A Change of Plans

Two weeks ago today, Allen lost his construction business shop and many tools and equipment in a fire. The fire Marshal points to a runaway lithium tool battery as the cause. Tonight, not even a scrap of metal is left behind. After the fire was put out, the fire Marshal and insurance adjusters examined the site, and friends and family helped salvage and/or pitch almost everything inside, a local business came in and demolished the rest of the building. Up until last night the office still stood, alone on the cement pad surrounded by broken glass and soot. Now it sits on a trailer, loaded and ready to move to its new home. Once paperwork is completed and a foundation layed, the building that once was an office gets to become a cozy home for my sister. Here is proof yet again that God loves to turn ashes into beauty. 

                          In the process...

Sometimes I forget about our new circumstances. This evening I glanced around inside our sheds to find our lawn chairs to enjoy our first campfire for the season. They were nowhere to be seen. Yet another thing probably burned or smoked out and thrown away, I thought. This is obviously a minor loss. Some days, my thoughts get stuck in a rhythmic pattern. How will we pay off this debt? How can we save money in other areas? What is my role in helping pay this off? These kind of thoughts are not safe to indulge in. I feel a little bit like the man in the parable Jesus told who owed a debt more than he could pay back in many lifetimes. As a mother, I feel like all I do with money is spend it. God keeps on reminding me that this is not my responsibility. I don't need to worry.

Jasper talks about the fire every day, his fire trucks (we-o we-os as he calls them)  putting out imaginary fires and "helping the shop". " Dad's truck burn, Dad's bike burn" he says, for no apparent reason other than the fire must be on his mind again. When sirens sounded across town for the first time since the fire, he jumped. "Shop burn?" He asked with big eyes. N calls out for snuggles long after we tuck her and A in. When we come, she snuggles in and doesn't want to let go. A happily found their soot covered toy kitchen while visiting the property the other evening. I hope to clean it up for them almost as good as new. 

It's amazing the kindness of our community. Allen's family has pitched in right and left to help his crew get back out on the job. They have provided tools and equipment to make it possible. As well as food and hands on help. My family surrounds us with support and spending lots of time with the children as Allen works late, or I'm running an errand or cleaning salvaged office items. Our friends and church have given time and service to help clean up the mess. 

We are so thankful and truly blessed. God holds the uncertainties in His hands, only to Him they are not uncertain. He has every moment planned. Not only that, but He also will walk beside us the whole way. Praise Him.

In other news, Gracia is four months old already! She's decided that rolling over is the best thing to do, but that the consequences (tummy time) are not so much fun. She is also becoming quite a little talker, telling us long and complicated tales. When she is sad she includes "mama" in her cry. I think by twelve months, she will have full sentences at this rate. 😆