There really isn't much here, I just needed a new page.
For any one who is wondering, I am working, both at the hospital, and at a store part time. I babysit my friend's daughters after school. The kids both have their schedules running to and fro, and I am the taxi. I still try to keep up with the reading/checking out the sites, even if I don't add anything. There are so many people who say it before me and more well worded than I.
Any way, I am glad you are checking up on me, and I will try to respond!
God Bless!
Love, Faith
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Recovery
Hello everyone!
It is exactly one week after my surgery. I am feeling well and getting stronger all the time. My surgeon was able to perform the entire proceedure with the robot, and I have 4 incisions across my belly. All of them are less than 1 inch. the stitches, if there were any, are dissolved, and I haven't needed pain meds since last Fri. I am driving, and going thru the day with out the need for too much rest! The Lord has indeed blessed and healed me! How awesome is He!
I want to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts at this time for me and my family! My family in Christ is the best!
Love, Faith
It is exactly one week after my surgery. I am feeling well and getting stronger all the time. My surgeon was able to perform the entire proceedure with the robot, and I have 4 incisions across my belly. All of them are less than 1 inch. the stitches, if there were any, are dissolved, and I haven't needed pain meds since last Fri. I am driving, and going thru the day with out the need for too much rest! The Lord has indeed blessed and healed me! How awesome is He!
I want to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts at this time for me and my family! My family in Christ is the best!
Love, Faith
Friday, June 22, 2007
Surgery
It is Friday, and I have to go to the hospital for pre op tests today. I will be having a hysterectomy on Mon, June 25. I work at the hospital, and I know most of the people who will be taking care of me on a personal level. I am friends with my anesthesiologist, and my surgeon is awesome! My nurses are friends of mine that I have worked with for years. Most of all, I know that the Lord is with me, and will be guiding my surgeons' hands. The outcome is good!
My surgeon will be using a new technique with me. She will be doing a laproscope to see the area, and flexible scopes to perform the procedure. Her hands will be on handles, and there are tiny robots at the ends of the scopes that will do the actual cutting and cauterizing. It is still fairly new, but I am in great hands. (ALL of them!) By doing it this way, the recovery time is shortened, and there are fewer incisions. Hopefully, less chance of infection.
I am looking forward to getting this done, as I have had multiple problems for years (endometriosis, cysts, fibroids--now) I had been told I would never have children because of the issues I had. I was told that I would have a hyst by the time I was 30. My daughter was born when I was 29, and I thank God for her! My little blessing and reminder that when man says something cannot be done, God shows him Who is really in charge!
I will try to keep up with everyone, even if I don't write much for a while!
I love you all, God Bless!
Love, Faith
My surgeon will be using a new technique with me. She will be doing a laproscope to see the area, and flexible scopes to perform the procedure. Her hands will be on handles, and there are tiny robots at the ends of the scopes that will do the actual cutting and cauterizing. It is still fairly new, but I am in great hands. (ALL of them!) By doing it this way, the recovery time is shortened, and there are fewer incisions. Hopefully, less chance of infection.
I am looking forward to getting this done, as I have had multiple problems for years (endometriosis, cysts, fibroids--now) I had been told I would never have children because of the issues I had. I was told that I would have a hyst by the time I was 30. My daughter was born when I was 29, and I thank God for her! My little blessing and reminder that when man says something cannot be done, God shows him Who is really in charge!
I will try to keep up with everyone, even if I don't write much for a while!
I love you all, God Bless!
Love, Faith
Monday, May 28, 2007
Father
This is an update on my dad, Sam, for anyone who would like to know how he is doing. To let you know, my dad has a long history of degenerative arthritis. It has gotten so bad that he and my mom retired to Las Vegas about 5 years ago, so that he could live in a hot, dry climate. We don't exactly have that type of climate here in Indiana. It has helped him, and although we never expected him to be cured, he has had some improvement in his quality of life. The effects of the arthritis have been slowed a little bit. Just this past December, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. The medicine for the Parkinson's allieviates some of the tightness of the arthritis, and allows him to be a little more mobile. He walks with the assistance of a cane. We have suspected, over the last few years, that Dad may be having TIA's, or Mini Strokes. In fact, when my parents came to visit us just this April, my mom and I are convinced that he had one during the visit. By the way, my dad is only 64 years old. Thurs, May 24, he was experiencing some headache pain. He then became unresponsive, and my mom called the ambulance. He was taken to North Vista Hospital (LV). He did regain consciousness in the ER, and they began the battery of tests to find out the reason for his headache and then passing out. On Sunday, the Dr confirmed that Dad had experienced a mild stroke. He does not appear to be suffering any long term effects or damage, and he was discharged Sun afternoon. He already has a neurologist for the Parkinson's, and he will be able to treat him for the stroke as well. Because of this admission into the hospital, the dr was also able to order home health care for dad, so that now he will receive OT/PT 2-3 times a week. This will help with his strength and balance. He seems to be doing ok! Praise the Lord!
