3 Weeks

As I lay me down to sleep...I'm mindful that tonight marks 3 weeks since the fire. Even tonight, another 2 hours were spent going through the storage unit and the final boxes of "stuff" that used to be our belongings. The final inventory was taken and most of the remains were tossed in the garage to be "cleared away" when the house is torn down and removed. It's weird to see memories and reminder of life tossed into the trash pile.

Even as we sorted through the remaining mess, neighbors, strangers and passersby stopped by...giving kind words, encouragement, even additional donations. It's hard to believe that 3 weeks later people are still stopping and still caring and still concerned enough to reach out. I'm simply in awe of God and His goodness and the tangible ways He's used these hands and feet to serve us.

The contractors are starting to submit their bids of what it will take to rebuild the house from scratch and it's coming in higher than what the insurance originally offered. Ultimately, we are guaranteed what we had so the negotiation begins with the insurance company. (Notice I say negotiation and not argument - at least not yet.) So far we've been told not to worry. (Easier said than done, of course.)

Once we have the right amount needed to rebuild at least what we had, they could care less if that's what we build. We just have to rebuild on that property (aka - can't take the money and run). So I've searched out floor plans and decided all of the things I loved about the house - and the things I would want to change. This is still yet to be finalized and determined, but it's been fun to think about.

Oh and just to be sure, the baby birds were checked and they're already growing and appear to be doing well. All four are still alive and thriving!