My friend, Priscilla, lives in Santa Barbara, CA, in the heart of the Jesusita Fire that has raged this past week. Unfortunately, the fire has touched her personally as it has many others. She sent the following pix that were posted on a local news website identifying the properties/addresses in some of the hardest-hit areas.
The first picture shows the firemen attempting to quench the flames that were attacking her house (she rents a portion of a home from a friend). Here's her description: Barely visible on the right is a fireman setting up a ladder to reach the corner of her house that had just started to burn. The side of the house was "scorched" and the eaves were beginning to burn; the glass in the windows on that side had shattered from the heat. A wooden storage structure in the back, along with a good portion of her (antique) shop inventory, was burned. She thinks the burning storage facility is what attracted the firemen to the house. I haven't received a follow-up from her, but my understanding is that the house, while badly damaged, was not destroyed.
The second picture is of the house across the street from Priscilla's, apparently fully engulfed and destroyed.
Priscilla's faith will keep her close to God as she works through this. But for all who pray, please ask God for wisdom and patience for her as she assesses the damage and figures out how to move forward. Fortunately, she has family and lots of friends from church and her business in the area. But, as it would be for any of us, these kinds of disruptions are a major body-blow -- but always result in unexpected opportunities to make course corrections, which we all need at times.
The promise that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28) becomes real at times like this.
P.S. Update late Sunday from Priscilla -- the house was spared. A lot of scorched exterior wood, broken windows, burned fence, and the loss of the storage building and contents -- but the house is still standing. Thank you, Lord. Still, they're without power and lots of cleanup and repairs are looming -- your prayers of thanksgiving and for guidance are still appreciated.
The first picture shows the firemen attempting to quench the flames that were attacking her house (she rents a portion of a home from a friend). Here's her description: Barely visible on the right is a fireman setting up a ladder to reach the corner of her house that had just started to burn. The side of the house was "scorched" and the eaves were beginning to burn; the glass in the windows on that side had shattered from the heat. A wooden storage structure in the back, along with a good portion of her (antique) shop inventory, was burned. She thinks the burning storage facility is what attracted the firemen to the house. I haven't received a follow-up from her, but my understanding is that the house, while badly damaged, was not destroyed.
The second picture is of the house across the street from Priscilla's, apparently fully engulfed and destroyed.
Priscilla's faith will keep her close to God as she works through this. But for all who pray, please ask God for wisdom and patience for her as she assesses the damage and figures out how to move forward. Fortunately, she has family and lots of friends from church and her business in the area. But, as it would be for any of us, these kinds of disruptions are a major body-blow -- but always result in unexpected opportunities to make course corrections, which we all need at times.
The promise that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28) becomes real at times like this.
P.S. Update late Sunday from Priscilla -- the house was spared. A lot of scorched exterior wood, broken windows, burned fence, and the loss of the storage building and contents -- but the house is still standing. Thank you, Lord. Still, they're without power and lots of cleanup and repairs are looming -- your prayers of thanksgiving and for guidance are still appreciated.
Posts
Hey there!
ReplyDeleteJust sent you a e-mail, then meandered on over to your blog to see what you're up to (smile).
Thank you so much, William, I just realized that you posted this...it really Blesses my heart! I like your words about "course corrections"...I find myself really sensitive and listening to whatever the Lord may be saying in all this.
Still without wireless for my computer and have spent very little time using the ones where I've been staying. It's been s-o-o nice to catch up on your blog this evening (The greens on your dining room table look wonderful).
Grateful for all you prayers! Thank you for being such a Blessing, my friend...Priscilla