Fires

As many of you know there were fires in our area last year.  They started 2 houses north of us and traveled north, so we really weren’t affected by them, we just watched them closely. This year was different. The fires started on Knox’s birthday (again).  Daddy was at the “Kidder’s” home, helping to fight the fire and we waited here with Mommy, Grammy, and Papa holding off on starting Knox’s birthday party.  We finally decided to open just a couple of presents and save the rest for when Daddy was with us because the roads were starting to get closed down and we were afraid our grandparents would have a difficult time getting home.  Mommy had to run into town and someone told her that we needed to at least be prepared to evacuate.  We packed up some necessities (Cochlear items, Vest, medications, diapers, clothes, etc.) and were prepared to evacuate. When Daddy got home, he knew the fire was still quite a way from our house and that we would probably not have to evacuate through the night, but we all slept in the living room on a big pallet, just in case. The wind blew the fires east that night and our friends, the “Brady’s,” had to evacuate, but we were fine. The following morning we loaded a few more things in the van and Daddy went to look at the fire. It was closer and headed towards us. Mr. “Kidder” and Mr. “MacDonald” came and got all of the goats and Hercules (Ranger is still away for training). We continued to watch the fires and were ready to go if need be. About an hour later, a fire truck came through with his loud speaker blaring, “If you hear this message, evacuate NOW!” We put all of us children, my cat, Bandit, Ida, 2 puppies, a ton of luggage and Mommy in our van. Daddy took his truck with more luggage and Oxy and we left. We stopped at our neighbors north of us to see if they needed help and they were napping and had not heard the evacuation notice!  We helped them pack up and by the time they were ready (only about 10-15 minutes) the fire was really close and the emergency personnel were practically yelling at us to get out! I remember looking back at our house thinking it wouldn’t be standing when we got back. 













We got our neighbors to an RV park were they were going to stay while evacuated. Then we headed to the “Kidder’s” house, hoping to be able to return home soon. However, around 10pm we realized that with all the fires still in the area, the ash falling, and the smoke, it just wasn’t possible to hang out any longer.  We have to be really careful with William’s lungs (and Knox’s, since he’s so little).  So we loaded up and headed to the “Colonel’s” house, this time with ALL of the dogs in the van (except Bandit, who went with Taluse to the “Henry’s” house).  Because of all the roads being closed, we didn’t end up getting to their house until about 3am! It was a very interesting ride on the way up in our crammed van. The animals were a little stressed and grumpy and weren’t the greatest riders! But we made it!

We were out of our home for 6 days, mostly because of smoke damage.  The back pasture was all burned (except for the circle around the chicken coop) and the fire went under the bees, who were quite cranky for a few days! 

Our loss was so minimal: some fencing and posts, berry bushes, and grape vines.  After contractors came to give details about proper clean up, Mommy, Abby, and some of our church family got everything cleaned up so that we could get back in quickly.  God truly blessed us! 

Our neighbors 2 homes south of us lost their entire home and the neighbors just south of us lost both big out buildings. We found out later from our neighbor that stayed across the street that the firemen were never even at our house!  We thought they had saved our home and chickens, but, no, it was God’s mighty hand changing the wind at our doorstep.  He didn’t just defer the fire...He turned it back on itself so that IT PUT ITSELF OUT!  He is so amazing!

The fires burned over 400 homes and over 100,000 acres! Nobody was killed, although several firemen were injured. God was very merciful to us and all of our friends. None of us lost our homes or even any animals. The disaster relief is everywhere and the churches have places were you can donate things to the people that lost everything. It is very sad. There are people living in tents beside their ruined homes. Please keep the families in our area in prayer. 

I think this news video taken from a helicopter above our area is quite powerful:

About 2 weeks after the fire there was a disaster relief team at our neighbor’s house.  We baked them some cookies and went over to talk with them for awhile.  It was so pleasant!  They are a relief crew with the Southern Baptist Convention and they’ve done so much to help disaster victims over the years!  Some of their stories were so neat!  We were so thankful to meet the twenty or so workers at our neighbors that we decided to make 26 dozen cookies for all of the 150 workers who are staying and took them up them following night.  We had such a nice visit and it was so pleasant to meet so many of them.  Most of them are retired people who spend their (now) free time traveling around to help those in need.  What a beautiful example they set for my generation!  What many people look at as "my time," they are spending serving others.  That is a great picture of what Christ calls us to do!

   

 

 

   

posted by the blessed sister of 12 and aunt to 2 - Sarah