Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

It's been many months since I've had the time or took the time to post on our blog. Sorry about that.

On the last post we were working on our house that we had FINALLY gotten back from the people who had it.
It took us a couple of months to repair ALL the Damage.  That was nightmare after nightmare.

Then our Amazing Real Estate agent, Heidi Sipe, put the sign up on a Tuesday. She told me that she was nailing it to The Cross. Placing it in God's Hands.

PRAISE GOD, by the following  Sunday our house was sold at almost the full asking price. Less than a week on the market!

The closing was a month later.

Our son Trammell,
and I were blessed to be able to get a mortgage loan and along with cash we had left from the sale, were able to purchase the condo we'd been leasing.

I've spent the last 4 months renovating it.  Since our budget is Tiny, to say the least, I've been doing it all myself, except for the flooring.
We were SO Blessed to have a Wonderful family owned business in Pelzer, SC called Custom Touch Flooring  take care of that part. And Ohhh Did they do an AMAZING Job!!!
And the price was the cheapest I have seen Anywhere.

Trammell has done all the Electrical work. Installing lighting/fans and more.
He is So Smart.

I've redone every room but mine.
(Well, I haven't gotten the counter tops or done the back splash for the kitchen or bathrooms and I still need to paint the trime in the entire condo.)
My hope and dream is to get my room done by my 57th birthday which is next Saturday.
I am starting on it today. I did get everything taped up with  painter's tape a couple of nights ago. So at least that's done.☺
I have one week to transform this room into an "Ocean Oasis".
As I renovated the rest of the condo I packed everything in my room, Soooo I have to clear  ALL THAT out before I can even  start painting.
Yep, getting tired just thinking about it.
In my old life, before our new journey began on 12/25/06,
I would have been finished with this entire condo months ago but when you are a Full time Caregiver things take Soooo MUCH LONGER to get done.

LOL I have said a million times during this journey,
"If I only had a few Clones."
Send in the Clones. LOL

Still
PRAISING HIM
In The Storm.

Blessings abound

This time last week I felt as if I were standing at the foot of an enormous mountain with barely enough strength to take the first step.
This Morning, I am still tired But at the same time Energized with a Renewed Strength. A Strength that can only come from our LORD.
HE has touched the Hearts of many and because of that Burdens have been lifted.
Our Taxes on the house have been paid by a Precious Couple who are very dear to our hearts.
Another dear friend paid for the garage door to be replaced and is going to pay to replace the stolen kitchen appliances.
We also have friends who are volunteering there time to help.

GOD IS TRULY BLESSING US.

Of course these are all loans and will have to be repaid but we don't mind for we have no idea What we would be doing  without  these wonderful people who are allowing God to work through them and take care of our financial needs in this house.
Without their generosity we would NEVER be able to do any of this.
GOD IS SOOOO GOOD!!!!

2 Corinthians 9:8 
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

PS We are also looking for a WHEELCHAIR For one of the other families we help.
The seat needs to be 18 inches across.
We are also ALWAYS on the lookout for adult diapers
(Baby Diaper Style, Not pull-ups) sizes large or X-large for David as well as others families we help.
Thank You All For Your Prayers and Support.
Linda Byce

Pure Joy

After a Long year and 8 months we Finally got our house back from, I'll put this lightly, very dishonest people.
Along with the relief of getting our home back came the realization of the condition they left it in On Top Of The Fact that the taxes were never paid.
In fact the 2012 taxes were the last taxes paid, by me.
SO we are now in a race against time.  If we Do Not pay the 2013 taxes by the 30th of April the County takes over and prepares to Auction the house off.

I have been working tirelessly, every day for the past two weeks cleaning every inch of this 3 story home, while Trammell stays home caring for David. We have had Peggy, a Volunteer Nurse, come in and care for him a few days so that Trammell can repair things that I have no idea how to fix.
If not for the HELP from FRIENDS, my SISTER and long time FRIEND/REALTOR, I have NO idea what we would have done.
We have NO Money for repairs or replacing stolen items, so this is
TRULY A MIRACLE
and a
Labor of LOVE
that is taking place.

