We're Back, In A Big Way

After a near death flu experience, we're back.

And we have great news!

Max just learned yesterday that he has been put on the registrar for the State Department!  My little brother actually read the letter to us over the phone and we couldn't have imagined a better way to find out, Matt.  This means he passed all the background checks, medical checks, and final suitability panel.  It means we almost have a job!  After he is put on the list, depending on where he is on said list, he will be invited to an A-100 training class in D.C.  The class lasts about 7 weeks and then we ship off to...wherever.

It's all a matter of timing at this point.  Max's score is pretty high and with an Arabic language bonus we feel like he has good odds of getting invited to a class soon.  However, he has committed to this foundation that has paid a hefty sum for him to be here in Jerusalem.  So the plan now is to finish the school year, come home to Utah in July and spend a bit of time with our family before heading out to an A-100 class in the fall.  That would be ideal, but we aren't really sure when the class will be after we get home, or how to secure a spot.  Once you're on the list you wait for an invite, and then you wait anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months until the class actually begins.  Max will talk to the HR rep today and see what information he can gather, but we are hoping to put our names on a "hold" list for about 6 months or so.  Maybe in May or June we will "un-hold" and hope that we get invited to the next class in D.C.   

But we are pretty sure that our plans are to come home this summer!  Max will have a year of graduate school under his belt and hopefully the State Department can send him back after a few tours to finish it - at their expense :) 

We must have known good news was coming because we celebrated before learning of this at the local Elvis Diner.  Yes, an American Elvis diner in Abu Gosh - between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  We had Cheeseburgers and Chocolate Milkshakes.  And I even got a take home mug!  It was initially going to serve as our Thanksgiving away from home (can you believe i didn't even cook!) but celebration of more Foreign Service steps accomplished seems like a good reason too.