Forgiveness and Love

Walking in love and forgiveness is a daily thing. It's also a choice. Tank you , God for your strength and assistance.

End of an era and a beginning of another

In 48hrs, I put my son on a plan & off he goes away for his 1st yr in college. As my son begins go to go away to school, I have so much emotion. It's an end of an era and a beginning of another. I am thankful to God for all he has done

The college selection & preparation process

It’s only 5 days until my son moves into the dorms. I look back on the journey and realize all the hard work it took to pull this off. I’m blessed with a pretty good kid, grades were good, and he is goal oriented. Raised in the single-parent home, he graduated early a semester from high school, attended our local community college, and now is going off to school.

There were so many steps from deciding on a college, the admission process, selecting classes, and preparing to move into the dorms.

This blog is dedicated to all the parents that are looking at send their children to college in the next couple of years and find themselves overwhelmed with the process and financial out look.

The college selection & preparation process:

1) Take the ACT or SAT.

2) Narrow down 3-5 schools of interests (see my blog – How to chose the right college)

3) Visit the colleges- School are happy to give tours. Many schools have Open Houses.

4) Apply top 3-college choice- Fall of H.S. Senior yr. Application fees range from $25-50 each.

5) Complete the FAFSA form – completed this online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov January of the H.S. Senior yr. There is no charge for this form. It is free. You will need your W-2s and completed tax return to complete this form. There will be a section on the form where you will be asked to enter your school choices. Within a few days, you and the schools of choice will receive the results on the form. This form has many purposes. It helps illustrate your family need, family contribution and is a springboard for administration of free monies from the Federal and State Pell Grant programs. Please don’t assume you don’t qualify. Fill it out anyway.

6) Wait for College acceptance letters & their Financial Aid Award letters. For my family, the financial aid award letter was key. We were looking for what college could give the most financial aid and less out of pocket cost for us. We were blessing to have most of tuition & dorm paid.

7) Pay Admission Deposit– once you’ve made your choice on the right college, the college will require an admission deposit. This normally around $ 200. It is non-refundable, but usually applied toward tuition. Schools deadline for the Admission deposit is normally in the spring your child’s H.S. Senior year.

8) Apply for Financial Aid- Also in the spring of H. S. Senior yr, college have there own deadline for you to completed the college’s own forms for financial aid. First to complete the forms and any requested documentation, receive the most financial assistance possible.

9) Apply for University Housing- during this same spring on H.S. Senior yr, a housing deposit is required. Normally, it about $500 and is refundable if met by a certain deadline. This deposits guarantees a housing spot in the dorms, which goes very quickly. Please note that you child will need a meal plan, which is a separate cost.

10) Confirm your placement in English and math courses. – New student must take a placement test for English & Math.

11) Meet with your Academic Advisor and Register for classes

12) Attend New Student Orientation.

13) Obtain a School ID Card. – This card can be used for ID, washing clothes, the library, Computer lab, meals, etc

14) Final School Transcripts. - Send final high transcripts to college.

15) Purchase items for the dorms (A separate blog coming soon)

Tacori

A long term dream I have is to be united with the one that God has made specifically for me. Yes, eventually, I would like to be remarried to the right person.

I imagine what he would be like. A christian, strong, passionate, a great sense of humor, patient,attentive, generous, loving, supportive, my best friend, dependable, trustworthy, etc. He values a good woman and works hard on his relationship.

But this blog today is not about that man somewhere in my future. I will blog on that later. Today is about TACORI. Yes, I'm really not an extravagant person nor materialist it, but I have never seen jewelry made by anyone else that catches my eye. Tacori's engagement and wedding rings are so elegant. My dream is to own a ring by Tacori one day. Check out their website and tell me you don't agree. There's nothing like Tacori. http://www.tacori.com/

Fruits of My Labor

For so many years, there has been many challenges and hard work. At times, I began to wonder if I would ever reach the end to see my goals. This year has presented itself some challenges as well. However, I have also been fortunate to see some fruits of my labor This year alone, I have graduated with a Bachelors degree, moved to the state of my choice, been accepted to the grad school of choice, finally qualifying to apply for Federal jobs, and sending my child of to the college of his choice. Life is good!

Think it not Strange

I admit. Today is a harder day for me. I have obeyed God and moved by faith. It's been wonderful. However... Whenever we step out on faith to do something God has called us to do, there will be opposition. But, we must keep the faith. We are on the winning team. God's already has it worked out. In the end, we will prevail.

