Today was nice. I was able to go into our little condo with a wonderful friend today and hang a new shower curtain and put a couple of towels in places where towels go. We also purchased a few extra things that are really "normal," like wastebaskets and file folders, which is comforting.
It's interesting. There are so many different "feelings" that are part of all of this. I feel like we've been "traveling" for 6 months, and yet don't miss my own bed or wish we could head home. Perhaps it's harder to long for things and places that simply don't exist. Yet, when we were at the condo today, the little place (maybe about 1000 sq ft) felt a little like "home" and that was so very exciting! It felt "happy" to think about the few little things we can do around the place to make it better - things like fix cupboard door hinges, maybe a little painting, or simply laying down cupboard liners.
I was able to bring some odds and ends back to our hotel to "clean" up and see if they will make it, or transfer information so it's more available. It was wonderful to accomplish things that were visable and tangible as so much of what we are doing is just sustaining what must happen.
Last night, I even did some work (for my business). Although Gary has been continuing to work as much as possible, I had to set it aside for a while as there were just too many diddly (do you like that word) details to take care of every minute.
Another blessing today was some shopping for the girls with the Meyer's from church. They got all set up to go to camp next week which is keeping all the kids excited right now.
Thank you to all of you who have been writing emails, facebooking, sending gifts and encouragement and just being there for us. If we had to do this alone, it would have been unbelievably hard.
We have had some encouraging possible "sightings" of Joseph-kitty. No one has been able to actually catch him, and it does appear that he is loosing weight rather rapidly, but there is still hope that he is out there and alive. We keep praying.
Worst part of this right now (other than the cat) is having to make this crazy insurance list of every single item we owned so that we will receive the money for all that was insured. Best part of having to do that? Well, not owning so much of the stuff on the list is rather "freeing." We do have to admit, however, that furniture is a really nice thing to own - not as easy to do without as the 500+ books, DVD's, CD's etc.
God bless you all! Please be careful when cooking with oil or anything that includes fire - our newest lesson in life (said with a smile).
the andersons
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1. Though the cover was ashes barely holding together, many blown away, the Bible was open to the Beginning of time. It sat out on top our old stove in the driveway, carried out by firemen in the midst of flames.
Rather telling isn't it. God doesn't miss a step. He doesn't waste anything. In the midst of these ashes, we find His message. This isn't the end of our memories, our history, our dreams; this is His gift of a new beginning.
This is a defining moment for our family. A moment in our history that we will always remember as a beginning.
We flew Isaac home from his boarding school to be with us. We can't start over without him. He can't grasp the reality of today without us.
So, slowly, we all began to dig through the piles of debris. A baby blanket here, a stuffed animal there, the remains of Gary's Gary Fisher mountain bike, a few pages of my Betty Crocker cookbook - the one that is just like my mom's. The massage chair, once too heavy for 4 men to carry, is now two inches tall, only the platform remains. Gramma's old secretary desk looks like last week's campfire...yet tucked inside a badly burned drawer, our neighbor found Bea's adoption papers. Untouched.
The lovely oak bookshelf is missing its top two shelves, contents and all. There is nothing left to show they ever existed, however, the baby books on the bottom two shelves have only burned edges and water dripping from the fireman's hose.
I keep wondering how this inferno could have left my little wicker purse, with its shell flower sewn on, completely intact. It doesn't even smell. The deposit inside is still waiting for the next trip to the bank, and my driver's license isn't melted.
These days are very hard, and yet we find ourselves rejoicing more than crying. No one was hurt. We all still have a thousand memories that bring up much more vivid pictures than any photos lost. We don't mind having only three outfits, no phone, no address, no toys. We have each other.
It's a new and beautiful start. God reminded us, when the smoke died down, and we found His message in His first Words, burned but lasting forever.
Rather telling isn't it. God doesn't miss a step. He doesn't waste anything. In the midst of these ashes, we find His message. This isn't the end of our memories, our history, our dreams; this is His gift of a new beginning.
This is a defining moment for our family. A moment in our history that we will always remember as a beginning.
We flew Isaac home from his boarding school to be with us. We can't start over without him. He can't grasp the reality of today without us.
So, slowly, we all began to dig through the piles of debris. A baby blanket here, a stuffed animal there, the remains of Gary's Gary Fisher mountain bike, a few pages of my Betty Crocker cookbook - the one that is just like my mom's. The massage chair, once too heavy for 4 men to carry, is now two inches tall, only the platform remains. Gramma's old secretary desk looks like last week's campfire...yet tucked inside a badly burned drawer, our neighbor found Bea's adoption papers. Untouched.
