A Total Loss

Total: the whole amount, complete

Loss: something that is lost

We got the news today: A total loss. Ordinarily, hearing that your entire home and its contents being declared a "total loss" wouldn't be good news. Although, with this outcome we are truly praising the Lord. Please know and remember this is a direct answer to prayer!

Why would we WANT our home to be declared a total loss? From all apparent accounts and research being able to tear down the entire house and completely rebuild seemed to be unanimously what everyone recommended and suggested. The cost to keep the bottom level and clean the mold and water damage was actually higher than what they're giving us to rebuild. So we're thrilled with the news to be able to start from scratch.

(Please also understand words like "thrilled" and "excited" during the midst of such tragedy really do bring a whole new meaning to perspective.)

Remember how I also said I'm getting a whole new education?! My head is spinning. Between insurance, contractors, demolition, construction, floor plans...it's mind-boggling. Ed spent most of the night on the phone with all kinds of people getting all kinds of advice.

There are still a million things to do (and pray about):
-finish the inventory (18 pages and growing)
-clean out the storage container and sort through items that we want to try to clean
-secure a temporary rental place (still sorting through about 2 or 3 options - really praying for a place that's comfortable but close enough to sitter, church, work, family, life)
-research house floor plans
-find a contractor and hopefully someone who can also demo the current property (apparently a piece of the puzzle I somehow didn't realize was our responsibility...guess you have to knock down the old to make room for new, right?!)

Why am I blogging about all this? A lot of reasons.

1. I process through writing
2. I know so many of you are praying
3. I pray it can be an encouragement and testimony to someone

We continue to claim His promises, knowing today's "total loss" is a total victory in direct answer to prayer.

Tonight I heard a song on the radio that I've sung in church before, and it was such a comfort. To know I've sung these words as an encouragement to others, and now I can cling to them as my own hope and strength:

"Even though I'm walking through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of him whose love will comfort me.
When all hope is gone and I've been wounded in the battle,
He is all the strength that I will ever need...
He will carry me."

The bridge goes:

And even though I feel so lonely
Like I have never felt before
You never said it would be easy
But you said you'd see me through the storm!

Amen to that!