What else?

So in the end, my in-laws house is standing. It started on the green list, went to the red list and then in the end went back to the green list.

Of course, they had already started the total loss process with friends from the forest once we found out it was on the green list. It was horrible and we all were grieving. They were looking into rentals that would take 2 horses, 5 dogs, a cat & 3 people. Things were not looking great.

But then the miracle happened...the house stands. We heard the news but didn't know if we could believe it. Then we got through to friends of friends and police got to the property, took a picture & sent it to us. It was verified the house is standing.

Thank you all for the prayers. There is still so much loss for them though the house stands. All the out building on the property are gone. Some things were not covered by insurance. The goat did pass away. There is a lot of clean up and the house and it's contents are smoke damaged. My mother-in-law has asthma and the clean up process has caused her a great deal of breathing problems.

My heart aches as we stood on the property and saw the houses all around gone. There are burnt black trees everywhere. The house was saved and yet my heart aches. It looks like a nuclear bomb went off down their street. There are so many that just have nothing now.

This is a rural area. Many people owned the land and may have a trailer on the property...uninsured. More than 500 homes are gone. All this pain...

But of course we have our vacation coming up next week. We were looking forward to relaxing in rustic cabins, camping for a week with no electricity, no cell service, no running water, and no distractions. We were getting away for a bit. This would be the 40th year Ryan's family had been doing this. I've loved this tradition and found myself able to deal with everything knowing I was going to get away for just a bit.

And then today we find out another fire in Colorado has evacuated the Ranch we stay at every year. No vacation...

We'll probably do something or just camp for a few days, but no cabins. No fishing. No letting the girls ride their bikes between the cabins. No dogs chasing horses (that would be Lola of course). No dogs eating freshly caught fish before they could be cleaned (not Lola this time). No four wheelers on trails. No 40th year celebration at the ranch.

Pray for our family. This was the thing we were all needing. A break from reality and struggle. A break from fire. A break...we need a break.

Pray that another alternative that fits our needs and our large group will become available by Sunday. Pray that we are able to enjoy whatever we chose to do as we will not be going to the Continental Ranch. Pray that it will fit our financial constraints. Pray we will be able to "get away" and relax for a week.

At first I felt foolish for asking for prayer for a vacation but then I remembered that my heavenly father cares about it all. He cares that we need a break. He cares that we want to spend time together after such strife. He cares that we wanted to slow down for a bit...in that slowing down we know we hear Him better. This was going to be a time to rejoice for the answered prayer regarding the house. This was going to be a time to remember the important things. We need this time to be together. Thank you so much for listening and I covet your prayers! Your steadfast prayers were answered with a house that stands. Join me in praying for a break for the Morrison Clan, friends and family.

Oh and not to forget the most important thing to pray for...the fires and the fire fighters. Please pray as there are 3 fires in this area at are out of control, no containment. Pray for the 1st responders and their safety. Pray for the area because as of right now, no structures are lost. Colorado needs some rain and cool air and no wind. Pray for our state as fire is devastating it right now.

What we left behind...

My mother-in-law loves me right now but I think she always has...

No one was really worried on Tuesday but I called my best girlfriend and she was watching the fire live. Thank you El for making me realize how serious it was and encouraging me to defy my MIL and go to the forest.

The first list of homes was listed Wednesday afternoon and just as the news was releasing the info, my MIL had just shouted, "Oh, my recipes, I forgot my recipes!" I yelled, "Shhh, they are releasing the list" and her reply was, "What list?"

Frazzled brains, I tell you.

That was the first list and the house was listed safe that day. One of their friends came by moments later and she already knew hers was lost. So what did we do...we fed her. What else can you do?

Then that night, though they really didn't believe their house was safe, they rattled off the list of things they didn't get. My father-in-law, the 3rd most amazing man on earth (behind my husband and my dad) was the most amazing dad & husband. He didn't grab one thing of his for evacuation...not his guns, his motorcycle...I'm not even sure he had extra clothes. He made sure that my MIL and my SIL had what they needed and wanted.

Now to be clear, my in-laws were just pulling out to go camping so they have a week's worth of everything with them...and that's it.

As we began to clear the house, my MIL said she was thinking the whole time (till the last 20 minutes or so), that this was a waste of time. We were going to have to unpack it all later.

Well it wasn't...

All we got was a few family heirlooms.
Somethings that belonged to her mother.
A few photo albums.
Important papers file.

What we didn't get?
Recipes...in her mother's handwriting.
Some valuables.
The address & phone number book. (They have not reached the age of putting all in a cell phone).
Everything else...is just stuff.

