Thursday, July 21, 2011

I'm back... kind of!

Our phone lines have been repaired and the new modem arrived yesterday.  Christopher got it all up and running for us today.  I am so thankful my computer is okay.  Since the battery in the laptop is dead, it is almost always plugged in but I had unplugged it earlier that day so Christopher could charge his laptop before going to work.

Many thanks to Linda for hacking my blog and informing you what was going on.  I told her that you know you trust someone when you give them your Google password.  I called her from my front lawn while waiting for the fire department to arrive a week and a half ago.  Then early on Sunday morning, I once again called her while sitting by Victoria's kitty carrier on the front lawn as the fire department (with EMT personnel this time) arrived once again.

We couldn't locate Miss Victoria and thought perhaps she had gotten out into our garage.  She is always trying to partake in forbidden adventures.  While my husband was looking behind everything for her, he spotted FLAMES coming from the gas line going into the dryer.  As soon as he ran into the house to tell me to call 911 on my cell phone (our phone lines were repaired but our phones fried), I looked down and Victoria was sitting by my feet.

I am convinced God had hidden her so we had to look in the garage and found that fire.  The EMT personnel were sent as there was a dangerous gas buildup in our house after hubby put that fire out.  (We later were told by the firemen that the garage wall was already scorched and we would have had a full scale fire shortly.)  Ummm... not to mention the whole house blowing up thing.  The damage to the gas line was caused by the lightening strike.

So now we not only have major repairs and replacements as a result of the lightening strike but the gas lines to our house have been (obviously) turned off until that repair can be made.  I am cooking in the dark and doing dishes by boiling water on the stove.  But I am back online... and so much better off than those who have completely lost their home.  God spared us from fire twice.

The free repairs were done immediately (telephone and Direct TV) so I had opportunity to talk to those repairmen... as well as the guys from our rural electric company who arrived immediately after the strike.  All three told me lightening strikes have been very bad this year. 

When we were hit, I heard thunder in the distance but the sky over our house was SUNNY!  When I called 911 and told them we had been hit by lightening and our house was filled with smoke, they asked "what lightening and what storm?".  Obviously that warning about taking cover when you hear thunder even if you cannot see a storm is correct.

We are in the process of borrowing money for our large deductible.  All professionals have given their estimates and we only need to complete the list of items "fried" and replacement costs.  Except for the high deductible, the costs will be taken care of by our insurance.

I will chat about the emotional and spiritual side of all of this on Sunday, hopefully.  Just day to day living takes so much time and energy right now... and that doesn't take in the heat.  Thank God (literally!) our AC was not taken out as we reached over 100 degrees today.

I missed you all!

29 comments:

Bonnie said...

Thank God that you are back, Brenda and that things were not worse! I have checked your blog so many times each day that I could not even guess as to how many - so happy to see a new post. Of course, being a cat lover, I am very happy to see that Victoria is okay. God does use our animals, doesn't he? I know that this has been an unbelievably stressful time, but God will provide and take care of your needs. I am praying that you will continue to lean on Him and take it one day at a time. Welcome back!

Monica said...

I was at the county fair with our children (4-H livestock) and I missed all your excitement. I am sorry this happened but am grateful that you are all alright! Many blessings!

Anonymous said...

Surely glad you are ok!! And kitty too!! We have just recently bought a storm alert radio!! It probably would not warn us in a case like yours however!! WOW, so fortunate you heeded the warning about going inside with any thunder heard.

We have had horrid problems with Charter internet and made many many calls, repairmen came out, etc. Still unreliable. A neighbor and I have had to bug them crazy...finally today the located the problem...168 feet underground cable ruined by lightening!! Now you might think looking for that would be #1 on the list, when you live in NC, one of the lightening capitals of the nation...you would not think it might take a rocket scientist.... sigh!! This happened some months ago and we are THIS long getting it found and repaired. So be pesky in what you need done on your place...it seems to take great persistance these days!!
Elizabeth

Maggie from Stillness at Cherith said...

So good to hear from you...
glad to hear that life is slowly being put back together....
keeping you and yours in thoughts

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a rough week but glad you are all O.K.

Carol said...

So glad you are back. That is an amazing story about how God used Victoria. Continuing to pray for your family. (in MD)

Vee said...

What a strange series of events. I'm very glad that you are back and that the Lord has allowed all the faulty things to be evident. Have you checked everything carefully now? (John tells me that these hits are sometimes the fault of the power company if the hit is further down the line and comes in because a ground wire has been cut and can not do its job of protecting. Happens here when they get hit by snowplows, etc.) Anyway, here's to a much calmer summer!

Jane said...