My dad is also a Christian. When the events began, we were all worried about dad of course, and as we prayed, we knew everything would work out ok. When Dad was able to talk, I spoke to him on the phone. He told me that he wasn't afraid. If he got better, or if he didn't, God had where He wanted him either way. I still think that was such a cool testimony! I have to admit, I am glad the Lord has allowed us to keep Dad around for a little more earthly time with him. It will be awesome when we do all get together in our Heavenly home, and Dad will be in no more pain and able to get around like he used to, and better!
Like Sam, my Heavenly Father loves me. Unlike Sam, my Abba has everything under His control. This is why my dad was not afraid. It is also why I am not afraid. Even though there are so many things happening around us, and so much prophecy is coming about, and so many of us know we don't belong here and we know what is to come...I am not afraid. Just like when I was little, and my dad would hold my hand to let me know he was there and would protect me, my Abba does the same for me even now. I was always my dad's princess, and with my Heavenly Father as the King of Kings, that truly does make me a princess!
I love both my dads. Because of One, I have the other. Praise the Lord: He is so Good!
God bless you! Thank you again for your prayers!
Love, Faith
My dad is also a Christian. When the events began, we were all worried about dad of course, and as we prayed, we knew everything would work out ok. When Dad was able to talk, I spoke to him on the phone. He told me that he wasn't afraid. If he got better, or if he didn't, God had where He wanted him either way. I still think that was such a cool testimony! I have to admit, I am glad the Lord has allowed us to keep Dad around for a little more earthly time with him. It will be awesome when we do all get together in our Heavenly home, and Dad will be in no more pain and able to get around like he used to, and better!
Like Sam, my Heavenly Father loves me. Unlike Sam, my Abba has everything under His control. This is why my dad was not afraid. It is also why I am not afraid. Even though there are so many things happening around us, and so much prophecy is coming about, and so many of us know we don't belong here and we know what is to come...I am not afraid. Just like when I was little, and my dad would hold my hand to let me know he was there and would protect me, my Abba does the same for me even now. I was always my dad's princess, and with my Heavenly Father as the King of Kings, that truly does make me a princess!
I love both my dads. Because of One, I have the other. Praise the Lord: He is so Good!
God bless you! Thank you again for your prayers!
Love, Faith
Monday, April 9, 2007
I am Blessed
I am so blessed. I really am. I just enjoyed a wonderful visit with my family. I took spring break off from work, readied the house, and thoroughly enjoyed the visit. I had my parents fly in from Las Vegas. They retired out there 5 years ago, and I miss them very much. My dad required hot, dry climate, for his increasing arthritis and general health issues. My mom likes the warm of the desert as well. My brother and his daughter (age 11) moved out there with them about 3 years ago. He was into drugs and alcohol, and was kicked out of 3 apartments within a year. I was going to have my niece stay with me, because he was not really able to take care of her. Since he moved out to my parents, he is clean and sober, and has gone back to school. He graduates in 18 months. All four were able to fly out to our home.
Also able to come out were 2 of my dad's sisters and 1 brother. (My dad was one of 6) One aunt is unable to travel and the other brother was unable to get time from work.. They all live in Virginia, on our family farm. They stayed for 4 days! We had decent weather at that time, and dad got to enjoy being with his siblings for probably the last time in this lifetime. You see, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's only a couple of months ago, and the meds are not really doing much good for him. He still has tremors, from the Parkinson's, and his hands and feet are twisted and gnarled from the arthritis. But he really had a good time. We heard all kinds of family stories of them in "The old days..." and since my dad's sister introduced them, and they married a year later, he wanted to do something nice for them. Their 42nd wedding anniversary is next week. Without letting my mom know, (the rest of us were in on it) he arranged for us to all go out to dinner at a local restaurant. Mom thought Michael and I were the instigators. She did not expect it to be Dad. At the announcement, Dad stood up, and told everyone that she was always his true love, always had been and always would be, and there was never anyone else for him. She cried, I think we all did.
