I’ve posted variations on this theme on Facebook, in my church bulletin, and in various letters that have gone out to the many communities that helped our family recover from the fire that destroyed our home and belongings four months ago. In case I’ve missed anyone (I know I have) I want to offer thanks here as well.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
— Psalms 46:1-2.
It is natural for people of faith to turn to God for help and solace in times of distress. When our home burned we looked for Him and found Him in the generosity of those around us. An anonymous poet once said “What is bitter to endure may be sweet to remember.” Truly the loss of our cherished possessions is bitter to endure, but we will always remember the way so many people embraced us during this time, even many who were not personally known to us. We’ve all heard that during our trials we learn who our friends are. What we have learned is that we have many friends whom we never even knew about until this happened to us, and for that blessing we are grateful.
Just look at where we were four months ago.
Here’s where we are now.
It was the generosity of family, friends, and yes, strangers, that enabled us to afford to rent this house, which has sufficient rooms for a family of seven AND our home office. It was their donations that furnished it. On September 23, 2011–Moving Day–our “crew” went out with the 28-foot moving van. That morning we owned no furniture. By that evening we had enough to fill the house–beds, mattresses, sofas, televisions, housewares, linens . . . it was amazing. Gift cards enabled us to to fill in the gaps and to purchase clothing and personal items.
“Blanket” notes cannot go far enough to express our appreciation. If you gave us something, and it wasn’t anonymous, you can expect a personal thank you at some point. Please accept this as a first installment, with the balance due to arrive in the future–not that we could ever thank everyone enough.
[I continue to feel guilty that I never finished all those thank you notes, even though we did have a housewarming party to which we invited everyone who had helped us.]
Note of Thanks
Leslie, I’m just glad you are back on your feet. Your new house is pretty and from the pictures you have posted I can tell that your family is healing and getting comfortable in their new surroundings. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Helga. Many people who have seen other places we’ve lived have commented that we received an “upgrade” courtesy of the fire! IT is starting to feel like home, although for me I expect there will always be a sense of missing something.
Leslie,
God is so good all the time. All the time, God is so good!
We are so happy for you all, and continue to pray for you and your family everyday.
All our love,
Marilyn and Mark
Don’t stop praying! Thank you for your friendship and for all you did to help us.
Hoping you can relax a little now.
Thanks, Clisby. It does start to feel like things are falling into place. Especially after the emotional ordeal of the first Christmas without my familiar things.
Thank you for sharing these notes. They are important messages for all of us. I can’t imagine the “magnitude” of these last few months. I am happy that you are moving forward and that you have your family together. I will continue to pray for you all. God bless.
Thanks, Stephanie. Your prayers and good wishes mean a lot!
Wowowowowow! Wonderful! The generosity of friends and strangers has really overwhelmed us in the last year, and to see this…it really brings a tear to my eye!