The lovely oak bookshelf is missing its top two shelves, contents and all. There is nothing left to show they ever existed, however, the baby books on the bottom two shelves have only burned edges and water dripping from the fireman's hose.
I keep wondering how this inferno could have left my little wicker purse, with its shell flower sewn on, completely intact. It doesn't even smell. The deposit inside is still waiting for the next trip to the bank, and my driver's license isn't melted.
These days are very hard, and yet we find ourselves rejoicing more than crying. No one was hurt. We all still have a thousand memories that bring up much more vivid pictures than any photos lost. We don't mind having only three outfits, no phone, no address, no toys. We have each other.
It's a new and beautiful start. God reminded us, when the smoke died down, and we found His message in His first Words, burned but lasting forever.
June 25, 2009
We have now moved into a Residence Inn in the town next to Ventura. This is allowing all of us to be together, sleep in good beds, have a pool and some meals provided, and let the wonderful Swan family who has been housing us this last week have their home back. We are so very, very thankful for all that they did to keep us sane - and that was so much!
We are currently in the process of making a list for our insurance of every single little thing we owned, which is quite a challange when it no longer exists. If any of you happen to have photos of us in any of our homes and it wouldn't be too hard to email/mail them, that would be very helpful. Or if you just have wonderful photographic memories of really strange items you remember, that's good too!
In the next 2-3 weeks, we will be moving into a 2 bedroom condo that our wonderful realtor found for us. This will allow us to take the time to search for the right home to purchase/rent. It will be fun putting girls in one bedroom, boys in the other, and Gary and I are hoping for a hide-a-bed for the wonderful living room. We will also be receiving a refridgerator from someone so we can cook there. Please pray for us as the condo does have a gas stove, and we're all feeling a bit jumpy around stoves right now - argh! However, we are so very thankful to have a place to live and breathe and call home for the next couple of months.
We did get a storage unit for the few things we were able to pull out of the house, but even the smell attached to everything in the home may deter us from keeping more than a little bit of it.
So, how are we all doing? Well... It really hit Isaac this a.m., so he and I have been talking through his feelings quite a bit. Tati and Caleb are really taking a lot of it in stride - just fits their personalities. Bea has had a few really rough days (every single thing of hers was absolutely gone), but today she was full of giggles and energy, so that was simply wonderful! Last night Debora (very close friend) took Bea and Caleb to Target to get a couple of games and a journal for Bea, which seems to have offered her a real turning point.
Our landlord/adopted Grampa & Gramma for our kids gave us back all the days of rent we had left and our security deposit. That was simply wonderful. He has also helped us with much of our clean up and just being a comforting presence through the painful pieces. We just couldn't be more thankful that God has orchestrated even this so beautifully.
Another adopted Gramma from our neighborhood made some sweet blankets and pillows for the kids that will be uniquely theirs. This too brought smiles and comfort.
Gary and I just continue to move forward and praise the Lord for our noisy, silly kids swarming around us every step of the way. There is nothing like family. This we know.
Our love and blessings to all of you! Every note, prayer, gift, etc brings great joy!
Andersons
We are currently in the process of making a list for our insurance of every single little thing we owned, which is quite a challange when it no longer exists. If any of you happen to have photos of us in any of our homes and it wouldn't be too hard to email/mail them, that would be very helpful. Or if you just have wonderful photographic memories of really strange items you remember, that's good too!
In the next 2-3 weeks, we will be moving into a 2 bedroom condo that our wonderful realtor found for us. This will allow us to take the time to search for the right home to purchase/rent. It will be fun putting girls in one bedroom, boys in the other, and Gary and I are hoping for a hide-a-bed for the wonderful living room. We will also be receiving a refridgerator from someone so we can cook there. Please pray for us as the condo does have a gas stove, and we're all feeling a bit jumpy around stoves right now - argh! However, we are so very thankful to have a place to live and breathe and call home for the next couple of months.
We did get a storage unit for the few things we were able to pull out of the house, but even the smell attached to everything in the home may deter us from keeping more than a little bit of it.