God Continues to Carry our family through Every Single Second of this Nightmare we have lived through during these 8 years and 3 months of our Journey.
Our only hope is that when people look at us
CHRIST Is Who they SEE.

MAY HIS GLORY SHINE
In ALL That we Do.

James1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

A Long Road

Please keep us in Prayer as we are STILL Dealing with this NIGHTMARE about our home.

We Finally, after a year and 8 months, got it back in my name BUT the people Wouldn't move out.
So Monday a week ago they were served with an Eviction Notice.
UNBELIEVABLY  they asked for a "Hearing???" about the eviction, knowing full well it won't help them. We figure, for some reason, these people just want to cause us more hardship.

It was a Miracle that the Hearing was cancelled Tuesday to the weather. But it has been rescheduled for this Tuesday the 24th.

They moved out Sunday BUT it appears they may have taken  ALL THE KITCHEN APPLIANCES!

I was at work (I'm working one to two days a week for milk & diaper money) when the neighbors from both sides of the house began calling and leaving me messages to let me know what was going on.
I took a break and ran to the back to check my phone messages and call neighbors to help get in contacted with Greenville County Sheriff's Department who sent 2 Deputies over.  They told the people to put the appliances  back in the house BUT neighbors called back later to tell me that as soon as the Deputies left those people left with our appliances anyway, paying no attention to the orders of authority.
We fear for what they may have done to our home.
But we will turn it ALL over to the Authorities next week and let them handle it.  Believe me, I have ENOUGH on my plate  already.

The attorney says that "legally"  we can't go over to OUR OWN HOUSE and change the locks til AFTER the Hearing that these people have asked for.
IT IS SOOOO UNBELIEVABLE What our Laws Allow Criminals to do to innocent people.
Please continue to keep our family In Your Prayers.

Even after all this, I hold no anger. I hold no bitterness.
I just want to see an end to this part of our family's nightmare.
I only want to do as Christ has taught us to do.

Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

www.bycefamily.weebly.com

CHRISTmas Every Day

On December 26th,  the day after we Celebrate our Lord's Birthday 

Everyone is exhausted.

It's as if the month of December has a switch that turns everyone's life on to
FAST FORWARD.

Life becomes busier, more hectic, more rushed, more chaotic.
Cramming events, activities, shopping, longer work hours, parties, family gathering, school and Church programs, making CHRISTmas crafts, mailing out cards and letters, holiday baking, surprising others and Helping those in need
ALL IN TO ONE MONTH.

WHY?

On This Day,
I Promise to treat                                         EVERY MONTH  like DECEMBER.

I Promise to do something special for someone EVERY MONTH.         

 I Promise to Help someone in Need EVERY MONTH.     

I Promise to buy one gift for next CHRISTmas EVERY MONTH.

I Promise to take my family to special events
EVERY MONTH.
I Promise to do Holiday Baking for my family and others
EVERY MONTH.
I Promise to take my family to Church Services at least once
EVERY MONTH.

I Promise to Spend Time with family and friends EVERY MONTH.

I Promise to send a "hand written" card or letter to a friend and family member EVERY MONTH.

And Most Important,
I Promise to
CELEBRATE
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
Each And Every Day.

Luke 2:8-14
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Our Wish List

For those who are wanting to know how to help our family, here's our "Wish List".

If you know a Caregiver, Please Help him or her in any way you or your organization is able.
You will be as Blessed as they are.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Gifts From The Past

As I watched The Santa Claus 2 movie the other night, the part where Scott is giving all the teachers these really great gifts from their past, Toys they enjoyed as children, I thought of how wonderful it would be to do that for those who are in Nursing Homes and those who are bedridden at home.

I always try and find retro replica toys from the 60's and 70's for David for CHRISTmas and Birthday.
He spends hours playing with them.

What a Great project this would be for Church Groups, Sunday School Classes or Youth Groups  this Season.
What a Joy it will be
to bring such Joy to others.

  Hebrews 13:16
Do not forget to do good and to share for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.