Mike is the angel I prayed for. It’s that simple. Religious I am not, but selfishly I asked for a sign, an angel to be sent my way. Why I opened Mike’s first text, I will never understand, as I was getting bombarded with texts and calls and wasn’t listening or reading any of them. I wasn’t even opening mail. On a Saturday morning in July, I received a text. Deciding to open this one, I began reading… with one eye closed. Lol, but true. Seems ridiculous now. I read the words “I attempt to help people get out of foreclosure” “my intent is to keep people in their homes” and the sentence I needed to hear the most… “EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK.” Before responding I had a little cry for myself. I needed to hear those words more than any others. I responded ~ though hesitantly ~ stating simply that I would need to talk to my husband. Responding at all was something new, but those few words invited Mike in. We made a time and day to speak on the phone.
A few days later I received a text from a different number reminding me of my upcoming appointment. The dust was starting to fade because I opened, read, and responded!! I responded back… no we don’t! I googled that number after I sent my response. I wasn’t shocked at all when I saw it was listed under Century 21. I was surprised, however, when I received a text that I had originally labeled “House Guy” in my phone saying, “that message was from my other number.” This brought doubt flooding in… OMG he is trying to take my house! This is a scam!
Mike quickly explained that this is his business. The help he gives to others is separate and is a nonprofit organization. He further stated he wants to “pay it forward”, sharing he has been in a similar situation. Over time and many texts, my husband and I met Mike in person… at his Century 21 office. To meet him in person was a game changer. He wouldn’t scam us if we know where her works! That was our thought process. Before I knew it, I agreed to put him on our account as a third party, as I was still in a major depression. Still letting my bills pile up, unopened and living on the kitchen table. I was certainly not able to make calls to the mortgage company! Sitting on hold for a half hour each time allowed plenty of time for me to talk myself into hanging up. So, Mike made the calls. Mike spent the time on MY PROBLEM. Here and there I would start to think… how can this guy be real? How can he not want any money? How is this not a scam? I looked at my husband one night when we were discussing this very idea and I suddenly said, if he takes the house, he takes it. At least it will get paid! Looking back, that was a horrible way of thinking, but fighting the bank was too much to handle. They were declining Mike’s requests to work with us… let us make payments. The answer was no every time. But we didn’t give up. Or should I say, Mike wouldn’t let us give up.
I am happy to report that after weeks of encouragement and ideas, we were able to find the 44k needed. Mike’s help did not stop there. He got all the wire transfer information… the info on the amount I needed to send and where to send. The night before I made the transfer I was explaining to my husband that Mike confirmed the transfer info with me “so I am doing it tomorrow”. Jokingly my husband said, “yep and It will go right to his account.” He laughed and I just stared at him. “I’m joking!” He said. He was, but it put that seed of doubt right back in it’s place. On September 23rd I called the bank and learned the 44k has been posted and my next payment is due on October 1st.
Take a minute and think about what you just read. We chose to help our two sons who were in financial trouble, over and over. By doing so we abandoned our responsibilities. Depression set in. Bills piled up. Life as we knew it was coming to a screeching halt! Although, VERY SCARY, we trusted a total stranger!
To the reader of this story, Mike can be trusted and should be trusted. He only wants to give you what you need… Support, guidance, and a friendly kick in the ass. I am so thankful for that morning in July. House Guy has been changed to “My Angel” and Mike has two new forever friends.
(Mike has my permission to give you my number if you are still hesitant to trust him. Call me. We’ll talk.)