So, we’ve been without internet this last week. It seems fitting since this was my first week at home by myself with Aidan. It was really nice not being distracted with all the feeds I feel I have to read, no phone (we get our phone through skype). Maybe it was something God planned so that I could take a week and really bond with Aidan and get back in the routine of doing my daily devotionals and prayer.
But I didn’t choose this.
It seems to be a perfect financial storm. Last month at Olan Mills, they cut me down to around 20 hours per week, well actually they cut my hours just after Christmas. Also, this was an hour drive into work each day (and an hour home too). So for the last two months we’ve been living on around $600 a month (excluding taxes because I never see those anyway). Rent is $525 by itself, leaving around $75 for electric, car insurance, internet, gas, and etc. Oh, and don’t forget the birth of Aidan in there. Our first child. The brakes went out on one car too.
This was the last three months.
Well, we are two months behind on most of our bills. Internet has been cut off. Electric is pending disconnection. I am writing from the coffee shop because they have wifi though I won’t be buying anything today. 
These have been three months of intense prayer and change in our lives.
Let me start by thanking a few people:
- Our Families. Becca’s grandpa sent us a $500 gift card as a late Christmas gift in January. Becca’s parents gave us numerous things for the little one as well as a little financial help. My parents also helped us out in various ways including letting me borrow the truck over the last months. My mom also held a baby shower for us among family.
- Discovery Church. The people there held a baby shower in December for us. I think we’ve finally gotten the stamps to send out the thank you cards. For the nice people who lent us a bassinet for that first month (who just sent me a message on facebook asking about Aidan).
- Community Wesleyan Church. Both for financial help and support and prayer. (The small group has been a great blessing to all of us on Sunday nights). It’s nice to be back.
- Baptist Towers. For the baby shower. I don’t even personally know these people, but it’s where Becca worked before she married me. Becca’s mom also works there.
- West Covington Baptist Church. For a baby shower too. You people are great. We’ll try to visit more often in the future, but it has been hard as of late as this post details.
- David Hayward of Naked Pastor. I’ve been hosting his sites for free over the last few months. I didn’t ask for any kind of payment. He’s been going through some financial difficulties too. But, recently he told Becca and I to go out to dinner on a little money he sent via paypal. We needed it desperately. We got a chance to go out to eat and talk and debrief over the last few months and talk about some decisions we hadn’t had the opportunity to talk over yet. I ate a breadstick at Olive Garden for you David.
Internet isn’t back on yet, but Becca got a better paying job at hhgregg that is full-time. I left Olan Mills to be a stay-at-home dad as soon as we knew Becca got the new job. I am expecting a check from hostmonster for affiliate payout. I will probably put it down on Electric or Internet if it comes today. I get my last check from Olan Mills on Thursday night. Becca will get paid on April 2nd for her first two weeks at hhgregg so I think rent will be taken care of then. I have a guy I do web design for that will pay me the rest of the year if I ask (I am trying not to ask and be that pesky web guy who keeps asking for a month’s advance even though he doesn’t see it that way).
We are not out of the hot water yet, but there is more hope than we’ve felt over the last few months. Thank you for your prayers. for the readers who keep coming back expecting updates and haven’t seen any. (I am sorry by the way… soon I hope I can resume normal posting.)
In Christ,
~William Lehman
Ok, now your Twitter makes sense. I didn’t know it had gotten so bad for you guys!
It appears thing are looking up for your family now, at least. I’ll send any web design/hosting stuff your way if I come across anyone who’s looking.
William,
Trust me, I know exactly what you guys are going through, Paul and I went thru the same “crap” after we got married and I was pregnant with Johnathon. It is very scary to wonder if you should buy food or pay the electric bill. I absolutely hate that and the feeling that is associated with it. We too had A LOT of support around us, or I am not sure if we would have made it to where we are today. Not that we are in a fantastic spot, but at least we are trying to work it out. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. So, stay at home Dad huh? that is gonna be fun!!!! What church are you and Becca going to now? I do miss seeing you both, and pray that things get better for you.
Internet is back on today.
Well, stay at home dad is only part of it. I have a better chance of doing online work (thanks GW, send whoever you think of) than Becca so I am going to be doing some design and more writing to make a little extra that way.
We are now going back to my home church at Community Wesleyan Church on 21st St. I grew up going there and it’s nice to see my grandparents each week now too. They love getting to see their little great grandson more as well. So, I am teaching Sunday School (the College Age class) and doing some design work with them on their website and for publication. It’s been nice to take a bit of a back seat and just help for awhile.
William:
I can truly sympathize with what you have gone through. In 2007, when I was pregnant with my youngest, me and Rudy (my husband, well will be once we legally get married, as we have been together for almost three years) went through a similar hard patch. I was working full time, making about $2800 per month and Rudy was making about $1200 a month, which covered all bills, including house payment of $650, car payment of $510, etc, etc, when at the end of July 2007 (when I was about 5 months pregnant) I had to be placed on bedrest and could no longer work due to pregnancy related complications. Thank goodness I had AFLAC insurance to help for the first month, but after that the last three months of my pregnancy and then my subsequent maternity leave time, we were on a rocky road and honestly I do not know how we did it all. We ended up being two months behind on the house, almost three months behind on the car and so many loans went into default and electric and water bills became questionable as to how and when they would ever get paid. Luckily, Rudy is a bit of a handy man and mechanically intelligent and when small jobs came up he jumped at them just so we could make ends meet. Then as the economy worsened in early 2008 we made the decision for Rudy to be a stay at home dad, because day care and gas left us in the negative with his pay check. Following that I have handled all the financial aspects of the family and then in September of 2008 my hours were cut in half at work and my benefits taken away, and therefore I had no choice but to look for another full time job, which thankfully God was quick to give me…literally within in a week of my cut at work. Thankfully since then things have been financially sound, but all the same I am still cautious, which is part of the reason why I have joined the Navy Reserves, for which I ship to boot camp for in May. I will never let myself or my family be in that uncertain position again because it really is scary. But they say that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle and that our struggles will make us stronger. Hang in there and let me know if you need anything. I wold be more than willing to help in any way that could help you guys….especially in sending baby stuff your way as Issac grows out of it. Just let me know and take care!