The Sweet Smell of Hope

Today I received a phone call from my dear friend, Wendy, who lives in another state. She said, "I have a question for you." 

She then proceeded to tell me about a family (a single mom with six children) who had been displaced over the weekend by a fire in their apartment in a low-income complex. While she was laying the foundation for her question, I was thinking, "What can I possibly offer in the way of help for someone who lives eight hours away from me?"

Then she got to it. Knowing that replacing clothing and bedding for six children would be expensive, and having learned that except for one of the rooms, the majority of the damage was from smoke and water, she had decided to take the salvageable items and launder them. She wanted to know what I recommended to remove the smell of smoke from the clothes and bed linens."Ah," I thought. "Now that I can help with."

Two years ago this past week, my husband and I lost our own home in a fire, and one of the biggest blessings to us was when someone (Sharon) offered to take all of our clothes and linens and wash them to remove the smell of smoke. This was no small task, as each load had to be washed multiple times with a special laundry detergent. What was returned to us was some of the sweetest smelling clean laundry I had ever seen. It never would have occurred to me to even ask someone to do this, but she and her family had been through a tornado a few years prior and understood how big a blessing this would be to us. And it was. 

I contacted Sharon to see what method she had finally landed on that got the laundry smelling all fresh and clean, then passed along the information to Wendy. One of the things Wendy said to me was, "I have a new found understanding of what you and David went through when you had your fire after visiting that apartment. What a mess!" 

Yes, life can be quite messy. And sometimes we go through things that seem overwhelming. But beauty can and does come from the ashes and life on the other side of the heartache can be quite sweet. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego entered into the fiery furnace in a devlish plan that was designed to destroy them. They came out unsinged, with not even the smell of smoke on them. It was in the intense heat of the fire that they experienced a personal encounter with the Son of God Himself. The fire purifies and prepares us for a greater work. We are equipped with the first-hand knowledge that what doesn't kill us really does make us stronger, and we are able to reach out with a much deeper compassion to those around us who are hurting. 

Every act of service to others is a significant - even if all we can offer is to help them get the smoke smell out.We all need a little sweet-smelling hope from time to time. Freely you have received. Freely give.

30 days of Thankfulness: Day 16 - Emergency Personnel

No matter where you live, you have likely heard the wail of a siren and seen the familiar flashing lights of an emergency vehicle on its way to someone in trouble. I have often prayed for the person(s) who were waiting for help to arrive. Now when I hear those sirens, there is a much deeper personal appreciation for the people who serve our communities night and day and are always ready to respond to someone who needs assistance - often placing their own lives in harm's way.

Yesterday it was two weeks since our home burned. It was my first personal encounter with local fire departments, and I cannot say enough about my deepened respect for these men who work with such precision and skill to preserve life and property.

Some of the fire trucks that responded.

Five different fire departments responded to our 9-1-1 call, and every member of every team moved in and tackled a different aspect of the emergency. We have them to thank for the preservation of our living and dining room furniture and other belongings that were in these rooms. While one group worked to put out the flames upstairs, another team laid down heavy salvage tarps over our living and dining rooms before the deluge of water flooded our apartment, and most of our things in those rooms were spared.

They entered the scene and immediately took control of the situation, while several wide-eyed residents ripped from their sleep and standing in the street barefoot and in our pajamas followed their instructions in moving to safety. The urgency in their voices was a clear indication of how serious the situation was as they tackled fire not only in the building itself but in the tops of some of the surrounding trees.

When the fire was extinguished, it was a group of about 15-20 firefighters who stood shoulder to shoulder guarding the property to make sure only the residents got through. It was they who went back into the burned and soaked building to retrieve whatever personal items we needed immediately (of what was still there) before they secured the premises.

I am thankful for the brave men and women of the Jonestown, Lago Vista, Cedar Park, Leander and Lake Travis fire departments for their responding so quickly and preventing this incident from becoming a much larger tragedy that could have spread to neighboring homes and businesses through the tinder box of trees that surrounded us.

I am thankful for the Travis County Fire Marshal who patiently talked with every one, getting all our statements and asking all the right questions to help him piece together what happened - and who continues to investigate to determine the cause of the fire.

I am thankful for the Lago Vista Police Department, in particular Officer Simons, who was so compassionate and helpful, keeping us fully informed on what was going on and what to expect and kept checking on us throughout the morning.

