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I have clients that made the typical 1st Time Home Buyer mistake of walking up to the Listing Agent at an Open House and having him help them with their offer to purchase the house. Not only did he represent the owner, but was a long time friend to boot. They paid too much for the house to begin with and then the Agent sent them to a lender he works with to get a bad loan. It had an adjustable rate, even though they could have qualified for a fixed rate and it has gone steadily higher at each renewal period. The wife became pregnant with their 2nd child and they called the lender when she was 4-1/2 months along to let them know that she would soon be unemployed and to find out if there was anything they could do to renegotiate their loan terms. They notified her that they can do nothing until they are actually behind. Hhhmm, what's wrong with this picture? They try to do the right thing and they get the cold shoulder from the bank. The last thing they want is to have the house foreclosed on and get buried in the REO graveyard. Finally, she has to stop working 2 months sooner than they had planned and the finances begin to go sour. Of course, once the baby is born, money is going out at an even faster rate with the additional expenses the bundle of joy brings. Inevitably they fall one month, then two behind and there is no sight of the surface of the financial quicksand into which they have sunk. The list price was under market value, so people would be enticed to view the property amongst all its competition. We had an offer early on, which was a great blessing, despite how low it was, as it got the process rolling for the Appraisal and Broker's Price Opinion. The lender countered the offer, but the Buyer was unable to qualify for the amount requested. This seems to be an anomaly amongst today's horror stories of lenders that take months to respond. We are already past the hardest hurdle of getting the bank to work through to the point where they have an idea of what they can accept for the property. Now we just need to get another offer. The house gets a decent number of showings, the potential Buyers give good feedback, but for one reason or another it doesn't meet their needs. Even the Agents are saying that it is a nice house, but they are not in a position to buy it. I hope for this couple's sake that we can find a Buyer for their cozy duplex in the Hamilton area of Baltimore, MD. 
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November is the month when we are reminded by the calendar to be THANKFUL. It is such an important concept that Thanksgiving as a National Holiday was created by our Government. This insures that Americans would be given time off by our employers, so we could take the time to remember where we came from, how we got here and to appreciate the sacrifices made by so many that have made it possible for us to do so. God has a different mindset when it comes to thankfulness. He says in EPHESIANS 5:20 always giving thanks for all things and in I THESSALONIANS 5:18 in everything give thanks Notice the use of "ALWAYS, ALL THINGS and EVERYTHING" in these scriptures? How can He mean ALL? There are many bad things that happen in our lives and it doesn't seem to make sense for us to be thankful for the death of a child, loss of a job, illness or any one of that calamities that can happen to any one of us. Thankfulness is not the same as happiness. Who could ever be happy for any one of those things to occur? No one in their right mind, I am sure! ROMANS 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Where do we think empathy and compassion come from? We can merely sympathize with someone who is going through a bad experience and our words can feel empty to the person bearing the burden. We could truly have no idea what they are going through, but merely have pity on them. But, if we ourselves have gone through something similar, then our words carry with them the depth and caring of one who can understand their pain. Not that any 2 situations are identical, but only someone who has gone through a similar experience can have a chance to truly relate. I firmly believe that the better parts of my character and who I am, come directly from the hardest things I have experienced in my life. Like the precious metals, gold and silver, my life is refined in the fires of life. My strength is built through the increasing temperatures that bring out the form that is most appealing. On the other hand, think of those who have things handed to them on a Silver Platter, with no investment of their own. These things garner very little appreciation, bringing with them a sense of entitlement and a desire for more. But who doesn't experience a sense of value when they have worked hard for something. God has not promised us a Rose Garden, but has promised in EPHESIANS 13:5b "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee". We will not be spared from bad things happening to us or reaping the consequences of our free will, but God will be with us every step of the way. We parent our children similarly, but Our Father in heaven is the ultimate example of a loving parent and He does not suffer from the sentimentality that often clouds our judgement when faced with guiding us through difficult circumstances. In addition to the 5 children my husband and I have been blessed with, we also have 