The Collins Family

Our family story is a rather simple one, although the circumstances which led us to the position we are in – regarding homeownership – are far-reaching and probably a bit convoluted.  In order to get a better understanding of where we were, where we are, and where all of us would like to be, we would like to introduce you to our family: Gaylon Sr., Lynelle, Gaylon Jr., Destinee, Maddison, and A.J.

Gaylon Rick Sr. (or G. Rick) is the head of the family.  He was born in Chicago, Illinois and has served our country – stateside and abroad – as a member of the United States Army from 1980 to 1990.  He works full time at TRG (Apple) and part time at Trader Joe’s.  He installs car stereos on the side, but would like to one day own his own car stereo business.  G. Rick has a passion for singing and has performed the past two years at the Central Oregon’s Got Talent competition.

Lynelle is – to coin a phrase – the glue which literally holds this little family together.  She was born in Marquette, Michigan, is an avid churchgoer, and owns her own natural cleaning business.  She used to work for Starbucks, but a few years ago decided to be a stay-at-home mom where she divides her time raising the children, being a wife, and running a daycare.  She loves coffee, and is considered by friends and family to be a great barista at home.

Gaylon Jr. (or just ‘Junior’) is the oldest child at 17 (almost 18).  He was born in Avon Park, Florida and recently graduated from COIC this past summer.  Like his father, he has a passion for song, but is leaning less towards singing and more towards a rap career.  He currently doesn’t have plans to attend a college, but will be pursuing his dreams as the fall approaches.

Destinee is wise beyond her 16 years (thanks in part to excellent guidance from her mother).  She was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota and is currently learning to drive – so watch out!!  She doesn’t currently have a job in the truest sense of the word, but works alongside her mom in the natural cleaning ‘family business’.  She is very faithful to the church, singing in the choir alongside her mom, as well as recently being assigned to bus captain.

Maddison (or Maddi) is the youngest daughter, at 8.  She was also born in Grand Forks – the same as her sister – and is a very good singer for her age.  She, like most girls her age, loves to play with her dolls (Littlest Pet Shop is her favorite), loves to draw and write, doesn’t like dogs all that much, and says blue is her favorite color – for now.

Anthony (or A.J.) is the ‘littlest one’ at 6.  He was born in Lakeland, Florida and is a lot stronger than he appears, helping his mother with a lot of the daily chores around the house.  He is also probably the best cleaner – besides his mom – in the house.  He enjoys a good backrub, loves soccer, likes playing with his Lego’s, horsing around with his friends, and basically being a boy.

When we moved to Bend back in 2005, we quite literally had nothing – just the promise of a roof over our heads (to which we have to give thanks to Healy Heights Apartments for putting up with us for this long).  We had no friends, no family, and no support structure to which to fall back upon in hard times.  Just us.

But now, 5 years later, while we still have ‘just us’, we have friends who love and care about us, a church ‘home’ that we feel is just as special as any flesh-and-blood family, and – with a little perseverance, patience, and a lot of effort (and prayer) on our part, we’ll finally be able to have a place we can call home.