We took a couple a days to go to their old town, where we used to live, so they could see old friends. The town certainly has changed! During this time, we believe that my dad may have suffered a small stroke, a TIA if you will. I stayed with him and he seemed to come out of it a bit, but there is some residual effects. We came back to our home, and went to the passion play that night. I had never been to a passion play before, and had seen Mel Gibson's movie only once (It was so very powerful). Our church did a really nice job, everyone in character before, during and after the play, and our pastor gave the invitation and several people came to Jesus as a result of it. Praise GOD for those!
When we got home, My little Boo asked her grandpa, "You know, when Jesus comes, I get to go fly in the sky to be with Him. Are you going too?" And Da (as we call grandpa) said,"Yes I am, and since He is going to fix my old body and give me a new one, I'll be able to keep up with you!" They hugged and Boo told him how much she loves him and Jesus, and Da told her some of the Bible stories he used to tell me when I was her age.
It was so very hard to take them to the airport for them to fly back. Lots of hugs, laughs, and tears. I know that it will be dad's last trip here, because travelling is too hard on him. He felt good about seeing his family and seeing the places that he called home for a while. He had fun watching the kids hunt for Easter eggs, some filled with candy and quarters, others from the Ressurection Eggs. He told the story of Jesus that evening, so the real meaning is not lost on the kids.
I am cleaning up the house now. I have things to put away, things to dust, LOADS of laundry. Lots to do. And I am smiling! Because we had a great visit, and I know that as much as my dad is hurting physically, he and I share another Daddy, a Heavenly Father who is going to make everything better one day. I was blessed to have such great parents, and a fun, loving family. We still enjoy being around each other, and there are so many families who don't or can't. My husband and my dad spent a couple of evenings on the deck, just talking. It was a great time.
I thank the Lord for blessing me with so much! Not just these things this week. But for the real meaning of Easter....The Resurrection and Eternal life that I will have with my Lord and Saviour! AND, I know that I am going to have one heck of a family reunion up there, not only with the family I know about, but all my friends and family in Jesus Christ! Oh blessed is the day!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Also able to come out were 2 of my dad's sisters and 1 brother. (My dad was one of 6) One aunt is unable to travel and the other brother was unable to get time from work.. They all live in Virginia, on our family farm. They stayed for 4 days! We had decent weather at that time, and dad got to enjoy being with his siblings for probably the last time in this lifetime. You see, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's only a couple of months ago, and the meds are not really doing much good for him. He still has tremors, from the Parkinson's, and his hands and feet are twisted and gnarled from the arthritis. But he really had a good time. We heard all kinds of family stories of them in "The old days..." and since my dad's sister introduced them, and they married a year later, he wanted to do something nice for them. Their 42nd wedding anniversary is next week. Without letting my mom know, (the rest of us were in on it) he arranged for us to all go out to dinner at a local restaurant. Mom thought Michael and I were the instigators. She did not expect it to be Dad. At the announcement, Dad stood up, and told everyone that she was always his true love, always had been and always would be, and there was never anyone else for him. She cried, I think we all did.
We took a couple a days to go to their old town, where we used to live, so they could see old friends. The town certainly has changed! During this time, we believe that my dad may have suffered a small stroke, a TIA if you will. I stayed with him and he seemed to come out of it a bit, but there is some residual effects. We came back to our home, and went to the passion play that night. I had never been to a passion play before, and had seen Mel Gibson's movie only once (It was so very powerful). Our church did a really nice job, everyone in character before, during and after the play, and our pastor gave the invitation and several people came to Jesus as a result of it. Praise GOD for those!
When we got home, My little Boo asked her grandpa, "You know, when Jesus comes, I get to go fly in the sky to be with Him. Are you going too?" And Da (as we call grandpa) said,"Yes I am, and since He is going to fix my old body and give me a new one, I'll be able to keep up with you!" They hugged and Boo told him how much she loves him and Jesus, and Da told her some of the Bible stories he used to tell me when I was her age.
It was so very hard to take them to the airport for them to fly back. Lots of hugs, laughs, and tears. I know that it will be dad's last trip here, because travelling is too hard on him. He felt good about seeing his family and seeing the places that he called home for a while. He had fun watching the kids hunt for Easter eggs, some filled with candy and quarters, others from the Ressurection Eggs. He told the story of Jesus that evening, so the real meaning is not lost on the kids.
I am cleaning up the house now. I have things to put away, things to dust, LOADS of laundry. Lots to do. And I am smiling! Because we had a great visit, and I know that as much as my dad is hurting physically, he and I share another Daddy, a Heavenly Father who is going to make everything better one day. I was blessed to have such great parents, and a fun, loving family. We still enjoy being around each other, and there are so many families who don't or can't. My husband and my dad spent a couple of evenings on the deck, just talking. It was a great time.