4 children whom we will meet in heaven. I became pregnant for the 1st time on our honeymoon and when I visited the doctor 3 weeks after for a check up, he told me there was no way that I could know already if I was actually pregnant. I insisted and so he gave me a test in his office, which he thought would only serve to prove him right. However, I was the one who was right. He humbly apologized and went on to advise my husband and I what we would be in for over the coming months. Two days later, I began to bleed and subsequently had a miscarriage. Initially, we were both devastated, as we so wanted to have children. God comforted us in our sorrow and we knew we could trust that He would get us through this very hard time. Exactly 1 year later, I became pregnant with our son, Ray IV! Praise God!! During this pregnancy, I prayed for twins, but when I found out in my 7th month that I had only 1 child... I never prayed that prayer again. I thought God had said no. I trusted Him and that was not a problem for me. I never prayed that prayer again. I guess I became too busy to think about it? I was elated to have a healthy baby boy. 2 years later, Kimmy was born and 3 years after that, Michelle. We were on quite the roll, but 2 years later, I had another first month miscarriage. Up to this point, I had always conceived during November or December. Then a mere 3 months later, I got pregnant again and carried that baby for 3-1/2 months. Ray IV was 8, Kimmy 6 and Michelle 3, when we lost this baby and it was especially hard. We are an exuberant family and the baby became part of our lives from the very 1st moment we knew she existed. We immediately included her in our lives, talking to her and planning for her arrival. One morning I had some spotting and my doctor told me to rest and put my feet up. Within 12 hours, I was hemmorrhaging and lost the baby. This was a whole other level of devastation with 3 little people to whom we needed to explain what had happened and why. We named the baby, Mary, and began to reteach the children about how God works through hard things in our lives. They now had a different frame of reference for these lessons than they ever had before. Our family was strengthened in our faith through this trial. We all prayed for another child to add to our family. Ray had only 1 sister and I came from a small family, having just 1 brother and 1 sister. I did not have a great childhood or even a really good one, so I figured that bigger must be better. On July 17, 2004, we had a prayer service for healing at our church. Ray and I prayed that God would bless us with another child. That very afternoon, I conceived yet again. I told him, not only was I pregnant, but that it was twins. He thought I was pulling his leg on both counts. How could I possibly know only moments after we had been together? I did not know how, I only knew. Why and how are rarely questions I ask of God. Ray just pacified me and let me go on as if I really were with child. 3 weeks later, I spotted and became panic stricken. I did not want to lose another child. The doctor sent me to bed and there I stayed for the next week and a half. How could I do this with 3 children you might think? I have a wonderful husband who is not afraid to do anything needed at home or with our children. I also had a wonderful mother who came and stayed with us, so I could be off of my feet. Eventually, I eased back into life and all seemed fine. At 8 weeks, I spotted again and called the doctor. I told her that I could not go on like this and needed her to try to find out if something was wrong with the baby. She sent me for a sonogram. From the very 1st pregnancy my husband attended every OB visit and once Ray IV was born, he went on every pediatrician visit for some time. By this 5th pregnancy, I needed a friend to go with me, because the responsibilities at his job had grown and working for his father, he didn't want to take the time off. My girlfriend, Jean and I carried a on pleasant conversation with the sonographer while he was looking around. The last thing we were talking about was heat pumps, when he said, "There's two of them." I asked, "Two heat pumps?, to which he replied, "No, 2 babies!." I screamed and yanked him almost off his feet by his tie in my excitement. God had not said "No" 10 years ago, he had merely said, "Wait". Patience is something that He works in us slowly and over much time. Rebecca and Rachel became our double blessing. What a wonder twins are! Even though they are fraternal, there is defeinitely something very special between them. I could spend all day, just watching them interact with one another. As they grew, I continued to ask God to increase our family, yet again. Right around their 3rd birthday, I felt as if I were pregnant, but that only lasted a very short time. For some reason, I didn't go around announcing our good news to the world, but kept still inside and boy was I glad I didn't. It would have only made what was to come more difficult to endure. During a check up with my OB/GYN 2 months later, she did a blood test and I received a call on the Friday before Mother's Day from her secretary and she told me that the results had shown that I was indeed pregnant. Oh, joy, another baby! On Sunday, Pastor was announcing the different categories of women to be honored on this Mother's Day. I don't remember ever hearing him include women who were pregnant