Who is the "Homeowner's Loan Modification" Program for anyway?

After speaking with St. Mary's Bank about modifying my mortgage so I could get a lower interest rate, I hung up out of total fear of losing my home instead!

Apparently they own my loan and gave me the impression that if I could not afford my mortgage than I should be selling the house. I replied in astonishment, "Instead of St. Mary's Bank be willing to help me stay in my home, you would rather make me sell it?" The gentleman on the other end (I was sent to the collections dept. for this information rather than a mortgage officer, by the way)told me, if I was not late on payments (which I have never been), they wouldn't be able to force me out but would strongly advise it.

I told him I read that the banks were given incentive money to help get the percentage of our payments down to 31% of our income. This guy told me St. Mary's wasn't willing to go this low, maybe 38-39%, he told me. Then he proceeded to ask me to bring in all my financial documents to support my income and expenses.

Well I don't know about you, but I was frozen in fear after this conversation and will not be bringing anything into this bank for review. I'm too afraid that they will try to force me out of my house and use anything if not all against me to do so.

I heard no empathy for my situation in this man's voice nor did he give any encouragement that St. Mary's Bank was going to be willing to work with me for the little help I asked for.

I've written to the White House regarding this matter. I am doubtful I will get back any response but I had to try. Exposing the problem is part of solving it. If you have any stories you would like to share in your own efforts to get help with lowering your interest rates on your mortgages feel free to share them with us. Until then....

Susan

Above All, Teach Them How To Pray

We teach our children many things during their early, impressionable years. We teach them how to say their names, to eat with a fork, to read books, and ride their bicycles. But do we also teach them the one, most important thing they‘re going to need to make it through the rest of their lives? Do we teach them how to pray?
Let’s face it, we all want our children to make good choices and grow up to live happy, prosperous lives, right? Then don’t you think that, we as their parents owe it to them, to teach them how to do this? It all begins with the first lesson in being able to distinguish the difference between right and wrong. This is the foundation of a good upbringing by the parent and it comes from our own country’s first beginnings in our Christian heritage, the Bible. It was God who gave Moses the first recorded laws to hand down to the people in order to live happy, productive lives, also known as the 10 Commandments. It was in the Bible, where Jesus showed the disciples how we are to pray to God. You can find it in Matthew 6:5. It goes as follows:

“Our Father, who is in heaven, Holy is Your name. Your kingdom will come, Your will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today, our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not, into temptation, but deliver us from all evil, Amen.”

It’s a known fact that our children learn by example. When your child is old enough to learn this prayer, it’s a good idea for you to say it every day with your child. This will show him/her that you, too, believe in it’s meaning, thus reinforcing its purpose in his/her lives. I also bought my own children Bibles that were written especially for kids. They are filled with explanations for the passages they read and help them to understand the meaning of God’s words. Together we spend time reading passages to each other and explore their messages. My children have grown up with this foundation since they were very small and have a great sense of what’s right and wrong. So far, they have made very good choices in their lives and I rest easier at night for knowing this.
By teaching your own child this simple, yet very powerful prayer, you give your child the necessary tools for communicating with God and receiving His guidance. Your child will be able to draw on God’s guidance and protection at any time, especially when you’re not there. Children need to feel safe and secure in their lives and that’s not always easy for them to do living in this, now, unsafe, and crazy world of ours. I believe it is our duty, as good parents, to give our children this lifeline to a greater power that can help them through their toughest times. It’s our duty to give them hope for a brighter future.

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