[Week 25]: Shock & any number of other emotions...

[06.14.2013]

We received this picture from our neighbor Friday morning. The first glimpse, the first confirmation that our home miraculously still stands. After more and more stories of loss and how our neighbors homes just down the street are now found to be total losses - this picture taken by a firefighter, I will never forget. (The rubble you see is a shed). 

[06.15.2013]

Headed out to see Nick's parents and Aunt & Uncle -- turns out it was perfect timing for a sun halo. 

[06.16.2013]

It appears I was in a complete fog on Sunday and don't think I took a picture...but this is one of my favorites from a walk Nick and I took on Friday.

 [06.17.2013]

My dear friend Meghan got me out of the apartment and out on a walk. Did my weary soul good. 

There are a few pictures for Tuesday...it was an emotional, busy, day full of gratitude.

This was on my run back from Happy Hour with my Bible Study girls. The way the light came through the stormy clouds and lit up the bridge and sailboats was stunning. 

This was also the day my parents got permission to go back home for 3 hours and see it for the first time since evacuating last Tuesday. I am incredibly grateful for today's technology as I was able to "go" with them via FaceTime. Dad held up the phone as mom drove the familiar route home - except nothing was familiar. The burned landscape and houses that I've driven past the majority of my life are just gone. It was heart-breaking. And walking our property was incredibly emotional - we saw just how close the fire came and just what a miracle it was. We don't know why or how it was saved, but we believe firefighters took a stand and saved it. Words can't express how grateful I am to them and the first responders. 

 

 (Above) Those were trashcans - and that white car was left when they evacuated and hasn't moved since Tuesday 6/11. That's how close it was - I can't believe the car didn't burn. (Below) That first window is my old bedroom - the burned ground comes within a few feet.

 (Below) This is "Old Blue", the 1975 GMC I learned to drive stick shift in, the one that gave me freedom and that I drove to High School in (and it would SMOKE so bad in the parking lot) and my friends and I would all take a trip out to lunch in the gigantic thing. Good memories. And shocking to see the power and heat that this fire brought.  

Though this is some of the destruction on our property - our house stands which ~509 other families cannot say. My heart just aches for the sorrow in our community.

I share a bit more about this whole ordeal and an incredible story here. 

[06.19.2013]

Look who snuck up behind me...I didn't know she was there until she started snoring in my ear. :)

[06.20.2013]

Finally Nick and I are getting caught up!