and whose babies had not actually been born, but when he did, I raised my hand and quickly slipped it back down. Hardly anyone near me had noticed. The next day, the secretary called back and told me I needed to come in to have my blood work redone. The doctor called to give me the results this time. She said that the hCG levels in a normal 8 week pregnancy are generally between 7,650 - 229,000 mIU/ml, but mine were 104. It took another 5 weeks before my levels reached that of a non-pregnant female. My last and final pregnancy ended in another loss. This was a 3 month long miscarriage, while the tissue either was dispelled from my body or reabsorbed back into it. This was not the usual here today and gone tomorrow scenario that have been the case up until now. Every day for the last month I had to deal with it and that gave me a great amount of time with God as I sought solace from Him. Not realizing what was ahead of me, I had continued to ask for more children, but God in His infinite wisdom had mercy on me and did not give me what I had asked of Him. When dealing with adolescents and teens, parents need to utilize extreme mental and emotional energy, while babies and toddlers require more of our physical resources. Some sleep can take care of physical exhaustion, but mental and emotional exercise is far more depleting and not so easily gotten past. 2 years after losing our last baby, while dealing with our 15 year old son and 13 year old daughter, it dawned on me that it was in my ultimate best interest that God did not give us any more children. I was just too plain old tired from what it takes to handle the increasingly complex mix of personalities, situations and emotions that our children experience as they are growing. It was only 4 years after this revelation that I became a Grandmother for the 1st time and boy was I glad not to have a pre-schooler of my own to run around after 24/7. I fear that my remaining daughters at home would be doing a great part of the care. I can muster enough strength to be a devoted "Mema" to our now 3 precious boys, Zechariah, Ray V and Colton. I get to spend as much time with them as I can and then they go back to their parents. I love having this liberty and I must admit that after 23 years rasing children, it is nice not to be tied to nap schedules, hauling endless equipment and not having a minute to myself. Kimmy is 21 and married her childhood sweetheart, Paul, this past August. Michelle, 18 and Rebecca and Rachel, 13 are still at home, but they have their personal interests and schedules that keep them very busy, so Ray and I have time to invest in each other and our marriage. 10 years ago, I could not have been thankful for what was happening in my life, but now that I have had time to gain perspective, I can understand how God worked it together for my own good. I am by no means happy about it, but I accept the good with the bad and am secure in God's love for me. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are beyond understanding. Faith is the evidence of things hoped for and the ... of not yet seen. I will have all of eternity to spend with the children I was not able to carry to term here on earth and that is a really long time... Being thankful is something that I need to be every day of my life and in each and every situation, I should look for something good that can come from it. I like to make lemonade out of lemons for sure. God bless you and may you have a blessed Thanksgiving with those you love and those who love you.
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Mom was called Home by our Lord and Savior to be with Him on Thursday, April 10th!!!!!
She had spent he last 5 days of her life in the Gilchrist Hospice Center receiving the best care possible in this world. How wonderful a place with such compassionate people it was for her and our entire family!
There will no doubt be a time of sorrow in the days ahead, but for such a time as this, I am thinking only of Mom and how her entry into Glory will reunite her with Dad, Nana, Papa and all her loved ones who have been called there before. It will only be a short (in the face of eternity) time before I am with them also. Let's leave the sadness for another time, I will make sure to schedule it into my calendar at some point in the future, but to get through today, I must focus on what is best for Mom.
PLEASE don't tell me you are sorry, PLEASE tell me how your heart is joined with mine in joy for Mom's going home to be with our Lord and Savior.
This e-mail is going out to family, friends, acquaintances & even strangers. Many of you have already sent beautiful messages of compassion, several will be able to celebrate Mom's life with us, while only a few will attend the funeral and the rest will at least hopefully have been touched by my ministry of writing. The tiniest percentage have asked to be removed from my list of addressees. This has not been meant as an invasion of anyone's privacy or a means of asking anything of anyone, but merely sharing experiences that are common to humans and giving what may be a novel approach to their addressing. I know that many, many of you have expressed amazingly positive responses, so I know I was not off base to send to anone in general. I am sorry to have bothered the four who have opted out, but maybe they needed to receive these more than they realize. 4 out of a few hundred isn't so bad.
