Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Open House
Things seem to be moving along well for our Mutual Self Help Program application. Tomorrow we are going to the ribbon cutting and open house for the homes in the neighborhood we applied for. We will get to see the homes that just got completed. This group apparently started in December so it seems their group took about 7 1/2-8 months to finish their homes.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
God Bless America
I went to a conference a few weeks ago where the speaker discussed the personal accounts of Iraqi women refugees in Jordan. At the time, I did not experience a notable reaction to her presentation, but it did spark some very powerful thoughts within me that I just can't shake.
One of the overwhelming thoughts running through my head is my total lack of comprehension about why I have such an amazing life. I am blown away thinking about how fortunate I am. I do not believe the Lord has placed us in our situations randomly, but when you think of the odds of being born in such fortunate circumstances, all I can say is, WOW (and thank you)!
As Americans, we are very sheltered from the rest of the world and take our comforts for granted as the norm around the world, when in fact, most of the world struggles to merely exist. I sat and complained to myself the other day when I waited at the doctor's office for 2 hours. But I didn't even have to pay to go because my insurance covered the expense! I'm not worried about diseases like the swine flu because I am healthy, drink clean water, and have nutritious food to eat. Medicine that can save my life only costs $4!
The stories of these women were awful. One woman was delivered a garbage bag with human pieces in it. After piecing it together like a puzzle, she found it was her husband. Others wear the traditional veils just to avoid violent advances from men. And can you imagine sending your 13 year old daughter across town to work to provide for the family, requiring her to walk home alone at 3am? Massacres, terrorism, war, rape, kidnapping, poverty, epidemics, and natural disasters happen nearly every day and go unnoticed by me. I never even think about them. And I certainly never imagine anything like that could ever possibly happen where I live. What a blessing. How fortunate I am.
I want to resolve to be grateful. To stop complaining. To appreciate having a car, even when it takes me 15 minutes to get through traffic instead of the regular 12. To be grateful that I can see a doctor the same day I get sick, even if that means sitting in a waiting room for two hours. For having "big" worries that include mischarges on a bill or a dead zone on my cell phone. How terrible that "I have nothing to eat at my house" because my options are all canned or frozen and I can simply drive 2 minutes away to the grocery store. I cannot imagine literally starving or wondering where I will sleep that night. How lucky I am to worry about the extra 5-10 pounds I've put on when so many people would do anything for the abundance in food I have--or even my skinny shape.
Thank you God for blessing me with such bounty! And please bless those without! I admire their resilience, strength, humility, and gratitude. And help me to bless the lives of those who are not as fortunate as I.
One of the overwhelming thoughts running through my head is my total lack of comprehension about why I have such an amazing life. I am blown away thinking about how fortunate I am. I do not believe the Lord has placed us in our situations randomly, but when you think of the odds of being born in such fortunate circumstances, all I can say is, WOW (and thank you)!
As Americans, we are very sheltered from the rest of the world and take our comforts for granted as the norm around the world, when in fact, most of the world struggles to merely exist. I sat and complained to myself the other day when I waited at the doctor's office for 2 hours. But I didn't even have to pay to go because my insurance covered the expense! I'm not worried about diseases like the swine flu because I am healthy, drink clean water, and have nutritious food to eat. Medicine that can save my life only costs $4!
The stories of these women were awful. One woman was delivered a garbage bag with human pieces in it. After piecing it together like a puzzle, she found it was her husband. Others wear the traditional veils just to avoid violent advances from men. And can you imagine sending your 13 year old daughter across town to work to provide for the family, requiring her to walk home alone at 3am? Massacres, terrorism, war, rape, kidnapping, poverty, epidemics, and natural disasters happen nearly every day and go unnoticed by me. I never even think about them. And I certainly never imagine anything like that could ever possibly happen where I live. What a blessing. How fortunate I am.
