PHEW!

This last week has flown by, right up to this very morning! I woke late, in a panic, interrupting a very pleasant dream with lots of my friends (lots being too many to fit into a picture) outside on a hot sunny day, by a lake filled with giant orange salmon, laughter and smiles around, to a non sounding alarm clocks (yet again) alerting me to be ready for my 8:45. Sleeping through my alarms is not so unusual, but dreaming is. My heart is still racing from the lickety-split whirlwind of getting ready.

The week has also flown by in that I've not had a chance to mention that this time last week, I was in Las Vegas. It was a quick business trip that I was able to employ four friends. We worked hard and played hard (except for the day we layed by the pool which could actually -in my book anyways- be interpreted as "working" hard). We finished the labor part in two days with two days to spare. So, we drove to the GC. On the way down, we were amazed by Hoover dam and the new, extremely high bridge they are building 1000's of feet above the existing road. It was nice to ride comfortably in a brand new 4runner. Lots of laughs on the way down, and amazement at God's handiwork. Who knew that a big hole could be so beautiful?! On the return, I longed to stop at In-N-Out, but everyone was crashed. I just drove and drove. I thought it was weird that the temperature was going up as the sun was going down, but didn't think much more of it. Evan work up wondering where we were. I told him, "7 miles from the border." He laughed and said, "What border?" I just shrugged my shoulders. Turns out that I didn't make a wrong turn... I simply didn't make a turn at all and landed us in the Mojave Desert. We had a good laugh, and if time wasn't such a factor, we would've kept on driving. All in all, it was a fun and relaxing trip. I didn't think about the depressing realities of home for 5 days with my friends by my side to keep me focused on good times.

In the photo: Ryan, Greg, Rob, Evan & Me

Day 26

It's been 26 days since the fire. To the right is what remained of the Silver Bullet. The carport is double wide. The fire started on the north side and she was parked on the south side. Flames climbed up the wall and ran across the ceiling, down the southern trellis creating an oven of intense heat. The drivers wheels blew, as did all the windows. There were lots of explosions. It's ridiculous to be attached to a car, but it was hard to see her towed away. A clear message from God that it was time that I let her rest in peace.

Repairs are coming along slowly. The house still smells of smoke. I just returned from a business trip to have reports of flooding in the basement room. So now we have soggy, mildew carpet smell competing with lingering smoke odor. Fans run constantly making it even colder in these high-30's temps.

I've tried numerous times to contact the tenant coaltion without any luck. I know that the landlords will be expecting rent soon, however it seems the conditions are not suitable for living. Where is the balance in exemplifing Christ and not getting walked on? Two guys have moved out already, a third is on his way out. I'm not reacting the way I typically would which is confusing to me. I still feel we have a purpose for being here...but also want to be smart in our decisions, not getting walked on, being a nuisance (without being a jerk) so they will want to sell the house, keep peaceful relations so they don't jack our rent up in the fall. This situation is so frustrating....I wonder if this is what it feels like to live in Ukraine.

Fire

Today, rather Saturday evening around 9:30pm, someone set our carport on fire. I was watching tv in the dining room, Justin had just gone to bed, everyone else was gone, and the motion detector light came on. Typically we save the carport for our guests, so I looked up to see who was coming in. I usually also keep an eye out for the possiblity of wind, or unwanted street vagrant. I peeked out the window and saw pink...orange... a little sunset color mixed in with the white motion light. I was a bit puzzled at first--who want's to admit what they're seeing is a fire? As I was reaching for the door to go outside, I thought I smelt smoke. I nervously and fearfully kicked off my slippers and ran outside and saw the far side of the carport on fire. Frantically, I began dialing 911 and yelled for "George!" (my neighbor). 911 was not connecting. I kept screaming as loud as I could. Just heard my yelling and saw the growing flames from his bedroom window. I redialed 911 and finally got through. I screamed into the phone, "FIRE! Big fire!" and repeatedly gave them the address. Repeatedly because he said I was breaking up. While talking to him, I grabbed the garden hose and tried spraying things...anything... it was useless but I had to do something. Justin yelled at me to stop and I told him to take the propaine tank from the bbq away. He did and got to a safe distance... a crowd started to gather. Flames were growing... there was popping and exploding noises... presumeably my windows and car tires... I kept spraying futilely. I had to do something. People yelled at me to stop. I ran inside to insure the guys in the basement were out... the stairwell was filled with smoke. Impossible to descend. I went for the hose again, but was overwhelmed at the size of flames and suddenly realized how ridiculous my battle was as flames ingolfed the entire wall and ran along the metal roof. I began to fear that my motorcycle would explode or worse, my car. The street was now completely aligned with people. Most were friends and neighbors. Fire truck after fire truck appeared... I think six, perhaps seven in all with numerous other paramedic vehicles. I watched as they battled and defeated the blaze. Once the flames were under control, I regained some composure and began calling housemates, delivering the sad and shocking news. Most were able to find alternative places to sleep. Fortunately, our house is made of brick. Fortunately, the storage room with the lawn mower and gas cans, paints and other flamables was only seared on the outside. Some things melted, but was not ignited. I'm exasperated......

Today

Although the sun shone brilliantly and was full of warmth... it was still a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day....

The Beginning of Lent

Lord, I give you my life. And in so giving, I give you all that I am, and all that I have, realizing that I am created for Your purposes. As you reveal such purposes to me, may I be sensitive to respond, knowing that in so doing, I am stepping into the place of life, blessing and adventure that awaits me.