Friday, April 23, 2010

We got the call!

Last week we found out our security clearance was complete and that we were ranked 25 out of 120 individuals waiting for a job offer. Only 18 people are called for each class, and offers for the next class in June were about to go out. We kept our fingers crossed but by last Friday when we hadn't heard anything I couldn't take it anymore and I sent an email inquiring about my chances. I received an auto 'out of office' reply and was told to try back Wednesday. On Wednesday I heard nothing, but kept my hopes up for a call on Thursday. When Thursday came and went I still had a (fading) hope I might get a call on Friday. By noon on Friday I couldn't take it anymore and I sent another email to Tamale asking if there was any chance I would get a call. At 2:30 MST I realized I wasn't going to get a call and I candidly asked my wife what we were going to do since I'm graduating in a couple weeks. At 2:58 I felt prompted to check my email one more time since I knew Tamale worked until 5:00 EST (3:00 MST), and I had one unread email in my inbox. I was so nervous opening my mail, and when I saw an email from Tamale my heart started pounding. I opened the email and read the following:

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Lawrence:
My colleague began extending appointment offers for the June 21st JO Class on April 15th for the career tracks that she manages. As I was on leave, appointment offers were not extended for the career tracks that I manage (Economic/Public Diplomacy). The Registrar's Office is pleased to extend an appointment offer to you for the June 21, 2010 - Junior Officer Class."

Duong will give birth three days before I leave, allowing me to be there for her and my son. The Lord has blessed us beyond what I deserve. Two more finals and I'm done with law school, and two more months and we'll be moving to DC. One more year and hopefully we'll be moving to the Middle East. =)

Monday, April 12, 2010

Received Security Clearance

Last Friday I sent an email to security clearance seeking the status of our background investigation. I received a terse email stating "it is pending adjudication." Then on Saturday Duong came in from getting the mail holding a letter from the State Department stating that our security clearance had been granted and that we were officially on the register. Because May calls have already been extended, we are praying and hoping for a call for the June class.