Stephanie Kresl

As a mother of four, it's important to teach my children that God calls us to serve others and follow the example that Christ gave us. One way to do this is by setting the example ourselves, but also by getting our children involved in the ministry of helping others.

If you have older children, this may be easier, but finding opportunities for your younger pre-school and grade school children may be a bit more challenging. It doesn't have to be!

If you are a Christian parent living in Southwest Orlando, or if you have recently moved to the area and you're looking for ways to help your community, then read on...

For the last four years, the M.O.M.S., St. Rita Ministry and Family Focus ministries at Holy Family Catholic Church have been reaching out to our local domestic violence shelter in Orange County, Harbor House of Central Florida. Our entire church community has been very generous of their time, participation, donations and support of our outreach activities throughout each year.

The holidays are a very difficult time of year for the women and children taking refuge in safe shelters, so this December, the St. Rita Ministry at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando is sponsoring our 4th Annual Tree Trimming Celebration at Harbor House of Central Florida to help brighten this holiday season for these families.

Each year, leading up to this special event, we provide an opportunity for our children to also get involved in this cause, as it is such a wonderful opportunity to teach our children that domestic violence is wrong and it hurts all of us. As parents, it's our responsibility to talk to them when they're young, before their ideas about relationships are shaped. By doing this, we can help end domestic violence by preventing it from happening in the first place.

As a parent, there's nothing more special and rewarding than seeing your child beam with the joy of knowing that something they did brought a smile to someone in a less fortunate situation.

So, if you're looking for an opportunity to get your kids involved in communty service this holiday season, then please consider this invitation & join us in the Social Hall of Holy Family Catholic Church on Nov. 20th, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm for our community outreach project for kids. Holy Family is located at 5125 South Apopka Vineland Rd.

For more information, please contact: Carla Bellonzi carlabellonzi@bellsouth.net or 407-295-9634

To download a printable PDF flyer to present to your ministry, employer, friends or family click here.

Thank You For Your Continued Support!

Harbor House of Central Florida is a non-profit organization that provides shelter, advocacy, counseling and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children, empowering them as they work to reclaim control of their lives. Through education and advocacy, Harbor House strives to bring the issue of domestic violence to the forefront of the community's awareness.

The St. Rita Ministry is a Domestic Violence Resource Ministry at Holy Family Catholic Church developed to provide education, outreach and awareness to the issues of domestic violence and serves to be a resource for support and referrals to our pastoral staff, ministry volunteers and individual families within our parish community. As a faith community we must support and help victims and encourage our friends and family to do the same. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, Harbor House of Central Florida can help. 24 hr Emergency Hotline: 407-886-2856. To learn more about domestic violence or for additional information please visit our website at http://SaintRitaMinistry.CatholicWeb.com

As I sat down to prayer before lunch, I asked God to give me patience and understanding and to help guide me in the right direction with my youngest strong willed three year old son. I have been fighting this battle with my SWC for some time now, and today I was starting to feel like I was losing it, both my patience and the battle. And it's not just an every once in a while melt down; it's a daily battle of the wills between us.

It just so happened that my husband had just made a placement today (he's an executive recruiter), I had just gotten paid a commission from a new construction contract written back in February and I had actually had a couple of good days with my SWC. So why was I crying? I have so many things to be grateful for, why do I feel so bad? (Don't feel weak for shedding a few tears... I was once told by Sister Paula Hagen, the Retreat Director and Co-Founder of M.O.M.S., that "tears are prayers from the soul.") Well, as my husband and I learned from a parenting workshop we had attended not so long ago, strong willed children and a strong-willed parent will usually conflict and it all starts by first making changes within ourself. But there's more to it and God MUST be kept close in our thoughts, our words and our hearts.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

So I've been quite overwhelmed lately and feeling a tremendous amount of guilt for starting a new career and going back to work full-time and guilt for being a bit of a spitfire myself! (Have you had "the curse" put on by your mother when you were younger? I did!) Lately, I've been trying to discern the right things to do, the right course of action in every decision because I felt that it was all interwoven in God's ultimate plan for our lives. It seems that the challenges get tougher and the decisions get harder. Finding balance with God, family, career and life in general has become increasingly challenging. So, how timely it was that I found this article! Remember the little prayer I said at lunch? It's called "Making Peace with Your Strong-Willed Child."

Here's a quote from the article:

"Who said parents need to be rigid and inflexible? It's ironic, but God is the only one who can make us do anything, and he never has and never will force us to obey him. We think we can force a child's will when God himself does not force us. God wants us to choose to be in a relationship with him, to choose obedience. We need to parent the same way."

So if I am to be honest, I know that I am accountable. I know that it all begins with God, then I need to make changes in myself, my habits, the way I communicate and in the way I perceive things to be. Recently at mass, our priest pointed out that if "you change the way you look at things, then the things around you will begin to change." Now I know that this has been said a thousand different ways, by several people, but when God is in the center of it all it certainly does change the perspective.

Funny how you get these "little messages" and glimmers of hope after a simple, yet humble prayer for help during moments of weakness and frustration. So, this afternoon I somehow get both boys (3 & 5) down for a nap and as I'm writing this, my husband emails me this prayer. God does listen! I would like to share this with other mothers who may also be struggling with a SWC.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Praise be given to Your Holy name for Your forbearance and mercy.

