DPS Update

We finally have a little news regarding Andrew’s job application process. The last time we heard anything was back in May when we were told that due to everything happening with the economy and budget cuts, the academy was no longer a sure thing, but rather tentative based on funding from a federal grant. If the academy happens, it will start late September. At that time, it was estimated they would find out the status of the grant in early August and Andrew and I guessed they would wait until after that to extend final offers if the academy was a go. Unfortunately, even if the academy happened it would be possible that Andrew would not get an offer… two big variables that would decide a lot for our family in the future.

We have been told again and again that no news is good news throughout this whole process, so we weren’t concerned that we hadn’t heard anything for nearly two months. Typically in the past we’ve been told that offers will be extended via the phone and bad news is sent via letter. With that in mind, you can imagine why Andrew would be a little nervous when he opened up the mailbox this past Friday and inside found a letter from DPS. When he first started reading the letter, however, it seemed to be merely a letter touching base with the candidates again informing them of the tentative academy and when they expected to get news regarding the federal grant. Much to our surprise, however, they decided to extend tentative final offers to those candidates who would be at the 2009 academy should it occur and Andrew got one of those offers. Praise God! We are ecstatic and so thankful that God has brought him one step closer.

Although I wanted to give everyone an update about the status of the DPS job, my primary reason for writing this post is to ask/beg that you would be fervently praying that the academy would get funding. If that is not God’s will, so be it… we will still give Him praise if it doesn’t happen, but our heart’s desire is that it would. It is likely that if the academy is cancelled this year, it will likely not happen again for another few years. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for Andrew to do it now while we still live close to Camp Dodge and we have no children. Again, we would ask that you would be praying that those processing the grants would find favor with the request of Iowa DPS and they would get funding for this year’s academy. Thank you all for your continual encouragement and prayer for us. We’ll be sure to update you as soon as we hear something!