Put your anxious mind at rest and just stop. Find true peace and contentment in each and every moment and circumstance of the day. God is still on His throne orchestrating and ordaining our lives. Why should I worry about what comes next? Yes, plan and prepare for the future, but fret about it? That would not be according to the knowledge that God has given me.
I know that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I know that He causes all things to work together for my good. I know that He has ordained my steps and that He cares for me. I know that all of my days are determined and that in Him I live and move and have my being. I know that the light of His gospel has shined in my heart and that I must be anxious for nothing but in everything I must make my requests known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. I know that because God is on His throne and Jesus is there interceding for me I can trust the One who is above all to direct my life, I can stop fretting under a weight that I wasn’t meant to carry and take His yoke upon me because His burden is easy and His yoke is light and in Him I find rest. He is the potter and I am the clay, why should I presume to have a better plan than He?
Furthermore, He who watches out for me neither slumbers nor sleeps. I can go forth and make it my aim to live my life according to the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that I might walk worthy of the Lord pleasing Him in every respect and being fruitful unto every good work walking according to His Truth. Being found in Him according to His righteousness. Knowing that this treasure is in an earthen vessel that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of me. That He who began a good work in me will faithfully complete it. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of my God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Therefore, I will be still and know that He is my God.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My College Journey Part I - Why I Did It.
Just about four and a half years ago I graduated from high school. At the time I was facing the question that nearly every American graduate faces – what do I do next? I knew from the direction that my dad provided that I needed to pursue a college degree but I also knew that my heart was yearning for home. The idea of committing to a full time load, even at a local college, was overwhelming. Before graduation I was accepted to a local Christian college that is forty minutes from my house. But as I learned about this commitment I found that I would basically be gone everyday and that to graduate in four years I would have to carry a substantial academic load that would also be quite expensive. The idea of being that committed brought me to tears as I contemplated the separation that would bring from my family. I remember sobbing my eyes out as I helped my mom paint the kitchen ceiling as I pictured what it would be like to be a full time student. Yet I felt stuck because I couldn’t think of another alternative. However, I also remember that even then my mom encouraged me to remember God always provides. She was so right.
Little did I know at the time that God had an entirely different plan for me and my education. If I have learned nothing else over the past four years, I have learned that God is faithful to direct us as we seek to follow and obey His ways while we make decisions for our lives. He is still teaching me to have the faith that He will provide ways for me to life and follow His ways without compromise.
Now I realize the idea of desiring to be with my family as a home based daughter instead of desiring to be a full time traditional college student, may sound foreign to most. So before I go any further let me explain why I believe it is godly to desire to be a home based daughter. Then I will tell you how God provided for my education.
If you conduct a thorough study of scripture you will find that home-based ministry is the woman’s domain. Notice that I said home-based and not home-bound. The Proverbs 31 woman was active in her community as well as her home. However, it is in the home that her ministry is based and it is from the home that God has designed her, and all women, to impact the world. Even though I am not yet a wife it is my goal to pursue a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 lifestyle so that I will be thoroughly prepared to run a household and stand by my future husband should that be God’s plan for my life. In the mean time, I live in a family and in a community which both desperately need godly young ladies who are willing to serve and fill in gaps as they follow the original pattern of Biblical womanhood.
But, you may ask, what about being independent? Isn’t that an important aspect of life women learn at college? I do not believe that the Bible teaches women to be independent. The normal pattern in scripture shows women as being under the caring protection and nurturing authority of husbands and fathers, except in the case of widows. Women are not designed to be independent or unprotected. Just look at the dearth of the unprotected and independent ladies we have today and notice the heart break and emotional baggage that comes as a result of broken or wrong relationships. How many times do we see ladies in bad relationships and ask, “where is her father, why isn't he doing his job?” How healthy is it to train unmarried ladies to be independent when the Bible says they are to submit to their husbands in marriage? (Eph 5:21-25) An independent spirit does not stop as soon as a woman says “I do” and emotional baggage is carried straight into marriage. Independence is not something the Bible advocates for women and as you look around our culture you can see the fruit of teaching women to be independent.