You have dealt gently with Your children in love.

You have been patient with me in my humanness and stubbornness.

Lord, through the work of Your Spirit, prompt me to be more jubilant in hope, more patient in times of trouble, and more consistent in my prayer life.

Teach me, Lord, to wait with faith and expectancy, and may my trials be seen as times for growth in grace.

Through Christ our Lord, I pray.

Amen.

One last note, the article is one of the best written ones that I've read on this subject and it offers some great insight and suggestions. Enjoy the read!

According to Elizabeth Razzi of The Washington Post, first-time buyers or those who have been out of the market for at least three years have more reasons to purchase a home than before. She makes some very good points to consider.

• Property prices are probably as low as they are going to go as the market stabilizes, thanks to the government takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Click here for detailed statistical reports on the housing statistics for the Orlando area.
• Interest rates are likely to decline as Freddie and Fannie get government help.
• The Federal Housing Administration recently boosted its loan limits to $729,750 in expensive areas. It's going to take some of that back on Jan. 1, 2009, when the loan limit shrinks to $625,500. The FHA loan limits for single family homes in Orange, Osceola and Lake counties is currently $353,750. Click here to learn more about loan limits for FHA loans insured for other FLORIDA counties.
• The FHA allows down payments of as little as 3 percent, but that will rise to 3.5 percent as of Oct. 1. People scraping dollars together for a down payment should try to set their closing for the end of this month. Click here to learn more about purchasing a home with an FHA mortgage.
• The federal tax credit recently approved will shave $7,500 off a first-time buyer's federal tax bill due April 15. Buyers who don't owe tax will get the money as a refund. The government's definition of a first-time buyer is anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years. Click here for more information on the Federal Housing Tax Credit for homebuyers.

Ready to get started? I can help!

Get Personal with MyRealLiving 2.0 MyRealLiving 2.0 is the next generation of online home buying and selling tools. It's free and essential even if you're just beginning to look for a new home.

With MyRealLiving You Can -

• Track price changes
• See new homes on the market immediately
• Save your favorites and share them with family and friends
• Make digital notes on saved houses
• Communicate with your agent
• Receive e-mail alerts

Click here to sign up TODAY for your FREE personal MyRealLiving 2.0 account!

Whether you're a first time homebuyer or a seasoned home-buying veteran, my website offers the answers to all you buying questions.

Click here for Homebuyer References.

"When you work with me as your Realtor^®, you'll benefit from my entire team of professionals and can take advantage of my team's expert knowledge of the real estate market, superior negotiation skills, Real Living's market presence and strength, both locally and nationally and Real Living's marketing plan-leveraging innovative, traditional and online technology tools. I can offer you the ultimate convenience-and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that all your real estate needs are being handled by trusted professionals.

Whether buying or selling real estate, it is important to have a good understanding of the current market conditions and complexities that affect today's home values. To learn more about buying or selling with Real Living Real Estate Solutions, visit my website or call me today...I'm here to help."

Stephanie Kresl
Marketing Specialist, Realtor^®
Real Living Real Estate Solutions
6401 Raleigh St.
Orlando, FL 32835
Direct: (407) 353-3268
Office: (407) 253-1377
E-mail: Stephanie.Kresl@RealLiving.com
www.RealLiving.com/Stephanie.Kresl

Impact of Affordable Housing Non-Profits that provide Privately-Funded Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) ~ Impact in Florida (FL)

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) ~ Impact by Entire DPA Sector across the U.S.

Did You Know?

• The average gift amount is $3,922.55
• The average home price is $125,603.15
• The average income for families receiving DPA is $51,160.07
• Over 80% of DPA participants are minority, female, or first-time homebuyers
• DPA composes over 40% of FHA business and uses NO tax-payer dollars to fund their programs
• FHA is financially sound and is projected to make billions of dollars through 2014 even with a high concentration of gift assisted loans and will have a capital ratio at three times the congressionally required amount
• A GAO study found that 91% DPA homebuyers were successful homeowners
• DPA programs helped to add over $24 billion to the economy from 2000 through 2005

Dear Central Florida DV Outreach Volunteers,

Please Join Harbor House of Central Florida for the "Children...the Silent Victims of Domestic Violence" A National Experts Roundtable on October 10, 2008

Do not miss this panel discussion about child trauma and family violence. This important event will be moderated by Dr. Junius Gonzales, Dean of Louis de la Parte Mental Health Institute, USF. Joining him will be Dr. John Fairbank of Duke University Medical Center/ National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, Carol Wick, CEO Harbor House of Central Florida and Vicki Hummer, Florida Institute for Family Attachment.

Training certificates will be provided and attendance is free. Priority seating is available for those attending the 31^st Annual Luncheon.

Location:

Sheraton Downtown
60 South Ivanhoe Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32804

Time:

2:00-3:00 following the 31^st Annual Luncheon

Admission is Free - Click Here to RSVP

For more information about volunteering with Harbor House, please contact:

Maribel Ojeda
Volunteer Coordinator
Harbor House of Central Florida
PO Box 680748
Orlando, FL 32868
407-886-2244 x 239
407-886-0006 Fax
800-500-1119 Hotline
mojeda@harborhousefl.com
www.harborhousefl.com