Life with Lori: change of plans?

a potentially MAJOR update:

so i found out today that i am eligible to "visit" another law school next spring for my final semester of law school. As in, one in Texas. (insert a very excited shrieking noise). It just so happens that Erik goes to one of the law schools in Texas that would approve me to take my final 6 credit hours. coincidence? i think not. I need to take several classes that are heavily tested on the Texas Bar and Regent doesn't offer them, and so it is kind of perfect that I can do this. Me and Erik have spent the past few weeks in CONSTANT prayer about God's next steps for us, both as a couple and individually, and as soon as one of my law professors heard about our long-distance relationship and how serious it is getting, she suggested the possibility of either graduating early or visiting the last semester. Apparently, I have too many credits to try to cram into one final semester, and the probability that the Dean and Academic Committees (3 separate hurdles) would approve me to visit another school (without a VERY good cause...i.e. already married and have to move w/ husband) was almost an impossibility. At least, according to everyone I talked to...until today. I am the Dean of Students' Graduate Assistant, so I had a meeting with him today about something totally unrelated- but I took advantage of having some time to talk with him and just asked his advice about my "predicament." He actually met Erik during one of E's visits to Virginia, so he knows about us and how we are doing the whole long distance thing. He told me about his own engagement being long distance (disclaimer: i am NOT engaged- i am just stating what our conversation included) and how it was so hard for them, so he completely understood my situation. Long story short, he told me that he would approve anything I needed to get me to Texas for my final semester. Since he is the Dean of Students, he has the final say in all matters concerning transferring, visting, etc. at Regent. Coincidence that I already had a great relationship with him before knowing transferring would one day be an issue? Again, I think not. So anyway, it seems like doors have been just flying open all over the place the past couple of days- both me and Erik are discovering TONS of legal contacts that we have in the Austin/San Antonio areas.

I also found out today that I am eligible to get my 3rd-year practice certificate, which would allow me to try cases on my own in court before I even graduate...and it just so happens that I am allowed to take up to 2 more externship credits that would count towards the hours I need to graduate. How does this fit together? Well, there is an externship opportunity this summer at Legal Aid, a non-profit organization in Norfolk that offers pro-bono services to low-income citizens who really need legal assistance but cant afford it. (ps, WHAT A GREAT SERVICE!) The best part about this story/opportunity is that I did not know anything AT ALL about it before this afternoon- the professor I would be working with for the externship credit hours approached ME in the hall (not knowing at all who I was or anything) and just started chatting it up with me...asking about life, interests, etc. After hearing that my interest is mainly in non-profit law, she started telling me all about the externship and how it would be a good opportunity for me to experience NPO's first hand. Oh and then the part about trying cases-on my own, as a student, came up. Um, that's all she neeeded to say- I was already sold.

All I can say, is that God is SO FREAKING cool, and awesome, and WISE, and creative in his plans for our lives. I cant stop thanking him for what he is doing in my life right now. wow.