Housing Agreements

By MAD21

Everyone deserves a second chance. An opportunity to get back on their feet again after making some poor choices in their life, or after just plain bad luck. It's our responsibility as followers of Christ to help take care of each other, but how do we help others without being taken advantage of (i.e., doormat). We need to be available and willing to help those who need it, but we also need to be responsible with the resources that God has given to us.

I had the opportunity to help a friend out a number of years ago who had dealt with long-term addiction and all the problems that went along with it. She desperately wanted to get her life together, which included having a safe place to live.

I had a good job, and was renting a great little house from a friend of mine at the time I began considering helping her out. I told her that before I would even entertain the idea of her living with me, that she had to do certain things before I'd even talk to her about moving in. For example, she had to be sober and hold a job for a year.

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Top 10 Things I have Learned From My Sick Bed This Week

By Renee, LSWA

Yep.  I'm sick.  Fever raging, joint aching, muscle pulling while coughing kind of sick.  Doc says it's not any kind of flu, animal or otherwise, just an ear infection.  That's the only thing that doesn't hurt!  I have nothing profound or helpful this week but it is basic to life-illness.  While I don't particularly care for David Letterman I do enjoy a good top 10 list so here is mine:

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Employment Resources

By Renee, LSWA

It seems like every day I hear of another person in my circle of friends who has been laid off or lost their job.  In this day and time and with all of the competition from other highly qualified applicants, getting the local paper and searching the want ads is probably not going to land you the job of your dreams.  Here are some additional resources you may want to check out to help you in your search and ones I use on a daily basis as I assist my clients.

1.  Career Builder not only provides you a list of openings geographically, but you can also store a cover letter, resume and sign up for notifications when jobs become available that fit with your qualifications.

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Food Or Fuel?

By Renee, LSWA

Unfortunately, too many families are having to choose between feeding their family or paying the utility bill.  In these tough times of lay-offs, involuntary unpaid days off and pay cuts, the average family is struggling and compromising on basic needs.  Here are some resources they just may help all of us not have to choose.

1.  Angel Food Ministries:  For $30, anyone can purchase a standard box of food from a local host site that can feed a family of four dinner for approximately a week   There are no income guidelines or special criteria.  If you eat, you qualify!  In addition to the standard box that includes, fresh and frozen meats, vegetables and/or fruit, milk and eggs, there are also Convenience meals for seniors or people on the go, allergy-free box, meat and grill boxes and a fresh fruit and veggie box.  You can purchase as many as would like.  By saving money on your groceries, you can free up money to pay for other expenses.

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It's Back To School And Time For New Routines

By Renee, LSWA

We are in full school mode in our household.  All of the supplies have been bought, my husband and I have completed the ream of paperwork that was sent home for our homework and we are getting used to our “school schedule.”  As a working mom outside of the home and in the home, organization is critical to combating the chaos that can often surround the busyness of school and school activities.  I know some of this may be common sense, but I thought I’d share how our family tries to keep our children thriving and learning and life up and running amidst our new schedules.

1.  Set reasonable bedtimes.  My kids can be growling bears in the morning if they don’t get enough sleep.  This can make wake-up time stressful.  There is nothing worse than having to pull your child out of bed, throw clothes on him and push him out the door to the bus stop all in 10 minutes!  Not how I like to start my day and probably not the recipe for a successful day of learning.  Now there is no magical formula for this. You know your child best but the recommended hours for children ages 6-9 is 10 hours of sleep, ages 10-12, 9 hours of sleep and 8-10 hours for adolescents. For more information go to Kids Health.

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