I want to resolve to be grateful. To stop complaining. To appreciate having a car, even when it takes me 15 minutes to get through traffic instead of the regular 12. To be grateful that I can see a doctor the same day I get sick, even if that means sitting in a waiting room for two hours. For having "big" worries that include mischarges on a bill or a dead zone on my cell phone. How terrible that "I have nothing to eat at my house" because my options are all canned or frozen and I can simply drive 2 minutes away to the grocery store. I cannot imagine literally starving or wondering where I will sleep that night. How lucky I am to worry about the extra 5-10 pounds I've put on when so many people would do anything for the abundance in food I have--or even my skinny shape.
Thank you God for blessing me with such bounty! And please bless those without! I admire their resilience, strength, humility, and gratitude. And help me to bless the lives of those who are not as fortunate as I.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Application
We submitted our application for the Mutual Self-Help Program this week. We are anxious to hear back regarding our application status. I am confident we meet all of the criteria and hope everything falls into place.
We have been told it takes an average of about 2-3 weeks to receive approval, but it sounds like the applications are a little backed up right now and we may have to wait for more like 6 weeks. It does sound like we are the 6th of at least 7 applications, so hopefully that means if all applications get approved, we would be able to begin building right away.
In the meantime, we need to complete the First Time Home Buyer's education class, which I think is about 6 hours long. I anticipate it will be a little dry, but probably helpful.
We drove around the neighborhood of interest and saw the completed and nearly completed homes that are already part of the program. We were pleased to see that the neighborhoods were very nice, the homes were beautiful, and I would have never guessed it was a neighborhood full of homes built by a program like this. Even better is the fact that all of the homes have unique color and rock combinations and the house plans are diverse. I was concerned it would be obvious these homes were self-made and that they might look exactly the same. I hate those kinds of neighborhoods.
I look forward to hearing back (hopefully soon) and hope we get approved. Now we just have to wait.
We have been told it takes an average of about 2-3 weeks to receive approval, but it sounds like the applications are a little backed up right now and we may have to wait for more like 6 weeks. It does sound like we are the 6th of at least 7 applications, so hopefully that means if all applications get approved, we would be able to begin building right away.
In the meantime, we need to complete the First Time Home Buyer's education class, which I think is about 6 hours long. I anticipate it will be a little dry, but probably helpful.
We drove around the neighborhood of interest and saw the completed and nearly completed homes that are already part of the program. We were pleased to see that the neighborhoods were very nice, the homes were beautiful, and I would have never guessed it was a neighborhood full of homes built by a program like this. Even better is the fact that all of the homes have unique color and rock combinations and the house plans are diverse. I was concerned it would be obvious these homes were self-made and that they might look exactly the same. I hate those kinds of neighborhoods.
I look forward to hearing back (hopefully soon) and hope we get approved. Now we just have to wait.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Mutual Self Help Program
We came across this program the other day and were immediately interested. The US Department of Agriculture facilitates the Mutual Self-Help program, which allows families to participate in the building of their own home. Six to 10 families work together, under the direction of a contractor, to build approximately 65% of their own homes. Through sweat equity, and a subsidized interest rate, families are able to buy homes that are normally unaffordable.
Here are a few more details I have gathered:
1 Homes must be in a designated rural area. This program is through the rural housing development which tries to support and promote rural housing.
2) Families must meet income guidelines.
3) Families must commit a total of 35 hours of labor per week.
4) No one is allowed to move into their home until all homes are completed.
5) More than 200 homes have been built through the Mutual Self-Help program in Utah County.
6) Once approved, families have the opportunity to choose the lot, house plan, and colors they want--all from the designated choices.
7)In Utah County, it is estimated to take around 7-10 months to complete the homes.
8) Applicants must have good credit, meet the income qualifications, be available to contribute 35 hours per week, and meet the debt-to-income guidelines.
More Information
Here are a few more details I have gathered:
1 Homes must be in a designated rural area. This program is through the rural housing development which tries to support and promote rural housing.
2) Families must meet income guidelines.
3) Families must commit a total of 35 hours of labor per week.
