Blazing Wildfire

Since early this morning there has been a wildfire blazing in our area. Around noonish Elizabeth said, "Mommy, I can see flames!" We all ran outside and sure enough the fire had spread to a hillside across the way. The news reported that 1,200 acres had already burned and 1,500 homes were being evacuated, including some of our friends.

Alan called from work and told me to get ready in the event we were evacuated. I told the kids to start packing their suitcases. I got off the phone and huddled with the kids to pray. Then we got busy packing everything valuable we could think of. But the more I thought about it, in the grand scheme of things, if my family was safe that was all that mattered.

Daniel came up to me with a solemn face and said, "Mommy, I don't want to leave our house." I replied, "I know, but do you know what is the most important thing?" He said, "Life." I said, "That's right. We can always get a new home but we can't get a new Daniel." He smiled. Jonathan said, "I thought our relationship with Jesus was the most important thing." I said, "Yes, but no one can take that away from us!"

In the midst of the chaos, there were a few light moments. Jonathan and Daniel got dressed up in their fighter pilot and firefighter uniforms. I think they were planning to be rescue heroes. Both boys packed Lego. Elizabeth kept saying, "When are we going to be evaporated?" Jonathan kept telling her, "It's evacuated, Wiz. Evacuated!"

By late afternoon the wind had shifted and we were not in imminent danger again. We're still keeping an eye on the fire and leaving everything in the car. The fire authority reports that they don't expect to have a handle on the fire for days. And there are expected windstorms over the next day or two. That can change things quickly. Please pray for the fire and the firefighters.

We trust in the Lord. He is our Protector, our Defense, our Mighty Fortress.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1