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Monday
Jan282008

Warning: Extremely Disturbing 

Are you ready for this? This is CRAZY. Our good friends are visiting with us tonight. We all lived at the Land together for about a year, and they moved into our house for almost two months after we moved out, before the Land sold. Recently they went to the Land to take pictures of what happened to our house. WHEN THE BIG TREES FELL ON IT.

Before you continue, be aware that the following photos will be horrific to those who spent the loving hours on helping us renovate our house that they did. This includes my father, Aaron, Marc, Derek and Curtis.

Looking at these, I feel several things. I am sad. I feel like throwing up. I am so, so thankful, again. And I am a little bit in denial. Can that be my house? No. Well, I guess it is not mine anymore anyways. And in a way, it never did belong to me. But I think I still felt like it was mine.

Okay. Take a deep breath.

Reader Comments (23)

wow that is so scary!!!!! it's hard to believe that trees can do that much damage. it did make us sad... yet so thankful you already moved out. thank God!

January 28, 2008 | Unregistered Commenter#1mama

I have tears in my eyes. You would have lost babies. We could have lost you too. Praise God, praise God, praise to God. Lets put to rest the issue of selling the land. No insurance? We didn't even lose a house. Amazing grace. How sweet the sound. Oh, sista lets dance! Lets hear the joy now. Where's my tamborine. C

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commentercarol cahn

Rarely have I seen proof that we are in God's hands.
That no one was even hurt is miraculous -

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterblackbird

my eyes are welling up too, how can you not cry at this?
what an amazing and unbelievable sight!!!!!

i really can't help but feel that mother earth is sending us all on this sacred earth a very big wake up call, this life is so fragile, our actions to the world around us are causing total chaos and destruction indirectly and directly, I hope we are able to take strength in the current work you are doing with lj urban out of this...

only weeks ago, i remember looking at the photo of your house with wide eyes, thinking, how could they have a house so close to the trees, ( wait it's an easy answer, so beautiful and safe feeling)

i have a lot of experience with issue of trees close to homes in our community because after serious forest fires struck our valley, and were evacuated, upon returning we were all forced to make a minimum clearing around the buildings...

this is a very very unfortunate lesson, but indeed I am extremely greatful you shared this unsightly scene and experience of loss, because we all have so much to learn and faith grows through these kinds of shocking experiences... Praise be to God and all the angels and light workers your time there and the safety of all who dwelled in the home over the years..

This is certainly a home to never forget.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa D/ Menaka

Timing is everything eh? Rescued from the wrath. Nice. So glad no Ford was hurt in the filming of this blog! love you guys -- B

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterbenZone

Grace.

All I see is grace.

God is so good to have held up those trees until you left.

Mary

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterowlhaven

Wow. Once again I am at a loss for words.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterchris

Oh. Wow.

Just...wow.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commentermamatulip

Oh thank God you were out of there! I second the WOWs.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTaegen Jones-Burritt

OK. Phew. I think I have the goosebumps all shaken off.

No. No I don't.

First the van and now this? Thank heavens noone was hurt. Just chilling and amazing and oh, my. I'm just speechless.

Phew. Amen.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkelly

i was thinking of how all the things that have been happening to you have shown me over and over again, that you are totally in GOD's hands, your going over a cliff, through a wind storm on the way back home, moving out of the house at the right moment, travelling through huge storms in the east. it makes my heart a little easier about you and your family going to india.

praise GOD from whom all blessings flow! He is soooo good!!!

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commenter#1mama

Rachel: Your mom forwarded these pics for me to see. That looks like a warm, precious little house filled with lots of memories; reminds me of when I had my house up on two acres of bush in Parry Sound, Ont. (it's still there though). It was so special to me. Thank God you were not in it when this happened. Yes, God is so good. Love ya. Rita

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRita Racine

What a merciful, merciful, merciful God!

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commenter#1mama's husband

i just realized that i was holding my breath as i looked at the pictures.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterjosy

I can't imagine experiencing anything like that. To think what could have happened to your family makes my heart ache. God is good. All the time!!

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMarci

Yikes! I'm glad you shared the pictures. I really didn't imagine it to be that crazy, and it is totally God's goodness and mercy that no one was hurt. And is there any way that hutch was carved from the same tree as a certain wardrobe?

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRebeca

Oh my god... That is unfreaken believable. i love you guys so much and i am so thankful that you are safe. God is amazing.
matty

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commentermatty

I only know you & your family from reading your blog this past year and even so on the one hand I did find those pictures VERY, VERY disturbing - thinking about your kids room, thinking of all the "almost-would've-beens",(and just thinking about the SOUND that must have made!!), but then on the other hand it gives me goose bumps and great fantastic hope to see the grace of God at work in such a breathtaking way! (like your van accident) After this I would be hugging my kids so tight their eyeballs would be popping out. Well, not literally, but you know what I mean!

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRory

Man! All our work destroyed! What a severe tragedy!
Just kidding. Thanks for forwarding this to me Rachel. I too am stunned and deeply blessed.

Derek

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDerek Scholl

Oh, honey. Disturbing, frightening, sickening. That said, so, so grateful no one was there.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAlesia

Seeing the destruction makes it undeniable and unquestionable---you were saved. Not many people are afforded an opportunity to see what could have been. You are blessed.

January 29, 2008 | Unregistered Commentergretchen from lifenut

The GH was not disturbed looking at this. (I finally showed him.) He said, "man, that's really cool."

Given that no one died and all that is. I like that the door he framed in is still standing, like a little relic.

I on the other hand am open mouthed and aghast. Good-bye little house. Thank God you did listen, in spite of everything people said to you.

February 1, 2008 | Unregistered Commentercarrien

wow, rae, i am so glad your family is watched by angels and that the person in the house had your hutch to protect him. the thing of beauty is that all things have a purpose, that hutch, your decisions, and the love the universe has for you and your family...i am so glad you are okay.

February 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commentermamie

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