesn't have any job openings, and we don't know whether they will get one). Then he said, "Well, we will pray for that 5% then." Awww. How sweet! We have really enjoyed our time here in Ames and have treasured the friendships and connections we have made here. It will be bittersweet to leave.