If anyone was added mid-stream and has not read the 3 e-mails I have written up until now, you can go to my web-site and read my blog.http://kimjones7.point2agent.com/ You can be sure that there will be future writings to help in the healing process that is needed when a loss like this is experienced.
The Gilchrist Hospice Center is a God-given blessing for people to spend their last days. A future e-mail will tell of just how much of a blessing they were, not only to Mom, but our entire family as we gathered together these past 5 days. The money that is raised goes towards improving services to families facing the death of their loved ones and to help when care is provided for those who have no insurance. Everyone should be so fortunate as to be in a place like this when they or a loved one is preparing to go Home.
If anyone is inclined towards an outward physical expression of love for the family, PLEASE Do Not Send Flowers. To have a more meaningful and long lasting tribute to the life of my mother, I would rather a donation be made to Hospice of Baltimore 555 W. Towsontown Blvd. Towson, MD 21204, in Memory of Phyllis Gauger.
Unfortunately, due to the expediency with which we are needing to do things in order to have her Memorial/Face to Face Service at the most convenient time for the majority of our friends and family to attend, some already know this, while others have not yet found out. I am not sure which of you have already gotten the notice. My daughter, Kimmy, sent the e-mail, but I can't figure out to which addresses she sent them and as you can see it is too early in the morning to wake her and ask. So rather than omit someone, I would prefer to send it twice and once you realize you have already seen it, you can move on to your next task. Sorry!
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I have experienced a few moments of feeling downtrodden by all that has been happening lately and each time God has sent a special messenger of encouragement. Last week, a young woman from Romania called me out of the blue. She said God had put me on her heart to pray for and just wanted to call to let me know that. My blessings come from all over the world. A drink of living water to refresh my parched soul. Yesterday was frustrating when some family members weren't cooperating and trying to put forth their private agenda. I wanted to think in a fatalistic manner, but God would not have that. I found a message from the pastor of our church on my phone. It had been on vibrate and I had not heard it when he called. As a result, I have the recording of his words to repeat when my heart feels faint. But today was the best of all! In the morning, I was feeling sad. For 2 days I have watched mom sleep, with very little time in consciousness. Even at that, she seemed confused and disconnected, besides a couple of brief bright spots that were so very short lived. I was asking God to bring her home to Himself very soon. Then I thought a little more and confessed that I understood He had a plan for every moment of her life. My niece, Jenna, whom I rarely see, came to visit my mom. When she asked how I was, the emotion was too much to hold back. Tears began to fall and I expressed my desperation at watching my mother's body waste away in such a short time. Very soon after her arrival, I got a call from my father-in-law saying that he was coming to visit as well. Oh my goodness, God was revealing His plan within moments of my questioning. Jenna and Poppy had not seen each other for quite some time, because of the estrangement between him and her mother. Jenna was warm and entreating towards him despite the emotional distance between them over the years. I didn't realize the significance of her texting until 10 minutes later. During all of this, the nurse came in to check mom's vital signs. I gave her a moist sponge to dampen her lips, when she began sucking it for all she was worth, like a baby bird. Previously, she had only tolerated the sponge going over her tightened lips. Then the doctor came in and saw how she was responding to the wet sponge and gave us instructions about how to help her make progress in her hydration. You never saw someone so elated as I was while getting her a cup of ice water. We still had to feed her only drops at a time while sitting up as straight as possible to avoid choking her. Eventually we were able to give her ice chips. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!!Seeing her tongue all dried and cracked from not taking in any water for 2 days had been excruciating. She also spoke for the 1st time with any coherence. She said "water"! My heart was breaking from not being able to understand the garbled whispers that emitted from her. I had to rely on my sense of her from years of caring for her and hope that I was close to what she really wanted. It was also hard for her to comprehend what our lips were saying to her. Smiles, the "I Love You" sign and carresses had been our only means of communication for these past few days. Signs of life were springing up all over the place. She responded to simple questions and said "I Love You" a number of times. The nurse was very gentle to teach us that often people rally just before they die and to warn us against thinking that her condition was in the process of reversing itself. Not knowing how long this phase would be, I soaked in every moment. I didn't care if it was for 1 hour, 1 day or 1 week, this was a precious gift of an oasis in the desert of our situation. Mom had not moved any part of her body voluntarily for some days, but now she lifted her arms to signal that I was to exercise her arms. This is what she was taught by a physical therapist and it had been very important for her to regain her strength. During my elation, I frantically called to Jenna to use my phone to call every member of our family I could think of to give them the