Another blessing...

Tweet

Well... I experienced the first in my lifetime. Every time we do a recertification at the end of our lease to determine what our next year's rent will be, part of the calculations include a utility allowance. What this means is that the utility company determines what the average bill is amongst our residents, and that becomes the median. Then the management of our buildings takes that median amount and reduces our rent by that amount. The deduction helps the residents cover their electric bill. So for some residents this amount covers most all their electric bill. For others it covers about two thirds of their electric bill. And for the remainder it exceeds their electric bill, so they have a few dollars extra to spend a month. My bills are usually near the median average; even though my bill during the year has exceeded that amount, and a couple of times it was a little less. Again...the difference is what we pay each month until the next recertification due date. Since I have only been here a little over a year, I assumed that never changed during the current year's lease. Well... We get a notice today to come to the office to sign new documents, because the utility allowance has increased by $2. So starting March 1st, our rent will be reduced by $2. I have never in my life seen my rent go down during the middle of a lease. It either goes up at the end of each year, or stays the same. However, since our rent is based on our income; it can go up, or down. Unlike most people...if we lose a job, or our benefits decreased, we don't have to sweat how we will pay our rent. They just reduce our rent so we can still afford to live here. We basically pay 30% of what our income is, less the utility allowance and other out of pocket medical expenses. I have been told that the lowest they are allowed to go down to is $25 a month. So if someone has no job, or lose their benefits altogether...their rent will only be $25 a month until their income increases. So basically...the way it is set up, no resident ever becomes homeless here due to economic conditions. I love living here. $2 is $2. It can buy a couple of things at the dollar store with that extra cash. I still want to pinch myself each day to make sure I am still here. No place is perfect...but I am so grateful to God that He opened the doors for me to live here. I never again have to worry about going through all the struggles that I experienced over this last decade. Plus... Because these buildings are privately owned, they exceed the living expectations that others unfortunately may adversely experience. And they also make sure that residents have plenty of provisions. Just recently I have literally had to ask to be removed from the bimonthly deliveries, because I just have way too much food now. I can't eat it fast enough. I have over stuffed the cabinets, refrigerators, freezers, and even created other storage areas to put everything...that I just don't have any more room. I only go to the grocery store to get condiments, drinks, toiletries, and other side items. Other than that... Unless I want to treat myself to something, I just have more than enough to eat. Now we are about to go through major renovations that will turn our living experience into high-end living; yet our income will never go up other than cost of living increases. The scriptures say that God will give us beauty for ashes, and restore what the locus and cankerworm has eaten due to the enemies tactics and blows. Plus...it also says that God will go beyond what we can ask or think... I can now most humbly and definitely testify that I am living proof of to the goodness of God. He has brought restoration to many areas of my life, and is still continuing to work to fix other areas. People may and will abandon us in our lives; and many have experienced those same circumstances and situations that I am speaking of... I can attest to the fact that it can be very difficult at times, because you feel like no one cares. That some are more interested in judging you, then loving you. However, God promises to vindicate us if we will only hold on to Him, and trust Him. Again... I am living proof of this... When it comes to my living arrangements and provisions...God has gone way beyond my expectations. He has made up for all the heartaches, and abandonments that I experienced during and through all those years of hardship.