A Miracle in Alpine

 

Two days ago, this was the view from my front porch—a fire burning in the mountains just a couple of miles from our home.

Parts of Alpine were evacuated, and incredible firefighters were on the scene in minutes, but Utah is in the middle of a dry patch (more than 80 days with no measurable precipitation), so the fire burned steadily through the night and into the day yesterday. We watched it creep up one peak and down into a valley and up onto the next peak. . . away from our home, so we weren’t worried for our safety, but so concerned for our neighbors and friends. And knowing that with a shift in the weather and wind, it could be us evacuating just as easily.

We’ve been praying for rain even before the fire started, but I have to admit, our prayers have taken on new meaning since Tuesday. And we’ve heard from concerned friends and family from around the country, telling us they were praying as well. But after looking at the weather forecast (small chance of rain), I really didn’t expect much. . . .

You all know I’m a sunshine girl, but when I woke up this morning to little “spits” of rain, I felt such gratitude. And when those spits became a soft but steady rain that lasted for hours, I was overcome. Tears have come to my eyes several times today, and I had to acknowledge an answer to prayers and a miracle in Alpine.

The sun is supposed to return tomorrow, along with the heat. And our Alpine fire isn’t completely contained, but amazing progress has been made today, and hopefully a fire that could have lasted for days and had disastrous consequences will be out very soon.

Thank you, all, for your thoughts and prayers, and know that—even when our answers aren’t as swift or recognizable as our Alpine rain today—there is a loving God watching over us.

Comments

[Kristine John]

Thank you for sharing this experience. It is true...God loves us & works miracles in our lives. It's important for us to acknowledge them & thank Him for them.

[SHH]

Thank you for sharing this. We live in Utah & have been praying. It's nice to hear your account of the miracle. I'm glad I was inspired to suggest that my son offer a prayer of gratitude. May people - especially firefighters - continue to be blessed.

[Jenny]

I'm so glad the rains came. My youngest son is a federal firefighter. He's on the Carson Hotshot team in Taos, NM. It's been a rough year. He's been in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. They work fourteen days straight for fourteen hours a day before they have a mandatory two days off. We are also praying for rain in the west, even though here in the northeast we don't need it. We will keep you in our prayers as we pray for Dan and all the firefighters.

[Debi Pippin]

We serve an Awesome God and yes he hears our every prayer. Thankful that you are safe and your prayer was heard. Hope you get much more rain even though you enjoy the sunshine; a healthy rain is always cleansing and makes me think of renewel. I hope the pretty countryside is restored and no one had to be evacuated. Kudos for a quick response from the fire dept as well. Those guys are heros in my book.
Debi Pippin

[Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek]

We just spent two weeks at my parents' house in Wyoming, and the smoke from the fires there was terrible. The Christian summer camp that I attended every year during my childhood burned to the ground last week. It is a total loss. They had not qualified for insurance due to the remote location of the camp (near Laramie Peak.) They can rebuild, but it will be years and years before the location is beautiful again. Everybody please say a prayer for the firefighters and for RAIN every time you think "man, it's HOT today!" Things could be much, much worse!

[Laura]

As the wife of a firefighter here in Pennsylvania, my heart goes out to all of the men and women fighting the fires all over our country, especially with the dry weather continuing. I will offer prayers up for the safety of all, both firefighters and those in harms way. Makes me think of one of my favorite quotes: "Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway." ~Mary C. Crowley

[Christina]

Thank you for sharing this amazing story. What a scary sight you have from your porch. That was us last summer, here in Texas. So many people in our area lost homes and many more evacuated. Our burn bans are still up and I only pray it doesn't get as bad as it did last year. Utah is in my prayers. Don't lose faith and just keep praying.

[Dona Stallworth]

We watched a similar situation last summer from our back deck knowing that the fire had jumped the river between us in two places! The losses and devastation in Bastrop, TX were even worse. God does find ways to get our attention when our energies stray in the wrong direction and bring our thoughts back to Him. We still say prayers for the brave men and women who fought our fires last year and for the blessing of rain. May those of you in Utah, Arizona and other dry areas feel the Lord's blessings soon.

[Wendie Waldman]

So thankful for Alpine's miracle of rain, and that your home is safe. Your picture gave me chills. Years ago I was put on notice to be ready to evacuate. That day changed my life. And being married to an aerial wild land firefighter (now retired 3 years) for almost 19 years has given me great respect for our firefighters on the ground and in the air. They are true heroes. We've had 2" of rain since July 3rd and are hoping for a lot more during this monsoon season.

[Tanya H]

I live at the other end of that valley where we had been suffocating in smoke from the other fires and could see the Alpine fire from our house...when the rain came my kids were out dancing in it. It was an honest-to-goodness miracle that answered many, many prayers. I'm glad you chose to share this. :)

[Carmela Gibson]

When I saw the photo on your blog my first thought was "Oh no not again!" We have had our fill of smoke and wildfire here in Colorado Springs and my heart truly goes out to those that have to evacuate and who battle the fires. I am glad the weather turned and helped with containment, but I will continue to pray for this fire to be completely out.

[Beth Steel]

Shelli
This is the first opportunity that I have had to read (catch up on) your blog for a few weeks. As I'm sitting in the hotel lobby before leaving in the morning, and reading about your Alpine Miracle, I find myself tearing up a bit, too. I am so thankful to be a part of Stampin' Up!, and that you make all of us feel like we are a part of your family as well. I'm still in awe of all that all of you do to make the Convention experience so magnificent for us. I had THE BEST TIME this year, strolling about on my scooter and taking in all of the activities, finding all of my convention friends and meeting even more new ones, and getting some snapshots of the babies. Shanna is quite the little Mommy already! I learned so much this year to apply to my LIFE!!! Just wanted to say goodbye 'til next year. Now, I need to really get packing. I leave at 4:30 in the morning...Take gentle care