1 Pet 4:12, 13 (KJV)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.


1 Pet 4:12, 13 (NIV)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Dream 3- graduate school

Just 2 years ago, I returned to school to complete my Bachelors. I have graduated this summer. On September 11th, I will be starting graduate school. I"m so excited.

Being Spirit -Lead

For years , I have felt led to come and attend Potter's House. Last Sunday, I did. And the experience was priceless. It's like my entire move mad sense. I knew I was in the right place at the right time. God is so faithful.

Many times he will tell us to "get up & Go" without giving us the details. But, when we get there, we are never ashamed. We are blessed. I am thankful for being obedient. And I 'm so thankful to God.

Romans 8:14 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

How to move long distance on a tight budget

And I can tell you that you can still move interstate long distance fairly cheaply. Here’s how we did it…

1) Take nothing large with you – no furniture. It all can be replaced eventually & it cost too much to move.

2) Have a garage sale

3) Donate items to Salvation Army.

4) Decide what is essential to take.

5)What you can live without for a week ship via post office via Parcel Post rate mail (this may cost a few hundred dollars vs. $1000 or more for movers, renting a hitch/ trail, or u-haul)

6) Pack up your car with essentials for 1 wk – (clothes, kitchen, & bath items)

7) Drive there. Our trip was 15 hrs. We drove in 2 days staying in a hotel 1 night that I had a membership discount for. We paid for gas & ate cheaply on the road. You can also bring a cooler for snacks, drinks, & sandwiches.

Dream 2 accomplished- Relocating to the south

Once I knew my earning my degree was set in stone, I began looking toward completing another long-term goal I have had. I felt it was time to relocate. Nothing against the Midwest, but I felt the south calling me back home. My family gave me flack. They still do. But a girls got to do what a girl’s gotta do.lol

I’m here and I love it!

Dream 1 accomplished-I graduated at 40!!!!

It’s hard to believe that just 2 years ago, I went back to school to get my degree. It was scary, exciting, and challenging. I learned so much academically as well as about my own capabilities. Only two years later, I am graduating this summer with my Bachelors and, baby , I’m smiling!!!!

I also just got accepted to the graduate school of my choice. You go, girl! Lol I’m 40 and proud!

How to Choose the Right College

This is a great question and the answer varies with individual. But here are a few things to get in mind.

1) Size - large university or smaller college
2) Class size – large auditor or small classrooms
3) Private/ public
4) Cost
5) Classroom/ online
6) Urban/ college town/ rural
7) Diversity
8) Reputation
9) Teaching or research college

When choosing a college for myself, as well as my son who will be starting this fall, we looked at reputation, class size, diversity, & whether it fit our personality. I have not been disappointed at our decision.

How to finance My College Education

So now my student loans were in good standing, how do I finance my education?

1) Complete a FAFSA form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

2) Apply for scholarships at my school of choice. Colleges will give you monies based on grades, major, being a 1st yr student, etc.

3) Apply for outside scholarships – there are several great websites out there. Many scholarships are given for, grades, returning to school, ethnicity, affiliation, interests, etc. here are some great sties.

www.fastweb.com

www.schoolsoup.com

www.zinch.com

4) Most colleges also have payment plans.

Going back to school with Student loans

A few years back, frustrated with my life, I decide to start over.


The first thing I decided was to go back to school to get my degree. I had been putting off going back to school for years. Oh, I had all kinds of reasons not too. The cost of going back, defaulted student loans, didn’t want to be in the classroom, & I thought I didn’t have the time and that I was too old. But, I got tired of being pushed over for promotions that I was qualified to do just because I didn’t have degree.

So, how do you go back to school if your student loans are in default? My recommendation is to avoid scams and go straight to the source. The government has an excellent program. The U. S. Department of Education‘s William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. They will consolidate all your loans (even the defaulted ones) and set up a payment plan based on your income. (Payments not required while you are in school). Here’s the website http://www.dl.ed.gov/ find the loan consolidation link- which will lead you to https://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/AppEntry/apply-online/appindex.

My purpose - To encourage those to dare to start over.

Have you ever watched any of the Tyler Perry movies?   Regardless of which one, there’s always a woman who, through an event in her life, is forced in a transition and she begins to start over.  Through her new found journey, she grows, and discovers strengths and talents she never knew she had.  At times, she has to make decisions which requires her to take a leap of faith and try something new, but she soon finds herself successful.

This blog is dedicated to all the women that are not afraid to start over.   On here, you will find encouragement, tips, and just plain heartfelt truth.