Sunday, October 28, 2007

Something Amazing Out of Something Horrible




(Alyssa is the one holding the teddy bear with the Governator. Denise is the one in pink with the Governator.)
"Let me do it! No let me do it! No I'm going to do it!"....the previous was a conversation between Brandy and Coby before Coby tied Brandy up and started pounding on the keyboard.

It's Sunday night and Brandy just returned home from her fabulous trip to L.A. where her family threw her (us) the "greatest baby shower one could ever have." All she has done since the plane landed was praise our sister-in-law Lucy and everyone who helped put the shower together. And after seeing everything she brought back, it's truly unbelievable how much greatness and love we have for our family and friends. And little Neil is truly going to love all of his gifts.

So we're hanging out and I happened to look up on the internet all the homes that were burned down in San Diego. Brandy's matron of honor and her family live in a place called Ramona that we know was hit pretty hard by the fires. The Lamborns (Dan, who married us, Denise, Phillip, our ring bearer, Lauren, our flower girl and Alyssa--remember her name) live in Ramona.

So I asked Brandy to go find their address in her palm pilot and we found homes that were burned down on the Lamborns street but according to Brandy's address, their house was spared.

Brandy picked up the phone to call Denise and it turns out, they did indeed lose their house and all their possessions.

But here's the cool part...when Brandy called Denise, they were in the middle of a showroom, shopping for an RV. This would be a potential place to live while they figured out where they were going to go. But Denise told Brandy, "google Alyssa Lamborn. I'll call you back in a few minutes."

We did and the first result we find says this...

Text of president's weekly radio address - MarketWatch
At one recovery center, I met an amazing young girl named Alyssa Lamborn. Alyssa told me, "I lost my house, but I didn't lose my home -- because my family.............."

If you want to listen the G.W. (as we're calling him now), click on this link.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071027.a.mp3

Alyssa got to meet the President and the Governator, who she said to his face, "you're the greatest governor we've ever had." To which Arnold (as we are now calling him) responded, "get this girl anything she wants."

She was also on the Today Show, the Early Show and all the local TV channels in San Diago (Ron Burgundy reference). Which in German means....never mind.

Not bad for a 10-year-old! What an amazing experience she'll be able to tell her kids and grandkids about.

Oh, Denise said they got out safely and their animals, which included dogs and horses are all safe as well. And by the way Dan was on a mission trip to Thailand and returned Tuesday to nothing standing but a mailbox and the fronts steps to the house. Denise did tell the mailman to keep the mail coming since they're going to rent the house down the street.

Another blessing from God was two weeks ago, Lauren, their oldest daughter who had just turned 16, needed to be added to their insurance policy. While there, the insurance agent told them, we need to look at your policy and re-adjust things after the 2002 fires. Your policy needs updating, he said.

They decided to do it on the spot, they were told to clear a 200 foot perimeter around the house, the adjustor came out and took pictures last Wednesday and the policy was updated. Their house burned down on Sunday night at midnight. If that wasn't an act of God, I don't know what is.

So it's all good for them, they're going to rent a house down the street from their house that burned, while they determine what type of house they're going to re-build. They figure it will be 18 months. They did lose everything but have each other and their animals, and a few pictures, which were wedding pictures that Phillip said, "mom you should take these."

(This is Brandy, I had to add this in.)
I spoke to Denise last night and let me tell you... her attitude and outlook on this whole event is just amazing! She truly is filled with the Holy Spirit and His joy.....it's not everyone who can talk to you a week after they lost EVERYTHING, and be joyful during their sufferings. I don't even think she is looking at this as a 'suffering.' Denise told me that if she could go back in time to 2 weeks ago and have the opportunity to change what happened to her and her house...she would not do it. The events that have happened since the fire have been so amazing for her and her family....she said it just shows that God is totally in control and He works all things together for His glory.

And in other news, thanks and love to everyone who came to the shower and "showered" baby Neil with all the gifts. It's truly overwhelming and we love you all.

Nothing new to report on the adoption but hopefully we'll have some news soon.

Love,
Coby and Brandy.

4 comments:

Deb said...

What an amazing story of provision for your friends.

Glad you had a good baby shower.

Jane and Jim said...

AWESOME story! What fun, you have connections!!

Ryan and Amy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ryan and Amy said...

Wow - you have so much going on. That is a GREAT story. Sounds like a wonderful shower also.