"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it."~Psalm 127:1

"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul."~ Psalm 94:19

Recently an acquaintance from Colorado sent us an article which was printed in her church bulletin on May 2. Since much of the message rang true to our experience we have reprinted it below:

"After we'd lived in it for about seven years, our house was destroyed. Lightning hit it. We were eating dinner when the storm started. The kids were small, and we were playing that game where you count between the flash and the boom to see how close the lightning strike is. We had one flash where the sound came right with it.

Once safely outside, we watched the firefighters. The flames looked like they do in the movies, leaping out of the second-story windows. So this is what a real fire looks like-what your own house on fire looks like. Some emotions are predictable-shock, fear, sadness over lost belongings.

Some emotions were surprising-a sense of peace, even while wondering if any of our stuff made it. We felt peace and gratitude we were all safe.

We had really good insurance. We had wonderful neighbors, friends, and fellow parishioners. We had a contractor who rebuilt the place as if he were going to live there himself. We remain friends a decade and a half later.

The whole experience was a jolt into a different way of looking at things. One of the oddest, lingering lessons for me: I still struggle to remember that possessions aren't that important. The shock can wear off.

But here's the deepest thing. The most overwhelming lesson of that night and the days that followed was how much people cared for us, especially when we were faced with something we couldn't predict and couldn't control.

Not being in control was a blessing. But then when are we ever really in control?

Some events let us see what's real more clearly. They help us recognize the disciples of Jesus, the ones who love one another-regular people, ordinary and amazing, where Christ lives."

~Written by Dan Finucane~

Thank you, all of you regular people, ordinary and amazing, you have been used by God to bring light into our darkness, healing to our broken hearts, and joy in our sorrow.

With love,

The McKinnis Family

(One additional lesson that the McKinnis family learned through their fire was this:

"The most important things survived.")

This week Mr. and Mrs. Doug Phillips and Vision Forum Ministries sent two boxes of merchandise to our family to express their concern and support during this time of challenge following the loss of so many possessions from the fire. What a blessing and encouragement! Three of the items they sent to us were scriptures in beautiful calligraphy from Fruitful Vine Creations which are made to adhere to the walls of a home. Just three days prior to the fire Doug had finished putting the identical verses up on the walls of our house. The verses were:

"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it."~ Psalm 127:1

"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." ~Joshua 24:15

"O Magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together."~Psalm 34:3

Many times I had walked by the first verse which hung over our dining room and I had breathed the prayer, "Lord, build our house." I trust God has a plan for our family and Psalm 127:1 still remains my prayer.
Yesterday Seth completed his first year as a student of Patrick Henry College using their Campus at Home program. Those final exams are now behind him! (Note: The SAT book was used as a prop to elevate his computer to a more comfortable level.)

Our two birds which Psalm rescued from the fire have finally rejoined our family at our temporary home. We are greeted once again to cheerful chirping and they are able to listen to their favorite music, piano practice.

On Wednesday our nephew, Brian graduated from Eagle River High School. Congrats Brian!

Bill, Brian, G'ma Mac, and Sandy invited us to the graduation celebration on Saturday.

The Valley Quilter's Guild in Palmer made an incredible quilt for each of us as an expression of care and concern. Below are some of the gorgeous quilts which are serving to keep us warm at night and helping to brighten our days.

My sister Tracy had made a personal quilt for many of us through the years. Unfortunately we lost all of them in the fire. Below is the one she made for Kenton. And yes, that is Kenton standing in front of it. Years ago when he opened the box in which it was wrapped he exclaimed, "Oh, a bed!!"

Kenton a few years later with his new Valley Quilter's Guild quilt.