We are going to use this blog to keep you updated on particular areas of our lives.
Please feel free to post comments (ask questions, make suggestions, etc.). Each entry will be updated as we receive input and as time goes on.
Please note: Use this welcome message to make comments or ask questions that don't fit any of the other areas (Faith, Employment, House, Housing, Vehicle(s), LIVING Estate Sale).
Thank you for stopping by.
God Bless You All Real Good!
The Distelrath Family
Wendy, Patrick
Anne, Angela, Kimberly, Patrick Jr., Maximilian
Plymouth, Michigan, USA
UPDATE: WE ARE PURSUING ASSISTANCE THROUGH FIA.
UPDATE: AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE FIA. THEY HAVE RECEIVED ALL REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION AND A DECISION ON FOOD STAMPS WILL BE MADE WITHIN 30 DAYS OR SO AND A DECISION ON MEDICAID (FOR THE KIDS) WILL BE MADE WITHIN 45 DAYS OR SO.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Faith
We are remaining faithful to God. We know He has a plan for us.
Thank you for all the prayers. We appreciate hearing that you are praying for us.
We pray everyday for the wisdom and strength to keep on keeping on.
Jesus, We Trust In You!
UPDATE: WE ARE A NOVENA PEOPLE! APRIL 1, 2009, WE BEGAN PRAYING A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH FOR GUIDANCE ON OUR HOME AS WELL AS FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR PATRICK. SO, THIS NOVENA WILL CONCLUDE ON HOLY THURSDAY (THE ORIGINAL DATE OF THE SHERIFF'S SALE). WE WILL BEGIN THE DIVINE MERCY NOVENA ON GOOD FRIDAY AND CONCLUDE ON EASTER SATURDAY. WHEN A NOVENA ENDS ON A SATURDAY, WE WILL TAKE SUNDAY TO CELEBRATE AS WE WILL DO ON DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. THEREFORE, WE WILL BEGIN ANOTHER NOVENA ON MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009, THE FIRST DAY OF OUR LIVING ESTATE SALE. WE WILL BEGIN PRAYING THE NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GOOD SUCCESS AT THAT TIME. WE ALSO PRAY AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE A TRIPLET OF NOVENAS TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP (WE COULDN'T PICK WHICH ONE OF THE 3 WE LIKED BEST, SO WE PRAY THEM ALL). IT IS USUALLY ONLY WHEN WE ARE ALL IN THE VAN TOGETHER, WHICH ISN'T THAT OFTEN THESE DAYS. WHILE WE TAKE SOME DAYS OFF FROM THAT NOVENA, WE KNOW OUR LORD CONNECTS THE GAPS FOR US.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE NOVENAS? WE WILL CONTINUE PRAYING NOVENAS (AT LEAST THIS IS OUR INTENTION) AD INFINITUM.
Thank you for all the prayers. We appreciate hearing that you are praying for us.
We pray everyday for the wisdom and strength to keep on keeping on.
Jesus, We Trust In You!
UPDATE: WE ARE A NOVENA PEOPLE! APRIL 1, 2009, WE BEGAN PRAYING A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH FOR GUIDANCE ON OUR HOME AS WELL AS FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR PATRICK. SO, THIS NOVENA WILL CONCLUDE ON HOLY THURSDAY (THE ORIGINAL DATE OF THE SHERIFF'S SALE). WE WILL BEGIN THE DIVINE MERCY NOVENA ON GOOD FRIDAY AND CONCLUDE ON EASTER SATURDAY. WHEN A NOVENA ENDS ON A SATURDAY, WE WILL TAKE SUNDAY TO CELEBRATE AS WE WILL DO ON DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. THEREFORE, WE WILL BEGIN ANOTHER NOVENA ON MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009, THE FIRST DAY OF OUR LIVING ESTATE SALE. WE WILL BEGIN PRAYING THE NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GOOD SUCCESS AT THAT TIME. WE ALSO PRAY AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE A TRIPLET OF NOVENAS TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP (WE COULDN'T PICK WHICH ONE OF THE 3 WE LIKED BEST, SO WE PRAY THEM ALL). IT IS USUALLY ONLY WHEN WE ARE ALL IN THE VAN TOGETHER, WHICH ISN'T THAT OFTEN THESE DAYS. WHILE WE TAKE SOME DAYS OFF FROM THAT NOVENA, WE KNOW OUR LORD CONNECTS THE GAPS FOR US.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE NOVENAS? WE WILL CONTINUE PRAYING NOVENAS (AT LEAST THIS IS OUR INTENTION) AD INFINITUM.
Employment
Wendy has been working at MBT (Monroe Bank and Trust) in Northville since October. We thank God everyday for this opportunity.
