Debbie & Kids

I am stepping WAY out of my comfort zone and sharing something deeply personal and difficult. A friend Elizabeth C. Kincaid inspired me by her bravery, so I am going to do the same.  I am a private person and this is very uncomfortable for me. Perhaps the Lord is teaching me a lesson about my pride, AGAIN ‍.

I am a single mom of three children ages 17, 11 and 8. I received a notice yesterday that the home is in foreclosure and I have to vacate the premises, with my three children, by August 16th, at which time the house is being sold as-is at the courthouse. 
I do not want to speak badly of someone my children care about, therefore will say  the person responsible for paying the mortgage on the marital home has not done so and I was not informed of the severity until yesterday.

I work part time for a non profit, ironically helping low income families with babies. I  interviewed last week for a 2nd part time job. (Prayer need #1). I don't have family to help with my children, so there are some limitations to what jobs I can take, in that respect. Again, I am trying not to mention names, but trying to be as transparent as I can be. I haven't received what was court ordered in my favor, in 18 months, which has crippled my finances. I've done what I can afford to do legally on that front for now.

I have submitted an application for HUD house rental program (not something I thought I would ever need to do.) I'm on a waiting list. If anyone has a connection to HUD, I would appreciate any assistance you could give me. Also my prayer request is that it would be handled swiftly. I called the caseworker yesterday and told her that my children and I are going to be homeless and explained the situation and was told, "There is nothing I can tell you about your application until I get to it." She looked up my application and verified that she had everything she needed from me but again said, "I don't know when I will get to your application and we don't handle emergency housing."  I cannot articulate how demeaning and insignificant I felt and with no resolution.

This one hurts my heart and my pride. The kids and I do not have anywhere to go temporarily until my HUD application is processed. I do not make much money and cannot afford a traditional rent situation and my credit is a work in progress since my divorce. I only make $1,000 a month. That's  it. I have not received the $1500 /month support that was court ordered, nor the other miscellaneous monies I was awarded in my divorce settlement.

My daughter's birthday is in 2 weeks, back to school clothing and supplies are needed for all 3 kids. And now I'm terrified about my housing situation. School starts in 3 weeks and I do not know what we are going to do.

Rentals in our general area to accommodate me and three children, are between $900-$1500/mo. I have no idea how long I will be on the HUD waiting list.   Rentals also require a deposit and first month's rent. There is a cost for actually moving and getting utilities set up somewhere else. I am trying to sell my car, the only thing of value I have and see what cash I can get from it and purchase something cheaper to get us where we need to go. 

What do we need? It is hard for me to quantify that. But, I am trying to prepare for 6 months, in the event I have to wait that long on HUD. I am looking for rent for 6 months and moving expenses. I can pay for utilities with what I make and hopefully a 2nd job will come through to make things even better. Also asking for a little to get through the back to school needs.

I appreciate earnest prayers and any help anyone can offer. I hope I'm not gossiped about or judged. That would be truly hurtful. So, I am taking a giant leap and reaching out and seeing what the Lord is going to do through his people.