Incredible evening.

I had just finished posting that last blog entry, and Rory came into the bedroom. I commented that I want us to move the computer desk away from the window and put it against the wall. The way it is set up, I can peer directly into the apartments that are no more than 30 yards across the driveway. Because we still have boxes all over, we decided to wait until tomorrow.

Moments later I looked up, and watched a frying pan catch fire, which turned into a stove on fire, and I realized I was witnessing the beginnings of an apartment fire. I can't explain how slowly my mind processed this. I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing. I had just called my mom to tell her I had put pictures of our apartment on the blog and ran and asked Rory if I was seeing what I thought I was seeing.

I called 911, called the landlord, and Rory ran down to the family. The dad had been in the shower and had a half shaven head. He had a three year old and a five year old with him and none of them had shoes or coats. We brought them to our apartment and Rory gave the dad shoes and a sweater and sweatshirt. The dad used my phone to call his wife who was at work, and then his mom and then his brother. Then the dad and Rory went down to meet the fire trucks and I kept the kids in our apartment.

I tried to distract them with string cheese and Planet Earth, but basically we watched the fire move from their kitchen to the living room and into the bedroom. We watched the blinds melt off of the windows, and could still see the television on through the fire.

The firemen arrived and we watched them work, talked about how we didn't need to be scared of their masks because those help them breathe when they are by the fire.

After 20 minutes, the whole extended family came to our apartment to get the kids and to watch the fire. The mom had come home from work and swooped up her boy. I could not fathom what she was going through. I sent them with blankets and socks and since then I have been watching the firemen work in the dark apartment across the way. I just took this picture to show the relation between my laptop and their window.

I don't know how God works, but we just moved this desk into this room this afternoon. And I just moved my laptop on it tonight. And when 911 asked for the address of where I live I couldn't think straight and said we have only lived here one week. But I know I was the only one to see this fire, and even in the minutes while waiting for the fire trucks, no one else was around to help.

So keep Tristin and Raven in your prayers- two sweet kids who just lost all their favorite things. Thank the Lord everyone is safe tonight.