Patrick is currently in a career transition (a nice way of saying "unemployed"). His resume can be found on distelrath.com (follow the "Resumes" link). He is on LinkedIn and has been attending networking events as much as possible.
UPDATE: PATRICK WILL START A PART-TIME JOB AT CANTON CITY CAR WASH (FORMERLY CLASSY CHASSIS) ON APRIL 20, 2009. HE CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR A FULL TIME CAREER.
Patrick is currently in a career transition (a nice way of saying "unemployed"). His resume can be found on distelrath.com (follow the "Resumes" link). He is on LinkedIn and has been attending networking events as much as possible.
UPDATE: PATRICK WILL START A PART-TIME JOB AT CANTON CITY CAR WASH (FORMERLY CLASSY CHASSIS) ON APRIL 20, 2009. HE CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR A FULL TIME CAREER.
House
Our house is in foreclosure. We are 4 months behind on our mortgage payments and there is an impending sheriff's sale.
We are exploring the following options:
1. Stalling the sheriff's sale
The sheriff's sale is scheduled for April 9, 2009, which would mean we would have to be out of the house by October 9, 2009. We would have until October 9 to redeem the house.
The mortgage company is willing to hold off the sheriff's sale if we begin making regular payments again (principal and interest only. as taxes and insurance are separate).
UPDATE: THE SHERIFF'S SALE HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD!!! THAT'S RIGHT, THE SHERIFF'S SALE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED. CITI HAS AGREED TO HOLD OFF ON THE SHERIFF'S SALE AND PURSUE LOAN MODIFICATION AVENUES INSTEAD.
2. Selling the house ourselves
We are working with a local REALTOR to get the house listed as soon as possible.
UPDATE: PICTURE DAY IS TODAY, MARCH 31, 2009. THE HOUSE IS NOWHERE NEAR READY. WE EXPECT TO GO AHEAD AND LIST IT ANYWAY. WE ALSO EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO BE LESS AGGRESSIVE ON THE PRICE BASED ON THE NEW TIME CONSTRAINT.
UPDATE: THE HOUSE HAS NOT BEEN LISTED AND WE WILL NOT LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY AGAIN UNTIL APRIL 13, 2009.
3. Working out a solution with the mortgage company to keep the house
This could involve taking all the back payments owed to this point and adding them to the tail end of the loan AND reducing our monthly payment by as much as 50% for a period of up to 18 months.
Our mortgage is with CitiMortgage and is backed by Freddie Mac. If anyone has information on the foreclosure moratoriums through Freddie Mac, please let us know. We have been told the moratoriums are only through Fannie Mae.
We are exploring the following options:
1. Stalling the sheriff's sale
The sheriff's sale is scheduled for April 9, 2009, which would mean we would have to be out of the house by October 9, 2009. We would have until October 9 to redeem the house.
The mortgage company is willing to hold off the sheriff's sale if we begin making regular payments again (principal and interest only. as taxes and insurance are separate).
UPDATE: THE SHERIFF'S SALE HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD!!! THAT'S RIGHT, THE SHERIFF'S SALE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED. CITI HAS AGREED TO HOLD OFF ON THE SHERIFF'S SALE AND PURSUE LOAN MODIFICATION AVENUES INSTEAD.
2. Selling the house ourselves
We are working with a local REALTOR to get the house listed as soon as possible.
UPDATE: PICTURE DAY IS TODAY, MARCH 31, 2009. THE HOUSE IS NOWHERE NEAR READY. WE EXPECT TO GO AHEAD AND LIST IT ANYWAY. WE ALSO EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO BE LESS AGGRESSIVE ON THE PRICE BASED ON THE NEW TIME CONSTRAINT.
UPDATE: THE HOUSE HAS NOT BEEN LISTED AND WE WILL NOT LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY AGAIN UNTIL APRIL 13, 2009.
3. Working out a solution with the mortgage company to keep the house
This could involve taking all the back payments owed to this point and adding them to the tail end of the loan AND reducing our monthly payment by as much as 50% for a period of up to 18 months.
Our mortgage is with CitiMortgage and is backed by Freddie Mac. If anyone has information on the foreclosure moratoriums through Freddie Mac, please let us know. We have been told the moratoriums are only through Fannie Mae.
Housing
"Do you have a place to live?"
"Where will you go?"
Our future housing arrangements, beyond October 9, are completely unknown.
We are beginning to explore the possibility of Section 8 housing.
UPDATE: SECTION 8 HOUSING OPTIONS ARE NON-EXISTENT AT THIS POINT IN TIME. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROGRAM IS ON HOLD FOR 3 - 5 YEARS. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET ON ANY OPEN WAITING LISTS (MANY ARE CLOSED AT THIS TIME). IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION ON SECTION 8 HOUSING, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
"Where will you go?"
Our future housing arrangements, beyond October 9, are completely unknown.
We are beginning to explore the possibility of Section 8 housing.
UPDATE: SECTION 8 HOUSING OPTIONS ARE NON-EXISTENT AT THIS POINT IN TIME. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROGRAM IS ON HOLD FOR 3 - 5 YEARS. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET ON ANY OPEN WAITING LISTS (MANY ARE CLOSED AT THIS TIME). IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION ON SECTION 8 HOUSING, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
Vehicle(s)
Patrick's car was turned in late last year. It was a lease with 10 months left. GMAC is currently owed close to $4,000.
Wendy's van requires a payment of $393.10 per month. It is currently worth about $13,000 with a loan balance of around $13,000. We need to sell Wendy's van and replace it with a less expensive alternative which can still transport a family of 7. These 2 events need to take place as close together as possible so we are not left without a way for Wendy to get to and from work.
UPDATE: CHARITY MOTORS IS AN OPTION WE ARE EXPLORING TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE. WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT ANY AVENUES OF SELLING THE VAN YET.
UPDATE: PATRICK WILL BE GOING TO CHARITY MOTORS ON THURSDAY, APRIL 09, 2009 TO REGISTER FOR A NUMBER WHICH WILL GIVE US THE DISCOUNT WE NEED TO PURCHASE A VAN. WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO PURCHASE ONE AT THIS VERY MOMENT BUT ARE GETTING PREPARED FOR WHEN THE TIME COMES (VERY SOON).
ALSO, WE ARE LISTING THE VAN FOR SALE ON THE FOLLOWING SITES: CRAIGSLIST.COM, VEHIX.COM, MIDWESTAUTOAUCTION.COM, AND DETROITCARAUCTION.COM - ANY OTHERS WE SHOULD CONSIDER?
Wendy's van requires a payment of $393.10 per month. It is currently worth about $13,000 with a loan balance of around $13,000. We need to sell Wendy's van and replace it with a less expensive alternative which can still transport a family of 7. These 2 events need to take place as close together as possible so we are not left without a way for Wendy to get to and from work.
UPDATE: CHARITY MOTORS IS AN OPTION WE ARE EXPLORING TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE. WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT ANY AVENUES OF SELLING THE VAN YET.
UPDATE: PATRICK WILL BE GOING TO CHARITY MOTORS ON THURSDAY, APRIL 09, 2009 TO REGISTER FOR A NUMBER WHICH WILL GIVE US THE DISCOUNT WE NEED TO PURCHASE A VAN. WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO PURCHASE ONE AT THIS VERY MOMENT BUT ARE GETTING PREPARED FOR WHEN THE TIME COMES (VERY SOON).
ALSO, WE ARE LISTING THE VAN FOR SALE ON THE FOLLOWING SITES: CRAIGSLIST.COM, VEHIX.COM, MIDWESTAUTOAUCTION.COM, AND DETROITCARAUCTION.COM - ANY OTHERS WE SHOULD CONSIDER?
LIVING Estate Sale
Much of the family's personal property will be available for sale in the weeks to come.
Please check back here for additional information as it becomes available.
UPDATE: A SHORT LIST HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER. YOU CAN FOLLOW THE "Family" LINK FROM THE HOMEPAGE, DISTELRATH.COM, TO GET MORE INFORMATION.
WE ANTICIPATE THE SALE BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009.
UPDATE: WE DO HAVE ABOUT 850 HALF-HOLLANDSTONE UNILOCK BRICK PAVERS AND ABOUT 250 HOLLANDSTONE UNILOCK BRICK PAVERS WHICH ARE LOOSE ON OUR DRIVEWAY WHICH WILL DEFINITELY BE INCLUDED. LISTING THE PIANO HAS NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AS OF YET. ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO A GOOD SITE?
Please check back here for additional information as it becomes available.
UPDATE: A SHORT LIST HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER. YOU CAN FOLLOW THE "Family" LINK FROM THE HOMEPAGE, DISTELRATH.COM, TO GET MORE INFORMATION.
WE ANTICIPATE THE SALE BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009.
UPDATE: WE DO HAVE ABOUT 850 HALF-HOLLANDSTONE UNILOCK BRICK PAVERS AND ABOUT 250 HOLLANDSTONE UNILOCK BRICK PAVERS WHICH ARE LOOSE ON OUR DRIVEWAY WHICH WILL DEFINITELY BE INCLUDED. LISTING THE PIANO HAS NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AS OF YET. ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO A GOOD SITE?
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