Early

So one thing that I forgot to share in the small house fire incident is that after returning to the house around 8am, Rachael finally woke up - clueless of all that had happened. And she gave me the biggest, toothless smile I have ever seen. She's done some little smirks and half-smiles to other people and myself since then, but nothing yet as huge as her post-smoke smile.

As for the family, we have been staying at a church friend's house for the past three nights while our furnace flooring and all is fixed. Looks like we're going to be staying yet another night tonight but hopefully they'll be able to get the furnace back in tomorrow and we can get the heat back on. Due to God's grace, the weather this week hasn't been too bad which allows for Rachael and me to stay for a few hours each day with Dakota. So while Rachael is all bundled and napping in her carseat, I remain all layered and attempting to wash the smoke remnants out of our home. (Buy stocks in Febreeze, friends, before I return to the store.)

While life as a nomad leaves Matt and me a bit exhausted (no bed, no matter how nice, can ever compare to our routine mattress). Rachael, on the other hand, slept another 5 hour chunk last night - which she was due after having a few nights of 3-4 hour sleeps (a stuffy nose and new sleeping arrangements have affected her). Despite the continual mobility and packing of all our things each morning because we don't know if we'll return the next night, we are all working hard to remain in positive spirits and grateful.

By the way, when the furnace was removed, the workers and our church mechanical/janitorial guy (Mike) were both amazed. There lay a hole burnt straight through to the crawlspace about the size of a beach ball. Mike and the guys agreed that had the fire moved 4-5 more inches toward the carpet then "things would have gotten very bad... fast". Mike was also amazed to find God's grace in that what he thought to be the gas line pipe had some fire charring. I tell you all this not to create some drama, but to share with you the bold reminder that we were given: God was taking care of his kids on that Sunday morning. And we were surely blessed beyond measure and still remain so.

So from the polar winds of our hallway, I send you friends and family my love and wish you a good and blessed day serving our Lord. Let the exalting commence.