good news. I was crying great big fat tears of joy. Lunch was delivered and I had Jenna take 1 arm and Poppy the other to keep exercising her while I ate. The next thing I knew, the result of the texting walked through the door, Jenna's mother. During our time together, I played laundry woman at times in order to wash away the tension in the atmosphere. God only knows what will come from their coming together at this time with a fresh perspective of the briefness and value of life. There are times whe we need to let bygones be bygones and allow past hurts take their place in history and forge into the future with hope. In the face of impending death, the value of life reigns supreme and there is little comfort in upholding principles that keep us from exercising forgiveness. It took me many years to realize that the bitterness and anger I had for my father as a result of the years of abuse he had perpetrated against me had only hurt me. 1 moment that I focused my attention in a negative manner towards him was 1 moment I robbed from myself that grew into many many moments. I eventually realized just how precious life is and that I could not afford to spend any of my moments allowing myself to wrap myself in the comfort of licking old wounds. Poppy will be having a surgical procedure to unclog his carotid arteries next month. This is a common procedure, but as with all surgeries there are risks, so now is a wonderful time to make all slates clean. God only knows what will happen in the hearts of these people, but I pray that for their own good, principles are laid aside and the focus becomes the preciousness of life. There is a big difference between guarding your heart and hardening it. What we don't realize that happens when we try to protect ourselves from being hurt is that we block potential joy. No matter what attrocities happened to me as a child, I refused to allow them to rob me of the joy of life. When I had thought about taking my own life in order to stop the pain, I had a stronger drive inside of me. I knew that one day all of what I had endured would be worthwhile and then God gave me my husband, Ray. Ray was my gift that made going through every hard time worth every beating and all the verbal abuse. The he added to our lives 5 wonderful children. We also have 4 in Heaven that were never born, but Mom will be with them until I come home to Heaven one day myself. Here I was asking God to take mom home soon, but He had a plan to use her impending death to bring these precious souls together in the same room. Now it will be up to them what happens from here. When the nurse's aide came into to give her a bed bath, mom said "You have a pretty top." I couldn't really believe what I was seeing and hearing. Most of us are able to accept what was happening as a wonderful, but temporary gift. However, our more mature visitors looked at the circumstances as a sign of a miracle reversal. It wasn't worth the effort to try to help them grasp reality. It will all become apparent far soon enough. The fact of the matter is that we all must leave this earth one day or another. Trying to postpone the inevitable is more frustrating than coming to grips with acceptance and is far healthier than wishful thinking. What person would not want gold, diamonds and such earthly treasures if given the opportunity. But at the end of your life, the most simple drops of water have the absolute greatest value in the universe. They are truly LIFE! Be thankful, Kim
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The difference between one day and the next has been very notable. When talking to the nurse yesterday, she was not ready to be admitted to Gilchrist's in-patient Hospice unit, but 24 hours later she has been. Breathing is slowing, she can no longer suck, drinking is difficult, no desire to eat [and in our family that is the surest sign of all ; )]. Our entire family was gathered at my house; my husband Ray, our 5 children, daughter-in-law, 2 grandsons, and both my brother Rob and sister Lorri's families. 18 in total, counting mom. I told my 3-1/2 year old grandson, Zechariah, that Nana would be going to Heaven to be with Jesus soon. He said, "Is Nana going in a holycopter?" I accompanied mom in the ambulance, but she barely stirred enough to acknowledge the change of location. Once inside, she asked if she had been here before. Her times of consciousness are dwindling with her moments of lucidity when awake. When the whole family was able to reassemble in her room, we woke her and told her that she would be going to be with our dad, her parents and other loved ones we knew would be in Heaven to greet her. I am not sure that she understood, but I will be with her and able to explain more about what she can expect. Life and even death are full of miracles. Maybe I will see the angels that will escort her too? When everyone was leaving, she opened her eyes when Zechariah was kissing her and smiled. He arranged his thumb, forefinger and pinky in the sign language symbol for " I Love You". Nana smiled and signed back to him. We were all elated at this small, but significant response. Her voice is so weak, it is almost inaudible. Gilchrist is a wonderful place to be when you know you will be leaving for Heaven in not so very long. The staff here is fantastic, the grounds and spaces inside allow maximum mobility and the best atmosphere possible for friends and loved ones to gather. There is a fold out bed and shower that I can use, as I will be here as long as mom is. I don't want her alone for 1 minute and I certainly want to be with her when she goes Home. Prayer is the only thing that is allowing me to go through this with any amount of sanity. Mine and that of many many others in the Body of Christ. I have the spirit of thanksgiving in the midst of this trial, but I am also trying to prepare myself for missing the heck out of my mommy.