So, how are we all doing? Well... It really hit Isaac this a.m., so he and I have been talking through his feelings quite a bit. Tati and Caleb are really taking a lot of it in stride - just fits their personalities. Bea has had a few really rough days (every single thing of hers was absolutely gone), but today she was full of giggles and energy, so that was simply wonderful! Last night Debora (very close friend) took Bea and Caleb to Target to get a couple of games and a journal for Bea, which seems to have offered her a real turning point.
Our landlord/adopted Grampa & Gramma for our kids gave us back all the days of rent we had left and our security deposit. That was simply wonderful. He has also helped us with much of our clean up and just being a comforting presence through the painful pieces. We just couldn't be more thankful that God has orchestrated even this so beautifully.
Another adopted Gramma from our neighborhood made some sweet blankets and pillows for the kids that will be uniquely theirs. This too brought smiles and comfort.
Gary and I just continue to move forward and praise the Lord for our noisy, silly kids swarming around us every step of the way. There is nothing like family. This we know.
Our love and blessings to all of you! Every note, prayer, gift, etc brings great joy!
Andersons
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Bulletin Insert - 6/24/09
Our phone numbers are now available. Gary is still 805-824-3551 and I am now 805-256-5681. Our email is still powder211@juno.com. As soon as we have an address, we will update you on that as well. Right now (until about July 15th) we are still using our former address 5344 Annapolis Ct, Ventura, CA 93003.
The following is the insert we placed in our church bulletin:
We would like to thank everyone in our church family for the immediate and loving response to our need for food, clothing, and housing due to the fire that consumed our home and car. Everyone is safe and uninjured and we were a bit relieved that we didn’t have to have our planned garage sale that weekend. We are following several leads for a new place to live, knowing God is providing for us every step of the way. So many of you have been asking what you can do to help, which we appreciate so much.
Prayer for Gary and Tami as we help each child process their feelings and embrace this new adventure. Isaac (15), Tatiana (14), Beatriz (13), and Caleb (10).
We have set up a bridal registry at Target so it will be easy to determine what we need and what has been provided. Whether someone purchases or gives one of these needs, we will check it off in the registry so it will be easy to know whether or not we are still in need.
Financial help for renting or purchasing a home. In the few months prior to the fire, our family has been searching for a home to purchase. This will help our family not have to be in temporary housing for a long period of time.
For those who are offering furniture or other big items, Lisa Polzien (949-584-8033) and Debora Rock (515-450-3433) have offered to keep a list of people and items available, so that we can call when we have a home in which to put them.
. ? Help with financial gifts ? through the ? deacon’s fund ? (Susanna?)
We will keep you updated through the church bulletin and this blogsite, http://thehealthyhome4all.blogspot.com/.
God’s great love and blessings to you all,
Gary and Tami Anderson and Family
The following is the insert we placed in our church bulletin:
We would like to thank everyone in our church family for the immediate and loving response to our need for food, clothing, and housing due to the fire that consumed our home and car. Everyone is safe and uninjured and we were a bit relieved that we didn’t have to have our planned garage sale that weekend. We are following several leads for a new place to live, knowing God is providing for us every step of the way. So many of you have been asking what you can do to help, which we appreciate so much.
Prayer for Gary and Tami as we help each child process their feelings and embrace this new adventure. Isaac (15), Tatiana (14), Beatriz (13), and Caleb (10).
We have set up a bridal registry at Target so it will be easy to determine what we need and what has been provided. Whether someone purchases or gives one of these needs, we will check it off in the registry so it will be easy to know whether or not we are still in need.
Financial help for renting or purchasing a home. In the few months prior to the fire, our family has been searching for a home to purchase. This will help our family not have to be in temporary housing for a long period of time.
For those who are offering furniture or other big items, Lisa Polzien (949-584-8033) and Debora Rock (515-450-3433) have offered to keep a list of people and items available, so that we can call when we have a home in which to put them.
. ? Help with financial gifts ? through the ? deacon’s fund ? (Susanna?)
We will keep you updated through the church bulletin and this blogsite, http://thehealthyhome4all.blogspot.com/.
God’s great love and blessings to you all,
Gary and Tami Anderson and Family
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Today was our day to get into our home and start trying to salvage a few things. There was really very little to salvage, but we are experimenting with a few things we pulled out of our bedrooms.
The kids all went with us (including Isaac - who flew in last night). It was good for them to have the chance to put on masks and gloves and take flashlights in to see what was left.
