Fire!

Early Wednesday morning about 4am, I received a text telling me that there was a fire at the mill in Tilleda.  I got out of bed and called my brother, Pat.  He was already on his way and almost there. 

He called me just as we were getting in the car to leave.  He said it was definitely an electrical fire and that it didn't take the entire structure down.  That was good to hear. 

When we arrived, there were several fire trucks and lots of firemen.  Most of them weren't doing much or anything since there wasn't an active fire to be seen.  There were still sparks when they sprayed inside the removeable part of the roof.  I could see wisps of smoke in the lights.

Apparently there was smoke earlier in the day and the guys checked it out.  Mike the electrician came and cleaned things out and didn't find the source either.  Pat came back at 8pm and again at 10pm and didn't find anything.  Randy comes to work at midnight to start hauling chips and didn't see anything.  But when he returned at 3am, there were a lot of flames.  He tried using fire extinguishers to no avail.   

As I walked over to my brother, we had a side hug type of embrace.  I needed that and so did he.  It was a reassurance that all would be okay.  The chipper motor was not burned; not even the belts!  The insurance carrier said to get an estimate and "let's get you back up and running."  A fire is never a positive thing but this may be a blessing in disguise as the new updated electrical will be installed and will be outside in a concrete "bunker" to keep the dust out.

Pat said he had such emotions that he didn't expect.  He always thinks, "this is Dad's baby, not mine."  I told him it may have been Dad's baby but it is his rebellious teenager.  We will get through this and I have every confidence that all will be well.

 

Pat’s House Update

Here's the update on Pat's house.  

Sammi and I worked on it again to clear out all the things he wanted out.  She planned a rummage sale at Andrew and Cierra's house.  Everything was priced to sell.  I spent those days cleaning his house.  After hours working on Saturday, I decided that some painting needed to happen upstairs prior to his return with Melody and her children.

Initially I wasn't intending to paint this room, but decided it needed an update.  The wallpaper border needed to come off as it wasn't intact everywhere.  Sammi and Evelyn did most of the work but I definitely worked to remove it as well.  

Here is the finished product. We took down all of the mini blinds and purchased curtains and rods with the money made from selling things at the rummage.  

The girls' room was the one I thought needed fresh paint.  This photo doesn't really show the proper color.  It was an olive green color.  It is also paint over wallpaper so I had some repairs to make before I could begin painting.  Clare came over on this Monday morning and helped cut the two rooms before she needed to leave.  Evelyn and I finished the project.

It may be just lipstick on a pig but it looks so much better.  My sweetheart installed the ceiling fan that had been tucked away in a closet for the past 20 years.  It may be somewhat dated, but it makes the room so much brighter.  

When I  spoke to both Pat and Melody the next day, Pat was very impressed that the fan was installed and the laundry room window was also installed.  Melody was impressed with all the curtains and how decluttered it was.  

It was a labor of love.  My family spent hours upon hours cleaning  his home to make it ready for Melody and her children,  It was exactly what I needed to do.  I have missed giving service every single day since being home from our mission.  He could not adequately express his love for me and my family.  It's ok Uncle Pat.  We know.

 

Erin’s 30th Birthday Bash

Erin informed us months ago that she wanted a big birthday party with the family.  The kind of party that kids have.  She planned it and we helped execute that plan.

She wanted a bike and we got her the kind she wanted.  I wish mine was that nice.

It was a 90's party as she was born in 1991 and her childhood was mostly in that decade.

We had decorations and everyone dressed up in some kind of vintage 90's clothes.

We had a soda bar.  All the names came from something during that decade.

She wanted a bounce house so Sammi rented one.  It was a hit.  Especially after we moved it away from a ground beehive.

All the children were asked to display a talent.  Here's Lydia twirling.

Butch signed and sang, Jesus Said Love Everyone.

Cami showed off her strange thumb action.

Adam showed his flexibility.

Evelyn read a poem she wrote about Erin.

Eli did some kind of tongue rolling action while shooting us with his finger.

There was a pinata.  We had a few karaoke singers as well. 

