Keeping us housed till we can move.

Seven weeks ago something none of us could have foreseen happened and it  has rocked our entire world. I MUST say that while it has been scary and stressful it has brought us closer together as a family.  The company that Luke was working for had to lay off  staff.  It was an innovative start up with clients ranging from NASA to apparel outlets and unfortunately it fell short of some deadlines and had to make cuts.  Luke was devastated. We were living comfortably enough to make our rent and bills and finally didn't need any assistance from the state. I had my hysterectomy and my healing was really starting to take off. I still have other health issues but we were managing. Then our rent went way up when it came to sign a new lease and Luke lost his job, all in one quick swoop. He spent maybe a day feeling sorry for himself and then got  straight to work and so did I. He applied for every job he could. He reached out to the VA, ( as he is an Army Veteran) The Texas Workforce Commission , and old work contacts. He has been working most days doing day labor or construction work two hours away from home. Eating up gas and tearing up his body, bless him.  I started paperwork for financial aid in every capacity, for every possible program .  I reached out to local friends and family.  I did not want to advertise our troubles on social media however. I just put on my strongest face for you all. I didn't want anyone to know how dire the situation was getting until now. However now that we are 5 days past the 3rd of the month our Apartment is ready to take the only action they can. Eviction. They have tacked on as many late fees as they can and given us as much help as possible. This is an expensive apartment but not a quality apartment. However it is in a very safe area and close to Ella's school. Ella is our number one priority. Her education. HER SAFETY! ...... but these are the times we live in...and trust me we have looked and been looking at cheaper places. Some really scary places. We keep saying  as long as we are together and Ella can still go to her school we don't care if we have to live in a one bedroom studio  till we can get back in a big enough place. Some of the Apartments in the town we live in are far too  unsafe for a child to live  and the rest had no openings when we had the money to actually move.  Thanks to the last of our savings and to help from family and family friends we made it through the end of September and all of October. Now we had to face November and we had bills piling up and our electricity turned off and then we got it back on. We had to ask more family members for just a little bit more while we were treading mud  just to make it . Trying to keep it together or at least not have it all  fall apart at the same time. lol! I think we have done pretty well with all of the help of course!!!  We  were denied help from many programs for a myriad of reasons, mostly the services here are very limited and resources low. Time is a factor as well. All these programs take weeks and months and we didn't/ don't  have that. You all know that from following my 3 year battle to get surgery paid for. So, here we are . The VA and United Way has pledged to help our little family find a humble but safe place to move. YAY! Finally some good news. Also Luke attended his second large job fair today and that went really well. He spoke to and gave his resume to 60 companies today. Here is why I am asking for 300 dollars. Let's get down to brass tax. United way is going to pay for most of our rent for one more month so we can have the time it takes  for those gears to turn and jobs to hire . The bad news is we need 300 dollars. Seriously. That's what we need to hold on through till the BIG miracle happens. Just yesterday it was over a thousand dollars and now we just need to scrape by to get moved and settled , back on our feet. I don't want to ask but I feel I have to as a wife and especially as a mother. I feel so ashamed I cannot contribute more financially yet to my family. I still have a lot of health issues but, you all know me , I stay positive and keep going. We would be humbled and grateful if you could help our family. Please help if you can, every little bit helps. If you cannot, send us your love and prayers. I have no doubt we will find a way and it will make us stronger. The universe provides and it rewards action! I love you all.
Hilary