When we planned what we were going to do this summer; the last thing we thought we would be doing is being displaced from our home.
Even though we did not lose the whole house enough was damaged and water/power turned off that it was not livable. Also, due to the fire and water from the fire trucks there was water leaking into the ceiling of other rooms and starting to create the perfect circumstances for mold
Day 1 after fire-I had called my parents shortly after the fire (my mother came up to NY that day and then spent the following 2 plus weeks with us). I am so thankful that she was able to come up, in more ways than I can say she was a help, with the kids, cleaning, keeping me calm and collected, etc.
Talked to many people on the phone, went back to the house in the day light to see the damage, packed up what we needed to live with clothes, food, etc. We stayed at my sister in laws for about 1 1/2 weeks. And still we went back and forth several times a day, very displaced. With not being in one place we ate out a light, not sleeping very well and in turn our health went downhill. But stocked up on essential oils and ningxia red which helped a great deal
Weeks following fire-it still seem at times like it was yesterday, the days and weeks that followed. So many things happened this summer and did not due to the fire. God has taught me a whole new level of patients and dealing with change. Both of which are things I work on and struggle with daily.
The garden got slightly neglected but even so we got a fair amount of produce (put away in friend’s freezers as ours got ruined in the fire). We went back and forth the house almost every day; this has been very hard on the kids as much if not more than us. There was a great lack of schedules, naps, eating all hours of the day, and staying with people so we could meet with people. Joy will remember all that has gone on; Joshua is young enough he will not.
So what insight have I gotten from all this??? We (people in general) have a lot of stuff! Mind you yes the insurance company furnished the apartment for us (but the pod is full) and I cannot imagine how much I will be selling, cleaning out, giving away etc as we clean it out. Have not needed the stuff in it for 5 months why keep it?
I love my pictures, etc. but I had a lot of things/junk that in the move back in will be going away (had my kitchen cupboards made to the ceiling so I could not collect STUFF on the top of them). Even though at times it has been very hard being displaced, running between here and the house (and at the end of the day we are all exhausted and spent) it has been great walking with the kids in town, spending lots of time together as a family and be able to see the garage and house being built.
It is not how we saw fixing the house and garage but as always God knows best and this is what He saw best for our family. And we continue to trust in Him daily for His providing for our family through this "traumatic" event. We serve an AWESOME God and sometimes we forget when everything is going great. I am reminded through this "tragedy/traumatic event" that in the good and the bad we need to be thankful and continue to thank God no matter what the circumstances.
