Do you believe in "signs"?

[Maybeamomagain?]

I posted below that I was considering offering my home as a foster placement for a sibling group that I know. After a lot of thought, I concluded that I wasn't sure I could do it for financial reasons, even though I make a decent salary I live in a high cost of living area and have quite a lot of bills. To be considered, I'd need to rent a bigger place, which would mean coming up with a new security deposit, and money for a mover. It would also mean coming up with money to pay for the bigger place. I didn't see how I could do that.

In the past few days the following things happened.

1) A couple of weeks ago, I got my new contract for next year (we're on year to year contracts). I also found out that another employee makes more than me. I sent a very brief email to the head of my organization asking why, and got a reply today which basically said "Oh, we'll match their salary for you". It's an $8,000 raise! After tax that should be about $500 a month.

2) I got a letter from my work saying that they're giving out "longevity bonuses" (total surprise) and to expect an extra $1,000 in my June paycheck!

3) I have an heirloom item I had considered selling. I took it in to get it appraised thinking that it might be worth a few hundred, which would help with the security deposit. They offered me $3,600!!!

4) I got an offer of an increase to the credit limit on my card, which would help with the period between paying one security deposit and getting the other one back.

5) I found a house for rent in my same school district (very important to me!) that is $500 more (the amount my paycheck will increase by) than what I pay now. I didn't actually believe this was possible, but apparently I overestimated rents.

So, what looked impossible two days ago, seems very possible today. There are actually a number of other very valid reasons why I shouldn't do this, but my heart is telling me yes. So, I'm wondering, do you think the universe is also trying to tell me yes?

 

[MomRN]

Well, I think it's only a decision you can make. However, I do believe in intuition. If you breathe, relax, get everything out of your head for a moment, then what does your heart tell you? If your heart tells you yes... then you follow your brain and the logistics... which sounds like your already okay there.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I posted below that I was considering offering my home as a foster placement for a sibling group that I know. After a lot of thought, I concluded that I wasn't sure I could do it for financial reasons, even though I make a decent salary I live in a high cost of living area and have quite a lot of bills. To be considered, I'd need to rent a bigger place, which would mean coming up with a new security deposit, and money for a mover. It would also mean coming up with money to pay for the bigger place. I didn't see how I could do that.

In the past few days the following things happened.

1) A couple of weeks ago, I got my new contract for next year (we're on year to year contracts). I also found out that another employee makes more than me. I sent a very brief email to the head of my organization asking why, and got a reply today which basically said "Oh, we'll match their salary for you". It's an $8,000 raise! After tax that should be about $500 a month.

2) I got a letter from my work saying that they're giving out "longevity bonuses" (total surprise) and to expect an extra $1,000 in my June paycheck!

3) I have an heirloom item I had considered selling. I took it in to get it appraised thinking that it might be worth a few hundred, which would help with the security deposit. They offered me $3,600!!!

4) I got an offer of an increase to the credit limit on my card, which would help with the period between paying one security deposit and getting the other one back.

5) I found a house for rent in my same school district (very important to me!) that is $500 more (the amount my paycheck will increase by) than what I pay now. I didn't actually believe this was possible, but apparently I overestimated rents.

So, what looked impossible two days ago, seems very possible today. There are actually a number of other very valid reasons why I shouldn't do this, but my heart is telling me yes. So, I'm wondering, do you think the universe is also trying to tell me yes?

You might wanna go out 'n buy a lottery ticket.

Congratulations!

 

[low-key]

Im not a sign guy, but who knows for sure, huh ?

 

[DisneyChula]

I do believe in signs. I also believe in following your heart after consulting with your brain. It sounds like you have thought this through and worked out the numbers to make sure that this will work for you. I would wait to make sure that your company follows through with the salary match. My DH has been burned a couple of times before (I swear if he didn't have bad luck, he would have no luck at all). It sounds like this is something that you truly want to do. If you put your mind to it, you will make it happen. Good luck!!