I thank the Lord for blessing me with so much! Not just these things this week. But for the real meaning of Easter....The Resurrection and Eternal life that I will have with my Lord and Saviour! AND, I know that I am going to have one heck of a family reunion up there, not only with the family I know about, but all my friends and family in Jesus Christ! Oh blessed is the day!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Family
I am back. For anyone who suffered through the last post I had, I am back to my "normal" self. I suppose it would be better to say baseline rather than normal!
First of all, I want to thank everyone who gave me such warm encouragement and prayers through that time. I felt the Spirit working through you all and was lifted in prayer! That was totally incredible! I really needed it and I felt it so greatly! So again, Thank you all so much!!!
Secondly, I love you all so much! You are so are such beautiful people! I am truly blessed to be surrounded by you all!
I felt like I really needed to vent, and this was as good as a place as any. The next morning after my purge, I kind of hoped that nobody actually read through all that mess, I felt like I was dumping.
This brings me to what I felt moved to say today. Trust me, I will get there!
About 4 years ago, my parents retired to the Las Vegas area. My dad needed a dry, hot climate for a myriad of health reasons, and my mom was ok with the choice. It came to LV, because my aunt (mom's sister) is married to a man who is obsessed with LV. Needless to say, I wasn't really thrilled with the location. I had never been to LV before, and with a name like "Sin City" and al the ads for it, I had hoped they would go elsewhere. At the time, I was a single mom with a little girl, and they were moving VERY far away from us. (Before the moved, they were about an hour's drive from me). Well, they went. Dad has arthritis (severe), and he is unable to handle our constantly changing and col to humid weather. The warm desert sun has helped him. He has recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons. But, there is a very good VA hospital close to their apartment, and he is in with a great doctor. Mom is retired once from her job here, but now works as a lunch lady at a school within walking distance of their apartment. They seem to be thriving well. My younger brother and his daughter were having various problems, and ended up moving to LV and they all now share a large apartment. Everyone helps everyone, and it seems to be working out well. I feel much better knowing my niece is in a safe place and is cared for, my brother is trying to get his stuff together and has gone back to school for training in juvenile criminal justice (trust me, he has the background and life experience for this one! He should do well!) I know my mom isn't taking all the cares on by herself, and dad is cared for and safe too. I helped them on their move, and it was the first time I had been to LV. Still not my kind of place, and the desert made me miss all the green I have here at home, but it does have a certain beauty. I still know I don't wish to live there, but that is ok. I don't gamble, I am not into the overtly sexuality there on the Strip, but there are other things to see and do. Since Michael and I got married, we have been there twice. Last summer, we stayed at my parents', then took a drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We stayed there a week. THAT WAS AWESOME! I honestly think everyone, if able, should see God's handiwork in the Canyon and the surrounding area! Then we went to some of the places on the Strip that were family friendly. We saw the "Bodies" exhibit~Totally amazing! Again, to see God's work! We saw the fountains dance, the aquarium. Lots of good things. It was fun, and the kids thought it was totally amazing that they could go to the pool and comfortably swim at 1:00 in the morning! This is something you CANNOT do in Northern Indiana, regardless of time of year!
My parents, my brother, and my niece are all flying out to our home for the first week in April! They will spend Easter with us! I am so excited! We speak on the phone 2-3 times a week, sometimes more, but we haven't seen them since last July. So I am cleaning house and getting things ready for their visit.
Then we heard from my dad's sister in Virginia. Remember, this is where we are from originally, and most of my dad's family is still there on a farm that has been in the family for over 200 years. My dad's sister (who was my mom's best friend in high school) is coming for one of the weekends my parents will be here. She is like my other mom, we are very close! She is travelling with another of my dad's sisters. My dad's brother may come if his wife is up for the trip. (I sure hope so...she also has had some health issues, but I would love for them both to be able to come!) This puts us to 4, potentially 8, people coming for Easter. Then, my mom's baby sister, who lives in Lansing MI called. She may come down for the weekend too. That makes 10! I am THRILLED to have my family around me! Michael's family was never very close, and he doesn't have much to begin with. He has an older sister, and a niece. His parents are gone, and he doesn't speak with his older brother. When we got married, he said he needed more family. We are quite close on both my mom and dad's side. I am not sure he knew the full dose of his words when he asked to share my family, but he's got us now!
We have a family reunion every year in VA, 2nd weekend of August. My cousin is the family historian, and records deaths/births/marriages for everyone. We go back about 6 generations or so, and the family lines from that point. The paper hangs on the side of the shelter and it is about 35 feet long. Michael jokes that his family tree would fit on a single 81/2 by 11 sheet. It is good to see everyone and catch up. Watching the kids get bigger every year and getting into the same trouble we used to at that age!