4) No one is allowed to move into their home until all homes are completed.
5) More than 200 homes have been built through the Mutual Self-Help program in Utah County.
6) Once approved, families have the opportunity to choose the lot, house plan, and colors they want--all from the designated choices.
7)In Utah County, it is estimated to take around 7-10 months to complete the homes.
8) Applicants must have good credit, meet the income qualifications, be available to contribute 35 hours per week, and meet the debt-to-income guidelines.
More Information
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Thank You
I am grateful for many things. Sometimes I lose vision and get distracted by the things that are not perfect in my life. Here are a few simple things I am grateful for today.
1) An employer called me today to ask for my help. This means I have built a decent enough relationship for her to think of me!
2) I looked great in my new cream skirt. I felt confident and pretty.
3) I got free lunch today from an employer I networked with at a career fair.
4) The career fair I planned this semester was significantly more successful than many others in the state.
5) I had the opportunity to take a short nap this evening.
6) Tonight my department is getting recognized as a significant contributor to student success.
7) I haven't spent any money today.
8) I wore comfortable and cute shoes all day!
9) My sweet husband drove me to and from work today.
10) I do not have 12 lb. tree trunk warts on my hands or feet. Seriously, have you seen this guy?! Tree Man What a terrible affliction! This makes me grateful for the few pimples I have.
1) An employer called me today to ask for my help. This means I have built a decent enough relationship for her to think of me!
2) I looked great in my new cream skirt. I felt confident and pretty.
3) I got free lunch today from an employer I networked with at a career fair.
4) The career fair I planned this semester was significantly more successful than many others in the state.
5) I had the opportunity to take a short nap this evening.
6) Tonight my department is getting recognized as a significant contributor to student success.
7) I haven't spent any money today.
8) I wore comfortable and cute shoes all day!
9) My sweet husband drove me to and from work today.
10) I do not have 12 lb. tree trunk warts on my hands or feet. Seriously, have you seen this guy?! Tree Man What a terrible affliction! This makes me grateful for the few pimples I have.
Monday, April 6, 2009
I called it!
Congrats Tar Heels! I knew you'd be national champs.
Sometimes it is fun to go to a championship school. I am proud to call myself a Tar Heel. Afterall, UNC is ranked 30th in the nation, and the number 5 public school (the top 25 schools are all private). Granted, they have an advantage as the nation's first public university. And how cool is it to go to the same school Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm attended?! ha ha
And have you noticed how many students wear Carolina blue apparel on BYU and UVU campus? Ironic. That's part of the reason I thought of going to UNC--brand recognition.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Happy Anniversary
It's official. I have been married to my sweet husband for two years. Being married is mostly natural, but kind of weird. I often catch myself looking at him in awe and thinking, "Wait. He's actually mine! We are together."
I remember the first several months of marriage were so weird. It just didn't feel real considering what that meant. Russell and I consistently asked (and sometimes still do), "Can you believe we are actually married? Can you believe it would be a complicated and hard process if we suddenly didn't want to be together anymore?" So odd that one little ceremony redefines the rest of your life and your relationship.
I am priveledged to have such a wonderful partner. Russell is a good compliment to my personality. He reminds me to not take life too seriously, to appreciate the important things in life (like relationships), and to give myself a break when I am being unreasonably hard on myself. Thank you for the candle-lit baths when you know I just need time to myself to relax. Thank you for taking me to sushi on our anniversary--even though you hate it and it gives me fish breath. Thanks for cleaning the house when I am at work and fixing the cars and organizing our closets and cabinets so I can find things. Thank you for cheerfully doing whatever I ask and never grumbling about it. I appreciate the long drive you took to take me to see my sister--and that it was your idea. You make the best navajo tacos and shakes. Thank you for generously supporting my hobbies. And thank you for taking the huge risk to leave your job behind to go back to school to make a better life for our family.
And to all you Twilight fans, I never understood why Edward is so glorious. I am satisfied with my own human. I think Russell can give Edward a pretty good run for his money.
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