Tuesday, Rob, Lorri and I met to make mom's arrangements. Right afterwards, Lorri got a call that a close friend of the family had unexpectedly passed. As unexpected as it can be when a woman is 85 and been housebound with emphysema for 15 years. Lorri was so sad, because it had been on her heart to call Miss Edna the day before and she hadn't gotten around to it. A similar tale of woe came when I called another friend to tell her of the news. She had meant to stop by and vist, but didn't get around to it. The moral of this story is that when you have something on your heart to do, do it. You never know if you will have an opportunity to do so later. This way, you will never have any regrets. Tell people what they mean to you. Give thanks for kindnesses bestowed. Share your life with others. No matter how busy you are, there is always room for 15 minutes here or there to do something for someone else. Lighten their burden, make them smile, share a holiday meal, stop for coffee. You get the idea. You will be surprised how much your life will be blessed when you think of others 1st. Writing to you and sharing my "novel", as Kimmy put it, is my way of making lemonade out of the lemons of this situation. If 1 person could benefit from anything I have gone through, then good has come from a bad circumstance. I am assured that my Redeemer lives and that Mom and my family will also with Him forever.
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I know that my family is not alone in the struggles of life, but those when someone nears the end of theirs are especially difficult. I haven't said too much to too many people about what is happening in my family, but I really feel the need for more prayer support. My mom, Phyllis, was diagnosed with cancer for the 5th time in January. While in Eurpoe on a Mission Trip, I found out that it was now a terminal form of melanoma for which they can do nothing. We have always taken care of her during illnesses and surgeries, but there is special grace needed at this time. She had a short stay in a nursing center, presumably for rehab. She came home after being there for only 4 days in such bad shape that my husband, Ray, thought she wouldn't live for 2 more days. But once planted in the rich soil of her family, she came back to life and blossomed.
We were able to get home hospice started 2 weeks ago. She is a stouthearted woman with great perseverence. She has been deaf since age 9, after a bout with the measles and mumps which killed the nerves in her ears. She became an excellent lip reader. She has been one of the most integral people in the lives of my family and she will be very sorely missed. Every birthday, she baked a cake for the child or grandchild. Every holiday she was part of our preparations and the celebrations. But more importantly, she was a part of our everyday lives giving of her heart with her time. She always felt bad that she didn't have much money for gifts, but I always assured her that the gift of her time was far more valuable than anything money could buy.
She requires 24/7 care, as she hasn't the strength sometimes to lift a cup of water. Other times, she can take a few steps. Every day is a different day and even hour to hour things can change. I am fortunate to be so close to mom that I can tell what she wants almost without her having to ask, which is helpful because she often gets confused. Sometimes she mixes up her words and other times she is just so lost in space in her mind that she can't think to say what she wants. Our 17 year old daughter, Michelle, is learning the hard life lesson of caring for Nana in this helpless condition. It is a great lesson in compassion and a peak at the beginning of being able to understand what other people go through. Our 13 year old twins, Rebecca and Rachel, are great helpers and card players to keep Nana company.
