When we rounded the corner, the smoke was getting darker and thicker. Suddenly we saw flames peeking over the mountain. FLAMES! (This photo was taken much farther away than we were. I was so stunned that I didn't even think of taking pictures)
We hurried home. We spoke in hushed tones so the kids wouldn't hear our conversation.
We spoke of the fire and took inventory of what we would grab if we were presented with an emergency like this. (We knew the fire was still a ways away, but our job is to be prepared and protect our children) Ben and I both did what we do in situations like this, he watched football while I quickly updated our 72 hour kits, itemized what we would grab if we ever had to evacuate....and kept our eyes on the mountain.
We had a clear shot of the fire as it spread along the ridge and then started down the mountain. We could see the flames leaping in the wind.
Through this whole time Ben was calm. He said, "Don't worry about it. It's just "stuff" that's burning...peoples' homes and stuff can be replaced. The families closest to the fire are safe (they'd already been evacuated)."
We watched the fire continue to creep closer.
Emma caught our conversation and rushed to the window...seeing the fire for the first time.
She immediately started to panic. "Will we have to leave?" "Where will we go?" "What if our house catches on fire?"
Ben (super-daddy) takes control. "Emma!" he said, "We are not going anywhere. Those people are safe. It's just stuff that's burning. Even if those people lose their homes, they will still have more than some people Grandma and Grandpa know in Africa. Those people in Africa are happy. It doesn't take "stuff" to make us happy either. Even if the house does burn down you will likely get a bigger room once we rebuild."
She calmed down. We prayed together. We prayed for peace, for those who were evacuated (many of them were her friends from school- and yes, many of my orchestra students). We prayed that she would know how to handle this very real concern...that she would find the peace to be able to sleep that night.
She excused herself and disappeared for about 15 minutes. When she returned she had her scriptures in hand. She shared with us a scripture that she found that gave her comfort. She told us that she had prayed and searched the scriptures until she felt peaceful. She told us that she knew how to handle this situation.
She said that in the morning she wanted to put together comfort-kits for her friends who were evacuated. We could deliver these kits to the evacuation site. She said, "I don't need to be afraid. I need to be thinking of others who might be more afraid than me."
I am very proud of Emma for understanding the true source of comfort. She KNOWS! She understands that she can always be comforted through the influence of the Holy Ghost, especially if she prays, searches the scriptures, then listens for her answers.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
We occasioanlly checked on the fire and eventually went to bed. We were ready...just in case.
In the morning, the fire was almost to the base of the mountain. From our window we could see the police lights from the evacuated neighborhoods. At least the high winds had stopped. Now those heroic fire-fighters had a chance.
Within a few days the fire was contained. Many prayers were answered. Many priorities re-evaluated.
How thankful I am for a husband who knows that happiness doesn't come from "stuff" and a daughter who knows how to find peace. Our prayers go out to all those who lost homes in the fire. Even though it's just "stuff" it can still be horrible. May everyone effected by the event be blessed with peace in their time of trial.
No comments:
Post a Comment