Please note, that choosing to be home-based and under God-ordained authority does not mean that I advocate sitting around and knitting all day. Far from it. As an unmarried women I am as responsible as anyone to wisely use the time He’s allotted me for His glory. The Proverbs 31 woman is a model for all ladies everywhere. Like her I want to be virtuous, trustworthy, productive, diligent, industrious, strong, and honorable. I want to reach out to the poor and the needy, take care of my family, avoid idleness, make wise purchases and investments for my family, plan for their good, smile at the future and speak wisdom and kindness. Who would not want to be like this woman?
In addition my life should be a picture of the one-another’s of scripture. I have more of an opportunity to reach out to others in the community who need a helping hand because I do not have the kind of commitments as a mother with children. I have time to travel as a companion with my widowed grandmother. I have time to assist my family in accomplishing hospitality as we reach out to others and bring them into our home for evangelism or fellowship. I have time to help bedridden mothers care for their household. Truly, the sky is the limit on how many opportunities I have to minister from home as I work on behalf of my family and my God.
So where does education and college fit into this picture? Every Christian should make it their aim to gain wisdom and knowledge throughout life. So whether I am studying for college exams or not, I should make it my goal to learn and grow wiser in the knowledge of God (Prov 1:7). This will help me on an everyday level as I make decisions about life. {2 Tim 3:16-17} The knowledge that I have learned in the process of gaining my degree will help me in my life purpose of ministry from the home. Through my studies on personal finance, I learned how to be a wise steward. Through economics I learned about the way financial systems work (or don’t work) so I can make better educated financial decisions. Through biology I was reminded that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through psychology I contemplated the way the world thinks and saw how God’s ways are better. Through history I saw how the choice to honor God impacts the culture and the future. Through music I saw the hand of God at work in organizing a logical system. Finally, through my work I am now very close to obtaining a four year bachelor's degree. Pursuing this degree fit my life purpose and now I will have it as one more tool in my tool box.
Now to the rest of the story . . . . (But first I must give credit to my friend at TrueFemininity for being the inspiration behind these posts! =)
Little did I know at the time that God had an entirely different plan for me and my education. If I have learned nothing else over the past four years, I have learned that God is faithful to direct us as we seek to follow and obey His ways while we make decisions for our lives. He is still teaching me to have the faith that He will provide ways for me to life and follow His ways without compromise.
Now I realize the idea of desiring to be with my family as a home based daughter instead of desiring to be a full time traditional college student, may sound foreign to most. So before I go any further let me explain why I believe it is godly to desire to be a home based daughter. Then I will tell you how God provided for my education.
If you conduct a thorough study of scripture you will find that home-based ministry is the woman’s domain. Notice that I said home-based and not home-bound. The Proverbs 31 woman was active in her community as well as her home. However, it is in the home that her ministry is based and it is from the home that God has designed her, and all women, to impact the world. Even though I am not yet a wife it is my goal to pursue a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 lifestyle so that I will be thoroughly prepared to run a household and stand by my future husband should that be God’s plan for my life. In the mean time, I live in a family and in a community which both desperately need godly young ladies who are willing to serve and fill in gaps as they follow the original pattern of Biblical womanhood.
But, you may ask, what about being independent? Isn’t that an important aspect of life women learn at college? I do not believe that the Bible teaches women to be independent. The normal pattern in scripture shows women as being under the caring protection and nurturing authority of husbands and fathers, except in the case of widows. Women are not designed to be independent or unprotected. Just look at the dearth of the unprotected and independent ladies we have today and notice the heart break and emotional baggage that comes as a result of broken or wrong relationships. How many times do we see ladies in bad relationships and ask, “where is her father, why isn't he doing his job?” How healthy is it to train unmarried ladies to be independent when the Bible says they are to submit to their husbands in marriage? (Eph 5:21-25) An independent spirit does not stop as soon as a woman says “I do” and emotional baggage is carried straight into marriage. Independence is not something the Bible advocates for women and as you look around our culture you can see the fruit of teaching women to be independent.
Please note, that choosing to be home-based and under God-ordained authority does not mean that I advocate sitting around and knitting all day. Far from it. As an unmarried women I am as responsible as anyone to wisely use the time He’s allotted me for His glory. The Proverbs 31 woman is a model for all ladies everywhere. Like her I want to be virtuous, trustworthy, productive, diligent, industrious, strong, and honorable. I want to reach out to the poor and the needy, take care of my family, avoid idleness, make wise purchases and investments for my family, plan for their good, smile at the future and speak wisdom and kindness. Who would not want to be like this woman?
