February 17.
This morning, I wrote a note to a special friend and also a thank you note to those who put so much time and effort into making the sweetheart banquet a special and enjoyable time.
Daddy called a man about a mobile home for rent; and about mid-morning, we went out to take a look at the home. He was still working on getting the place ready - had painting to do, new carpet to put in, and a few other things - but we really appreciated his attitude and the good care he takes for the homes. The mobile home would be just perfect for Daddy and me, but not for four of us. The mobile home is in a nice area, is clean and well cared for, quiet with mostly senior citizens. The owner is very careful about the renters he chooses. There would be no home or ground maintenance for us as all that is taken care of by the owner “Willie.” Lewis and I are seriously thinking of taking that home for ourselves and then seeing what we can do to help Christy and Connie.
From there, we went to Office Depot to look for a small display board to make a ministry display. Ended up getting a couple red and yellow foam boards. Also got some colored permanent markers, letter stickers, colored tape (on sale), and two comfortable office chairs. The sale on the office chairs actually ended yesterday, but they kindly gave us the chairs today for that sale price.
Came home and had dinner and nap. After nap, Daddy put one of the chairs together. I did the dishes and then some work on the computer. By then it was time to get supper and get ready for church.
Christy and Connie came here and rode to church with us since they didn’t have to pick anyone up tonight. We talked about housing on the way and particularly about the mobile home and park we had looked at today. The teaching this evening was on Genesis 32, Jacob’s wrestling match with God. “Only with God can you lose a fight and be a winner.”
“19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:19,20
February 18. In the middle of the night, I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet in the kitchen again; and in the morning, there was good evidence that a mouse had been feeding himself in the darkness of the night. A “chocolate mouse!” Oh, no! Hershey’s kisses spilled out on the counter and two empty wrappers. Mousey was out this afternoon looking for some more of that yummy chocolate, but ran and hid behind the refrigerator when she(?) saw people.
While I was busy at the computer this morning, Daddy looked through the Shelby Shopper ads for housing but didn’t find much. We remembered that he had called Oakwood Homes (we thought) last week and thought they said they had 3 and 4-bedroom homes for rent. Since Oakwood Homes is just up the street, we decided to go there and then go to Big Lots and WalMart. We didn’t realize that Oakwood Homes and Oakwood Rentals are two different places, Oakwood Rentals being quite a bit further down Highway 74 to the west of town. As we walked into the Oakwood Homes office, a young man named Lee Walker met us at the door and took us into a room to talk to us about their homes. When Daddy explained to him our situation, he was very kind and went out of his way to help us. He said that all the workers there are Christians, and he himself goes to Bread of Life Baptist Church out on West Dixon Blvd. He looked up the name of the owners of Oakwood Rentals and their phone number and wrote it down for us. He also told us about Crown Ridge Apartments, a fairly new apartment complex on South Dekalb that we might like to look at. As we waited for him to look up information for us, we listened to and watched the video about their double-wide homes. They look like really nice homes, well-insulated, and much sturdier than the older mobile home models. We asked about prices, and he said an average price for a three-bedroom double-wide runs around $40,000. Of course, a buyer would need his own lot on which to put the home.
We thanked Lee for his help and went on to Big Lots where we bought mostly juice and snack drinks. Then to WalMart for a few groceries. I was also thankful to find a nice black skirt at WalMart. Have been looking for one every time we go out somewhere.
Last of all, we took a ride down South DeKalb to look at Crown Ridge. Very nice place. Daddy went into the office and checked on three-bedroom apartments. With a senior discount of 10%, they run around $693 per month. It would be something to consider if we didn’t need to help Christy and Connie at the same time. They also don’t have any available at this time. Later this afternoon, however, we thought about a two-bedroom apartment. Daddy looked on the internet, and the size of the two-bedrooms is nearly the same as the mobile home on Arlee and the senior citizen cost is only a little bit more than that mobile home. According to the site, there are some two-bedrooms available so Daddy will call in the morning.
Praise the Lord for His help in getting all the corrections made in our newsletter today and getting that ready to send to Christy for printing!
“13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:13-16