Ray is such a phenominal support, but we are definitely getting whelmed, (not quite overwhelmed, but nearly - if it weren't for God keeping us from fainting) with the crowds in the house. We have 5 children, my son is married with 2 children, my sister and her husband have 2 children and when my brother and his wife visit, they also have 2 children. All those people make quite the comotion. Nana is well loved and my sister, Lorri, and her family are here almost every day. They visit and help care for her. Thank God for Lorri, she is a great aid in this time of not so much a trial, but an awesome responsibility. If it weren't for Lorri and Michelle, I would not be able to continue working. It is obviously God's plan for me to do so, as He keeps sending me new clients from surprising sources. My clients and other agents have been very patient with my circumstances. Our brother lives 2 hours away and is less able to spend time or help.
While I was away, our son Ray and his wife Amber, pitched in and helped with Nana unbeleivably. It was especially dear considering that Amber is pregnant with our 3rd grandson and she has Zechariah (3-1/2) and RJ (1-1/2) to care for as well. I could not have gone through this without the help, advice and encouragement of my good friend and 30 year teaching Army nurse, Marian. She has been an invaluable resource of practical and medical knowledge. Her angel Grace even volunteered to stay with mom while I had to take a class out of town.
God only knows when He will take mom home. Hospice is only when the prognosis is for 6 months of life expectancy or less. I can almost watch the cancer growing in her as new pains are appearing and capacities are limiting. I would expect more like 1-2 months at most. Of course, this tough old gal could surprise us all. Regardless, we are in it for the glory of God and for the love of Nana. All of this has made me think of many things differently and one of them concerns people's expression of love when sending flowers for the funeral. Instead of sending flowers to honor the death of an older person, consider volunteering in a nursing home for 1 hour. If you have a gift or talent, share it with those who get very little stimulation from the outside world. Sing, play an instrument, read or tell stories, help with Bingo, etc.. Our mom is fortunate that she has such a terrific support system, but many people are not so blessed and would be greatly enriched by your time.
If you read this whole dissertation, may God bless you double! Thank you for your prayers.
Clinging to the promises of God, Kim
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April is upon us and old man Winter is trying to go to sleep. With him, he is taking all of the bad news about the housing market slump in Baltimore and around the country for that matter. The following is an excerpt of an article from the National Association of REALTORS, explaining how the new HUD regulations concerning FHA Loan Limits will impact Real Estate in the U.S. New HUD Conforming Loan Limits: What This Means for Housing, REALTORS®, and the Economy
WASHINGTON, March 06, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today published new FHA and conforming loan limits, based on median home prices as mandated by the Economic Stimulus Act signed by President Bush in February. New loan limits for FHA and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now calculated at 125 percent of the HUD published median prices, with a floor of $271,050 and $417,000, respectively, not to exceed $729,750. NAR expects the impact on the housing market to be significant because of the infusion of capital into the mortgage market, which should result in lower interest rates across the board. In addition, there will be a direct impact on high-cost areas that previously required borrowers to take out costlier jumbo mortgages.
NAR research points out that increasing FHA loan limits will help an additional 138,000 Americans achieve the dream of home ownership and will allow nearly 200,000 homeowners to refinance and potentially keep their home. In addition, NAR believes that increasing the loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will bolster the housing finance market, which continues to be severely stressed, by providing an immediate infusion of much needed liquidity to the nation’s mortgage market.
An economic impact study conducted by NAR in January 2008 estimated that increasing conforming loan limits would result in as many as 500,000 refinanced loans and could help reduce foreclosures by as much as 210,000. In addition, over 300,000 additional home sales could be generated, housing inventory would be reduced and home prices would be strengthened by two to three percentage points." The following url will verify through the HUD web-site, the exact lending limits in each county of every state for single family dwellings up to 4 dwelling units. https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm This is terrific news for many people who would have otherwise had to forego a purchase, because the jumbo loan interest rate would have severely hampered their buying power in the price of their new home.
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Craftsman Details Lovingly Restored
• 2 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story "Bungalow"
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MLS®
$245,000
- Soon to be Sold!!!
Gardenville, Baltimore
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Long Term Home Owner has lovingly restored the woodwork from years of bad decorator choices, to its former natural beauty. Energy efficiency has always been high priority during renovations. Windows are double paned, insulation is in every crevice, even the front door. Little by little almost every nook and cranny has been redone throughout the house, including drywall, electric, plumbing, etc. Storage is built into all available space and living areas are open.
Property information
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