God has recently been telling me, “Give it away” and that is just what I am doing! I’ve invited some beautiful souls from my favorite Facebook community for women in the 50+ season of life, The Consilium: a Gathering of Wisdom and Grace. Enjoy the words from their hearts and, if you don’t mind, would you leave a comment to encourage them? Feel free to join us over at The Consilium – we would love to see you there!
Please welcome, Carol Hulin:
Since becoming a Christian I have loved reading and studying the Bible. I read commentaries; I do Bible studies; I read magazines, books, go online and participate in blogs. I want to know what words mean in the original language; I want to know context; I want to know how it can help me. I WANT TO KNOW.
This passion, this need like a junkie, a never ending want to know, runs deep in my soul. I want to know better, more, and different ways to study His Word. The idea of going back to college filled my head. I talked about it for a couple of years. Yes. No. Maybe. Maybe not.
Finally: Yes. (And they actually accepted me!!!) So here I sit, typing this in the Student Lounge as a full-time college student. Me a student . . . wait for it . . . at 52. It has been hard. The learning curve has been painful. My academic grammar is . . . um . . . awful. Sigh. My memory absorption is . . . um . . . what did you say?? My ability to string enough words together to put in a 1500 word essay is a few hundred words short. And did I mention homework? Like, every night? Reading, researching, essays, reports, studying? Egad.
But, I am learning, and it is not so much the Bible. It is learning to think, evaluate, adapt and be adaptable. I am meeting students with an awesome passion for the Lord. I am meeting professors who really, really, care about their students personally knowing Jesus and serving Him. And I have made a few new friends.
Along the way there have been pre-menopausal moments. I have had hot flashes in the middle of a class. It is hard to stay focused when suddenly you are sweating profusely and turning red. I have been tempted to run out of the class yelling: “Look out, lady HOT FLASHING!!!” as I try to escape, but I don`t think the professors would appreciate it and the younger students would not understand. Sigh. And the ladies washroom seems to be my favourite place to hang out. Sometimes, it is just a good place to hide.
I have even taken me to a new city. A much larger city than I have lived in, in a long time. With that comes feeling lost and alone (and literally getting lost as I do not have the greatest sense of direction). Where do I go to church? Where do I go for adult conversation? I do love these 18-year-olds, but we do not speak the same language when it comes to music, books, TV, tattoos!! But, He has even helped by putting the right person in place to help me find a wonderful church.
God is stretching me and growing me in unique ways. Ways that are hard to put into words. He is showing me that there are different ways to look at a sentence. He is showing me that there are different ways to look at volunteer and ministry work. He is healing and growing me, too. Yes this introvert has felt maxed out, glad to shut my bedroom door at the end of the day and lock the world out. But this particular college feels right. I am loved here; cared for here.
Do I recommend it? Yes. Heartily. Full-time. Part-time. Just one course. Yes. Yes. YES. So….what course have you really, really dreamed of taking? French cuisine cooking? Oil painting? Conversational Italian? Old Testament ? Sign Language? Bookkeeping? _____________ (fill in the blank).
My advice: Go. For. It. You will be enriched. You will grow. You will meet fascinating people. You may find your calling. Most importantly: you will see Him in the pages of whatever textbook you are reading, for He will be there with you cheering you on.
Carol Hulin: After working in the hotel industry for 25 years, Carol decided to go to Bible College where she is learning all sorts of interesting things about herself and the Bible. She recently moved to the Kitchener/Waterloo area of Ontario, Canada in order to attend college as a full time student. Being Canadian she add’s “u’s” to a lot of words: neighbour, favour, flavour and she has been known to use the word “eh” frequently. Carol writes for Team 365 at DeeperWaters.us and is Co Leader of her Hello Mornings Facebook group.
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I’m so proud of you for following through on your desire to learn and going to college full-time. It’s brave and courageous to put yourself out there. Younger people (and professors) need to see older people eagerly learning new things.
I, too, am a lifelong learner and am thinking of taking a few college courses at our local university…and I am 73,
Linda. Go for it! Take that university course. And thank you for your encouragement.
Such great advice, Carol. Yes, go for it! I’m so glad you did. I’m proud of you for being so brave. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. And to you too, Diane! So grateful for the time together in the canyon. It’s never long enough.
Laura, Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Your words are helping me stay upbeat while the end of semester crunch is on.
So proud of you, brave Carol! I can just imagine you running out of the room screaming about the hot flashes. Ha. Really, your love of learning and especially for the things of the Lord is priceless. You gave us great encouragement. Thank you, dear sister!
Shannon, I had another hot flash in class today. Unreal!. You encourage me girl and I love the idea of being your sister.
Carol…good for you~! I love reading stories of people who break the mold and try courageous things…you are an inspiration !
I changed careers at 57 and the last 7 years have been some of the happiest and most fulfilling of my life….so I am cheering you on to the finish line…and then some…into a new career maybe.
Whatever God has in store for you, I know it will be GOOD because He adores you and wants the BEST for you.
You Go Girl…is an expression nwe use in New Zealand to cheer one another on. I’m saying it to you.
Thanks Mary. Your story is encouraging me when I don’t know what He has in store after college.
So good to read your heart for God my friend. You are an inspiration and what an amazing testimony to the truth that God is always shaping and chiseling us, even in our 50’s….you go girl!
Crystal! Thank you. I love your words that God is “always shaping and chiseling us” Yes. He. Is.
Carol, I love your wisdom in this piece!! Thank you for sharing!
Your welcome Mary. I enjoyed sharing my experiences with everyone.
Carol, so proud of you! When I first moved to the U.S. 16 years ago, I was petrified. I am also directionally challenged so moving from Newfoundland where there is only ONE highway to SC where I have to not only remember the highway # but also which direction, was very stressful. I have been wanting to take some Bible doctrine classes for some time but right now my schedule has been crazy. So I am so envious of you & cheering you on, my fellow Canadian buddy!
Hey Canadian buddy, eh! I am learning so much about the Bible and about me but most importantly I`m learning about Him. Thank you for your encouragement