Then came Thursday's list and well...the house is gone. I was in a meeting looking at someone else's phone. I had to run to the hallway and just cried. I called my dad. My in-laws are at their house. He was choked up talking to me.

I know it just stuff...but

We have our memories...but

The people are safe...but

The dogs, cat & horses are safe...but

My rehearsal dinner was there. Every Christmas since I was apart of the family was there (and before me was there). My kids learned to sew there and baked cookies there. We ate around that dinning room table for Father's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and because is was Tuesday.

They haven't made any decisions. We don't know much right now. They went to the victims's relief center yesterday. They feel better and equipped. They know what to do next...not everything but they have things to do.

BTW...shout out to the victim's relief center & the Waldo Canyon fire people who helped and are helping. You mean a lot to our family right now.

It is all STUFF and really not what it important. But if you are pre-evacuating or on voluntary evacuation, slow down and think for a minute. We only had two hours and that wasn't enough. Get a few of those things that cannot be replaced. The china may be old. The picture may be valuable. But Grandma's handwritten recipes are irreplaceable.

Personal Prayer Please

So many have you have already heard but my in-laws home is a total loss in the Black Forest Fire. Our family hasn't processed anything yet or made any decisions but right now I personally need some prayer.

I have an intestinal disorder that has because very aggravated by the recent stress. I'm in quite a bit of pain and its making it even harder to focus on anything. I have to work this weekend and it will be difficult to do with this going on. Please pray for relief.

Secondly, my phone has been having issues for a while now. I got the phone replaced and it still is having issues. I'm not sure why and that's not really the point. The point is I cannot receive calls or texts or voicemails most of the time. My family has had a really hard time getting a hold of me and it is EXTREMELY important that I can be reached. I'm not looking for tech support, I asking you pray over my phone. I've done everything I can through the manufacturer as well as my cell company. I just need my phone "healed".

These things seem so little in the midst of everything but this would help so much as we deal with everything we are facing.

Thanks so much for listening and I hope to update everyone as soon as my family has time to make decisions.

Continue to pray over my in-laws. This will be a long road.

Black Forest Love

As of this summer I have lived half of my life in Colorado Springs. It is most definitely home.

My city is once again on fire but this one is much closer to home emotionally & physically. Please know we are very safe and far away from the mandatory evacuation zone as well as the pre-evacuation zone.

But here's my thoughts...

When we moved here, I graduated from Liberty High School. It was rough being a senior in a new school and new state. Things were very different but it was one of the best years of my life. I made lots of friends that are friends today. At that time, my school district only had 3 high schools and Liberty HS was where all the Black Forests kids went...to include my husband.

Ryan and I met in high school at Liberty. His family lives in Black Forest as well as many of our friend's families. Today, my FB feed is full of my high school friends doing the same thing I did yesterday...evacuate their parents.

I had flashes of homes come through my mind as I drove to Black Forest yesterday. Homes I hung out in high school. Homes...beautiful homes. I could name so many but a few came to mind right away. Homes of friend's parents that I knew still lived there.

Because of the day and age of FB, I have heard that most everyone I know still live there...got out! Most got their valuables. Most got their animals...some only got the people but got out.

Please pray.

This is the fire crossing Black Forest Road when we made the decision to stop packing and go with what we had.

-Pray for my in-law as we evacuated them last night and this is the home they built with their own two hands.
-Pray for the goat that had to be left behind.
-Pray for my hubby & his sisters as this was the home they helped build...full of memories.
-Pray for our kids as this is the home so many holidays are spent and so many memories have been made.
-Pray for my sister-in-law who is out of state and feels so helpless.
-Pray for my other sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, my daughter and me as we all have asthma and the smoke is so brutal for us.
-Pray for blessing on my parents as their home is full of dogs and people.

Thank God for:
-My hubby's uncle who will be taking two dogs & a cat today.
-Our friends the Wills who will be taking another dog.
-My parents who jumped to help evacuate and watch kids and then put up my in-laws.
-Friends who took the two horses.
-Our friends the Wilkes who encouraged me to go & evacuated them (not a moment to soon) and then desperately tried to get to us to help us.

Its a New Day...

Its a New Day Cafe!

Because of life's recent circumstances, after 7 years of being a stay at home mom, I have reentered the working world. I'm a server at New Day Cafe located in Rockrimmon on Delmonico next to the Mateo's Salon & Spa.

