December 9th (Thursday) FIRE!

So....long day today.

Took Josiah to the bus stop this morning because there was so much snow! It was up to his shins, so he asked me to drive him. I dropped him off to wait with the other kids and then had him walk home if the bus didn't come. The bus didn't come so he came home shortly after. The boys were watching tv upstairs and I was getting ready for the day downstairs when Elee came down the stairs crying. He said "mom come here, it's an emergency. There's sparks and smoke". So I booked upstairs to the third floor to find the laptop sparking every where and smoke filling the room. So I ran down and grabbed the fire extinguisher. Ran back up and finally managed to yank the ring out. By this time the smoke had filled the room and the computer was on fire so I put it out. I called a friend here in town who is German to call the Fire Department. Then, the computer popped again and started another fire from one of the sparks. Then I put that out. I took the kids downstairs, and had the boys take the little ones outside. Josiah moved quick because he was on the back patio with no boots. So I threw him his boots, ran up to get their coats and came back down and we walked up to the front of the house from outside. By this time the village fire sirens were blaring and the village fire department was here in no time. As well as our friend Stephen (the couple I called) and his neighbor. We had about a foot of snow. The buses couldn't even get back here to pick the kids up so there was a lot of snow. And it's hilly where we live too! But they managed to get here really fast!

They fire department helped air out the house and hooked up a machine to draw out the smokey air. The kids got to wait in the fire truck and did such a good job. They were great and well behaved! Then the fire department from Bad Schwalbach came (that's the larger town near us). The chief checked everything out and then came to talk to me. Then he said, "next time just throw the computer out the window". I was like, "really? the computer was on fire"!! Maybe a language barrier or something but that didn't make sense to me at all. And even the others don't know how he said that. Duh!!! I know in theory that would've prevented the whole 3rd floor from being ruined with the fire extinguisher residue but my kids are safe. And no one got hurt! This is what is important!

I'm so glad that we were home and the kids had the snow day. I was planning on going to my friend Selma's house. So glad we were home or else it's possible the house could've burnt down! There are NO FIRE DETECTORS IN THE HOUSE! And now after this happening I realize that. It's funny that the fire department didn't even really make a big deal of that!! But I am going to buy a whole bunch this weekend!! We are renting through the military and I'm very surprised that isn't a requirement by law.

Richie is in the Atlanta, Ga and I called him and woke him up. I knew I had to call when he was in his hotel room or else I wouldn't have been able to reach him at all. He called his work and they managed to get him a flight back home tomorrow morning. It'll be good to have him help with this. I feel very anxious still.

Two people from Richie's work came to our house to see if we were okay and we weren't home. They tried using their cellphones to realize they can't get a reception out here, they got stuck in our driveway and had two ladies help push them out, asked around and then found where we were. So they found us at our friend Stephen and Sabrine's (who let us hang out at their home for several hours to let our house air out a bit). The people from his work came in the terrible weather just to see if we were okay!! I guess they will come again tomorrow too to check out the damage. Mainly from the smell of the smoke and the fire extinguisher.

So, we made some cookies tonight. The kids are all in my bedroom, except Pace. Elee made a cool bed for him and Luna on the floor and Josiah is in the bed with me. I'm so proud of the boys! They came and got me right away and told me there was an emergency! They even took care of the little ones. I'm so proud of them! I told Elee and Josiah that we'd take them out to dinner this weekend and Elee was like, "ooh, out to dinner?" It was so cute!

All this, I have to say that GOD IS GOOD!!!! Richie was in a car accident where he was rear-ended two weeks ago , totaled his car and he was OKAY! Then the fire, and we are all OKAY!! Thank you Jesus!! I'm leading worship this Sunday and earlier this week was thinking on sharing Psalm 100 as a scripture passage. I wonder if this was God preparing my heart to be thankful in all things? I am so thankful that we're all okay. The Bible sitting on the couch reminded me of the verses this week.......

A Psalm for(A) giving thanks.
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.