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I write you from the living room of our new home. The shelter had a program entitled, "Transitional Living", and this is how we were able to start out on our own. Transitional Living Units are homes that are set up for women attempting to leave domestic abuse situations. Knowing that we often leave with little more than the clothes on our backs, they are furnished with both furniture and other necessities. Our house is a duplex, and is just lovely! What a change to wake up and know that this is home! The little children wanted to know how long we would be staying here before we had to go someplace else. It felt good to tell them, we weren't going to be going anyplace else for a very long time. "We'll even be here for Christmas?", asked one of them. "Even for Christmas!" "What about my birthday? Will we have my birthday here?" "Yes, even your next birthday." Home. It was hard leaving the shelter in a way. It's hard to explain. While one couldn't exactly call the crisis counselors friends (we only knew they superficially), they were familiar, friendly faces that got us through a lot of challenging, frightening situations. They were the ones who encouraged me when I felt like giving up. They saw me at my worst as well as at my best. Saying goodbye was both happy and sad. We were all excited to be able to venture out of the shelter on our own, yet we knew this was the last time we would see most of those faces. Our home is a "split level", I guess. I've never seen a house set up quite like this. It's neat! The girls' room looks a bit like a "dormitory" with four beds... but it's roomy and cute! The boys' room is all boy, and terrific, also. I took the smallest room, as it only had to fit the baby and I. This is the first time she ever had a crib to sleep in. Before we came, I was asked if there was anything specific I would want or need. I said a rocking chair. It was the only way the youngest knew how to relax and go to sleep. The one they set in here ... does not rock. At all. We've had two tough nights, but last night was a breeze! The baby fell right to sleep and has stayed asleep through the night. She's still asleep now, at 7am! I made contact with the Mennonite school here in the area and was dismayed to learn that they were of our home church's conference and fellowship. I never heard back. Monday will be a big day. I have to meet with the guidance counselors at three public schools, somehow. They're all spaced about and I have no idea how I'm going to do it on foot. I imagine I'll have to do it by twos. Perhaps I can walk the six and seven year olds to their school first, leaving the other children with the eighteen year old. I'll get them taken care of first, then come back for the twelve and fifteen year olds. Each of them will go to a different school. I know, with God's help, all will work out alright. Even in a public school setting, the Lord can safeguard my children and keep them safe. Unfortunately, my oldest daughter and I were unable to get to the DMV to take the written portion of the drivers' test. It's a good thing, however, as if we had, I would never have been able to afford the security deposit of this house. There is a DMV office about two blocks away from us, here in this town. But it's only open Wednesdays. I'm not certain if we'll have the funds by then or not. Thank you, again, for those of you who sent gifts of money. It's actually because of you that I was able to cover the deposit at all. I looked in the paper to see what types of jobs are available. Hardly anything. I'm desperate to again begin sewing and selling to begin earning an income. That might be my best option at this point so I can be there for the littlest ones, and help them continue settling in. Next year, I have hopes that I'll have both a drivers' license and vehicle. Then, I can attend school for nurse assisting (it's been too many years since I last worked this job and they cannot "grandfather" me back in) and get a nice-paying job. Well, the little ones seem to all be waking up, now. It's time I closed and got their breakfasts underway. |
Thoughts
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Anonymous
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