I feel especially blessed, in that I was an adopted child. My brother and I both were. My parents were unable to hve children the conventional way, and they adopted me first, then went into foster care as foster parents, and my brother came along a few years later. At one time, I had 3 sisters and 11 brothers. And some of the best memories ever!
I have met my biological parents, and have a relationship with 2 of my half siblings. My biological mother has a lot of issues, and although it is not possible at this point to have a relationship with her, I am thankful for her choice. My biological father and I exchange Christmas cards, but by my choice, we also do not have a close relationship. It is ok, my parents are my parents, it isn't like I was missing anything. Both of these people just have a lot of issues that I cannot involve myself into. I still pray for them, and that is ok.
But I have another family, too. My family in Christ. I have so many brothers and sisters and I will see them all someday soon in His glorious presence! I have met many of them on the internet and through this blog thing! We seemed to be brought together by the Spirirt Himself and I was reminded this week just how blessed I am to have all my different families! I cannot even find words adequate to show you all how much I love you and how much you all mean to me!
So again!
I love you! Thanks so much for your prayers! You are all my blessed brothers and sisters in Jesus and I hope to see you all soon! We will share the biggest hugs ever! And I have to get back to cleaning my house for other members of my family! It's a party!
Love you all and God Bless!
Love
Faith
First of all, I want to thank everyone who gave me such warm encouragement and prayers through that time. I felt the Spirit working through you all and was lifted in prayer! That was totally incredible! I really needed it and I felt it so greatly! So again, Thank you all so much!!!
Secondly, I love you all so much! You are so are such beautiful people! I am truly blessed to be surrounded by you all!
I felt like I really needed to vent, and this was as good as a place as any. The next morning after my purge, I kind of hoped that nobody actually read through all that mess, I felt like I was dumping.
This brings me to what I felt moved to say today. Trust me, I will get there!
About 4 years ago, my parents retired to the Las Vegas area. My dad needed a dry, hot climate for a myriad of health reasons, and my mom was ok with the choice. It came to LV, because my aunt (mom's sister) is married to a man who is obsessed with LV. Needless to say, I wasn't really thrilled with the location. I had never been to LV before, and with a name like "Sin City" and al the ads for it, I had hoped they would go elsewhere. At the time, I was a single mom with a little girl, and they were moving VERY far away from us. (Before the moved, they were about an hour's drive from me). Well, they went. Dad has arthritis (severe), and he is unable to handle our constantly changing and col to humid weather. The warm desert sun has helped him. He has recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons. But, there is a very good VA hospital close to their apartment, and he is in with a great doctor. Mom is retired once from her job here, but now works as a lunch lady at a school within walking distance of their apartment. They seem to be thriving well. My younger brother and his daughter were having various problems, and ended up moving to LV and they all now share a large apartment. Everyone helps everyone, and it seems to be working out well. I feel much better knowing my niece is in a safe place and is cared for, my brother is trying to get his stuff together and has gone back to school for training in juvenile criminal justice (trust me, he has the background and life experience for this one! He should do well!) I know my mom isn't taking all the cares on by herself, and dad is cared for and safe too. I helped them on their move, and it was the first time I had been to LV. Still not my kind of place, and the desert made me miss all the green I have here at home, but it does have a certain beauty. I still know I don't wish to live there, but that is ok. I don't gamble, I am not into the overtly sexuality there on the Strip, but there are other things to see and do. Since Michael and I got married, we have been there twice. Last summer, we stayed at my parents', then took a drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We stayed there a week. THAT WAS AWESOME! I honestly think everyone, if able, should see God's handiwork in the Canyon and the surrounding area! Then we went to some of the places on the Strip that were family friendly. We saw the "Bodies" exhibit~Totally amazing! Again, to see God's work! We saw the fountains dance, the aquarium. Lots of good things. It was fun, and the kids thought it was totally amazing that they could go to the pool and comfortably swim at 1:00 in the morning! This is something you CANNOT do in Northern Indiana, regardless of time of year!
My parents, my brother, and my niece are all flying out to our home for the first week in April! They will spend Easter with us! I am so excited! We speak on the phone 2-3 times a week, sometimes more, but we haven't seen them since last July. So I am cleaning house and getting things ready for their visit.
