All 14 of us were evacuated four times in three days.
Way. to. many. times. O_o (but then, just one time is too many...) So, after we were evacuated the first time on Tuesday from our house and went to Bryce's soccer friends' house, we spent a very restless rest of the day worrying about Dad, the fire, and the animals who were of course all nervous. We watched the huge smoke plume grow and spread further East. And we didn't even get to bed until midnight or 1am.
The next day, Wednesday -after only a few hours of sleep- we ate breakfast (still without power) and were hopeful when we saw very little smoke over the forest. But in just a few hours, that changed; the air dried out quickly and more and more yellow smoke came in low and thick. After a little while the power came back on, but from all the smoke, we wondered if we'd have to evacuate. In another couple hours, we got the call. So we packed up our animals, and then were able to help the other family pack their cars and animals.
From there we planned to go to a firefighter family's home. But as soon as we got there and were about to unload, they got an evacuation call. So we drove to a gas station to fill up, get ice for the rabbits, and figure out where to go.
That wouldn't have been difficult at all, due to so many kind offers (many from you guys) to stay at so many friends' homes. But we not only have a few rabbits in cages to bring along, we have 3 mostly-outdoor cats who need a small room or bathroom to be confined in, and then 4 goats who have to be in some sort of sturdy, enclosed pen.
So after several hours of trying to find a place that could take the goats too, (since we really didn't want to put them in a general livestock place unless we had to) we were very graciously offered a place at another soccer family's home, since they were gone on vacation for another week. They also had a large dog pen in the garage that the goats could stay in, since the family's two smaller dogs could be in the house with us.
The beds were lovely, and it felt great to be in a house we could stay in for nearly a week. We slept ok, except for the cats yelling off and on in the bathroom, and my siblings were excited to be down on the couches with the dogs, but of course the littlest dog kept bouncing around from person to person, so they didn't sleep well. :P But that night at around 11:30pm, we got the pre-evac call for the neighborhood we were in, and the next day, (Thursday) we needed to go somewhere before the mandatory evacuation call came and we had to rush. (the family's dogs would be taken care of by the people housesitting for them)
So then we went up to where we are now; a second cousin (of Mom's) and his wife live up here in Columbine, Co (close to Littleton) and so kindly offered us their home and a huge, very sturdy dog pen out back. (and their dogs could still be in a great little pen connected to the garage) We've been here 5 days so far -- and our hosts are very hospitable and so kind.
(not our picture) Our church had an emergency prayer meeting -I think on Wednesday- to pray for rain
On Thursday evening, while we were unloading out here in Columbine, Sheriff Maketa was touring 5 news channels through a little of the burn area, and they came and interviewed Dad at our property on all he did. Here's a couple of the interview clips:
Homeowner says goodbye to home, then saves it --CNN (that last picture of a burned wall is the back of the workshop)
Homeowner stayed behind --KDVR--02:36 (you can see the burned shed behind him)
We've been evacuated 8 days now, and haven't gotten the 'green light' to go back yet. Dad says the power came back on at home yesterday. We're hoping that return permission will come in the next couple days, as evacuation areas shrink and the fire gains containment. Until then, we feel very blessed to be where we are, Dad's safe, and God is -as He ever was- very good. And with some good rains these last few days over the burn area, the Forest is already beginning its healing process.
(not our picture) The fire's been slowed a lot, and is at (last I heard) 75% containment - very encouraging since it was at 5% for so many days.
Because the Lord your God is a merciful God,
He will neither abandon you nor destroy you; He will not forget the covenant that He made with you and your fathers.
Deuteronomy 4:31
See? I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not see it? It has already begun, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
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