God Meeting Our Needs!

On Monday following the fire the Red Cross had small blankets to give the kids. There is a lady in town that makes these blankets for children in need and the Red Cross distributes them as needed. I was very touched and the kids were tickled to have the blankets. Below is a picture of the kids with their blankets. 

 Over the next few days we had a list of things that needed to be taken care of. We ate out every meal that first week. Things were crazy and our minds were in no shape to think about anything. There were moments when we would cry or remember something that we missed and cry some more. One of the first things Joanna asked was "Did my pillow burn up?" and our answer was yes. Then she asked "Mommy, did your pillow burn up?" My heart just hurt for her. This will be something that our kids will never forget. They will also NEVER forget how God has met our needs through the love and generosity of others being poured out on our family.

That first week so many reached out to us! I can not begin to list all of those who have sent a card, text, clothes, presents, etc. to meet our family's needs. Since this happened right at Christmas there were those who reached out by giving our children Christmas gifts. Thank you!!!  

Joanna turns 3!

Our baby girl is three!! Yesterday we celebrated Joanna's 3rd birthday and she had lots of fun! We are so thankful her and the joy she brings to our family! A gift from God and a blessing to each of us! I hope to share more pictures of her this week!

The Next Few Moments and Hours

We made it to the end of our road as the fire trucks started rolling in. By this time we knew that our home was gone. As we watched the fire trucks come we also were surrounded by church members, friends, and other ministers. They were bringing clothes, shoes, toothbrushes, tooth paste, and lots of love. One of the men from the church went through the woods down to get the dogs. It made the kids feel better to see the dogs. A friend from church took the dogs to her house. The kids and I went to a nearby church members home and waited there for Bryan. Someone offered to run to Walmart and get a few things we would need the next few days, diapers and wipes for Joanna being the big item at this point. 

Bryan showed up to pick us up and I really wanted him to walk in and say that most of the house had been saved, instead the news was in an hour our home was nothing but 18 inches of ashes. We knew our next decision would be where to go for the night.

When we moved here 6 months ago we had not closed on our house yet so we were able to live with someone for about three weeks, these same people opened up there home to us again. Bryan and I decided that this would be a good place for our children since they had already lived here before. So we got the children and the items that had been given to us and went to Uncle David and Aunt Sandra's. It was around 11 or midnight when we arrived. The kids slept like babies and have ever since!

On Monday morning the first thing Bryan and I did was call our parents. We knew that if we had called the night before they would have not gotten any sleep. That was an emotional moment, our parents were very thankful that we were all safe and together. Then I took inventory of what clothes we had and what we needed. The kids were the biggest ones in need. The clothes we received the night before were mostly for Bryan and I. The kids had NO shoes and NO clothes. I found a few things for me and got dressed for a trip to Walmart. Another dear friend from church met me there and helped me pick out some things.

God gives us...

Beauty for ashes,

Strength for fear,

Gladness for mourning, 

and Peace for despair.*

These words have been on my lips over the past month.We have been busy trying to get things together for the insurance. We have to list about nine things for each content we list that was in our home. It has been overwhelming to say the least. 

 The night of the fire was very scary. Something you never think you will go through and you think you can prepare for it IF it does happen. I had always told myself if there was ever a fire I would get out this, this, and this. The night of the fire I was so worried about getting my family out that getting those "things" NEVER crossed my mind. I didn't even think about getting my purse.  

We had just come home from church and I had drove Bryan's car home that night. As we were racing out the door Bryan went to move his car and we realized that the keys were in my coat pocket in the house. There was NO going in after them. We all got in the van and began backing up to leave and the house was already black. The garage door to the basement rolled up, black smoke rolled out and out came our cat of 8 years scorched. We got her in the van with us and we drove to the top of the driveway.

Bryan was on the phone with a deacon from our church when Isaac and I hollered "Fire" and Bryan called him back when we got to the top of the driveway. He told Bryan it had only been 5 minutes since they had hung up the phone, we looked back and the house was already in flames. We could even hear things exploding. Someone took the cat to the vet for us that night and they had to put her to sleep. We all were very sad to loose her.

It is hard to look at these pictures, retell the details of that night, and list the contents of our home...But this is a time in our lives that we will never forget and I don't want us to forget it. I want us to look back and see God's hand in this and all that He has done.

God's Word says He prunes those that our His so they can bear more fruit. Our prayer as a family is that we will bear more and more fruit for God and for His glory!!

*Song "Beauty to Ashes" by Crystal Lewis

God is Good ALL the time!

I knew it would be a while before I could blog, just didn't expect it to be this long.

God is good ALL the time...is what I think of every day!

On December 8, 2013 around 8:30 p.m. we lost our home to a house fire. God got Bryan, the kids, and I out and not one of us was injured. It went so fast that if the fire had been while we were sleeping there is no way humanly possible we could have all gotten out. I praise God every day that we are all safe and together.

We lost ALL of our things, but that is exactly what they are...things. Every one of them can be replaced. God is sovereign and desires that we trust Him greater. Our prayer every day is that God would receive ALL the glory as we pass through this trial and tragedy.

Again, Thank you to each you who have prayed for us, showed us love, and reached out to us in our time of need. God has used each of you to be a source of blessing to our family!

Taking Some Time

Our family has been so blessed with love, support, prayers, and generosity from family and friends. I pray that in the weeks to come I will be able to share all that we have been through this week. Keep praying for us.
With Love,
The Camp Family

Thankful Thursday!!

I am thankful for:
204) having a meal in the freezer already prepared and just needing to be thawed and cooked.
205) a new recipe.
206) the children playing in the leaves.
207) a ladybug.
208) the rose colored lips of my children.
209) the peace of God that passes all understanding.
210) the compliments of my husband.