Perplexed but not in Despair

Many others have lost more than us. We are in good shape. Sometimes it hits us all over again and it is hard, as we know it will be but a sadness that the things we were most comfortable with are now all gone. Yet the glory of Christ already lines the dark clouds of the this weekend as we know that we do not "loose heart" because our "inward man is being renewed day by day."

Here are some facts if you haven't heard them:

The fire started by lightning strike in the canyon northwest of our home on Saturday night and moved faster through the canyon than any fire veteran had ever seen before. It burned hotter and faster and more thoroughly than anyone could understand. All told on Wednesday morning more than 10,o00 acres have been charred, over 50 buildings burned down and 33 homes destroyed. One man couldn't get out of his house in time and several others made it out only through prayer.

The fire jumped the Alaubaugh Canyon wall right around our house and nearly killed a couple of firefighters who were working around our house. They both suffered severe burns on their faces and hands and their packs still rest on the ground back behind our house. It is kind of eerie to see it laying there on the moon-like ground while stumps smolder all around. Our landlords home was completely saved as bulldozers got in and built a ring around it. They couldn't make the quarter mile trip to our house in time to do the same for us, not without trying though. All four of our closest neighbors still have their homes although the vacation cabin behind ours is in the same condition ours is in. Most everyone lost at least one out building or garage.

Strangely, those working the fire in our area were able to save our parent's camper that was parked down away from the trees. It doesn't even smell like smoke. It was covered by a spray made out of fire retardant gel and water. In all the crews were able to cover 25 homes and only lost two. Both of those were up in flames before they could get them sealed.

We are blessed by God's people who have offered us places to live in at least six different states. We are blessed by the phone calls of prayer and encouragement from even more locations. We are blessed by those who have called our families in Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas and others, many who we don't even know, asking how they can help us or offering us furniture, clothing, etc. We are encouraged by those we hardly know in our community who offer hugs, support and anything we need when we meet them on the street.

We are thankful for 2 Cor. 4 - a constant source of joy and blessing.

We are thankful for our family who showed up on Monday night and went with us out to the house last night and offered their care and support.

We are grateful for you too. God is good to us and in the decisions we make in the coming months and weeks we desire that He will be honored in our lives. There are many questions now on our minds and many things about our lives that have now changed but God continues to perform His good work in us and we know that He is doing it well.