 

[Cantw8]

I absolutely believe in "signs" and I think everything that has recently happened to you is a definite GO

 

[RunningGirl]

Looks like a green light to me. You are doing a wonderful thing and I wish you the best!

 

[lizanne]

I read your previous post yesterday and your heart seems to be in the right place.

Now that you have the money issues pretty much solved you really need to take the time to examine those other "very valid reasons" why you should not do it. You owe it to both yourself and the children involved to take the time to make a decision that you can live with.

You can't let your heart rule your head. This is too important. I'm sure you'll come to the right conclusion whatever that may be.

I admire you for seriously taking this on, I often wished I could have helped a child who needed a home. It was not in the cards for me.

Good Luck.

 

[kacaju]

Yes, I do. My Dad used to feed the wild turkeys in his yard. Now, he lived in a more rural area then i do although I do live right next to a swamp where my neighbors whose backyard is the swamp see a lot of wild life...I noramally do not.

Right after my Dad died I had a flock of wild turkeys behind my fence for the rest of that winter. he died in Dec. very erie since in the 10 years I lived here we never saw the turkeys. Since that time every once in a while we see the turkeys I think of it as Dad checking up on us.

Well....a few months ago we found out my brothers cancer had returned and he will need to have chemo. This is my *baby* brother and he is engaged to be married this summer. Quite a blow we were not expecting. Then my Mom had a very bad panic attack ended up freaking out and needed to be brought to the hospital. Overall it was a very stressfull day... I got off the phone with a family member and looked out the window and there were 4 turkeys. I swear..it was Dad coming to let me know everything will be ok.

 

[Planogirl]

I believe that things have a way of working out for people if they have the right mindset. It really sounds like everything is moving in the right direction for you!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Yes, when things just line up with my heart I thing it's a green light from above.

BTW, doesn't the state help pay for housing ect when fostering kids?

 

[marcemc]

You have a great heart!

Sounds like your wish to help other people is on it's way

I do believe in signs, some wishes just take time because God has to arrange several things at once

 

[The Mystery Machine]

While I would love to believe in the universe theory, I don't.

However you seem like this is something that you really want to do and are going to try and persevere despite your limitations. Now that is something I can believe in.

 

[Art 1]

No.

 

[Maybeamomagain?]

Yes, when things just line up with my heart I thing it's a green light from above.

BTW, doesn't the state help pay for housing ect when fostering kids?

The state pays a subsidy, and actually our state has one of the highest. With it, we'd have no problem paying the rent, and my understanding is that using the subsidy to pay even 60% of the rent would be fine, because they'd be 60% of the people living there. However, of course, you only get the subsidy while the kids are living there, and the goal is to get them back home. So if they came to me as soon as I moved in, and stayed 6 months, I'd have 6 months left to on the lease on just my income, and then either continue to pay or come up with another security deposit.

Given all that, I'm not comfortable taking on a place that I can't pay 100% on my own if need be. I couldn't pay for the place I found and feed/clothe/send to summer camp so I can work 4 kids, but I could do with the subsidy, and if we went back to a family of 2 I could manage in that house.

 

[cm8]

I believe that their are signs everywhere. I would go for it. It seems that everything you needed has been given to you and that means you now have no excuse to do it

Congratulations and good luck

 

[lisajl]

I believe in signs too. Someone, somewhere is trying to tell you something.
Stop and listen and follow your heart.
Good luck!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

haven't read the thread ..

but yes, I believe in signs

especially "stop"

'yield"

'speed limit 65"

and "last rest stop for 200 miles"

there are others that I also believe!

 

[Bren's Mom]

I do believe in 'signs'! I believe in God, and that sometimes when we're not quite hearing his still, small voice...he shouts...'cuz he REALLY wants us to hear. Those windfalls, to me, are God shouting 'Can you hear me now? Those kids need you!'.

 

[Planogirl]

haven't read the thread ..

but yes, I believe in signs

especially "stop"

'yield"

'speed limit 65"

and "last rest stop for 200 miles"

there are others that I also believe!

I think that sometimes signs have to do with our instincts or "gut feelings" too.