I'm Living in Poverty?

[franciscanheart]

So my parents were doing their taxes the other day, yes they're late, and they were talking to me afterward and I was completely blown away by what I found out.

Our family is impoverished.

The average(?) family in america, middle class, makes about $40,000 dollars a year. Actually that might have been the average person. Either way we don't even come close to that. I'm sure my parents wouldn't want me posting on here what they are bringing in but I just realized how truly blessed my family is.

I have always felt blessed because of those times (few as they were) that my father couldnt put food on the table, someone was there to give us a warm meal. When my parents didn't know how they were going to clothe me for school, someone gave me their old uniforms. When Christmas came around, my whole family pitched in to get us presents.

When my brother was born my family was devastated. He was a very unhealthy baby and was in the hospital for a very long time. Not to mention before this I had racked up a good number of hospital bills for health and emergency health reasons.

My parents, to this day, are paying off medical bills and will probably continue to pay until they die and my brother is still seeing specialists, therapists, surgeons, and everything else there is that requires a PhD.

I went to a private center until I was three then went to a private Catholic school for 11 years. My brother and sister are both enrolled currently in that same school. My brother, due to some learning problems, has to change to another school, even more expensive than the one he is attending now.

It is called the Hillier. It is a school for dyslexic children. It aims to get them caught up with other children and return them again to normal schools. It is $860 dollars a month. There was no way my family could pay that. For a very long time my parents as well as myself stressed over what to do for my brother. The school he is at now can't help him, don't want to help him. He needs the Hillier. We shed many tears and stayed up many long hours praying about it. In a desperate plea we asked the Hillier for financial aid. Most of the children there need the financial aid but this was the majority of the tuition we needed help with. My mom, dad, and I all sat down for about three hours a little over a week ago to write a letter to the principal of the school asking for his help. We gave him all of the history about Joseph, as well as me - my medical bill stuff - and then submitted copies of our taxes and everything else. We asked that we be granted $700 of the $860 a month.

Two days ago we got a message from the school saying that he had been accepted in to the Hillier and that our financial aid request had been granted.

God is good!

My dad cried. He doesn't ever cry. It truly was an amazing day. I'm so happy for my brother. I'm crying now!

And I'm sure I've mentioned before that my brother was not supposed to live past the age of 6. We celebrated his 7th birthday on December 1st.

Anyway, God is so good to our family. Almost every piece of furniture in our house has been given to us by some really nice family. My dad owns his own business - roofing and remodeling - and so when he works on a job a lot of times the people are buying new things. They give us their old stuff and every time it gets better and better. Anyway, my dad is sometimes ashamed that we have all of this "donated" stuff but I thank God for it because had it not been for those people I don't know where we would be right now.

I have never gone hungry. I have always had a bed to sleep in and a roof over my head. I have a loving family and an awesome God!


I truly am overcome with happiness. I have everything I need and more. I love my parents for what they do for us. I feel for them because they know that they don't "compare" money wise to our friends' parents but it doesn't matter because they are more than we could ask for!


Pham, we have such an awesome God!

Edited December 12, 2004 by hugheyforlife

[azaelia]

Woow...God is good!

[lifeteenchick527]

i will be praying for you and ur family!! i know how it is to have aton of medical stuff going on i have medical problems (they still dont know wat i have o well) and i have 4 brothers in wheelchairs...it can be hard at times i know!! just pray..and i will be prayin for you too!

if u need anythin pm me ok


God Bless
LTC :hearts:

[Thy Geekdom Come]

God rocks!

You reminded me of all the testimonies I get to hear at Boys Town...they're always so sad, but so happy...

God bless you and your family, Laura!

[LSW]

You have an amazing family. I'm amazed at some of the hardships that people on this board have to go through. I really have to stop complaining.

[rachael]

:group:

prayers.

[Cathurian]

God really is good. This makes me so happy; thanks for sharing!

[franciscanheart]

thanks yall for the prayers!! you're the best!


May God bless you all, especially during this advent season!

with love, in Christ,
Laura Thomas

[Lil Red]

God bless your family, Laura....my family was poor growing up...but i resented it and God...I wish i would've had your attitude...you are definitely blessed!

[franciscanheart]

Lord God, I thank you for this day. I thank you for the food that we ate, the gifts we exchanged, the love that we shared. You truly are an awesome God!

[Sinner]

What a beautiful story. Thank you.

[shelly_freak]

They weren't lying when they said our God is an awesome God! Prayers for your family Laura.

[littleflower+JMJ]

that was beautiful Laura!!

thank you SO much for sharing that!!

[Guest]

that was awsome

[Andrea348]

wow God is good!

[franciscanheart]

i :wub: the pham!


GOD IS GOOD!!! night.

[qfnol31]

You are very blessed to have your brother with you.

[Scofizzle]

if i were not living with my parents i would actually make less money a year then where the national poverty line is.....

[traichuoi]

thank you Laura...i needed that kick in the butt...you're awesome!!!