April 4, 2010

In two days it will be the two year anniversary of when my apartment building burnt down.  I remember it like it was yesterday... 

It was Easter Sunday, I woke up at 6:45am to take a shower and get ready for church.  While I was in the shower I smelt a weird smell of something burning.  I worried at first that I had set something too close to the coffee pot so I jumped out to check...nothing.  Still feeling weary I called my sister who manages apartments to ask her what I should do about the smell.  She said to call the apartment complex and let them know.  By the time I went to call them that's when I heard people yelling outside.

My apartment was under the stairs on the left

I opened my front door to clouds of dark black smoke and people yelling to get out immediately!  Okay...wait WHAT?! All sorts of thoughts rushed through my head- "what am I going to grab, where are my school books, I'm supposed to go see Adam today, WHAT AM I GOING TO GRAB??!!" I literally ran out of the house in my slippers, adidas snap ups, and a sports bra.  The only things I had time to grab was my lap top, outfit I had already laid out, hair dryer, straightener, and make up.  Seems like a lot but I lived in a studio so everything was pretty close together.  Also I know the outfit, hair dryer, straightener, and make up seems pretty extreme, but here's why... Adam came home from his tour in Iraq two days prior and I was heading up to Fort Lewis that day to see him for the first time!

I ran out to the parking lot and immediately called my Grandma (luckily she was in town from Seattle because the only family I have here is my younger sister).  I rushed over to her house and quickly got ready. 

My front door where the fire had entered

We went back to the scene to see how everything looked- my friends Monica and Jon also came by.  Luckily the firefighters had stopped the fire just as it entered my apartment.  I cried to them and asked how they did it, I couldn't help but laugh when they replied "That's because we're good at our job!"

If you look closely you can see the smoke on the counter tops.

Nothing in my apartment had "burnt" (besides some vans, which I still have) but everything had to be thrown away from smoke/water damage.

This is where they removed my TV from the wall

Thankfully everyone in the apartment building had renters insurance!  The fire had started in my direct neighbor's apartment from a candle falling over (later it was found that it was arson :( ). 

One thing I definitely learned from this situation is take NOTHING for granted.  It has helped me to not sweat the small stuff...and know that eventually everything will be alright.  I know God brought me through that situation untouched for a reason and I intended to cherish that lesson.  

I also still extend my thanks to everyone who helped me during that time!  I couldn't have done it without ya :)


Oh and in case you're wondering... I still made it to Fort Lewis in time to see Adam!  Even though I smelled like a campfire x1000 there was NO way I was going to miss that opportunity!