Hi, I'm Rachel.  I am a stay-at-home mom and have been for the past six years, since my oldest son was born.  I have three children (6, 4, and 1, respectively).  I am in the process of divorcing my husband after several years of emotional, financial, and sexual abuse and control.  Because he has been employed at a well-paid job for the duration of our marriage, he has been able to hire an attorney in our custody battle.  The children and I are living on $1500/mo child and spousal support currently, and I have no money to pay a lawyer.  I am nervous about being in court without representation, since I have no legal training; I am afraid I will get juridically railroaded, and my children might be taken away.  I don't trust his parenting abilities because he has proven again and again during the marriage that he was unwilling to do the hard work of parenting.  I am afraid for my babies.  
This fund is to go to assisting me in hiring a lawyer so that I can at least have a fair fight in court against their father, and I need money as soon as possible.  
One thing I have learned from attending the first two hearings is how much it helps to have love in the courtroom.  There was a lot of hate in there, but I had several friends present who helped enormously just by being in the room and showing love.  Bless all of you.  Those of you out there who would like to help but cannot give financially, please pray for me and the children, and also for my husband's well-being.