Arkansas Bound

In less than 2 months we will be packing up everything we own, driving across the country to a place I've NEVER been and unpacking it in the HOT HOT humid weather of Searcy Arkansas. Really???? is still usually what comes to my mind when I think about it.....but then I remember that peaceful calm I once had that led us to this decision, and then I know everything is going to be ok. It still doesn't make complete sense, and all the unknowns seem so scary....but also feel like an exciting adventure all at the same time!

On August 16th Joel will be starting his P.A.(Physician Assistant) program at Harding University. He has worked REALLY hard to get here, and I am so proud of him. We(and when I say we I guess I actually mean HE, but I've been there for support :) have been checking things off the list for quite awhile to get to this point...

-Take all the right, really hard and stressful classes...check!
-Do lots of hours of job shadowing and volunteer work.....check!
-Graduate from BSU....check!
-Fill out really really long tedious school applications.....check!
-Fly all over the country dressed in a business suit, rent a car, get a hotel, go to an interview and fly home the next day....check!

-And much much more!

But we made it! This school was actually the first interview he went to of several and he got in!! So basically we wasted a lot of money flying around to all the others...but they don't tell you whether you're in or not for MONTHS!!! so instead of wasted we'll just call it experience I guess... :)

We joke about what a different experience we are each going to have in our little Arkansas town....I am headed towards some freedom and change, and he(poor guy) is headed towards a couple years of really hard work and captivity. But I KNOW he can do it! He is pretty dang smart if I do say so myself...and I do... :)

This is a big step for our little family. We have had a lot of support and excitement from most everyone we've talked to about it, some sad for us to leave(because we are so great) and a few tilted heads and almost painful looks that say "Oh....Arkansas....I'm sorry" But no matter what the first reaction is, everyone has come to the same conclusion...This will be good for us! We will learn things about ourselves and each other and grow in ways we would never otherwise know or experience without this adventure. We can always come home when school is through. Our families are there for support no matter how far away. We know Heavenly Father will be there for us no matter where in the world we are. So we can do this!

I am excited to know the people we will become after this experience. I know we are going to be the same yet so different when we walk away from these next 2 years....Joel will be
Joel Burch P.A.C. and I hOpeFulLy will be Cassie Burch M.O.M. :) Who knows? So ready or not! Here we go!