Kim's Matching Scholarship Fund
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Ever since I can remember I struggled to navigate life. Whether it was dealing with severe anxiety and depression as a child, being bullied, lifelong gastrointestinal issues, family illness or death, there was no way for me to not face life’s difficulties. They seemed to be everywhere, but I was fortunate enough to find some help...
My first encounter with God was when I was in the fourth or fifth grade. I was in bed under my mint green sheets with pink flowers and I was contemplating suicide. At that age it’s tough to say how I even knew what that was. All I knew was that I didn’t want to be here anymore. As I lay there thinking about how I would go about leaving this place a voice inside my mind jolted me to clarity. It said, “You can’t do this. You have things to do here and your father would be devastated.” In my mind I suddenly saw the image of a podium (which to me meant I had something to say) and I knew, in fact, that my father would blame himself. That was the end of that thought.
I’m telling this story not because I want to overshare, but because my interior life with God has sustained me throughout everything. Throughout my childhood and into adulthood I’ve spent hours talking with God, asking questions with my journal in hand and then receiving substantive answers to guide and comfort me.
Over the last fifteen years as part of my journey toward inner peace I have studied Christianity, Buddhism, Native American spirituality, Hinduism, Hawaiian shamanism, massage therapy and energy healing practices, mystics of every religion and life itself. Being a student is easy – I could study all day long. There reached a point, however, this last year in particular when keeping spiritual answers to myself was a dead end on my path. In April 2015, at the urgence of something deep inside of me I was moved to leave my wonderful, secure job and life in Kansas City, to travel into the unknown so that I could remember who I am and claim what it is that I do.
I’m now in the first year of a three-year Master in Divinity program at Iliff School of Theology, an interfaith but primarily Methodist school founded in 1892. I’m sure that my career goals will become clearer over time. For now, I’m looking into writing, teaching, spiritual direction, energy healing and chaplaincy. I love to support others on their various paths to remembering God, letting go of suffering and realizing unity consciousness (also called enlightenment). I deeply enjoy helping others to find peace in the middle of pain/discomfort/life.
Since I moved to Denver in August I have been cleaning houses to pay my monthly bills and relying on federal student loans to fund my education. I took 14 credit hours this quarter and I’m happy to say that I completed them with a 4.0.
Tuition at Iliff School of Theology costs (a jaw-dropping) $19,824 per year, however to my relief Iliff offers a $3,500 Matching Scholarship Program. If you can help me to raise $3,500 on GoFundMe by April 2016, Iliff will match the funds dollar-for-dollar, so that my 2015-2016 tuition will decrease by a total of $7,000!
It would be a huge help if you could support me with an educational scholarship gift. It would allow me to focus on my theological education and on developing my writing, teaching and spiritual direction skills. If you’d like a sample of my writing, you can check out my blog at www.omchild.wordpress.com. If you’d prefer to read articles I’ve written instead of my poetry, just click on July 2014 on the right side of the blog.
Would you be able to help me to reach my goal of $3,500? Any help you can give would be wonderful! If you have any questions at all, please just let me know.
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for your consideration and support. Your help will make a big difference!!
My first encounter with God was when I was in the fourth or fifth grade. I was in bed under my mint green sheets with pink flowers and I was contemplating suicide. At that age it’s tough to say how I even knew what that was. All I knew was that I didn’t want to be here anymore. As I lay there thinking about how I would go about leaving this place a voice inside my mind jolted me to clarity. It said, “You can’t do this. You have things to do here and your father would be devastated.” In my mind I suddenly saw the image of a podium (which to me meant I had something to say) and I knew, in fact, that my father would blame himself. That was the end of that thought.
I’m telling this story not because I want to overshare, but because my interior life with God has sustained me throughout everything. Throughout my childhood and into adulthood I’ve spent hours talking with God, asking questions with my journal in hand and then receiving substantive answers to guide and comfort me.
Over the last fifteen years as part of my journey toward inner peace I have studied Christianity, Buddhism, Native American spirituality, Hinduism, Hawaiian shamanism, massage therapy and energy healing practices, mystics of every religion and life itself. Being a student is easy – I could study all day long. There reached a point, however, this last year in particular when keeping spiritual answers to myself was a dead end on my path. In April 2015, at the urgence of something deep inside of me I was moved to leave my wonderful, secure job and life in Kansas City, to travel into the unknown so that I could remember who I am and claim what it is that I do.
I’m now in the first year of a three-year Master in Divinity program at Iliff School of Theology, an interfaith but primarily Methodist school founded in 1892. I’m sure that my career goals will become clearer over time. For now, I’m looking into writing, teaching, spiritual direction, energy healing and chaplaincy. I love to support others on their various paths to remembering God, letting go of suffering and realizing unity consciousness (also called enlightenment). I deeply enjoy helping others to find peace in the middle of pain/discomfort/life.
Since I moved to Denver in August I have been cleaning houses to pay my monthly bills and relying on federal student loans to fund my education. I took 14 credit hours this quarter and I’m happy to say that I completed them with a 4.0.
Tuition at Iliff School of Theology costs (a jaw-dropping) $19,824 per year, however to my relief Iliff offers a $3,500 Matching Scholarship Program. If you can help me to raise $3,500 on GoFundMe by April 2016, Iliff will match the funds dollar-for-dollar, so that my 2015-2016 tuition will decrease by a total of $7,000!
It would be a huge help if you could support me with an educational scholarship gift. It would allow me to focus on my theological education and on developing my writing, teaching and spiritual direction skills. If you’d like a sample of my writing, you can check out my blog at www.omchild.wordpress.com. If you’d prefer to read articles I’ve written instead of my poetry, just click on July 2014 on the right side of the blog.
Would you be able to help me to reach my goal of $3,500? Any help you can give would be wonderful! If you have any questions at all, please just let me know.
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for your consideration and support. Your help will make a big difference!!
Organizer
Kimberly Herndon
Organizer
Denver, CO