Then we heard from my dad's sister in Virginia. Remember, this is where we are from originally, and most of my dad's family is still there on a farm that has been in the family for over 200 years. My dad's sister (who was my mom's best friend in high school) is coming for one of the weekends my parents will be here. She is like my other mom, we are very close! She is travelling with another of my dad's sisters. My dad's brother may come if his wife is up for the trip. (I sure hope so...she also has had some health issues, but I would love for them both to be able to come!) This puts us to 4, potentially 8, people coming for Easter. Then, my mom's baby sister, who lives in Lansing MI called. She may come down for the weekend too. That makes 10! I am THRILLED to have my family around me! Michael's family was never very close, and he doesn't have much to begin with. He has an older sister, and a niece. His parents are gone, and he doesn't speak with his older brother. When we got married, he said he needed more family. We are quite close on both my mom and dad's side. I am not sure he knew the full dose of his words when he asked to share my family, but he's got us now!
We have a family reunion every year in VA, 2nd weekend of August. My cousin is the family historian, and records deaths/births/marriages for everyone. We go back about 6 generations or so, and the family lines from that point. The paper hangs on the side of the shelter and it is about 35 feet long. Michael jokes that his family tree would fit on a single 81/2 by 11 sheet. It is good to see everyone and catch up. Watching the kids get bigger every year and getting into the same trouble we used to at that age!
I feel especially blessed, in that I was an adopted child. My brother and I both were. My parents were unable to hve children the conventional way, and they adopted me first, then went into foster care as foster parents, and my brother came along a few years later. At one time, I had 3 sisters and 11 brothers. And some of the best memories ever!
I have met my biological parents, and have a relationship with 2 of my half siblings. My biological mother has a lot of issues, and although it is not possible at this point to have a relationship with her, I am thankful for her choice. My biological father and I exchange Christmas cards, but by my choice, we also do not have a close relationship. It is ok, my parents are my parents, it isn't like I was missing anything. Both of these people just have a lot of issues that I cannot involve myself into. I still pray for them, and that is ok.
But I have another family, too. My family in Christ. I have so many brothers and sisters and I will see them all someday soon in His glorious presence! I have met many of them on the internet and through this blog thing! We seemed to be brought together by the Spirirt Himself and I was reminded this week just how blessed I am to have all my different families! I cannot even find words adequate to show you all how much I love you and how much you all mean to me!
So again!
I love you! Thanks so much for your prayers! You are all my blessed brothers and sisters in Jesus and I hope to see you all soon! We will share the biggest hugs ever! And I have to get back to cleaning my house for other members of my family! It's a party!
Love you all and God Bless!
Love
Faith
Sunday, March 18, 2007
I have been Frustrated!
I have been kinda laying low most recently. I have been dealing with an issue, and I feel the need to just vent and hopefully put it to rest for good. I have about driven Michael crazy with it, but I feel a bit wounded and I am having my own little tizzy over it.
Before Michael and I were married, I owned a cute little house in a nearby town. 3 bedrooms, nice fenced back yard, and I was only the 2nd person to own it and live there. When Michael and I got married, we thought it would be a good idea for Boo and I to live with him. We didn't immediately have plans for the house on Rose St. (my old house), but this cute couple asked about renting it. His parents lived across the street and they were here from AR. They were wonderful people, but got transferred back to AR after a few months. A person I knew from before (his mom also lived across the st), asked about renting the house. I knew he was a single dad, and that he had previously had drug and alcohol problems, but had been clean and sober since his son was born. As a way to help him out and to have someone in the house to take care of it, we agreed to rent to him. Within about 6 months, he got laid off. Now I know many of us have been there, myself included, when you need a little help, and I didn't want to evict him because he just lost a job. He assured us he was looking, and would try to send us part of the rent. (Keep in mind, we gave him a GREATLY reduced rental to help him out, and never increased the rent, even though the plan was to do so after a time to aclimate him to the regular rent). This continued for a while, a long while. We even tried to offer him work at our house to try to work off part of his past rent bill. By now, he was behind over $1200. His work the first day was ok, but as he continued to come out to work, he stayed less time, and his work became poorer and poorer quality. We also had to provide