I am thankful to the EMS team that arrived so quickly (I'm still not even sure where they were from). They were among the first on the scene, checking on everyone and providing blankets to those who needed them.

Lord, I pray a special blessing on those men and women who serve our communities as emergency personnel, and on their families. Protect them, Father, as they give themselves to protect us. Let us never take for granted the great gift we have been given in these front line warriors who have chosen helping and serving others as their life's work. They are among our greatest everyday heroes, so we ask You to cover them and provide for their every need. Show Your grace in a special way to their loved ones, granting them all peace and showing them how much You love them. Amen.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 14 & 15 - Hot Showers & Meatballs

Day 14: Hot Showers

This morning, Monday, as I stepped into the shower, it occurred to me that I was about to experience something to be thankful for, especially on cold autumn mornings. You turn a knob and clean water, heated to just the right temperature, comes pouring out of an overhead stream, soothing sore muscles, easing stress and washing away the grime of life. Steam fills the room, and ahhhhhh. Hot water and steam are therapeutic in almost any form, and hot showers are definitely one form I am quite thankful for.

Day 15: Meatballs
Tonight I made meatballs with brown gravy and rice for dinner, one of the dishes that falls into the category of "comfort food" for me. Mom used to make this when I was growing up, and while I have added my own personal touch (brown rice instead of white), it still reminds me of a time when life was simpler and my most pressing decision was what to wear to school.

I am thankful tonight for the simple things, and that something like a bowl of gravy-drenched meatballs and rice can help me return to some sense of "normal" in this crazy, post-fire adventure I have found myself on.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 13 - Clean Clothes

Okay, so clean clothes may not seem like a big deal, but when everything you own has been saturated by fire hoses and/or permeated by the smoke of a house fire, putting on a shirt the smell of which doesn’t transport you right back to “that day” is something you readily appreciate. 

In the first several hours that followed the fire that destroyed our home, the well-wishes and “let us know if you need anything” offers poured in. But one couple surprised me when they offered to do something specific. They offered to take our clothes and linens and wash the smoke smell out of them.

My first response was, “Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind,” while I inwardly thought, “That won’t be necessary. I’ve got this.”

A few days later, when I was facing the task of washing everything we own (and rewashing it), my pride was tucked cleanly away, and I made the phone call. “Does that offer still stand?”

Of course, it did, and I humbly dropped off everything that had been hanging in our closets, all the sheets and towels that were in the linen closets, and various other miscellaneous smelly items at the home of a couple of friends I had not seen in over fifteen years – someone I had attended church with many years earlier and had only recently reconnected with through The Town Messenger, a webzine I started publishing last year.

Today, Sunday, I picked up a few things I needed for work, and I was thrilled at how nice and clean and fresh everything smelled. I could swear that my clothes had never smelled so good.

This is what family is all about - the Body of Christ doing what we can for each other. Giving of ourselves does not have to be extravagant to be effective. For me, the time and energy someone took to wash my clothes was one of the sweetest gifts I have received in a long time.

And for what it’s worth, what made them think of this thoughtful offering was the fact that they had been through a tornado several years ago, so they understand first-hand what practical needs arise when a disaster destroys your home. Out of hard times comes the capacity to help someone else – but that’s a message for another time.  

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 9 & 10 - Temporary Home & Vanilla Spice Candles

The last few days have been a new variety of crazy-busy as I am beginning to catch up on missed work while still determining which of our clothes and kitchen  and personal items will be able to comfortably fit in our new little temporary digs - without cluttering things up.

Physically, I am finally starting to rest a little better and while I do feel like I'm in a battle with a mild ear and/or sinus infection, I am determined to win this little skirmish with my health in tact.

Here is my catch up for days 9 and 10:

Day 9 -  Temporary Home 

I am thankful for this cozy little travel trailer we are now calling "home" during this transitional phase. I was talking to my dear friend, Wendy, yesterday about my new little casa, and she commented on how flexible she thinks I am for embracing this unexpected change rather than resenting it."What are you gonna do," I replied. I come from a long line of strong people who became very accomplished at making the best of whatever life handed them, learning to laugh about it, loving each other through it and thanking the good Lord for every bit of it. I am just carrying on a family tradition.

