Moving Again

In June of 2013 we (the Samuels) moved from our tiny basement apartment in Takoma Park, MD to a spacious 1 bedroom apartment in Temple Hills, MD. It's called LynnHill Condominiums, and we are currently renting the condo from an owner. We knew when we moved into this building that it was pretty dilapidated due to owners not paying their condo fees. We live on the 6th floor and the elevator does not work. This has been a consistent challenge for us. Along with our water being cut off regularly, pest infestations and rampant prostitution and drug use happening on our very floor. We considered our stay a blessing since our rent was very cheap. Now however, God seems to be bringing judgement on the condominiums. The WSSC has ordered our water be cut off on March 1st due to unpaid water account charges from the Condo owners over $100,000. As a consequence the Condos will be considered unfit for human habitation and all owners/tenants will be ordered to vacate immediately. We received this letter on Monday, February 10th. 

We need to move by March 1st and are looking for any leads in the DC metropolitan area (but particularly somewhere close to Alexandria/Arlington, VA since that's where I (Tyrell) work, somewhere like southern PG County for example would be great). By God's grace I make a little extra change and we can probably afford something up to the $1100 mark...though that might be pushing it. $900-$1000 would be ideal. We'd love a two bedroom apt but may have to settle for a one bedroom temporarily. If you know any condo owners who are renting that would be great too since rent usually goes up in typical Apartment complexes. If you don't have any leads, your prayers are greatly appreciated in this time. Currently, we are set to visit three apts on Saturday Feb 15th but I'm not too hopeful for any of them. 

Though this is tragic. We are encouraged by God's sovereignty. Marie is pregnant with our second child and going up and down the steps are becoming increasingly difficult especially with having to carry a one year old. Though our place was renovated and a fairly nice apt, losing hot water and noticing we weren't "alone" anymore (hint hint) in our place we began considering to move. This was dicey though since our lease isn't up til June. Now God is definitely telling us to leave and He is making a way for us to do it. 

We have two weeks to find another place to live. Until our next post help us pray that all goes well with the apartment search and especially the apartment we applied for Feb 16th.

God Bless you all!

Tyrell, Marie, Aidenn and our unborn one :)

Five Lies About Your Body

I just read a great article written by Jen Wilkin on the Gospel Coalition Website and I just had to share it again!

"How we view our bodies will determine whether our plans to change them are God-honoring or self-elevating. Do we see our bodies the way our Maker does?"

Lie #1: Your body is decorative. Truth: Your body is useful.

Lie #2: Your body's appearance is flawed but fixable. Truth: Your body's appearance is designed by God.

Lie #3: Your body is a source of power. Truth: Your body has a set of limits.

Lie #4: Your body is yours. Truth: Your body is not yours.

Lie #5: Transforming the outside will fix the inside. Truth: Transforming the inside will make peace with the outside.

... Read More

Check out her Blog Page =)

"Because you were bought with a price, all decisions about and behaviors toward your body must be run through a filter: "Does this glorify God in my body?"

Modesty For Men

We hear a lot of talk nowadays when it comes to young ladies and dressing modestly but not enough about men. What is modesty? Let's go to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. It defines modesty as the quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities and as the quality of behaving and especially dressing in ways that do not attract sexual attention. Now it's time to examine ourselves. When dressing up to head out, let's examine our thoughts. Are we fixing ourselves up in such a way to receive attention and praise when we head out? or even worst are we purposing to attract sexual attention by the way we dress? 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (NKJV)

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: 

that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.