Habitat blesses a new home for a young family

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[September 16, 2015]  LINCOLN - On Sunday, after a gray and cold Saturday, the temperatures warmed and the sun shone down on a new home in Lincoln. The day was a celebration as Habitat for Humanity turned over the keys to its 19th house to Danielle Davis and her daughters Alexis and Jasmine. At that moment, the house became a home and gave the Davis family a great sense of accomplishment.

Habitat homes are not given away. They are sold to recipients who have qualified by being in a position to pay for a home over time, have put in “sweat equity” in the building of their home as well as contributed to other efforts made by Habitat. Recipients work with their mentors to understand the obligation and responsibility of home ownership. On Sunday, all the hard work paid off as Logan County Habitat Chairman Cince Bowns handed over the keys to the three bedroom home to Danielle and her daughters.

The House Blessing Service went much as it traditionally does with the opening comments from the Habitat Chair, the presentation of the Habitat Book and a Family Bible, reading of litanies, and song led by John Sutton on his guitar. All of these things are done in front of a gathering of family and friends who have come to celebrate with the new homeowners.

It is the family and friends that make the day the most special, and for the Davis’ the family component was there in multitudes. Five generations of women gathered for a photo that included Danielle’s Great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and daughters. In addition, it was her grandfather, the Rev. Glenn Shelton, who led the group in prayer as the ceremony neared its conclusion. He also explained he had come out to the house earlier in the day and anointed each door, window, the porch, and the sidewalk to the house with oil, asking God to bless the house and bless the family. He closed by bringing his grand-daughter and great granddaughters together and praying that God would bless them as they enter this new stage in their lives.

The day began with opening remarks from Bowns, who reminded those gathered that a house is made of brick and mortar; while a home is built of brick, mortar, love, sweat, and tears. She commented, “This home is not a handout, it is a hand up.” Before closing, Bowns remembered Habitat Board member Wally Reifsteck, who passed away on September 9th and asked for a moment of silence. Reifsteck would later be remembered by Rev. Shelton as he urged everyone to hold up Wally’s wife and family in prayer.

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The ceremony also included the presentation of a family Bible by Leonard Krusemark. He commented about starting fresh in a new home and urged the Davis’ to connect as a family. He recounted a time in his life when he was not in touch with his family, and how that changed when they began sharing a daily meal together. He noted that it was good for the family to set aside one portion of each day to be together and support one another. He said the time at the table should be one that is happy and positive.

After the closing prayer and song, those gathered were invited inside the new home for refreshments and to take a tour. The home is a three bedroom with Alexis and Jasmine each having their own rooms. The girls were excited to show off the touches that make the rooms uniquely theirs. Alexis’ room is a lovely light teal blue and on one wall, her name is painted along with an Eifel tower in black. Another wall is painted in the teal with white stripes. She said she really loved her room and got to choose the colors she wanted.

Jasmine’s room is lavender, her favorite color. On one wall, a framed black board and cut-out hearts painted with blackboard paint will offer Jasmine a free space to be creative.

The house also includes a large bath, and laundry-mud room with access to the back yard, a large room for Danielle, an open floor plan kitchen and living area, and a front porch.

[Nila Smith]

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