When I look back on that day, I am always amazed at the people who loved us. Don't get me wrong, I always knew my friends and family were amazing, but when you are literally down to nothing, including no home, no clothes and really no belongings, the people who say they love you, are put to the test to show it. The people who I am blessed to have around me did not disappoint. God has blessed me with people that are loving, humble, giving and encouraging. Despite busy schedules some of my best friends (and, you know who you are) allowed us to sleep in their home, did our laundry, drove miles to give our children clothes, spent days going through our smoke filled, damaged home and helped me throw everything away, categorized what we lost, brought us food, meals, called me from thousands of miles every day to check up on us, took my children to movies so I could do what needed to be done, gave us a long term place to live, sent us care packages and above all you lifted us up in prayer. We felt your love, even those that wanted to be with us, but couldn't, we felt you. I knew we were never alone.
I look back during that period of time, I was on auto pilot, I did what had to be done but I look back and I see how at times I was too exhausted to even pray, but God still answered my unasked prayers by the people who we share our lives with. I can barely repay any of the love you guys have shown, but I won't ever forget it and I am so very, very thankful and humbled.
Another thing that amazes me is that some friends of ours let us live in this wonderful little manufactured home during the 3 1/2 months we were out of ours. It was in the country and was surrounded by beautiful cherry trees. It was so quiet and peaceful. Truthfully, I hated it there. I just wanted to be home. It was smaller then our own home and I couldn't sleep. I was thankful for the place to live but I didn't practice being grateful. Yesterday my kids told me how being in that home was their best Christmas memories and that if they had a choice, they would live there. Wow! I need to learn from them. They truly turned that period of time into an adventure and they lived it to the fullest.
Thank you for loving us!!
We spent today making new memories in our remolded home with my nieces and family. Here are just some crazy pics from the day.
There is so much more to add to this story. Including the unexpected birth, 6 weeks early, of our miracle baby..but, that's for a day 5 days from now. I'll be back to expand the story.
6 comments:
"I can barely repay any of the love you guys have shown,"
You already have... Many, many times over...
Love you
Amy...
Oh, Amy, that made me cry. Thank you!
Love you!!!!
I didn't know you guys had lost your home to a fire. It sounds like God really used that time to refine you. It is great to look back at his provision. It sounds to me like you passed a rather large test with flying colors!
Thanks Jackie. Without sounding prideful, I think we did fairly well also. Dan & I both tend to anger easily and I remember thinking this is a huge test for us. Probably in the first 10 years of our marriage, we would not survive. The first night of this Dan & I made a promise to each other that no matter what, we would not attack each other when we were feeling angry, sad or upset. It worked. We never did, and we are so much stronger for it.
There's so much more to this special story, Jackie...I hope you will stick around :)
Jackie - I guess I should also clarify that the whole house didn't burn down. In fact, we were really spared in that manner. Our back bedroom caught fire (Steve was on duty that night!) and the fire burned that room and then the smoke from burning plastic ruined the contents of our whole house.
Gross!
Smoke damage is terrible. I've seen several house fires where it didn't actually burn down everything, but the damage ruined it all anyway. I'm just so thankful that you are all safe and that God grew you and your hubby is such an amazing way.
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