Puerto Rico Chronicle: House Search

Looking for a place was an adventure in its self. My great aunt some thing was looking for housing for us. Something affordable, but the two houses she suggested were the right price but had nothing else for us.

House 1- Very Dark, very little lights, no oven,  3 bed rooms, and one bathroom with a shower only. The door next to back rooms entered a yard with no gate.  It was pretty big but very dark. There was no fenced in area for my kids.  We had a neighbor beside us and on top of us. It reeked of mildew and mold.. which I soon learned was the norm. It was large and  I was willing to live here because I thought that's how I would live in Puerto Rico.  Adam felt very uncomfortable.

House 2-  A small pink house with with neighbors on each side. We would live in the center unit which had a fenced in patio 8 x4 feet which would be the kids play area since we had no part of the back yard. I couldn't see living in a place where my kids wouldn't be allowed to be in their own back yard of the house. It had much better natural lighting, except again the bathroom. It must have been one light bulb hanging from the ceiling, also without a bathtub- standing shower only. This house had one small kitchen cupboard. One very small counter top over that cupboard and a very small sink. Then it has a stove and oven the size of a suitcase.. Adam felt better about this place but I couldn't see it. My kids would literally be jumping on the walls. Plus, it was much farther away from school.

We soon realized we needed to up our rent in order for us to get something we could accommodate for a family of 5.  We were so grateful for my Aunt and her help because we had a very hard time getting a hold of any Realtor or housing for rent on our own. No body wanted to talk to the American's and nobody wanted to do it today, and we needed housing ASAP!

I took it in my own power to contact any English posting on Craigslist as long as the price was below $1000. I didn't know what else to do. A Realtor did contact us the next day, and we met with him. He said I requested to see a unit in the same complex but he wanted to show me a different unit for only $50 more.  This wasn't a house like I wanted but in a Condo Unit. It has 24 hour security which we didn't see in the other places. The complex has a BIG wall so no one can even see inside. It has 2 parks, a basketball court, and a pool. Already we knew what we were paying for.

He took us to a floor unit which I realized with 3 little boys and concrete stairs this would be the best choice for us. Immediately  upon entering the apartment our hearts relaxed and I was filled with gratitude. I honestly felt like this was the biggest blessing for us. It had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with tubs! Beautiful kitchen area (no oven), but I didn't care. They were leaving there washer and dryer, table, couches, microwave stove top and fridge. It felt like all we'd need to do it move it. Then we learned they had a backyard! This was a dream house! The apartment I picked to see didn't compare. It was on the 3rd floor, without appliances, no yard.  The choice was easy!

However, we had to wait a month before we could move in. :/  Then I learned the neighborhood is located near to infamous casarios. Which is government assisted housing, or "Residentals."  The two gangs in the housing areas are enemies and cops are always circulating the area. It made feel scared.  I thought the house was our place. I thought it was for us, and then when it was time for us to sign our contract I started feeling panicked and nervous.

I realized I didn't need to be afraid, but I live in P.R. now and I always need to be aware of my surroundings! I also learned a few things about Casarios which calmed me a little. We did wait  a month and it was well worth the wait. We love it in our little complex. If we never had to leave we'd be good with that too. The unit has it's little things like all houses do but we hope we can stay here the entire time during school, and we can continue to feel safe and blessed in our little home! <3

What I learned about Casarios:

1. Yes, the are dangerous, and I have no business in there so I have no reason to be inside , or nearby.

2. Any time a new housing development in built it is the law that government housing has to be built next to the housing. The figure it will bring up the standard of the people needing assistance. It usually just brings down everything around it.

3. There are good people and many children inside. It now just makes my heart break instead of quiver in fear.

Puerto Rico Chronicle: The Rescue

When I first moved here, I wanted to make a blog all about what happens once in Puerto Rico, but I later realized, the adventure is so different for so many people.... but it surely is an adventure. I've decided I want to remember these "adventures", because right now I feel defeated, and broken.. but I know that the Lord, Jesus Christ will help me through and has thus far in all of our adventures. I don't want these trials to sound like complaining, so I am going to try to present them in a way of love and understanding. The best of my ability! <3 It's not my intention to whoa is me, and whine. I just need to remember these huge lessons I've learned.

. This Chronicle is The Rescues, a message of Prayer, Miracles, & Love .

We arrived in Puerto Rico on February 12th. We had 2 days in a hotel, since Valentines day would was booked  and would be more expensive. We stayed at the Marriott  which was very comforting. During those two days in our hotel I learned a few things very quickly: 

1. Most hotels have mandatory valet parking with hidden additional charges.

2. You have to pay cash for just about everything

3. The sheets will burn your skin a little, because the amount of bleach washed in

4. P.R. DOES NOT HONOR AMERICAN FOOD STAMPS

5. Our phone service no longer works in P.R.

In our search for housing, we were hoping we'd find something we could move into. Adam was in charge of all of this, because I don't speak the language and had phones hung up on me over and over. The last night in the hotel, I took matters in my own hands and started calling people and emailing postings on Craigslist, which usually isn't used here.  I was hoping they would understand English since it was on Craigslist, and not clasificadospr.

 I found a furnished apartment that I thought would be great. The owner asked me to meet her at 11 the next day.  When we left that morning we got a call from a Realtor. He said he wanted to show us an apartment at 2:00. Adam took the call, knowing we probably already would get the furnished place. I'm glad he did, because on our way to Bayamon to meet her we got the call that we had too many kids for her 3 bedroom apartment, and would not be able to rent the apartment.  We booked a hotel for the night, and drove to the school. The school became our safe haven. It felt comfortable, normal, and the reason we were here in the first place.  We felt so defeated.

Adam went into the library to use the internet for housing search and mapquest, because our phone service, and GPS didn't work anymore. When Adam got back into the car, and we were both heart broken, and nervous. It was the first time I saw that Adam may have lost hope. We had been praying as a family like 10 times a day, there was nothing else we could do. I asked if we could pray right here in the car. 

Right after the prayer our phone rang. I had called the English Ward Relief Society a couple days before and told her of our situation. She suggested I talked to another student family.  Heather was at the other end of the phone, I was explaining to her who we were, our situation and I could help but bawl.  Her first reaction was " I know what you are going through, I've been there.  Don't go anywhere, I am coming to get you and take you back to my house where you can stay as long as you need."

What unbelievable faith, and kindness, and willingness to help. She opened her house to us, complete strangers. I'm so grateful that the spirit lead her to us, and she was willing to listen. She helped us get settled and sorted here in Puerto Rico. We ended up staying with Heather and her family for 4 weeks. She housed us and fed us. Her endless kindness is something we can never pay back to her. I just hope we can one day show that same kindness to others.

2 months later, I am still thanking Heather for rescuing us, and for Heavenly Father in answering our prayers. That phone call after our prayer, that answer continues to help us when other trials have come one right after another. We know He can help us, if its His will.  We will continue to pray.