Wildfire

 The photos in the following post come from news sources, friends and family that took photos, as we were not here for any of this part.

  March 5th we got word that the area right by where we built our home sweet hub, was on fire.  All our neighbors were being asked to evacuate.....
  We started praying and continued the rest of the day, the kind where you breathe in, and breathe out a prayer.  
  They were able to get it out, and watched hot spots for a while, but a few days (a day?) later, it all flared up again, WORSE this time by horrific winds.

   March 6th - The wildfire is 0% contained as of this morning.  Firefighters are weary they have been fighting fires for 4 days straight.  At this point we had no word on how many structures were destroyed. 10,000 people have been evacuated out of homes at this point, and schools are cancelled.

  Our area was evacuated again, and this time people were reporting seeing flames from their deck before pulling out.  Things were getting bad bad bad!  We had heard nothing about our property, but continue to remain hopeful that all was well.

  We were praying without ceasing for the firefighters and families effected by this tragedy!   These are the last photos we saw of the area close to our home for days and days until they started letting people back in.....

   We had no idea if our property was fine, or if there was damage from flying debris, or the fire itself.  Because our streets grasses burned up to the property line that first fire, we were hopeful that helped to prevent new blazes.
   We felt so helpless! But if we were home there is nothing we could've done anyhow. Crazy feeling...so we lived it all through news outlets and facebook posts of friends.

   March 6 evening Facebook post on my wall....

  Fire crews are forming a line on north edge of Hutchinson along the road. Standing in the gap between the city and fire. They just told the firefighters to only fight the fires you can reach from the road!!! THIS JUST GOT REAL.
  A HUGE area of the rural properties is being evacuated, literally from our old house north east of town, to our new property north west.  WOW.

  Oh Father, we cry out to you for rain, for protection, for your power and presence. Wake the people that need to get OUT, grant safety for those traveling away from the fires now. Give the firefighters energy and stamina that only comes from you, protect them, Father. Protect the people, the animals, and the homes in the path of this blaze.
Calm the winds with your hand, Jesus. We need you now, to surround Hutchinson, Ks with your protection, mercy and grace. We ask all this in your mighty name.....Amen. (so be it!)

  I am far far away from Oz, but my hometown is near my heart tonight! I will pray long and hard for you all! 
  I am praying over our home there as well, that was already spared once today, praise you Father! xoxoxo ~T

From fb news outlet
"At 7 a.m. the fire was 0% contained and estimated to be 1/2-1 mile wide, 25 square mile area was evacuated and most are still unable to go home."

  There were other fires too, all at the same time, in Oklahoma and Texas!  We are so thankful for the fire fighters and the days and days they were out there risking their lives to save peoples homes!
  There are some heart wrenching stories about total loss of lives, animals and livelihoods in those ranching areas.  Our town lost 7 houses total and we were told that only one life was lost, from smoke inhalation.  It could've been so much worse!

  We saw SO many houses with burned marks up to green grass where sprinklers and fire fighters kept homes safe.  It was within 15 feet of many homes!!!!  

 Including our neighbors house.....

  We found out the fire had burned down our road, literally straight for us.  The winds switched and the blaze turned left, went around our precious neighbors home, and kept burning the entire prairie behind her place.
​
  WOW.   Wow wow wow.  Sometimes, there are just no words.

  March 23

  As we walked our property today for the first time since the wildfires, I had complete chills and utter disbelief, at how close the fire was to our place....

  I was even more shocked to see 3 distinct burn spots out back, that clearly never spread. As in, we can see where the log burned but nothing to the left or right is touched.  I can only assume the fire fighters were near by (Thank you to those hard working heros!) or the hand of the Father is miraculously shown here! 

  And GLORY to my Father in Heaven for sparing our home so clearly......the closest tree that burned, is 20 feet from our shed.

  I am also so blown away and blessed by the nudging of a spirit filled friend, who called to encourage us to plead the Blood of the Lamb around our belongings, WEEKS before this occurred.

  I have no doubt this is the answer to that prayer and testimony of the POWER of the blood fo the Lamb! Thank you, Jesus!

  Lots happening around here this week, the builder came. I will show you photos soon! :)

​ Hugs, T
 
Here is a slideshow of the trees from our backyard: