My word of the year for 2021 is HOPE. With a little over 5 weeks left in the year, I’m thankful that many of my hopes have become reality.
Biblical hope is not a mere desire for something good to happen. It is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.
desiringgod.org
Answered Prayer(s)
I have been hoping to move since around June of 2020. Our apartment building switched ownership and we have not been happy with the resulting changes. Today – the day before Thanksgiving – we signed the lease on our new apartment and we will be moving by the end of December. (Yay!)
If you don’t live in NYC, finding a good apartment isn’t a big deal. (I’m from Virginia so I know. Apartments and homes are “a dime a dozen” there.) In New York, it’s a gift to get what we wanted – a 3 bedroom apartment in Forest Hills with a parking garage. I’m most excited about the larger kitchen. My husband Reggie is most excited about the parking space.
Finding a good apartment is one thing. Actually getting the apartment is another. When we found out that our upcoming apartment had been on and off the market for several months, I was like, “Why? What is wrong with it?’
From my “faith sight”, I believe that God was simply saving it for us. (Won’t He do it?)
On the practical side, it was about credit and income. Former applications had fallen through because the applicants didn’t have sufficient income or credit. Generally speaking, you need to make 40 times the monthly rent per year. They were also seeking a credit score in the 700+ range.
I’m very grateful that God allowed us to have both things plus the five figures in cash that was necessary for the initial contract signings. I still have “issues” with NYC broker fees but “when in Rome”…
My oldest son Michael sometimes teases me because I don’t work outside of the home. That is why it was especially encouraging to hear Reggie let him know that we couldn’t have qualified for the apartment without the income that I bring in and to let him know that my individual credit score was in the 800s. (You tell him babe!) I’m thankful.
Altered Plans
My time will be limited until the end of the year. As such, I will primarily be updating and republishing posts on this site. Since I have thousands of posts on this site, only my longtime readers have probably seen the ones that I will be resharing.
Food and holiday gift ideas are what you all said that you wanted the most in the reader survey so I will also be sharing a few new holiday gift ideas posts. Other than that, you can keep up with what’s going on in my life on Instagram. (Let’s follow one another there. I’m @nycmominthecity).
One last thing: If you have high school juniors or seniors, I’ll still be sharing the (non-confidential) college-prep information that I receive from Townsend Harris on the Get Into College NYC Facebook page.
I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, love and great food! Thank YOU for all of your support over the years. I would not have been able to be a financially stable, work-from-home mom for all of these years without you. I’m grateful.
P.S. I bought the “Quiet Power” hoodie that I’m wearing in the photo from the Jack and Jill, Atlanta Chapter store. Proceeds benefit three (3) nonprofits that address Black health disparities, sickle cell, and tuition assistance for HBCU students.