All the grandchildren got a few whacks at it beginning with the youngest.

Eddie showed us his walking talent.

Henry did some skipping.

Butch got his motorcycle ride.

An outdoor movie or two ended the evening.

There were some great creations made with beads after all the games and festivities. She is a joy in our lives.  I cannot imagine our family without her quirkiness and her orderliness.  My heart breaks as I recognize she didn't get what she really wanted this summer, but she turned it into something special. Erin wrote the following:

 I definitely am 30.

I am still awkwardly flirting. I am trying my best at thriving.

I had hope on getting married this summer so I planned out all the food and everything for a open house type deal. But plans changed. All my food ideas went into a birthday party dinner and party favors turned into trolls and pony bead pet keychains.

It might not have been initially what I had hoped for, but spending my birthday with some of my most favorite people on the planet, celebrating the best decade for country music and boy bands, and of course me was a joy.

Hurt & Misconception

When we returned home from our mission we received the assignment to minister to some people we have never met.  With the busyness of life, we didn't reach out immediately as we wanted to meet them in person.  We were busy speaking in many different units and then when we were in Gresham, they were on Zoom.  We finally met and spoke briefly.

We wanted to get to know these people so we invited them into our home for a meal following Sunday services.  They are delightful people who have had some struggles.  Especially her.  It broke my heart to hear of some of those struggles with people.  They seemed to be at a brick wall in attempting to get prepared for the temple and we were determined to do all we could to help them attain that goal.

A few weeks ago we attended their new unit to check on them and got a very cold reception.  What happened?  What did we do?  Pat wrote them a letter and apologized if we did anything to offend.  We thought we were creating a new friendship.

A letter came in return full of "their side of the story".  There was more than one side?  I thought we had a delightful time.  Apparently I am a horrible person.  I invite people into my home to insult them and treat them with hostility.  I didn't know this about myself.  I "said" a lot of things that neither Pat nor I heard come out of my mouth.  Pat said he didn't need to read the letter but that it should be forwarded to our stake president.  

I will admit that I was taken aback.   I recognize that it is the adversary who wants to disturb.  I won't let him but I was hurt.  I shared some of what was said with my daughter and she was as shocked as I.  I really needed a hug and thought immediately of my friend Jolene who is serving a mission in Nauvoo.  She offered the love I needed without even knowing anything.  The next day, I received a text from Sister Rizley from the mission.  Again, just what I needed.  It was a testimony to me that our Heavenly Father knows us and cares.  He sent these beautiful women into my life when I needed them. 

We together, close that chapter of our lives and move on in faith.  Life isn't always what we expect but I learn from those experiences.  I learned that I don't always have to be strong because I have eternal friends who will always have my back no matter what.

 

Come Thou Fount

 Since I was the choir director for many years I gave the members of the choir a version of the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing."  They have loved it for many years.  Suzanna Lau has been our choir pianist for all the years since we started the choir back when Dave and Sara Robertson lived in Gresham 20 years ago..  Over the past 18 months there hasn't been any choir due to Covid.

When we had the picnic honoring the Lau family, I suggested that we get together one last time and sing it before they leave.  We practiced briefly last Sunday after  church.  I felt something so wonderful stir within me as we sang together.  I don't know if it was the hymn or just being able to sing together again.  Either way, I really had to hold back the tears.  It was the highlight of my Sabbath.

Yesterday, I hummed it all around the house as I did my chores.  I especially sang out loud (to myself) the words of the second verse.  "Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God.  He to rescued me from danger, interposed His precious blood."  It hit me.  I try not to wander but if I do, Jesus will not only seek me, but will offer me His atonement.  What a blessing!

Today we had the opportunity to sing it as the closing hymn.  There were many more voices than last week's practice.  Amy whispered that this was our testimony prior to beginning the piece.  As we sang, I felt the power of that hymn and the strength of the lyrics.  Tears flowed down my cheeks but I held on to be able to sing it.  It was WONDERFUL!!!  I have missed ward choir so much.  I am grateful to share my testimony through that hymn.