Like thousands of families, ours too was affected when the economy crashed.. We lost our business (Gamerooms by Design), our beautiful 5 bedroom home, our SUV, and the Time Share we had just purchased in Maui (weep weep) we paid for it in full and didn't get to use it once.We were able to enjoy this lifestyle for 4 very comfortable years. We were not wealthy by any means but we lived stress free... I was actually a bit overwhelmed with it all, since I come from a very humble background where my family always just scraped by... I say all this to make this very important point God is good!! When he said "I will never leave you nor forsake you" He meant it.
In Phil 4:19 it says "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus", I can testify to that. After we lost everything we sold half of our belongings and ventured on a 3 day cross country journey to Indiana were we lived with my SIL, for a year.I love So Cal... my husband and I were born and raised here, but it is sooooo beautiful and peaceful there... I guess God knew we needed that time away to recover, regroup, and regenerate... But, eventually, we missed our family and friends so much we knew we had to return to CA.
My husband was working for the University of Phoenix there and had an opportunity to transfer back to the OC were he now works as an Enrollment Counselor, they also provide him with free education. He is a couple of classes short from his Bachelors degree and will continue to work towards his Masters ...We were unable to purchase another home so we ended up living at my moms house in the middle of the barrio in a converted one car garage, since her tiny 1940s two BR house was occupied with other family "strays" who were also going through hard times... I guess it's a cultural thing to open your home to anybody in need.
This became our double blessing. Not only were we thankful to have a roof over our heads at a time when many families were loosing their homes and had no place to go (some being forced to live in tents) but best of all, my beautiful 83 yo Grandmother lived there (there's a picture of her in her 20s hanging on the top/middle row) and we were able to spend a year and a half loving on her up until the day she passed away last October.
Since then we have moved to a 700 sqft, 1 BR condo which a close friend of ours bought for his son who is away at college... and we only have to pay the mortgage payment which is about $400 less than what most renters in this complex are paying. Ken and I have agreed to live within our means so I can continue to stay at home and school Jesenia and I have found a way to incorporate my love of "thrifting" into making some extra cash by selling at Antique Flea Markets twice a month..I have done well and couldn't be happier.We are recovering in TINY steps but we have never been homeless , cold, or hungry. In Philippians 4:12 Paul talks about how he had learned to be content in plenty and in want. I too have learned that lesson and could not be more thankful. It has strengthened my faith and I know that with time this too shall pass.
Soooo, with limited funds and a passion for thrifting and decorating, I invite you to take a journey with me and see what the Lord has in store!