As I sit here at the little dining table that doubles as my work space, I look around at this miniature version of home, and I am reminded of Alan Jackson's song, "Little Bitty," especially the chorus:

"It's all right to be little bitty

Little hometown or a big old city

Might as well share, might as well smile

Life goes on for a little bitty while."

I may have no idea of what the Lord has in store for us next, but for now, we are together, happy and blessed. Our not-so-little-bitty 60-pound canine companion is enjoying her not-so-little-bitty cushy pillow - on which she is currently passed out and snoring. There is a lot to be said for simplified living. Life is good.

Day 10: Vanilla Spice Candles

I'm a sucker for holiday-scented candles, and this year I discovered a new-to-me fragrance that is helping to make our little home on wheels smell a little more warm and inviting. It's Vanilla Spice - a wonderful blend of the warmth of vanilla and the pick-me-up undertones of cinnamon and other spices. It really doesn't take much to make me happy, and this candle is doing a fine job of it. What's YOUR favorite holiday fragrance?

 

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7 - Modern Technology

Today I am thankful for modern technology and the flexibility it affords in making it possible for employees to work from home - even a temporary one. As of today, I have been set up by my employer to work remotely. I like this because I can continue to be productive while we look for a place to live - not to mention the opportunity to work odd hours if necessary, since our routine is definitely more than a little upside down right now.
 
Added bonus: a welcome return to some sense of normalcy as I re-engage in some familiar daily tasks and responsibilities.

And lest I forget - the undeniable connectivity that social media provides, allowing the rapid spread of emergency needs and prayer requests. Facebook prayers for and by friends in other parts of the world have blessed me on many occasions.

Despite the use of technology for less than desirable purposes, it has proven to be a powerful ministry tool as well.

I feel like I am starting to ramble, so I will turn in for the night.

Blessings on you and yours.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 5 & 6 - The Practical Church & Miracles

Day 5: The Practical Church

Today (Saturday) was the day we pulled the rest of our belongings from our home. With the help of family, friends, and a ministry called Men with Trucks, everything was removed and placed into a donated storage unit within 2 hours. EVERYTHING. I could hardly believe how fast it went. These guys did not mess around.

Today I am thankful for people who put their hands & feet (and backs and arms and legs) behind their faith and meet practical needs. For those who gave of their time and energy to move us, and for those who offered to take our waterlogged and smoke-smelling laundry, linens and other items and wash them for us, for those who donated a storage space for our things, and for those who have opened their home to us while we are looking for a new home, we are thankful.

Day 6: Miracles
Yesterday after we got everything out, I finally took a little time to really look around at the property and fully take in what happened this past Tuesday. We lived in a heavily wooded area of Central Texas, and if you are even remotely familiar with the record drought and wildfires our area has suffered this year, you understand why there was an immediate and serious concern about the flames jumping from the building to nearby trees. Once everyone was safely out of the building, David had a cell phone in one hand calling 9-1-1 and a garden hose in the other trying to prevent that very thing from happening. By the time we were all outside, the flames had actually already reached the trees, but I started praying, and miraculously, the fire did not spread through the trees.

This photo (one of many) shows green branches actually touching the burned, charred remains of the apartment directly above ours. The wood is charred and black, and the leaves are green and untouched by the flames.

Yesterday as we walked around the building and really looked at the damage, someone asked me why I thought the trees were not burned that close to the burning building. I said simply, "God."

There is no other explanation.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. 

Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."

Psalm 5:11

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 4

Today was the first day since the fire that I had a chance to sit down and catch up on emails and phone calls (some of them); the rest of my day was spent running errands and coordinating the final move out tomorrow. My heart is full as I see the blend of people God is bringing together because of this, and how help is coming from unexpected places.

I have not slept through the night since the fire, and I'm hoping that tonight will be the night that changes, perhaps from sheer exhaustion. Tomorrow begins early, so I will make an early night of it tonight and turn in as soon as I finish this post.

Tonight I am thankful for the peace that passes all understanding - that crazy peace I have written of so many times before - that now has flooded through my spirit in the last three days with a ferocity that says, "I am not merely passing through. I am here to stay."

This peace is so intense that it has already produced an eager expectation of what the Lord will reveal next as He repeatedly and continuously shows Himself very present, very real and very involved in every experience of our lives.