Happy to see you back online! What a horrendous thing - lightening stike - wow! Thank goodness you weren't injured and things can be repaired. Amazing story about your kitty cat!
Jane-Jacksonville

matty said...

Welcome back, friend! God has His Divine hands on you and your family! The miracle of being saved twice is remarkable!

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers!

Shan said...

Dearest Brenda,

Oh my dear, sweet friend...I am so grateful to read that all of you (humans and kitty) are safe and sound!

As you know, we had our scare with fire, but it never came close enough to do us harm. I cannot imagine how scary this was for all of you!

Sending you prayers and hugs!

Yours so kindredly,
Shan
Honey Hill Farm

Unknown said...

Sounds like it was a very scary time! Glad to hear that all of you and Miss Victoria are all fine.

Susan said...

Thank you for the update - I have also been checking to see if you are "back on the air". Adding my thanks to our Heavenly Father for watching over you and preventing an explosion. I'm sorry that this has happened to your family and I pray that things improve daily and that you feel His peace and strength.

Anonymous said...

The God moments in your amazing experience just keep adding up don't they... Try to pace yourself if at all possible. You were not feeling all that well when this happened if I remember right. Hope this has not set you back. I am so grateful that God kept your family safe..including the kitty member of your family.It was so good to come to your blog as I always do when I first get on, and there you were this time! Thank your neighbor for doing a great job of hacking for you! :) Sarah

eyelandgirl said...

Sorry that you have had all this trouble, but glad that nothing worse has happened. I read the part of your post about Victoria with some apprehension until I realized that she was safe. I'm glad you're back.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

God is so good!

That is amazing about the clear skies and sunshine when the lightening struck your house!

So thankful that you didn't have an explosion or fire...

Still praying!
Deanna

Becky K. said...

I am so glad you are ok. It was super of Linda to stop by blogs and let us know what was going on. You have a very good friend there.

So strange to read what worked and what didn't after the strike.

I am amazed at the whole fire/gas issue. Wow! God must have wonderful work for you to do yet. The lightning strike and gas leak....and you were marvelously protected.

Hugs.

Debbie S said...

I'm so glad to hear you all are OK! I've been watching the blog frequently to see any news.

Victoria is a hero - God uses everything for good. Hope she's getting lots of treats & cuddles.

Take care of yourself!

Blessings,
Debbie

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

So good to see an update from you! I'm so relieved that you all are o.k.. My goodness what an ordeal! First the lightning and then the gas thing. Hopefully that's the end of it. You are really roughing it - living off grid without meaning too!

I hope everything gets repaired quickly and life gets back to normal for you.

Hugs,

Manuela

Kim @ Him, Him Me said...

So Glad that you are all ok, including Victoria. I hope all runs smooth for you now,

Love & Blessings

Woman of the House said...

Thank the Lord it wasn't worse than it was, though I know it's bad enough! I'm so thankful for His loving care for you!

Anonymous said...

Good to see you back Brenda - will be keeping you in my prayers.

Take Care,
Laura

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back--I have missed you. Thankful your family is OK and your home was spared. Hope everything is fixed and back to normal soon. You have been in my prayers.
Sharon

Scrappy quilter said...

So glad you are back. PTL you are safe and okay. Hugs

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Dear Brenda, I am so glad to hear from you again and to hear that you are all(including Victoria) OK after so many dire events and near misses. God is watching over you and your family....I hope you are feeling well and calm (as much as possible just now) and that the weather will cool off more! Praying for you, and asking for your prayers as I approach another PET/CT scan.

Anonymous said...

So thankful everyone is fine as well as Miss Victoria.

Thanking God for His protection of your family and home.

Have missed your posts. :)

Lori in PA

Heather L. said...

THanks for the update. I've been thinking of you and praying for you. No doubt this was a hiccup you could have done without, but I know you are trusting God's providence in this as well. Will keep praying!!!

Peggy Lorenz said...

So glad you are all okay, Brenda! I have been checking the blog daily. What a neat story about Victoria...it is comforting to know that God is looking out for us even in the not-so-good times. Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Brenda,

I am rejoicing that you all were spared so much worse. Wow. God must have his mighty hand of protection upon you. I am convinced with you that God had Victoria hide to help y'all find out about the fire. My word. What trials. Mighty works are being wrought within, I am certain.
"my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence." 2 Sam. 22:3 NLT
Rejoicing at God's hand of protection and thanking God for His provision.
In Christ's love,
Michelle

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

So happy to have you back online dear Brenda. What an experience and what an amazing story regarding Victoria...I had chills when reading it. Sending prayers and blessings to you and your family.
Love,
Tracey
x0x