Tonight when I get home, I will be applying for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill is different than the Montgomery GI Bill, which I'm currently using to go to school part-time. The new bill pays directly to the school and, along with that, I will receive a monthly installment of BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing). Also, I'll receive a book and supplies stipend at the beginning of each semester. The catch?? The only way I can receive 100% educational benefits would be to go to school full-time, including one course a semester here at a local school. Right now I'm only enrolled in a Distance Learning Program, which was the easier choice when I was active duty and unsure of my future duty locations. Another drawback to doing this is that, unfortunately, the application process could take anywhere up to five months. Leave it to the Veteran's Administration to do everything at a glacial pace.
With that being said, come August (hopefully?!), I will be quitting my full-time job at Customs and running full-speed towards the finish of my Bachelor's degree; and then (FINALLY) moving on to finish my MA in Counseling Psychology. This year has been a whirlwind for me. I've seen God's hand in every area of my life, whether I was willing to admit it at the time or not. I've been 'comfortable' with my job for over 3 years. Going to school part-time, Navy Reserves, church, social life...you know, a routine. But I haven't been that settled every since, well, sometime this past January. I knew there were some things I would be stepping into (and out of) that would take me out of my comfort zone. We're always changing, right? I'm never one to back away from change. This should be a great time in my life as I'm working towards my dream with everything I can muster. Scary thing is, remembering my propensity to start things and not finish them has been more than overwhelming at times, threatening me with thoughts of failure. When those thoughts come, I will need to consider the mercy of God. He's been preparing me for this long before I even became conscious of the fact that I would become a full-time college student at 31. I'm debt-free as of this year (HALLELUJAH!), another member has been added to our team here at work and she's quickly learning the procedures, so she'll be a great asset and a fitting replacement for me; I won't feel as if I'm leaving my credit card team of 5 hanging out to dry. My best-friend and roomie is moving out, on a good note, of course, this July and so I'll have a relentless amount of time for study and quiet. Without a doubt, I will need it.
More to come as this transition progresses. Prayer and encouragement is extremely coveted at this moment. :)
1 comment:
I will keep all your plans in my prayers. As for past decisions not to follow through on things, is it possible that was part of God's plan? I truly believe He is not always leading us where we think we are going. Sometimes it is part of gaining knowledge and experience we need for what His final plan actually is. He may even have something different in mind as the final result of what you're doing now than you think. Remember to ask Him to guide you to follow His plan instead of asking Him to bless yours. Have a plan, but be flexible.
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