his transportation, since he had lost his license to habitual DUI. Then he started to bring his son with him. So we were transporting him to and from (30 min each way), watching his child, and cleaning up after both the child and the father, and getting less time and poor work that had to be redone. In fact, the patch on the roof turned into three gaping holes that Michael eventually had to fix himself. (Or make them skylights.) So the work exchange didn't work out. We agreed to allow him to have a "roommate" to help with rent, but these people he moved in always seemed to move out arond due date, and they always seemed to stiff him on the help he thought he would get. It had now been since Nov. 05 since he got laid off, and he always seemed to have a possible job, but nothing would ever pan out. Now we come to Feb 07. Rent due on the 1st never shows. We call to find out when to expect rent, and he tells us about how he spent the last weekend in jail for possession of stolen property. (Somebody brought him a snowblower to fix, and he didn't know it was stolen...) He has become very unbelieveable. We told him that we needed rent brought in. We cannot afford 2 mortgages. He asked to be given until the 14th. We agreed, but reminded him that rent for March was due 2 weeks later. The 14th comes and no rent. Nor was there any where he could borrow it, nor was he working, and it didn't look like he would have it. So he told us he understood, and that he would be out of the house at the end of the month. We spoke to him on the 25th, about changing the utilities back to us, and leaving the keys for us to pick up. He was told that I would be there for keys and for the water meter reading on Fri morn. (This would be Mar2) On that am, he calls to tell us that he hasn't moved his stuff out yet, he hasn't changed the utilities (I knew this, because I had to pay huge deposits to have them switched over), and it was the middle of winter and just what did I expect him to do? I expected him to do the honorable thing and move out by the date agreed. Now he says he won't go and we will have to serve him papers. I don't want to do this, but can if needed. His arrears are now about $3600. Upon checking out the house, the damage and filth he has done to my cute little house is going to cost us over $5000 to repair. Both front and back doors kicked in and need replaced. All carpets stained beyond cleaning, walls with grease and dirt ground in. Self stick squares laid on top of my ceramic tile floor in the kitchen. The adhesive ground in so bad they will never come clean. He had a German Shepard at the house...The dog was not House friendly. They tore or pushed out all but 2 of the screens. I had put new siding and windows on the house 4 years ago. New roof 6 years ago. New water heater and furnace rebuild 5 years ago. He now complains there is mold in the house...Never had it before. The faucet of the sink is pulled out and laying in the sink. The bath room is completely tore apart. And forget all the landscaping in the back, remember, German Shepard. He has the nerve to expect us to allow him 2 to 4 more weeks to move. After about a week, he let us know that he would be out by Sat. After getting the keys, I discovered that he still had a lot of things in the garage (And I am not sure if some of them are stolen) He tells us yesterday, the 17th, the garage will be cleaned out by that day. So here it is the 18th. We met with our contractor to give him =new keys (We changed the locks, just in case) and lo and behold, there is still a garage full of stuff. And he left enough trash in the house for us to pick up after him. This whole situation has made me feel very angry, and hurt, and I have had a hard time dealing with it all. This was my home for several years, I feel as if a part of me has been violated. I am angry that he was taking advantage of our generosity. I know the Lord wants us to take care of the poor, but I was pulling extra shifts to cover the expenses. Was I guilty? How do I resove this in my own heart? I even felt as if it were interfering with my relationship with God. The fellowship didn't feel like it was there. I did finally go to my pastor to talk about it. I have done my duty to help him, and at this point was more enabling him than helping. The Lord says that we will always have the poor and even He fed the masses, but when they were no longer given a free ride, they didn't want anything else to do with him. In Thess., Paul writes that if one doesn't plow, he doesn't eat, and a person should take care of himself and his house or he is worse than an unbeliever. He also told me that I shoujld focus on the positive, the house will be fixed, and we have a person interested in renting. In all, this ex tenant owes about $10,000. We will never see this repaid. I then become reminded that for all this, Jesus forgave me for so much more. I will send him a final billing with everything itemized. The copy I keep for myself, I will consider forgiven. I need to get to that point in my heart.
Sorry about the long downer of a post...this is been what we were dealing with and I just didn't feel uplifted enough to post. I thank you all for allowing me to vent. The next post will be much more positive. Please pray for me.
Thanks,
God Bless.
