Outpouring of support.....

Over the last day, we have all been in shock and overwhelm. The house was a total loss, the only thing left standing was the chimney and a short wall that was all but gutted. Thank GOD, the community has poured out a tremendous shower of supplies, clothes, necessities and money for the five of them. The outpouring is actually overwhelming! My cell was ringing all day, even into therapy and when I arrived home there were tons of messages on the machine. The churches, friends of ours, individuals who heard on the radio. They opened the doors of the Picket Post fire department to donations of all kinds, today. I have to give a HUGE shout out to Joanne Heaton, the fire chief's wife, who has been coordinating and organizing everything for them! She is a saint among saints. An observant, caring, diligent, sensitive woman who has been nothing but wonderful. She has been hitting up the local business' for donations, hotel time, tools and food! Thank you, Joanne, wherever you are! William, my step dad, got home last night and surveyed the damage and it was so heartbreaking. He lost everything including his lively hood, his tools, which he used to work construction and make furniture. So we are hoping that a few business' will donate some essential tools so that he can at least work to earn some money. The local storage building place in our town donated 2 months rent on a storage building so that we can store the donated items until they find places to move into. I am praying that my sister uses this chance to pull her self and family up and make a change in their lives. IE: jobs, car, house etc. I thought that we had seen support from our community with Faith but this has been unbelievable! Everyone has pitched in. A local cartoon artist saw them at the store and pulled money right out of his wallet and handed it to my step dad! Strangers have been showing up at the hotel donating money for their stay. PRAISE THE LORD! I am so thankful and I pray that they can all get on their feet ASAP! Please pray for them...it would mean so much to me. Their names are Monica and Jason and my step dad is William.

FIRE....

This morning, I awoke to a hysterical phone call at 4:30am. My stepfather's house caught fire and burned to the ground. My sister and her children and husband were home but not my step dad. They barely escaped with their lives. Her husband woke to the fire alarms going off and within minutes the roof was collapsing on the house. They made it out and they are all ok but there is nothing left. The only thing standing was the chimney. It was terrible, when I pulled in the drive, flames were shooting 50 feet into the air and the trees were on fire. My brother in law had to drag my sister out of the house because she was trying to go back for the Christmas presents. She got some burns on her hands and foot but she is ok. It was such a terrible sight to see. My step dad lost everything..they lost everything. Thankfully our community has reached out to them and lots of people are offering baby clothes and gifts for the children on Christmas. They are being put up in a hotel for 3 days but I don't know what they are going to do. We had a house fire as children but it was contained to the attic but that was so traumatic for us. I can't imagine....they were all minutes from losing their lives. Baby A. was sleeping in a baby swing and part of his swing was melted. He was that close! Please keep my sister and her family and my step dad in your prayers over the holidays.