In addition my life should be a picture of the one-another’s of scripture. I have more of an opportunity to reach out to others in the community who need a helping hand because I do not have the kind of commitments as a mother with children. I have time to travel as a companion with my widowed grandmother. I have time to assist my family in accomplishing hospitality as we reach out to others and bring them into our home for evangelism or fellowship. I have time to help bedridden mothers care for their household. Truly, the sky is the limit on how many opportunities I have to minister from home as I work on behalf of my family and my God.
So where does education and college fit into this picture? Every Christian should make it their aim to gain wisdom and knowledge throughout life. So whether I am studying for college exams or not, I should make it my goal to learn and grow wiser in the knowledge of God (Prov 1:7). This will help me on an everyday level as I make decisions about life. {2 Tim 3:16-17} The knowledge that I have learned in the process of gaining my degree will help me in my life purpose of ministry from the home. Through my studies on personal finance, I learned how to be a wise steward. Through economics I learned about the way financial systems work (or don’t work) so I can make better educated financial decisions. Through biology I was reminded that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through psychology I contemplated the way the world thinks and saw how God’s ways are better. Through history I saw how the choice to honor God impacts the culture and the future. Through music I saw the hand of God at work in organizing a logical system. Finally, through my work I am now very close to obtaining a four year bachelor's degree. Pursuing this degree fit my life purpose and now I will have it as one more tool in my tool box.
Now to the rest of the story . . . . (But first I must give credit to my friend at TrueFemininity for being the inspiration behind these posts! =)
My College Journey Part II - How I did it.
So now that you know a little bit more about my calling in life, let me continue the story of my college education. . . .
Graduation came and went. Even though all I had to do was enroll at our local school, I still was not comfortable with that choice. I deferred my enrollment to buy more time. Then it happened. Low and behold God sent CollegePlus! into my life! At the time, I was on Vision Forum’s website and I found a link to a company they endorsed called CollegePlus! As I explored CollegePlus!’s website I discovered a way to do college at home! Leave it to my Father in Heaven to provide an out of the ordinary way to get my degree just when I needed it. He knew my homemaker’s heart and He also knew exactly what I needed. By the end of August I was enrolled in their coaching program and ready to tackle my degree.
So how did I do it? Well, I found four major allies. They were CollegePlus!, Thomas Edison State College, CLEP tests and DANTES tests . . . read on to follow my journey.
CollegePlus! is a Christian company that is mainly a degree planning and coaching organization. They helped me plan my degree template and told me exactly which classes or tests I would need to get a B.A. in History. After I finished the preliminary work with the degree planner I was assigned a personal coach. My personal coach would call me about every two weeks to keep me accountable and to be available for any questions I might have. She would also email me study guides for each CLEP along with a recommended reading list. I stayed with them for two years and then branched off on my own since I had learned the ropes and could continue on my own.
Thomas Edison State College (TESC) is a school that grants degrees for credit obtained through CLEP, DANTES, and any other accredited sources. They also offer various internet classes, exams, and ways to obtain credit by life experience. My degree planner figured out that TESC would be the best place to obtain a degree and he gave me a list of CLEP and DANTES tests that would satisfy the requirements. Enrolling at TESC is the largest single sum of money I spent on my degree. However I did not enroll until I had accumulated nearly all of my transferable units. Enrollment is currently about $2600 and then there are fees for individual classes should the student choose to take them from TESC. They have a couple of different tuition plans depending on how many classes are needed from TESC. I am transferring in all of my 120 units and I will not be taking any classes directly from them.
CLEP or the College Level Exam Program is possibly the greatest thing invented since sliced bread. =) Ok, maybe not quite. These tests are designed by the College Board (the same body that oversees the SAT) to give credit for knowledge learned outside of the traditional classroom. There are 34 exams which have a broad range of subject matter. Some of the tests are worth six units and some of them are worth three. They currently cost $72 per test plus whatever administration fee the local testing facility charges, mine charged $30. So for $102 dollars I earned credit for a mere $17 dollars per unit (6 units) or $34 dollars (3 units).
