Finally!!!

We found out some really great news on April 29. I was at Women's Conference and I received a text from Broc that said, "I just heard from Ross University call me ASAP!" My heart was pounding. It was during a talk and I couldn't get out because we were in the middle of the row at the Marriott Center. Finally the talk finished and I shimmied my way out and called Broc. He told me that he had been accepted to medical school at Ross University! I started crying right there in the hall at the Marriott Center. I couldn't contain myself!

Many of you know, that Broc has been applying to medical schools for the last 3 years. With many rejections and nothing more than explanations of "you are an exceptional applicant... everything on your application looks great... I can't tell you why you didn't get in, but strongly urge you to keep applying." Feelings of frustration were definitely an understatement. We both felt strongly that we should be applying to medical schools. And for whatever reason every door seemed to be slammed in our face. At times I wondered why this was happening when we had felt such strong impressions to go this route. There have been many tears shed as we have wondered really what our future had in store for us. This was definitely not the way we had planned things. And the wondering of, what if he doesn't get in, what next? Obviously more school, but now to redetermine a major that you have worked the last 6 years for? This was Broc's third year applying, and we decided that we would apply to as many schools as possible and if he didn't get in, it wasn't meant to be. We knew things would work out, we just didn't know how.

Broc received an email about a conference that was to be held in Las Vegas, about a med school in Puerto Rico. Last minute we decided to go. As we sat in that conference, I almost couldn't contain myself, feeling that this was where we were suppose to be. I could definitely see us there. Broc said that he had felt similar impressions. I didn't know if what I was feeling was me wanting to go, or me being a pregnant emotional mess, or if it really was a strong impression. Broc ended up applying and heard from them the next day stating that they wanted to interview him.

Broc flew out to an interview in Denver on March 29. He received his acceptance letter one month later!

Ironically enough, since I was at Women's Conference when I got the great news, the class I went to after was by Bethany Christensen, titled "But if Not". It was everything I needed to hear. Here are some of my notes from her talk:

"If all the sick were healed... there would be no faith, no test of strength. If all of our prayers were answered as we wanted them, there would be no disappointment and then there would be no joy. If you spend your life complaining and focusing on what you don't have, you will miss out on the blessings. It takes faith and a shift in our focus--faith will replace doubt. Through the atonement, our Savior knows how to help us find peace in our trials. We must be better disciples of Christ. When he says 'Come follow me' He knows the way... He is the way. Our 'happily ever after' is reserved for the next life. You don't plan to be in certain situations but you will be blessed as you find faith in the Lord. Be patient. The Lord will bless us with those things He knows we need. It may not be what we desire... but He knows us and He knows our needs."

As I sat in that class, I felt it was an answer to my prayers of why we have to endure certain things. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers and because of the pain that sometimes we feel, our joy is so much sweeter. I feel so much gratitude in my heart right now. I can't help but feel that Dominica is where we are suppose to be, and maybe that is why it didn't work out with any other schools. We never planned to be waiting for 3 years for Broc to get into a medical school. We never planned to have 2 kids when starting medical school. But I know that there is a greater plan for us. And for that I am grateful for this trial. At times it is so hard to see the big picture, but I know our Heavenly Father knows us and has a plan for each of us.

We will move to Dominica, a small island off of Puerto Rico in January. We will be there for 16 months, then move to Miami for 4 months where Broc will be at a teaching hospital. Then we will move again somewhere else (in the states) for him to finish his rotations. Of course we have some anxiety of moving to a foreign place with 2 kids, but we are so excited and truly feel so blessed! I am so proud of Broc for all of his hard work and determination! He is an amazing example to me of always doing things for the right reasons. I love him so much and can't wait to see what this next journey will bring. I am sure that there will be many more trials to come and maybe some situations we might not have planned to be in, but it will be those times that we will truly be able to draw closer to our Heavenly Father in recognizing the big picture of our life here. Thank you to all of you family and friends who have fasted, prayed and supported us. It was your prayers that carried us through those difficult times.