This morning Edison was sleeping peacefully in his crib, I was laying in bed enjoying the quiet time while reading a good book when a banging at the front door startled me. I went down to find a fireman standing on my stoop... he said "There is a gas leak in behind your house. You need to get everybody out of the house now and start walking up the road". Well, needless to say, thats enough to get the adrenaline going. I never again want to have to rip a sleeping baby out of his crib as I run out the door towards safety.
Jonathan, Edison, Albert and I immediately rushed out the front door and were greeted by the very loud sound of natural gas spraying out of a pipe, and the very strong odour of it in the air. Although I wish it was under different circumstances, I guess this is one way to meet all of the neighbours.
I stood and looked down the street at the two firetrucks and multiple police cars parked on the road. I watched the firemen quickly working to stop the leak and I prayed that God would protect us, the firemen, and our neighbours....and that my house wouldn't blow up. I was overwhelmed with gratefulness for these courageous men in uniform.
We watched and waited and talked with the neighbours and after a while we were approached by a fireman who informed us that they could be working on it for quite some time.... up to a couple of hours. We were told that we could go back into the house to quickly grab anything we needed, close any open windows, and then get back out. It's an interesting feeling to know you have two minutes to get whatever you want out of your house and then go. What do you get? Matthew 6:19 went through my mind: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven". I really did feel like there was nothing in the house that I had to grab. They are all just things, and things can be replaced or lived without. My concern was for our safety. I quickly got a few diapers and clothing items for Edison, Jonathan closed the windows, and out we went.
We decided that standing on the sidewalk for two hours didn't sound like very much fun so we drove to our neighbourhood coffee shop, sat and had coffee for a while. Afterwards, I drove Jonathan home to drop him off at his car so that I could head out to Abbotsford to visit family for the day. We arrived back at our house, happy to see it still standing, and the firemen packing up their hoses... crisis averted. I could breath deeply again. Thank you Jesus.
The day was fun. My sister Sara and her husband Ryan are here for a visit (from the far-away land of Fort McMurray). We went out to my grandparents house and had a nice time visiting with them. We went back to my mom's house, ate an awesome Mexican feast for dinner and watched the Canucks play game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Yes, it was exciting as the game began. Yes, it was stressful game for some (Ryan). Yes, it was disappointing that we lost. But yes, it is just a game. And what has happened since that game ended makes me very sad.
Overturned vehicles, port-a-pottys thrown around in the streets, cars set on fire, riot squads, police cars being destroyed, fights breaking out, people throwing beer bottles at the police and others, tear gas and rubber bullets, smashing of windows, stores being looted, police dogs barking, utter disregard for fellow human beings. Black smoke of more fires than can be counted mingle with the white smoke of tear gas in the air. The effects of a dangerous mob mentality.
I sit here and listen to the news as it happens live. Over three hours have past and the police still struggle to get the crowds under control. My heart aches. I pray for people and their safety, especially the ones who went downtown to enjoy a hockey game and just wanted to get out safely.
I read through people's Facebook statuses and everybody seems shocked, in disbelief, embarrassed, saddened. I just keep thinking of how we live in a fallen world, and some days that is painfully more obvious than others. This is one of those days where it is oh so painfully obvious. How some people can think that doing this is okay, is beyond me.
When the riots first broke out, I watched on TV as the police went in to action against a multitude of people. I have never in my life, before today, been so thankful for the men and women in uniform who's job it is to protect us. Twice in one day I am so grateful for their courage. They are heros. Because of them, my house is still in one piece, my family and I are safe. Although things downtown are bad, without them it could have been so much worse. My thoughts are with them tonight as I lay down and try to sleep.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Thanks for this post Michelle. I'm glad that your family is safe. It has been a difficult time for our city and to glean any understanding of why some people chose to behave the way they did. It does make my heart glad though that from all the horrible events of that night many are taking a stand and went out to help clean up the mess and show the world that the behaviour of a few does not reflect the thoughts and feeling of a whole city.
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