Fantastic news!!

[Ashley]

Hey all!

Boy, do I have absolutely beyond words awesome news to share. I just got a call from Southwestern Seminary, my future alma mater. See, my parents had applied for several student loans, but Southwestern kept telling us they couldn't accept any federal money, and that included all the loans my parents got. I can't get a job yet because I'm not on campus for interviews. We didn't know what to do! But Mom and I both sincerely believed that everything would be ok; God would make a way!

This morning, just a few minutes ago, they called and told us I was awarded the presidential scholarship--a FULL TUITION scholarship for the FALL AND THE SPRING, and as if God was not good enough, it's also RENEWABLE!

Please join me in praising and worshipping our great God this morning! He is beyond faithful, beyond glorious, beyond awesome and worthy of all our praises. Without Him, this would be impossible; With Him, nothing is!

Joyfully yours,
Ash

[Mangafanatic]

Woo-hoo! God Rocks!

I can't even begin to say how happy I am for you, Ash. That's so awesome!

Praise God for all things which seem impossible!

[Yumie]

Yay! Congratulations! That's so cool, God works in the most awesome ways!

[Rogie]

That's great, Ash! Congrats. What were some of the requirements to be eligible for/to receive the presidential scholarship? If they looked into your leadership here, I'm thinking that would be a BIG plus in ministry, right?

Congrats and good luck! Praise God!

[Ashley]

What were some of the requirements to be eligible for/to receive the presidential scholarship?

None that I know of; meaning that as far as I know, President Patterson deliberately set this scholarship in place just for me; I may be the only person to ever recieve this. Either way, Dr. Patterson called a meeting of his staff together yesterday to discuss me, and told his financial aid director "I don't care what we have to do, get this girl here." Which, you know, makes you feel both very humbled but very important in God's eyes.

If they looked into your leadership here, I'm thinking that would be a BIG plus in ministry, right?

I did list CAA in my service record, but I doubt they actually looked into it. ^^;;

[Mave]

Congratulations and Praise God, Ashley!

[Rogie]

Well, that's certainly an honor, Ashley! To have a scholarship created for you... Wow!

I'm so proud of ya! (And by saying that, I now feel 30 years older... )

[Syreth]

Wow! What a strong calling from God this must be. It's a blessing that it was confirmed on both sides like that! That's awesome! I'll pray that you have a blessed time at seminary and that you grow in the Lord and that He shows you all sorts of things!

[GhostontheNet]

[quote="Ashley"]None that I know of] My oh my, that is an outstanding amount of trust the President places in you. Although in a technical sense you already are, by your own admission, the shepherdess of such a large community (although aided by others in the effort), and with the full intention of service for YHWH. I would not be so quick to dismiss their looking at CAA, something engendered this kind of trust. Your testimony for sure beats mine of recent - getting accepted to Asbury College on academic probation and transfering my term to two years away to be able to afford the costs of my intended route of studies (although this probably prevented me from sinking into a depressed feeling that I would never have what it takes to become a Biblical scholar, though that is my passion while still affirming the difficulties along the way). However, remember and do not forget the word of our Lord Yeshua Christ - "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more." (Luke 21:48 ESV)

[Spirit_Wolf8356]

That's great, Ashley! Praise the Lord! That's awesome!

[Ashley]

Thank you very much everyone. I just couldn't wait to share the wonderful news--and I hope more than anything else what you get out of this is "SEE! God can work in MY impossible situation, that means I know He can work in YOUR impossible situation too!"

Yes, I remember that to whom much is given, much is expected. I've already experienced that with CAA. Being on staff is not always a pleasurable thing, and there are times I very much want to just ignore whatever we have going on backstage and just be a part of the fellowship. But, as I've told some of my other staffers, "that's not a luxury a leader can afford." However, if what is demanded of me is a closer walk with my Savior and a life dedicated to His glory, I can think of no lesser price I'd rather pay.

I keep thinking about Luke 9:61-62. It's hard for me to think about leaving my family and my church, but I want to serve my God wholeheartedly, and not "look back" from the plow.

Today is my last day here at home; tomorrow I'm moving into my new dorm. It's a scary, but very exciting, time.

[ChristianKitsune]

TOtally Awesome Ashley! Congratualtions!God is so awesome! So great! I am so excited for you! ^^

[GhostontheNet]

See, my parents had applied for several student loans, but Southwestern kept telling us they couldn't accept any federal money, and that included all the loans my parents got.

To satisfy my mother's curiousity, is this school not acredited?

[The Grammarian]

To satisfy my mother's curiousity, is this school not acredited?

Presumably, it is accredited. They may refuse to accept federal funds because of the expectations that government funding can impose on a school. Hillsdale College does the same thing (Hillsdale's website tells some of the story: http://www.hillsdale.edu/CollegeHistory/ ).

And Ashley: Congratulations, and Hallelujah!

[Swordguy]

what you said made me think of james....3:1 where it talks about teachers and their postion....not to seek but to let God call you

[Ashley]

Actually, it is accredited, however the school chose to accept funding so they can remain in complete control. It's a little better if you're a Southern Baptist, because they you get a cooperative program scholarship, but it's still rather steep. I guess it's better than the alternative. This is their first year for an undergrad program, so they're still working out the kinks.

Please, keep praying for me. I have't been away from my family more than a few hours and it's already been really tough. Please keep praying for strength and encouragement.