I love it for many reasons. First, I have the flexibility to be a mom & take kids to appointments on days off. Second the hours are 7 am - 3 pm, 7 days a week...so pretty much when my kiddos are at school, although we are heading into summer but I'll still have afternoons to take kiddos to the pool and I do have a couple week days off a week to do summer fun stuff. Lastly, I have enjoyed meeting so many people. The customers have expressed the need for a wonderful little cafe like this in the area. There is nothing like it in our area.

So...we have breakfast & lunch. I generally work Thursday thru Monday. Come in and see me. Support a locally owned business and have great food.

We want this business to grow. We believe this is a great addition to our town. The owners have two other New Day Cafe restaurants in Las Vegas. He is from there and she is from here. Now that they have a little one, they decided to come back to the Springs to raise their family. We feel blessed to have them here.

Want to have a coffee date? We serve lattes & have amazing coffee!

Need WiFi...we got it!

Want a quick bite on a work lunch break? You can be in and out quick!

On the go...To Go orders are fast. Call ahead or stop on in...we get food out fast!

Like a flare of something different? We have some amazing Mexican Breakfast dishes.

Come see me and spread the word. Our family is trying to make it and we need your help. Tell your friends, family and the strangers at the gas station. The food is good. The atmosphere is pleasant and the servers are friendly!

Check out the menu at http://www.newdaycafe.com/

Like us on Facebook to get the word out here.

Please continue to pray for our family as we journey through this time. We know God provided this job to help our cause and feel so blessed. We know many have prayed for this provision and know this job is an answer to prayer.

Thank you all for your continued support. Our family feels loved and blessed by so many.

And as always...Thanks for listening.

Tried hard to find the silver lining...

There are just times in life when things seem to pull us down. Every direction you turn there is another thing to put on your plate. The plate is overflowing and nothing can be removed.

So now what?

One bite at a time. Just take one bite at a time.

God didn't asked us to fill our plates and gobble it all up in one bite. He didn't expect us to see the full plate and fell overwhelmed and worry. He gave us the plate and filled it. A full plate is not worry but the fullest things in life.

Well that's what I keep telling myself....over and over and over. I figure if I say it enough I will believe. I know God has it all under control. I know He is protecting me and watching over me. I know He designed my path and plans to guide me along the way giving me what I need to take the next step.

But today...I'm overwhelmed and stressed.

I want a break. The last two years have been really hard on our family and don't seem to ever get any easier. I just keep going and going and going expecting relief. I keep thinking that the miracle after this storm is going to be amazing. It can't rain forever you know.

Friends...
Family...

Please pray for our family. We are upside down and backwards right now. Every step forward comes with several steps back. We are united as a family but are hearts are heavy. We have so much coming at us and are having a hard time finding time to catch our breath.

When one battles ends another is brewing. We need relief. We need peace. We need to feel success. We need to have a victory.

Today, I am trying to find the silver lining. So if you read this, take a moment to say a prayer for us. Those who know the details, pray specifically. For those who do not, just pray that we get a victory. We need one.

And as always, thanks for listening.

Struggling to say goodbye...

So here's the thing...I love to write. I love to blog. I used to love Facebook & all things online...

BUT

It started to create major issues in my life. I found myself spending too much time online. I wasn't getting to "real" life. I thought I had relationships because we were "friends" on Facebook. I would reach out to people on Facebook and get no response. Being I thought we were "friends", I would then get hurt. It felt real. I knew about their lives, their spouses, kids, and jobs. I commented on pictures and looked forward to hearing about their day.

It was mostly false relationship. I was reading the story they presented but wasn't really in their lives. I tried to reach out to specific people with no avail. I wanted to connect face to face or through a phone call or letter and one or two people of hundreds would even reply.

I kept finding myself questioning who I was. Was I a good friend? Did I hurt or offend?

For years now I have been struggling with walking away from the "online world" of Facebook. This is where I landed...

I will have my Facebook account so people can contact me. I will probably not post very often and if you want me  to know something, you'd better inbox, call or text me because I won't be checking Facebook regularly. I've deleted most of my pictures and I'm now going through and deleting my past posts.

I am reclaiming some privacy that I gave away on Facebook. I am connecting personally with the people in my life. I will not be "following" you on Facebook, Twitter or probably anywhere else unless I'm connecting with you face to face or on the phone.

I am most likely turning my blog to password protected. Followers will have access but that's it. I really don't have  much of a following and I really need to know who is looking at my family's pictures, hearing about our latest events and "watching" our lives. If you want to follow me publicly on my blog you will get to hear from me. If you do not, then I hope you are one of the people in my life with whom I connect regularly on a personal level.

I love you all. In today's age of technology it is becoming necessary to protect privacy as much as possible. Thanks for understanding and I hope to hear from you here on this blog.