Months of drought in western Virginia and some human carelessness along with high winds caused by an Arctic front, resulted in wildfires which spread across the ridge behind the family farm where I grew up just west of Montvale. By Sunday, my sister, Betty, and her family including our mother and 500 other families were forced to evacuate. They spent the night with family and friends in Roanoke. Even the evacuation on Sunday afternoon was eventful. As they headed west on Interstate 81, winds downed power lines and sparks set off more wildfires. Smoke filled the valley and traffic slowed, stopped and finally had to be diverted to smaller side roads as firefighters fought the flames. The thirty minute trip tripled in duration.

[In a surreal sidebar, Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama had to cancel scheduled campaign visits to Roanoke as winds made aircraft landings impossible.]

Meanwhile back at the farm, so many memories surround these homes, the hills, the woods, the creeks and springs. It is not easy to let go without an eternal perspective. I was challenged by Betty’s attitude as she drove away with a few irreplaceable items like passports and computers. She maintained her attitude of the evening before:

I don’t feel sad or scared — yet!  I intend to lay my head down and go to sleep knowing that my Heavenly Father does not slumber! 

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) (Read more at http://www.xanga.com/PunkyDunks/ )

By Monday morning the winds had died down and the fire had burned out around the homes throughout the neighborhood. They were able to return. No one was hurt. Apparently no homes were lost. We give thanks to the Lord for His care and protection. As you can see below there would not be much defense against wildfires in these homes. Thank you for your support and prayer at this time.  

My sister and brother-in-law’s home, built in 1993

My mother’s home built in 1959 by my parents, grandfather and (considering asymmetrical synergy) me, then a 14 year old.