The inside of the home was all black, and rather wet as well. There were small treasures here and there, and quite a bit of paperwork (tax stuff) that we were able to pull out, a few books, a couple clothes items and some cleaning supplies.
We then rented a small storage unit, so we don't have to bring any charred smelly items into anyone's garage or anything else. We also looked at a couple home options and spent some time looking for our still-missing cat.
Tomorrow we will either move into a Residence Inn, or perhaps some temporary housing. The Swans have been incredible and we couldn't be more thankful.
For a time, we are asking people who have items they feel we may be able to use, to simply make a list with your name, email, phone number, and then when we have some place to live, we would love to be able to contact you then.
We feel everyone's prayers and love and are continuing to praise God for every blessing He is bringing!
love to all,
The Andersons
The kids all went with us (including Isaac - who flew in last night). It was good for them to have the chance to put on masks and gloves and take flashlights in to see what was left.
The inside of the home was all black, and rather wet as well. There were small treasures here and there, and quite a bit of paperwork (tax stuff) that we were able to pull out, a few books, a couple clothes items and some cleaning supplies.
We then rented a small storage unit, so we don't have to bring any charred smelly items into anyone's garage or anything else. We also looked at a couple home options and spent some time looking for our still-missing cat.
Tomorrow we will either move into a Residence Inn, or perhaps some temporary housing. The Swans have been incredible and we couldn't be more thankful.
For a time, we are asking people who have items they feel we may be able to use, to simply make a list with your name, email, phone number, and then when we have some place to live, we would love to be able to contact you then.
We feel everyone's prayers and love and are continuing to praise God for every blessing He is bringing!
love to all,
The Andersons
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 22, 2009
We are beginning a blog so that we can keep people updated on what is happening, what we need (the most popular question due to all of you being the most wonderful people), and how we are doing.
Today was our last day of not being able to do "anything." Tomorrow our former home will be unboarded for a while so we can go back in and salvage what may be left. Although there is not furniture that could be saved, there are good papers, a few photos, and maybe our address book, that have been pleasant surprises so far.
This will also be when we meet with our insurance people and get that ball rolling as well. Although looking at the piles of burned "stuff" is a bit hard, it is also a bit of a relief. At the very least, it helps us know what we are saying "good bye" to and put some serious finality on the end of the "messy" era of our life and hopefully, enter into a greater simplicity - one of the joys of this experience (we are looking for them!).
For those who have meeting so many of our crazy needs, thank you over and over. And for those who have been asking what you can do and what we need...our first need is prayer. It is making all the difference in the world for all of us. Secondly, please keep letting us know you are out there. There are moments, because we've been displaced, that we are feeling a bit disoriented, and hearing from you makes this much better.
Last of all, for those who are hoping to help us "start over," we are going to register at Target and possibly Kohls or another department store for our basic needs. Then, whether an item is provided from another home, or from the store, we can simply mark it off and everyone will know. This has also helped us greatly as it's very hard to remember what was there when it isn't anymore.
We love you all, rejoice in the love you are surrounding us with, praise the Lord moment by moment for all His mercies, and look forward to inviting people over to our house again!
The Andersons
Today was our last day of not being able to do "anything." Tomorrow our former home will be unboarded for a while so we can go back in and salvage what may be left. Although there is not furniture that could be saved, there are good papers, a few photos, and maybe our address book, that have been pleasant surprises so far.
This will also be when we meet with our insurance people and get that ball rolling as well. Although looking at the piles of burned "stuff" is a bit hard, it is also a bit of a relief. At the very least, it helps us know what we are saying "good bye" to and put some serious finality on the end of the "messy" era of our life and hopefully, enter into a greater simplicity - one of the joys of this experience (we are looking for them!).
For those who have meeting so many of our crazy needs, thank you over and over. And for those who have been asking what you can do and what we need...our first need is prayer. It is making all the difference in the world for all of us. Secondly, please keep letting us know you are out there. There are moments, because we've been displaced, that we are feeling a bit disoriented, and hearing from you makes this much better.
Last of all, for those who are hoping to help us "start over," we are going to register at Target and possibly Kohls or another department store for our basic needs. Then, whether an item is provided from another home, or from the store, we can simply mark it off and everyone will know. This has also helped us greatly as it's very hard to remember what was there when it isn't anymore.
We love you all, rejoice in the love you are surrounding us with, praise the Lord moment by moment for all His mercies, and look forward to inviting people over to our house again!
The Andersons
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