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Okay...The last two weeks (update on my personal life's drama-It's long-sorry )
- Dec 31, 2008 at 6:56 AM
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- Comments (27) Total Views (687) Everyone can see this journal post.
As promised,this is what I had been going through the last two weeks. If you are a friend of mine or read past journals or posts you know that things have not been easy since the move (and why we moved-if you're just reading this,please refer to the "trials and tribulations" and "in need of a Christmas miracle post" to better under THIS journal)
In any case,We were served by the sheriff for eviction scheduled on Dec 29th @ 9:59...Meaning by 9:58 we had to be out or they can come throw the occupant and all their belongings out-or just the occupants and padlock the door with all your belongings in it.
Having no family nearby...And only recently making good friends with another couple in the same financial boat as we,Being thrown out would mean homeless shelters or homelessness-this was NOT an option,and for the past two weeks we had been on the phone or the computer trying to contact a church that offered assistance (filled out papers,met,verbally offered help,then last minute was not helping)...The Christian Mission...family members....
The original "worse comes to worse" gameplan was my husband's grandparents were going to arrange for Me n Z to return to PA while my husband room with a fellow student and finish out his courses and find employment and housing for Z and me to return...
THIS was not the option I wanted-though it would keep me n Z safe-the entire reason of moving was to rebuild our FAMILY....TOGETHER...
The help we filed for w/ the Salvation Army was never approved-and they never let us know...So not only were we behind on Dec's rent,but Nov's also...
The church flat out said to me in an email "why don't you consider going back to PA...things obviously did not go as you planned"
THAT just stabbed my heart and soul and really took a shot at my faith. A church casting a family out.....At that point I couldn't keep it in...I e'ed back telling them my heart was broken,my soul was tired and my faith was weak and I felt I was being cast away...Suddenly they replied "We're not casting you away" (coulda fooled me w/ telling us to move back to PA (from NC,w/ no money and no help))
I simply asked if anything could be done to please contact our contact at the mission
In the mean time I had tried to write appeals to the local newspaper and news station to try n find a way to help...Neither responded.And various other places,no response.
Many hours of research and phone calls,and info tips from friends here on cafemom (thank you so much)
We were in contact with the mission and I asked if there was any way they could help with food-that evening they came by with a box of food and a basket of canned goods for the family up the street.
One mom (in Idaho) actually contacted her church to get in contact w/ the church here...We were met w/ missionaries and someone from the church-turns out is in my husband's current class at school. The missionaries listened and prayed...The person with later returned with food.
Can't remember if it was the 23rd or Christmas eve-but I woke to hear my husband say "I'm not sure what you did,but I just got off the phone with the mission,and the woman from the church WAS in contact with them" (well-THAT was a major surprise)
One thing that surprised me-my husband had told me,and his grandparents "If Heidi n Z go back to PA...we ALL return as a family-I'm not breaking us up"....
I gotta admit-I was amazed...This was a decision made BY my husband,on HIS own...from his own thoughts...HE came to realize WE all need to be together-no matter what. And he told his grandparents who round about told him to hang on -they'd see what could be done...
Now through this all,even with the desperation,I felt like it wasn't so much myself who was being tried and broken in faith...as it was my husband. In 9 years my faith has grown,and HE had seemed to lose his and any interest he had originally when we first met...He fell into friendships with faithless friends who happily were leading him down a path of destruction for our marriage. This wasn't about me...But honestly a test of HIS faith I truly believe. In fact...One night I came and slipped him the phone # to a prayer line I had used...Told him WHEn he was ready,to call...that I could NOT be the only one carrying this family in faith...He kinda shrugged me off,took the phone #...Sat down for 20 or so minutes watching TV...He returned to me as I was making dinner and says "WHAT do you want me to do???" and I explained to him to just call and pour out his heart...And NOT to ask for things because you expect it,but just to be sincere...I watched him walk away and ponder my words for a moment,then grab the phone and walk out on the patio.
When he returned I simply told him "thank you" (tears streaming) and we continued our night...
