Project 2015 – The Hilliard Home
In 2014, the Hilliard Girlies were looking for a “forever home.” Someplace that would provide security, safety, permanence, and peace for us. When I applied for the Proverbs 19:17 Ministry Home Build, I was a very blessed, single (divorced) mom of two beautiful girls on earth, and one precious daughter in heaven. Cameron at the time I applied was 11, Karis (my heavenly daughter) would have been 6, and Morgan was 5.
In November of 2007, everything in our life was perfect. I was almost 40 years old, happily married, a stay-at-home mom to a precious (and precocious) 5-year old, working as a part-time freelance graphics designer, very active with my church, and BIG-pregnant with Karis. To say we felt blessed as a family was an understatement.
But at 33 weeks, Karis died in-utero. She was perfect, but born still. We were all devastated as you can imagine. But we (my then-husband, David) and I felt we were supposed to have two children here on earth. Within 3 months after losing Karis, we discovered we were pregnant with Morgan. She was such a blessing and we were so excited, but sometimes when you lose a child, – the grief, the pain – it changes your relationships and the marriage itself does not survive. Sadly, ours did not. After extensive marriage counseling, David and I determined that we shouldn’t be married anymore.
In 2011, we had the chance to move to Lindale – something I had always wanted to do since moving to East Texas in 2002. Our church family was here, our friends, our extensive support system since the divorce – all were here in Lindale. Some dear friends offered to rent us their mobile home at a reduced price. A blessing!
The home was a god-send to us, and I made it a comfortable home for me and my girls. But even with the reduced rent, the monthly cost of living there was extremely expensive due to a lack of insulation in the house and a very old, inefficient A/C unit. Most months I had to tip into my savings in order to offset the costs associated with living in the home. And when it stormed, it scared my daughters when we had to call to see who has a home we could run to in an emergency since our home wouldn’t withstand strong winds or a tornado.
Bottom line, we needed a safe, energy efficient home that we could call our own. I was willing to do whatever it took to keep my girls happy, secure, and safe in a community where they know they are loved and cared for. Lindale is home to us.
In 2015, Proverbs 19:17 Ministries blessed us with helping build our “forever home”, so we could continue to be a part of the Lindale community we have fallen in love with. We are so appreciative for the opportunity they’ve given us to make our dream come true. The house is absolutely beautiful and we love our little neighborhood filled with kids and great families. But most of all, I’m so grateful my girlies can grow up in a safe and happy home built with a lot of love from this community.
Kristen Gowen, Cameron and Morgan Hilliard’s Mom
UPDATE: On June 10, 2017, I married a wonderful, loving man who also gave me two amazing “bonus” sons. We all now enjoy this beautiful home built by Proverbs 19:17 Ministries. Even though the family has doubled from its original size, the house that was built for three is home to six! Plus a dog AND a cat. Surprisingly, we all have a place and couldn’t be happier. Included in these pictures are my husband Jon and our boys Jack and Alex. Our blessings have continued to be multiplied!