Tonight I will lay my head down for the first time on my brand new pillow with a brand new pillowcase, purchased with funds made available to us through the American Red Cross by someone somewhere who one day felt moved to donate money to this wonderful relief organization. I am thankful for my new pillow, and for all the individuals along the way who made it possible for me to have it.

As you lay your own head down tonight on your own pillow, may you also experience the peace that passes understanding - the peace that goes beyond logic and reason and provides rest and strength and hope. May you sense the presence of the One who promised to give us His peace, as He whispers softly, " I am here."

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 3

It has been quite a day, and I can already tell that narrowing down things I am thankful for to one per day is going to be quite a challenge - one which I think I will have to succumb to and not fight with great fervor. Today's blessings include:

My Favorite Linebacker

• The donation of a large storage unit by the company I work for to store our things in as long as we need it.
• My dad, who carted me all over the place running errands and packing up items to bring back to his house to clean and store. 
• Precious friends (whom I have not seen in 12 years or more) who offered to take some of our clothes and linens to wash the smoke smell out of them. 
• Spending the evening with my brother and his family watching my nephew play football. 

God is so good, and I am readily anticipating what tomorrow holds as He continues to show Himself faithful to His beloved.

"I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
   and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness."

Psalm 26:3

30 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

Catching up on this new little endeavor - two posts today, then fully on track tomorrow with daily posts exploring the heart of thankfulness.

Today we went back to "the scene." David met with the City Inspector, and all four units have been condemned; no surprise there. The really cool part is that ours is the only unit that was released for anyone to be able to return to try and salvage and retrieve personal belongings. Anyone caught trying to enter any of the other units can be arrested for criminal trespassing.

Not so with our unit. We were cleared to go back in and see what can be salvaged. The real miracle is that very little will have to be replaced. While there is a lot of water and smoke damage, much of our living room furniture was protected by salvage tarps placed by the fire department prior to the deluge of water going in.

In other rooms, it is a mystery where there was water damage and where things were untouched by smoke or water.

The bottom line is this - while some things will need to be replaced, most of our belongings can be salvaged. Hallelujah!

What I am thankful for today - our home was spared the fully devastating blaze and water damage that completely destroyed all the other units.

“Because he loves Me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; 

I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name."

Psalm 91:14

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 1

As Thanksgiving approaches at breakneck speed, I am emerging from my writer's hibernation to launch a 30-day feature on being thankful. For the month of November, the matter at hand (and at heart) is thankfulness.

I am starting a day late, but the reason involves the very reason for my thankfulness as this month kicks off.

I was awakened about 5:30 yesterday morning by the voice of my husband (my hero), yelling, "Rachael! Fire!"

What followed in the next 90 seconds was a mad scramble out the front door to see the upper left unit of our fourplex completely engulfed in flames that were pouring out from the front porch, then an even madder scramble to gather a single armload of items as smoke rapidly filled our apartment. Coughing and with eyes and throat burning, I followed the bare minimum of our emergency plan, scooping up certain items and running out the door as David called 9-1-1 and grabbed the garden hose to try to prevent the flames from jumping to nearby trees. When I ran out of our apartment for the last time as its resident, I was carrying my purse, David's wallet, my laptop, David's keys, a pre-packed emergency bag containing a change of clothes, and a recyclable Wal-mart bag filled with the contents of our safe.

As David ran back inside to get the dog and a couple of other items, I dumped everything into the trunk of the car and moved the car to the street. All the residents were now outside, some yelling instructions to each other, others walking around in the horrific fog that results from being ripped from your sleep to find your home burning and that it's too late to do anything about it.

We wrapped the neighbor's two-year-old son in a sweater from the trunk of my car and put him in the front seat of David's truck, where he promptly fell back asleep. David moved his truck to the street as I loaded our dog and the neighbor's dog into my car to keep them out of harm's way.

By now EMS, a few police cars and the first firefighters were on the scene, and we were being instructed to move the cars (and ourselves) further down the street while they attacked the flames in the trees and then started on the dwelling.

I will post more details on this event in the coming days. Click  here to view the link to the brief article in the Austin American Statesman.


For now, here is what I am thankful for on Day 1:


I am thankful that every resident got out alive, with only one person having minor injuries.

"When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Isaiah 43:2