Well Christmas eve husband gets a call from the rental office-to come up-the woman from the church would be there...turns out the did offer a bit (bout a third) of help AND arranged for someone to pick us up for church that night.
Well my husband LOVED the service...In fact-the pastors sermon (not your typical Christmas eve sermon) actually seemed like it was being directly spoken to my husband. And the gentleman who picked us up-insisted we come to dinner with his family after the service-his treat...
My husband's grandparents offered to help-only one problem...ELEVEN day hold on a check (being large and out of state and sheriff was requiring money orders) and we didn't have 11 days...So in the end,my husband's Aunt hand delivered the rest to take care of the rent sunday night on her way back from PA to FL.
We made it by the skin of our teeth-and on the prayers that you all lifted us up with.
We still need employment and food,it's not over,but we still have the roof over our heads.
Thank you to all my friends who provided gifts under the tree for Zoë (without you and Z's teacher-there would have been nothing under the tree) and GC's for food-without you the past several weeks there'd be no food on the table...
As I said-there's still ALOT of work to be done to make this right (be it employment or temporary gov't assistance til we get on our feet)-this isn't over,but it IS a CHANCE for a new start in a New Year.
Bless you all my friends for holding our family up in prayer,well wishes and just keeping me going when I wanted to give up. I love you more than you realize.
~Heids
Tags: christmas, eviction, faith, friends, help, miracles, prayers
Comments:
Hang tough! Last January 2008 we lost our house(not many people know this-I haven't sdvertised our past probs and wasn't on cafemom back then). My husband was in a roll over accident and was out of work for 7 mths. We got 460 a week from TDI. My mortgage w/ taxes & insurance was 2100 - you do the math. Well long story short they foreclosed we had to find housing - it was small we were packed in like sardines all of my belongings were scattered in basements and garages. We spent 9 months in a less than ideal situation looking for a solution. Well lo and behold I found a house that had belonged to an elderly lady who passed away the bank was selling it for 89K OMG!!! A present from God-right? Well with a foreclosure how do you get a mortgage? Along comes MIL & FIL bought house and we pay mortgage. My mortgage is less than I was paying in rent in the small rental and we have 3 beds and a yard. What more do I need? That's why I say hang tough, you'll make it thru. God Bless and Good Luck! Best wishes in 2009!
Heids, I am teary eyed while reading this! What great news that God is doing such a work on your husband! That's awesome and amazing, isn't it?! I will continue to pray for you all, and I truly pray that the New Year brings about a job, and prosperity for you.
Oh sweetie! I'm so sorry you guys are going through this. But, I'm glad you guys are safe and have a roof over your heads. You know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm hoping 2009 is a much better year for you and your family. God Bless!
I am sooo happy that you guys got a roof over your heads. There's no way to go but up, things have GOT to get better. Talk about your Christmas Eve miracle! I'm gonna to continue to think about and pray for you guys in 2009.
I've got tears in my eyes reading this. I am SO happy things are falling into place. May they continue that way!! Your karma is coming back to you. I hope 2009 has wonderful things in store for y'all!
Heidi , We have room here in Va for you if you need it . Just let me know.
LOVE YOU! That of a mustard seed.......right?
I'm crying too. and Rhonda the faith of the mustard seed.....you hit it right on the head. We had that verse in our 2nd wedding ceremony.
I will continue to pray for you. You are never ever far from my mind. You just have to hold on tight to that rope and "never let go through the calm or through the storm" ((((((((HUGS)))))))) and love.....
Heidi, I am so glad things are working out so far and that a roof is still over your heads. Miracles do happen so don't give up wishing and praying to the All Mighty One above. No one ever said life is easy.
God Bless you Guys... Contact me if you need anything or an ear to chat and listen.
Jackie, Nicole, Dylan, and JR
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Hang on - that is all we can do these days - I went thru an awful year in 2007-2008 - and I am testimony that there IS light at the end of the tunnel with faith and strength....I will continue to pray for your family...