Update on Fires (again)

When we left yesterday, I looked back behind our apartment building to see the flames coming down the hill. It was scary. Now, watching the news here it is crazy. I thought I was in danger, and we drove away fine. People's cars caught fire (not here at Pepperdine, but other places in Malibu) as they were trying to evacuate. The important thing to note is this: the news and websites keep spinning the Malibu fires as "celebrity homes in danger", etc. Well, so much more goes on here than just things involving celebrities. Malibu is not just about famous people. There are families and students and professors and working people. Many of them lost things, some everything. One of Travis' favorite professors lost his house. I have read and heard that some people were turning their noses up at the situation in Malibu, and some saying things like, "well, they deserve it" or "well, they can afford it." NO ONE deserves this. It is not ok to happen to anyone, I don't care who you are. Just because someone has money doesn't mean a devastating fire is not a big deal. And, not everyone here in Malibu has money.

We are actually back at our apartment on Campus now. We got home not too long ago. All roads are blocked off that lead to Pepperdine, so we thought it would be difficult to get back. But, at the road block we told the police we were trying to get back to our apartment. They asked for Travis' student ID and let us right through. So, here we are.



As far as other things go...the church where I work (worked), Malibu Presbyterian Church, was completely distroyed. We had some dear preschool pets, Rosy the rabbit, Sweetheart the guinea pig, and 4 ginormous goldfish - and they were all lost. It is terribly sad. I went to a meeting this morning at my boss's house with a few of the other preschool teachers and the pastor of the church. The church leaders are in good spirits, and confident that good things will come out of the situation. They had excellent insurance, and things will be covered. As the pastor stated, "the building burned, but the church didn't." And, that is the attitude they are taking. Which is good. So many churches in the area have offered help and there are places where they can hold services on Sunday mornings.



As far as the preschool goes, there are options they are exploring, and many locations have offered help for that cause as well. So, according to my boss, I am (and the other teachers) on a "vacation" for it looks like 2 weeks (at least) until they can figure things out.



It was very sad to watch the church building burn on the news. Especially the preschool wing and the playground.

This is a picture of the edge of the playground. The little house there is in the sandbox, well, it was. It is no longer. The preschool staff will probably go to the site of the preschool on Friday to check things out, and kind of grieve I guess. So, that will be an interesting day.

Travis' parents are supposed to come out here on Wednesday, and I have my first baby shower on Sunday. That should be fun, and hopefully all of the fires will be over by then. The Santa Ana winds just make the fires so much worse because they are so strong, hurricane force at times. But, they are supposed to go away by tomorrow evening...so, here's hoping.