Support partner Laurie Johnson with new homeowner Belen Martinez When I got the news that I would start building my home…I could not believe it. I was so happy and Thanked God for listening to my prayers. Now that I live in my home; I can pretty much do what ever I want to do. I can paint the bedrooms whatever color my kids want. If I get tired of the color in my bathroom all I have to do is repaint it. I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit. It was hard work but we all got there. All the volunteers are the best. I got to know many great people who donated their time to help me build my home for my kids. An experience like this is hard to forget. People who give you their time in exchange for nothing are hard to forget. I know I could never pay anyone who helped me build my home. But to all those great women and some few good men…I thank you with all my heart. I love paying my mortgage and not paying rent.   Alma Garibay's home dedication   Kevin Lester and Shannon Eerkes-Lester Habitat for Humanity and all the volunteers have changed our lives forever.  I signed up...and did not believe I had a chance, but signed up anyway because my daughter and I REALLY needed the help. When I was told we had been chosen I could not believe it.  We learned how to do many aspects of construction and Aaliyah learned how to do a lot of sweeping and clean up at a very young age.  We learned how to work very hard, we learned we have family and friends that truly care, and we learned that a lot of hard work would help to finish a house of our own.  It turned out to be not just a house--but a home. Without the help and encouragement of the Habitat Volunteers, we would not have accomplished this much and we will never forget their dedication and hard work, and of course, we thank them for putting up with the constant questions about "how soon could we move in?"  The closer it came, the harder it was to believe that it would soon be ours. THANK YOU, "Habitat for Humanity" for a new life in our own home.  Being the recipient of all of the love and care is truly a humbling experience.  Because of our great fortune, we take every chance to "Pay it forward" and to help someone else in need. Shannon Eerkes-Lester