Thursday, April 26, 2012

ANOTHER Miracle!

Just seconds ago, we experienced yet another miracle.

I got online to check my emails.

There was a direct deposit to our account!

I freaked.

As I quickly log in to my account because "this must be a mistake," my heart took a leap of thankfulness!

While we did not receive a return from the IRS this year, we did receive my ex-husband's income tax return!

Even though Kayla is over the age of 18, has moved out AND is married; because Kayla's father is $23,000 in the rears in back child support; we will continue to receive his income tax return until his debt is paid in pull!

We received enough to keep our Internet on for Chris' schooling and Christopher's homeschooling, pay the current water bill and a portion of next months mortgage!

Now, to wait in anticipation of how He is going to meet the need of the remainder of the mortgage and the property taxes!

Woohoo!




Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Florida Government

I think it is time I learn more about government/politics.

Our "system" is so backwards and non-working it is ridiculous.

I just received a phone call from Department of Children & Families.

At our last review, in January, for food stamps, they said my husband was an "ineligible student" because he was not working 20 hours a week; EVEN THOUGH our church provided a beautiful letter stating he was volunteering his time and has been for over 12 months.  He has been doing computer repair, weekly updates and designs on the web site, and more recently volunteering with sound and video.  Our food stamps were cut by $200.   (The requirements for food stamps, for full time college student receiving food stamps is working 20 hours a week.  We did not know that as he had been receiving assistance prior to this last review.  Something changed in the last year; but that has yet to be explained to us.)

When he was hired two weeks ago through Pensacola State College's work study program to work in the library, I reported the change.

I just got a call from Children & Families wanting to know when MY SON moved in and started working!

I said, "The change I reported was not for my son, he has lived with us since he was born!  My husband is Christopher Alan and my SON is Christopher Paul!  My SON is only 7 years old!  LOOK AT THE DATE OF BIRTHS!"  She said, "Oh.  At the last review, they switched relationships with names.  That is why your husband was labeled an "ineligible student."

In order for us to be credited the last four months of shortages I have to file an appeal.

That will take months she said.

I know many of you reading this post are anit-welfare.  I get that.  I have many issues with the system we fall under, and I am a recipient.  Please do not walk away thinking I am all for, "take from the rich and give to the poor."

I believe in taking care of our own, but more importantly, when God tells us to do something, I believe we need to do it.  I also know, that IF God didn't want this shortage to happen, then it wouldn't have happened.  Good will come from this; it might have already, I just haven't been privied to seeing it.

My point is, educated people are being kicked out of government jobs to hire uneducated people that can't follow direction and are causing more issues for those in need.

Our system is designed to keep you on the system.

Yes, you read that correctly.

We chose to not receive cash assistance when Chris lost his job because I was homeschooling Christopher.

God confirmed over and over, that homeschooling Christopher was what was best for him.

In order for us to receive cash assistance, I would have to give that up.

We prayed about it, and believed by turning down the cash, that God would honor our obedience in the decision to homeschooling Christopher.

{Here me and here me loud and clear!  GOD has supplied our EVERY NEED these last 20 months!  He has used food stamps, food pantries, local agencies, churches, friends and friends that blessed without knowing why.  


God, and only God, will continue to meet every need that comes before us until we get back on track.


I love seeing the very hand of God supplying for us on a day to day basis.  IF He had supplied for the entire 20 months in advance, we, I, would have taken for granted His sovereignty, His grace, His power, His infiniteness, His love, His aweness.}

There are people on cash assistance this very day that are not required to jump through the many hoops we were being required to make.

I also know that individuals that receive cash, food stamps and Medicaid are paid more than the average person working a 9 to 5 job.

If a person is on welfare, they actually take a reduction in pay to get off "the system."

There is something wrong with this picture.

Yes, I am having one of those moments where I wish, oh how I wish, I had studied and finished college!  Oh the impact I could have had.

For now, I will write letters, file appeals, and speak up for the few of us that are on the system, that don't try to "get something for nothing."

Thanks for letting me rant.

Stacey

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Secret Desires

I can not believe it has been almost a month since my last post.  I have had a million and one things come to my mind to write about, but have been so tired and preoccupied with puppies, that I have put it off and put it off and put off, till here I am almost 4 weeks of nothing.

I want to take a quick minute and share what the Lord did this week for me and my family.

At the beginning of last week, I sent an email to a friend of mine that works in "social services," giving out food and clothing to the low income.  I was so embarrassed to even have to write her and ask for help, but I did.

We were out of soap and shampoo.  My email was simple, but blunt.

Her reply was, "I have a Wal-Mart gift card with $25 on it.  Will that help?"

We were able to buy the necessities needed for a few days with thankfulness in our hearts.

Friday, I picked up a friend to do some errands.  She got in the car with a bag.  In the bag were some bottles of shampoo and soap she had bought but she didn't like.  They made her itch!  Hmmm.  Not only were there used bottles of soap, there were also two new bottles of the same items.  Oh, and the soaps were for sensitive skin with no fragrance . . .  exactly what Kaitlyn and Chris need to use.

I hate it for my friend that the products she purchased made her itch, but it just shows that God can use ANYTHING to meet the needs of His children!

I could tell story after story of events that have happened like this over the last 20 months, but this one showed me how even my secret needs are known to my God; and that my friend, makes me smile.

My husband started a job last Friday.  He is working part time in the library at Pensacola State College through their work study program.  My husband LOVES to read.  He reads three and four books at a time.  God placed him right in the middle of Chris' hearts desire . . . a library.

I am continuing to hope and pray this difficult season in our lives will be coming to an end very soon.  If not, then I will continue to glorify God in His many ways of meeting our needs . . . . and even our wants.

Not sure what you are going through this very moment; but I want you to know, my God, the Creator of the Universe, He knows the secret needs and desires of your heart.  He will see you through.  He will never fail you.  You are valuable to Him.  You are the apple of His eye.  He loves you.  You are never alone.