I moved here to MD. from VA. I had a place to live and a job set up, because I just transferred jobs from where I was to here. I did everything over the internet. When I got here the job panned out ok but the place didn’t. They needed more information to move in and I didn’t have it and it would take a while to get it. That’s another story. So I spent all the money that I had saved on a hotel. But, that soon ran out. I had no desire to go back to VA even though I had no where to go while in MD., nor did I know anyone here. So I lived in my car for about two month. From there I had lived with three families who were coworkers. The last family that I lived with was loosing there house so I was loosing also. They let me stay there until the house was sold. SoI lived in the house by myself for about two weeks until the new owners took over the property. Then I had to resort to living in my car again. It was about two and a half weeks. I forget how I go the list of shelters but after calling a number of them, I finally reached a woman named Joan Cushing she spoke with me for a moment and then said there is only one spot left so get to Harford County Social Services first thing in the morning and I could get into FCCAU.
When I got to FCCAU it was after ten at night because I closed on my job at the time. I was very nervous going in. Everyone was so nice, it was clean and in a safe area that it really made the transition easy and not as stressful at I thought it would be. God showed me favor, directing my footsteps and has kept me every step of the way and still is. I know that might sound strange to some of you knowing that I was homeless and lived in a shelter but if you know God then you understand as I do.
As I look back at some of the situations that I had to face like being in the elements, cold and hot weather. Facing nights where it was so cold that the tears that I cried made my skin sting. And the hot days where I was so drained from the heat that I couldn’t hardly breath or move and prayed that I wouldn’t die like this. Or the time where a bird got in the car and we were both screaming hysterically trying to get out. It’s funny now but it wasn’t then. Or even when a woman came up to me while I was at work and asked if she could us our restroom to wash up. I believe that God had her ask me other than anyone else. So I looked at her and I smiled and said, of course. How could I deny her the privilege when I had to do the same thing just before starting my shift?
While at FCCAU I did some soul searching and made my relationship with God even closer. As I mentioned earlier God showed me favor with Him and man. (Prov. 3:4) I already obtained my assoc. degree in graphic design. But through FCCAU I was able to get my certification for web graphic design from HCC on a full scholarship. My classes and fees were paid for and all my books and supplies. I was even blessed with the first payment on my laptop to help me through with my projects. Besides that they even helped me get my car back on the road. So I could get back and forth to school and work. In April of 2008 I moved into a one bedroom apt. and have been there since, until God blesses me with an upgrade I am grateful. Also in the fall of 2010 I plan on pursuing my bachelors and masters from MICA in graphic design or pursue a career in art therapy for children.
I know the scripture says in Phil. 4:13 that,”I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”. But it is also good when you have people in your life that can strengthen you as well. Speaking of those people, when you have someone like Robert Meza, Judy Merritt, Cindy Cole, Debbie Fala, Barbara Glover, Richard Henderson, Patrick O’Neil, Susan Graper, Barbara Jones, Pat Eiler, Joyce Rill, Robin Burke, My Pastors Mike and Debbie Baker of VFF, my Family, along with others and again God of course on my side to support, push and encourage me; the sky is the limit.