Love,
Faith
Before Michael and I were married, I owned a cute little house in a nearby town. 3 bedrooms, nice fenced back yard, and I was only the 2nd person to own it and live there. When Michael and I got married, we thought it would be a good idea for Boo and I to live with him. We didn't immediately have plans for the house on Rose St. (my old house), but this cute couple asked about renting it. His parents lived across the street and they were here from AR. They were wonderful people, but got transferred back to AR after a few months. A person I knew from before (his mom also lived across the st), asked about renting the house. I knew he was a single dad, and that he had previously had drug and alcohol problems, but had been clean and sober since his son was born. As a way to help him out and to have someone in the house to take care of it, we agreed to rent to him. Within about 6 months, he got laid off. Now I know many of us have been there, myself included, when you need a little help, and I didn't want to evict him because he just lost a job. He assured us he was looking, and would try to send us part of the rent. (Keep in mind, we gave him a GREATLY reduced rental to help him out, and never increased the rent, even though the plan was to do so after a time to aclimate him to the regular rent). This continued for a while, a long while. We even tried to offer him work at our house to try to work off part of his past rent bill. By now, he was behind over $1200. His work the first day was ok, but as he continued to come out to work, he stayed less time, and his work became poorer and poorer quality. We also had to provide his transportation, since he had lost his license to habitual DUI. Then he started to bring his son with him. So we were transporting him to and from (30 min each way), watching his child, and cleaning up after both the child and the father, and getting less time and poor work that had to be redone. In fact, the patch on the roof turned into three gaping holes that Michael eventually had to fix himself. (Or make them skylights.) So the work exchange didn't work out. We agreed to allow him to have a "roommate" to help with rent, but these people he moved in always seemed to move out arond due date, and they always seemed to stiff him on the help he thought he would get. It had now been since Nov. 05 since he got laid off, and he always seemed to have a possible job, but nothing would ever pan out. Now we come to Feb 07. Rent due on the 1st never shows. We call to find out when to expect rent, and he tells us about how he spent the last weekend in jail for possession of stolen property. (Somebody brought him a snowblower to fix, and he didn't know it was stolen...) He has become very unbelieveable. We told him that we needed rent brought in. We cannot afford 2 mortgages. He asked to be given until the 14th. We agreed, but reminded him that rent for March was due 2 weeks later. The 14th comes and no rent. Nor was there any where he could borrow it, nor was he working, and it didn't look like he would have it. So he told us he understood, and that he would be out of the house at the end of the month. We spoke to him on the 25th, about changing the utilities back to us, and leaving the keys for us to pick up. He was told that I would be there for keys and for the water meter reading on Fri morn. (This would be Mar2) On that am, he calls to tell us that he hasn't moved his stuff out yet, he hasn't changed the utilities (I knew this, because I had to pay huge deposits to have them switched over), and it was the middle of winter and just what did I expect him to do? I expected him to do the honorable thing and move out by the date agreed. Now he says he won't go and we will have to serve him papers. I don't want to do this, but can if needed. His arrears are now about $3600. Upon checking out the house, the damage and filth he has done to my cute little house is going to cost us over $5000 to repair. Both front and back doors kicked in and need replaced. All carpets stained beyond cleaning, walls with grease and dirt ground in. Self stick squares laid on top of my ceramic tile floor in the kitchen. The adhesive ground in so bad they will never come clean. He had a German Shepard at the house...The dog was not House friendly. They tore or pushed out all but 2 of the screens. I had put new siding and windows on the house 4 years ago. New roof 6 years ago. New water heater and furnace rebuild 5 years ago. He now complains there is mold in the house...Never had it before. The faucet of the sink is pulled out and laying in the sink. The bath room is completely tore apart. And forget all the landscaping in the back, remember, German Shepard. He has the nerve to expect us to allow him 2 to 4 more weeks to move. After about a week, he let us know that he would be out by Sat. After getting the keys, I discovered that he still had a lot of things in the garage (And I am not sure if some of them are stolen) He tells us yesterday, the 17th, the garage will be cleaned out by that day. So here it is the 18th. We met with our contractor to give him =new keys (We changed the locks, just in case) and lo and behold, there is still a garage full of stuff. And he left enough trash in the house for us to pick up after him. This whole situation has made me feel very angry, and hurt, and I have had a hard time dealing with it all. This was my home for several years, I feel as if a part of me has been violated. I am angry that he was taking advantage of our generosity. I know the Lord wants us to take care of the poor, but I was pulling extra shifts to cover the expenses. Was I guilty? How do I resove this in my own heart? I even felt as if it were interfering with my relationship with God. The fellowship didn't feel like it was there. I did finally go to my pastor to talk about it. I have done my duty to help him, and at this point was more enabling him than helping. The Lord says that we will always have the poor and even He fed the masses, but when they were no longer given a free ride, they didn't want anything else to do with him. In Thess., Paul writes that if one doesn't plow, he doesn't eat, and a person should take care of himself and his house or he is worse than an unbeliever. He also told me that I shoujld focus on the positive, the house will be fixed, and we have a person interested in renting. In all, this ex tenant owes about $10,000. We will never see this repaid. I then become reminded that for all this, Jesus forgave me for so much more. I will send him a final billing with everything itemized. The copy I keep for myself, I will consider forgiven. I need to get to that point in my heart.
Sorry about the long downer of a post...this is been what we were dealing with and I just didn't feel uplifted enough to post. I thank you all for allowing me to vent. The next post will be much more positive. Please pray for me.
Thanks,
God Bless.
Love,
Faith
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