Beginning Again

After two years of prayer, discernment, therapy, meetings, jumping through hoops and filling out forms, I finally (FINALLY!) got my letter from the Bishop this past Friday.  I have been accepted as a postulant for the priesthood in the Episcopal Church!  Needless to say my whole family is excited about our new path, and we look forward to the coming changes.
This means that I will be trying to head off to seminary this fall, so we have already begun the whirlwind of preparations for this impending move.  We have been visiting schools over the past year to get an idea of what we want, and I have already applied to two.  So far it looks as if we'll be moving away from Bellingham this coming August.  Now we have to sell our condo and begin fundraising to prepare for this move.
According to the bishop's letter, I am no longer a lay person, nor am I ordained.  While I am not in Holy Orders, I am still under orders, and from now on I must check with him before making any major changes in my life.  I am also required to write letters to him during the quarterly Ember days each year to keep him abreast of my formation on my path to orders.  My status as a postulant can still be terminated at any time by either the bishop or myself, as this is still seen as part of my discernment.
The next step, which is still a long way off, is called Candidacy.  To qualify for that, I have many more hoops to jump through, such as spending time in work such as hospital chaplaincy and assisting in churches, and I am expected to complete most of my schooling before that phase.
Seminary training for priests generally takes place at one of the ten or so Episcopal seminaries around the country.  I will be studying for a Master's in Divinity, and it will take three years to complete.  This program is somewhat more involved than a traditional Masters program as it involves elements of community worship and individual spiritual formation alongside the usual scholastic requirements.
Please feel free to post any more questions you may have as comments to this post and I will answer them here as well.  Thank you all so much for your prayer, interest, and support as I have gone through this process so far.  I am afraid, however, that I must ask you to redouble your efforts as I look ahead! :)  We are beginning a tremendous life change that will require much of us, and we will covet your prayers and communications now more than ever.