All CLEP tests are multiple choice with the exception of the English Composition exam which includes an essay. I would typically read a text book on the subject (CollegePlus! would send a recommend reading list for each test) and take notes on what I was reading. Whenever I reached the end of my studying goal (usually the whole book) I would take a practice CLEP test and as long as I got 60% on that I knew that I would pass the real exam. The great thing about CLEP is that it is pass or fail. The perfect test score is 80 and the just passing score is 50. So I could basically invest a minimal amount of time on subjects like psychology and just pass the test or I could spend more time on a subject that is very interesting (economics) and pass with a higher score and a deeper knowledge of the subject.
DANTES tests are very similar to CLEP they were designed originally for military personal but are now available to the public. There are almost 2000 colleges and universities that grant credit for passing scores. There are 37 tests available and they are $80 dollars each (plus the administration fee). The great thing about DANTES is that Thomas Edison recognizes some of them as upper level units. I was able to satisfy most of my particular upper degree requirements through DANTES. The DANTES website also provides a free recommended reading list and study guide for each test. I would usually research the books and pick the one or two that looked the best to me.
Obtaining my degree this way allowed me to be creative with my education. (Depending on what degree is chosen, it may be completable from home or it may require classes on a campus.) Thomas Edison also recognizes credit transferred from community colleges so I chose a few classes I wanted to take in person. I took three music theory classes and a nutrition class at my local junior college. I also took Microsoft Excel, Quick-books, Intro to Accounting, Kinesiology and Fitness, California History and Latin America History online from three different California community colleges. The last two history classes (which I’m taking this semester) are fulfilling the last six units of my degree.
The Price Tag: All told (not counting books) my degree cost around $9,000 spread out over four and a half years. CollegePlus! is currently calculating that it will cost between $10,000-$15,000 to obtain a degree, depending on which major is selected.
Here’s an approximate break down of expenses:
18 CLEP tests = $1836.00
6 Dantes test = $630.00
9 Community College Classes: $1000.00
Thomas Edison Enrollment and Application Fee: $2675.00
CollegePlus! (two years at previous tuition rate): $2849.00
Grand Approximate Total: $8990.00
A Few Extras:
-Highschoolers: Another great way to earn credit is to take CLEPS while you are still in highschool. As you study subjects like government, history, economics, or literature . . . consider taking a clep as your final project. They really are not to advanced for highschool.
-Another invaluable resource was INSTACERT which is a quiz engine designed to help students practice for CLEP and DANTES.
-Books I obtained most of my textbooks from used book sites online for good prices. My favorite search site is http://www.dealoz.com/ (I think my best purchase was my Principles of Management book that I spent less than a dollar to buy. =)
-CLEP Book Suggestions
So to sum it all up my journey has been a great one and a blessed one. I have cherished the flexibility that comes from taking a test whenever I was ready for it and being able to travel, serve, and study at the same time. Because I wasn't required to be in class every day, I had the flexibility to participate in family events and most importantly I have been able to minister and serve from home. May I never doubt God's ability to provide for every need, great or small.
Graduation came and went. Even though all I had to do was enroll at our local school, I still was not comfortable with that choice. I deferred my enrollment to buy more time. Then it happened. Low and behold God sent CollegePlus! into my life! At the time, I was on Vision Forum’s website and I found a link to a company they endorsed called CollegePlus! As I explored CollegePlus!’s website I discovered a way to do college at home! Leave it to my Father in Heaven to provide an out of the ordinary way to get my degree just when I needed it. He knew my homemaker’s heart and He also knew exactly what I needed. By the end of August I was enrolled in their coaching program and ready to tackle my degree.
So how did I do it? Well, I found four major allies. They were CollegePlus!, Thomas Edison State College, CLEP tests and DANTES tests . . . read on to follow my journey.
CollegePlus! is a Christian company that is mainly a degree planning and coaching organization. They helped me plan my degree template and told me exactly which classes or tests I would need to get a B.A. in History. After I finished the preliminary work with the degree planner I was assigned a personal coach. My personal coach would call me about every two weeks to keep me accountable and to be available for any questions I might have. She would also email me study guides for each CLEP along with a recommended reading list. I stayed with them for two years and then branched off on my own since I had learned the ropes and could continue on my own.
