Eight days ago: **I had no idea that it was going to be a day that would define not only my life, my familys life, but everyones around me. **I didnt know what it felt like to be a victim (I hate that word) of the greatest fire in Washington state history that is larger than all of Seattle and surrounding areas. **I had running water and electricity...now I long for the day to hit a light switch and actually have it turn on! And cant wait to have a bubble bath and feel clean! **I knew I loved Pateros, but now I am in awe and so honored to be part of such an incredible community full of love and full of such huge servants hearts! **I didnt know the extent to how loved we are. We have had such an outpouring of love and concern. I am sorry if I havent responded to most...it is crazy busy, sometimes I dont have the answers to the questions being asked and I have limited battery on my phone! Havent seen or opened my laptop for over a week! **I wasnt aware of what true friends are....ones who drop everything and are there for you without even asking! Ones that go to Costco and buy things you didnt know you needed, get running water to the house and help clean out rotting meat out of the freezer. Thank you, Bret and Barb!!!! And thank you to Jennifer Brandt, Jon Hurd, Derek Oliver and Jennifer Witherbee....you guys have blessed us in such a beautiful way! **I didnt know I would be sleeping with my 11 year old due to his valid fear of looters breaking in. **I didnt know that we had made the last long 80 minute round trip to swim team practice for the season. **I didnt know how much I would appreciate the little things in life **I didnt know how much I truly dont care about anything tangible...when evacuating, all I cared about grabbing was my family, some pictures, my hard drives and my bible. **I didnt know that I would be interviewed in the radio and the newspaper or that a blog post on our photography page would be looked at by 20,000 people. . .not the way i would have desired. **I didnt know...but how could we have known that a firestorm would come to our small area and that our town would be on national news? Pateros??? No one knows where Pateros is. At least they didnt eight days ago! Who could envision a fire going 80 mph at times that would destroy over 230 homes in our little area. My heart is sad this morning and so so many are weary, but I have faith and know that God does bring beauty from ashes. Isaiah 61:3
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:15:53 +0000