My Daddy-O

Ode to my Daddy-O!  I'm so thankful for my dad.  I am his twin.  His laugh is contagious and his smile is unforgettable.  He's never met a stranger.  He is the most friendliest guy you have or could ever meet.

My dad remains positive through all of his health issues.  You couldn't tell my looking at him but he has congestive heart failure which he does not get blood down to his feet, he's diabetic, and has high blood pressure.  These labels have followed my dad for some time but I'm believing by faith that God will restore health but most importantly spiritual healing. 

I want to move sometimes to Oklahoma to take care of him and to help him get the care he needs.  He doesn't have health insurance and hasn't for over a decade.  He doesn't "qualify".  Being a social worker, I know the system can get confusing and not people-friendly.  I know every state is different but the run around that people get is probably across the board.  Since he doesn't have insurance, he goes to the university hospital where he seems to see a "new" student doctor every 3 months.  So as you can imagine, they all have their own theory and he's always on new medicine.  I pray that I would win the lottery (even though I don't play it) or inherit a million dollars so I can pay his medical bills and get him the quality care that he needs and deserves. 

He always stays so positive through everything.  Although he is always in pain, he always pushes himself for others.  He is always so thoughtful and puts others before himself.  He still the man that will open doors for women (anyone), give up his seat for the elderly or someone else who needs it, willing to pay for the tab, and so much more.  He has so many qualities that I want in my "Boaz".  Speaking of, everytime I see him, he seems to always ask, when is he going to walk me down the isle.  Good ole dad!

"You work hard for your money and you should spend it on whatever you want" is what he always tells me when I'm venting about things that I want but can't afford or contemplating on taking myself out to eat or taking a trip.  This sounds so simple and it is but I tend to make things so complicating and with student loans around every corner, I'm always focused on pay them and not taking care of myself.  He always says those simple things that when I say them to myself it goes out the window but when I hear him say it, it's like a wake up call.

I wish I could spend more time with my dad but being in a different state and not really having a reliable transportation, it's hard. He is only a phone call away and would take my call day or night.

Daddy, I love you!

Thank you Lord for my dad.  I plead your blood Jesus over his life and over his body.  Lord you are the giver of life and your answer is the only answer.  No matter what these doctors say regarding my dad's health, I pray that you will continue to give him favor.  You said in your word that by your stripes we are healed.  I pray for physical healing for my dad's body.  Give him strength everyday to continue to move forward.  Send angels across his path to encourage him and to be the light to your path.  Continue to show him your love, grace and mercy.  Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers.  In Jesus name...Amen.

God's Plan

The last time I wrote on here was the being of another challenge.  On 5/25, I went to go pick up my keys to my new place.  Upon entering my duplex, it was not cleaned, painted, or nothing.  I just broke out in tears.  Just once, I want things to go smoothly, be treated fairly, and not always advocate for myself.  "All my life I had to fight..." was the quote that continued in my head from Color Purple once I left my place and headed to church. The word of the night was boldness.  I left encouraged and talked with my new landlord.  He refused to do what's right as he didn't see any reason.  He did say that he would let me out of my lease and give me my deposit back but where was I going to go.  I had to fight to get out of the place I was at because they did me wrong.  The new landlord just took over these properties and really doesn't know how to manage or what to do.  His reasoning for not doing anything is "they were seminary students".  Um, the last time I checked, being a christian doesn't make you a clean person nor dirty but with them having a big dog and living here for a while, it was only right for him to paint and clean.

I pondered, maybe this wasn't what God had for me.  I was so ready to get out of the place I was at that maybe my blinders were on.  So I put myself through this grief.  I really am smarter than this but because I've never rented from a independent person, all my common sense went out the door and I am too trusting at times and this was one of them.  I signed my lease 2 weeks before I got my key.  I just trusted the landlord when he said he was going to paint and get the apartment ready.  He said he was going to paint but it didn't look like it needed it and why get a professional cleaner when I was going to clean it anyways. 

So this is what I moved in to...

Landlord tells me days before movers come, the stairs must be removed to get box springs upstairs.  He said he would leave the screwdriver and to ask the movers to put the stairs back on when they get it up or to leave it downstairs and he would get some buddies to move it up.  I asked for the stairs to be put back on as I didn't think the movers would put the stairs back (I was right).  He didn't put the stairs back and the movers kept all the boxes downstairs, so sad.  The landlord did come the next day to help move boxes upstairs.  However, I didn't want to do that, so that's why I was paying people.

Landlord tells me while I'm asking for my apartment to be right, I cleaned the stove for you.  Um, the last time I checked, you have to lift the hood of the range to get fully cleaned (I'm just saying).  Yes, I had to go buy my own drip pans too.

These aren't my items.

I asked if this could be fixed/cleaned...still waiting, he said he would send the plumber out to see what he can do.  The whole sink is like this. 

This is exhaust fan that doesn't work.  I couldn't even get this cleaned  Unfortunately it's still like this.

 These are just a few pictures of what I dealt with.  Not to mention the ants and dog hair that is still being vacuumed up.  Since I moved in like this, I've excepted the conditions as is.  I've cleaned for 4 days and I think I became a little OCD during the process.  My mom came down to help and said, everything looks good, it's not new items so some of the markings and stains are going to be there.  I still find myself pulling out the bleach clorox wipes and cleaning things.

Also, the reason the other family moved was because of the neighbors.  The landlord said, I would need to call the police one time and he would have me covered.  He said he already had 2 people in line for the unit next door.  Yes, they are loud but nothing yet to call the police about.  Besides the oldest son car being so loud, you can here him come in at 1, 2, and 3 in the morning, and them exceeding the limit on trash and adding their trash to mine since I'm under the limit, and the cigarette smoke invading my upstairs...it hasn't been that bad.

I am so thankful for my mother.  She has really helped make this house into a home.  She unpacked my downstairs, mopped, vacuumed, hung pictures up, and completed the kitchen as well as some of upstairs. 

I say that maybe I didn't fully listen to God and this wasn't his plan but I believe that God will make even our wrong/bad decisions into His glory.  The ladies in my bible study at church say that maybe God has me here for my neighbor.  Time to have a house warming party aka Holy Ghost oil anointing party--bring on the cotton balls.  All joking aside, I do need to anoint the new place.  I usually do that before I move stuff in but was a little distracted.  My prayer is that I get ALL my deposit back from what I went through.

I will say, I'm starting to feel more comfortable in this place daily.  I made my first dinner tonight.  I will say, not having a microwave has thrown me off but I can manage without a microwave.  I really can!!



Salmon, broccoli, and corn bread stuffing w/ fruit punch kool-aid

I really have been trying to remain positive about my new place through it all.  I will say that I'm thankful for my garage.  After already having two hail storms, my baby doesn't have any new love marks.  I'm thankful for the great weather we have been having.  With no central air and just window units, it hasn't been bad at all.  I'm thankful for the stairs-yes that ones that are back in place but just being able to get more exercise.  I'm thankful that mile wise, I'm the same distant but time wise at least 10 minutes quicker to get home, yay!

Lord, I thank you that you are the God of my life.  Thank you for loving me even when I don't make the best decisions for my life.  Thank you for being there and listening to me cry and vent as well as rejoicing with me during the good times.  Lord, I pray Ps. 91 over me and my new place.  I pray that this new place when be blessed and used for your glory.  As your angels encamp me and this place, I pray no hurt, harm or danger will come up me and the things you have blessed me with.  Keep me safe and protected under your wings.  You have a plan for my life and Lord, I pray that I will hear you more than ever.  Thank you for your love, your mercy, your grace, and your faithfulness.  In Jesus Name, Amen.