Life After the Fire | Two Months Later

Today marks two months since the fire that changed our lives so suddenly.

The past month has been less dramatic than the first few weeks, but it has been no less full. We are no longer in the first emergency stage, but we are still very much in the rebuilding stage. Much of our time has been spent settling into our temporary home and working through the many details involved in rebuilding our lives.

For five weeks after the fire, Hank and Dana Benedetto welcomed us into their lovely home. They were generous, hospitable, and loving to us. They allowed us to break into their lives and hearts, and their home became a place of refuge for us when we needed it most. We are deeply grateful for them.

We have now moved into a rental house about five minutes from our home. Our insurance company works with another agency that helps arrange temporary housing, and they were able to find a place that meets our needs. We are grateful to finally have a place of our own again. It is not home, but it is becoming homey and livable.

The insurance is covering the rent, furniture rental, and additional living expenses, and we are grateful for that provision. Since those benefits have limits, we are trying to manage them carefully so they will last until our house is rebuilt.

Setting up a household from almost nothing takes a lot of time. Our days have been full of trips to various stores, including thrift stores, garage sales, and discount shops. We have spent plenty of time searching for what we need—whether through Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, or even Temu. Little by little, we are finding the things we need and making this house a comfortable place to live. It is remarkable how many ordinary things we take for granted until we no longer have them.

There is still a lot of paperwork, inventory work, and follow-up with insurance, but we are making progress little by little. This week we will be meeting with the contractor, reviewing and signing the contract, and discussing the next steps for demolition and rebuilding. While there are still many unknowns, it feels good to finally be moving forward. We continue to work with the insurance company to understand and maximize the benefits available to us as we navigate this process.

Living together in a temporary home has also required some personal adjustments. Any major life change brings challenges, and this season is no exception. We continue to learn patience, flexibility, and generosity toward one another.

We have also been given some needed breaks along the way. Jeanne was able to go on retreat for a few days at Manresa. Sherry and I have been able to do some birdwatching, spend time at Sherry’s family cabin up north in Michigan, and take a day trip to Mackinac Island. Those moments have helped us breathe a little and remember that life is still full of gifts.

Through all of this, one of our greatest sources of encouragement has been belonging to an international community of communities. The prayers, messages, practical help, and generosity we have received from brothers and sisters near and far have carried us through many difficult days. We have never felt alone.

We remain deeply grateful for the GoFundMe and the many donations we have received. These gifts have allowed us to purchase the things we need without worrying about where the funds will come from. They have provided not only practical help but also peace of mind during a season filled with uncertainty. For those who have asked how to support us, you can find the GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/e222b1afb

As we reach this two-month mark, we continue to see God’s faithfulness in both large and small ways. There are still challenges ahead, and rebuilding will be a long journey. Yet we remain convinced that the Lord is caring for us through His people and through the countless provisions we continue to receive.

We are truly blessed amid the challenges we face. Thank you for continuing to pray for us and walk with us on this journey. The road ahead is still long, but day by day we continue to see that God is faithful and that He provides what we need for each step.