When we got there, Pammy, 7, was holding Wyatt, 1, in the yard and Tim was running in and out of the house getting anything he could think of that may be important. I took Pammy and Wyatt to the car and they played inside with my dudes while the fire department showed up. Beth came first, Cheyenne, 2, was in the back sleeping. She slept through the entire ordeal. We got the dogs into her car and they stayed there. Tim and Brian were rushing in and out when the firemen started showing. The first one asked Tim where the fire was and Tim told him it was right above his head so the fireman proceeded to make a 5 foot hole in the living room ceiling. Then they went upstairs and did the same thing to the roof of the girls' bedroom.
The firemen were there for a very long time. The fire was out before 9:00 but they didn't leave till about 1:00 in the morning. I took the kids back to our house and put them all to bed. Tim works third shift so he went to work around 11:00 so Brian, Beth and her sister, Brittany were getting anything they could save until 3:00ish. They came back here, reeking of smoke, showered and went to bed.
When they left the upstairs was pretty much lost but Tim and Beth's bedroom was wet but untouched by fire damage. The morning came much too early and a gentleman from the church stopped by and told us that the house caught fire again around 5:00. Beth had only the clothes on her back. Tim had some jeans that were salvageable. Luckily, she had a load of kids' clothes in the drier that were a little smokey but unharmed. Over the next couple of days, they returned to salvage anything they could. The owner of the house is planning to burn the rest of the house down after they get whatever they can use out.
The master bedroom
The staircase.
This is where the blessings start. First, we had dinner delivered Friday evening. We also had some breakfast items dropped of the night of the fire. Brian and I have been down a vehicle for a few months and when I brought my boys to M & D's Friday night, they let me take their extra vehicle. They also offered Beth and Tim the queen bed they just replaced and a dresser.
The transmission in the Explorer (our only vehicle) has been troublesome lately and we really don't have $3,000 to replace it. On Saturday morning, a man from the church had his step dad look at it and he said he thinks it's a filter inside the transmission not the transmission itself so it's looking like it will cost around $100 instead of $3,000. WHAT A BLESSING!!!
Brian and I had a very busy weekend. I was on a youth retreat and Brian was preforming a wedding of a dear friend. When Sunday evening came, so did dinner. Delivered in abundance. The deliverer also brought many, many pantry stuffers. She and the deliverer of our first meal took what ever smokey laundry they could grab and started washing. Three washers and driers have been super busy trying to get smoke out of clothes. WHAT A BLESSING!!!
On Saturday, when Lou was looking at the transmission he took the Explorer for a ride. Before leaving the driveway, he backed it into Beth's car. He felt AWFUL! His stepson immediately gave us his van to use. Brian tried refusing and he wouldn't hear it. So we now have 2 completely functioning vehicles. WHAT A BLESSING!
Three weeks ago, I made plans with a family to bring their son to band this week so he has been staying here also. You would think that 10 people living in one house would be hard...it's been incredible. I admit, it's been loud but the blessings keep pouring in.
Last night we had another dinner delivered. We had two extra mouths and it was no big deal. This church has completely stepped up.
I want to thank every single person who has stepped up and taken time to help us in this time of need. The kids have all received clothes and a couple toys. The food has been amazing. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
Pammy
Cheyenne
Wyatt