Thomas Edison State College (TESC) is a school that grants degrees for credit obtained through CLEP, DANTES, and any other accredited sources. They also offer various internet classes, exams, and ways to obtain credit by life experience. My degree planner figured out that TESC would be the best place to obtain a degree and he gave me a list of CLEP and DANTES tests that would satisfy the requirements. Enrolling at TESC is the largest single sum of money I spent on my degree. However I did not enroll until I had accumulated nearly all of my transferable units. Enrollment is currently about $2600 and then there are fees for individual classes should the student choose to take them from TESC. They have a couple of different tuition plans depending on how many classes are needed from TESC. I am transferring in all of my 120 units and I will not be taking any classes directly from them.
CLEP or the College Level Exam Program is possibly the greatest thing invented since sliced bread. =) Ok, maybe not quite. These tests are designed by the College Board (the same body that oversees the SAT) to give credit for knowledge learned outside of the traditional classroom. There are 34 exams which have a broad range of subject matter. Some of the tests are worth six units and some of them are worth three. They currently cost $72 per test plus whatever administration fee the local testing facility charges, mine charged $30. So for $102 dollars I earned credit for a mere $17 dollars per unit (6 units) or $34 dollars (3 units).
All CLEP tests are multiple choice with the exception of the English Composition exam which includes an essay. I would typically read a text book on the subject (CollegePlus! would send a recommend reading list for each test) and take notes on what I was reading. Whenever I reached the end of my studying goal (usually the whole book) I would take a practice CLEP test and as long as I got 60% on that I knew that I would pass the real exam. The great thing about CLEP is that it is pass or fail. The perfect test score is 80 and the just passing score is 50. So I could basically invest a minimal amount of time on subjects like psychology and just pass the test or I could spend more time on a subject that is very interesting (economics) and pass with a higher score and a deeper knowledge of the subject.
DANTES tests are very similar to CLEP they were designed originally for military personal but are now available to the public. There are almost 2000 colleges and universities that grant credit for passing scores. There are 37 tests available and they are $80 dollars each (plus the administration fee). The great thing about DANTES is that Thomas Edison recognizes some of them as upper level units. I was able to satisfy most of my particular upper degree requirements through DANTES. The DANTES website also provides a free recommended reading list and study guide for each test. I would usually research the books and pick the one or two that looked the best to me.
Obtaining my degree this way allowed me to be creative with my education. (Depending on what degree is chosen, it may be completable from home or it may require classes on a campus.) Thomas Edison also recognizes credit transferred from community colleges so I chose a few classes I wanted to take in person. I took three music theory classes and a nutrition class at my local junior college. I also took Microsoft Excel, Quick-books, Intro to Accounting, Kinesiology and Fitness, California History and Latin America History online from three different California community colleges. The last two history classes (which I’m taking this semester) are fulfilling the last six units of my degree.
The Price Tag: All told (not counting books) my degree cost around $9,000 spread out over four and a half years. CollegePlus! is currently calculating that it will cost between $10,000-$15,000 to obtain a degree, depending on which major is selected.
Here’s an approximate break down of expenses:
18 CLEP tests = $1836.00
6 Dantes test = $630.00
9 Community College Classes: $1000.00
Thomas Edison Enrollment and Application Fee: $2675.00
CollegePlus! (two years at previous tuition rate): $2849.00
Grand Approximate Total: $8990.00
A Few Extras:
-Highschoolers: Another great way to earn credit is to take CLEPS while you are still in highschool. As you study subjects like government, history, economics, or literature . . . consider taking a clep as your final project. They really are not to advanced for highschool.
-Another invaluable resource was INSTACERT which is a quiz engine designed to help students practice for CLEP and DANTES.
-Books I obtained most of my textbooks from used book sites online for good prices. My favorite search site is http://www.dealoz.com/ (I think my best purchase was my Principles of Management book that I spent less than a dollar to buy. =)
-CLEP Book Suggestions
So to sum it all up my journey has been a great one and a blessed one. I have cherished the flexibility that comes from taking a test whenever I was ready for it and being able to travel, serve, and study at the same time. Because I wasn't required to be in class every day, I had the flexibility to participate in family events and most importantly I have been able to minister and serve from home. May I never doubt God's ability to provide for every need, great or small.
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