I'm blessed

A few updates since I last wrote regarding V.

I got to visit her at her “house.” Suffice it to say, I’ve never been so happy to come home to my comfy abode! I am SO blessed!!!! (Pictures above are: Ms. V & her dog Lily Mae and her house.)

She was embarrassed to let me in and started apologizing before I even got over the threshold. To say her house is small would be a gross understatement…. There were a lot of bugs and even though she tries, this is not a place where any human should have to live! She is so desperate to get out of there. I’ve tried several local tax-credit and subsidized housing communities, and the rent is either too high or there is no availability. The search continues...

I took her to a place called Warehouse of Hope where she’ll be able to get some food staples and maybe some clothing – another eye-opener to me. God placed me in another humbling environment while sitting there with others waiting for their free food & diapers: this could have been me. If circumstances would have been different in my life, I could be the one there receiving! Most people I know well are just one or two paychecks away from being there. Lord help me NEVER feel ‘superior’ to anyone in any way!!!!!!!!

Today my wonderful Bible study ladies did a food-drive of sorts for her. (I'll post these pix in the above update!!!!!!!) AND a big bag of clothes, AND a winter coat, AND one blessed soul is going to donate her toaster oven!!! Additionally, 2 other friends sent me money for her and another lady sent a box of clothes! How wonderful is all of this?! I’m so psyched to bring it all to her! With the money, we'll be able to help her with several of her bills this month! Thank you so much ladies!!!! Also, big shout out to a friend, Jeff, who sprayed her house for bugs inside and out. I’m sure he’ll NEVER again offer to help me out :) :) :)

Please continue to pray. Even though all of the above items are wonderful donations, they are but a band-aid on a big, gaping, hemorrhaging wound called poverty and right now, I don’t think there is an “answer.” The next step is to get her food stamps and Medicaid. I can’t imagine that she won’t qualify.

I’m thankful that God is using me in this way! I’m thankful that even though these circumstances are FAR from pleasant, I can serve and teach my children to give and then give some more even though we may not “feel” like it.