May 10,2009 7:40 p.m.
Well saints, we had quite the Sunday evening! After a nice nap, I awoke to think about dinner (a rare occasion) and shortly after getting it in the oven, the fire alarm went off. We have water damage everywhere and the kitchen light fixture has just now come crashing down. Please pray. Not sure how long I'll be off line.
9:54 p.m
Firemen have been here and gone. I've called insurance company and right now I have water running heavily in two spots from my ceiling (from water sprinkler system). One bedroom is badly damaged (water in the carpets running into 2nd bedroom) and the computer keyboard on one computer is fried. The phone service isn't working so am relying on cell phone. It will be a long night with big fans blowing out the wet stuff. It could have been much worse. It is mostly water damage. I forgot to mention that the fire (and the release of the building water sprinklers) was caused by a fire in a dryer two floors above us. Five fire trucks attended from several fire halls and managed to contain the smoke damage though the water leaking into the unit is dark and smelly. We appreciate your continued prayers. Please pray they will replace the damaged carpeting. Right now (and as per their usual practice) they only plan on drying them and replacing the underlay but I am concerned about contaminants.
May 13, 2009 5:50 p.m.
We`ve spent one night in a hotel and this will be the second night. We went back to the condo for most of the day to investigate on the happenings and the status of work. Right now the emergency crews are still in the building trying to dry things out. Then I`m told there may be a delay while we wait for a bidding war between contractors to undertake the actual restoration work, this is one reason why our absence from home and having to live in a hotel may take up to two weeks. months.
I have to say that our insurance adjuster is not a pleasant person to work with and he is fighting us on everything. Fire investigators have indicated the computer needs to be replaced, however our adjuster tells us that it can be ``fixed`. Given all the players involved and everything we`ve learned to date, my sense is that there is something more going on. For example, we have learned that the computer company that evaluated the computer damages is not the company that is generally used by our insurance company. Another example, is that we were told by people in the industry that one is usually given a budget to live within as far as temporary lodgings are concerned. In our case, we were given two choices only. One in the heart of the `gay' community downtown and the other hotel was way out in the suburbs, very far from anything. This clearly doesn`t seem right at all. The adjuster would not even provide us with a list of other possible accommodations that we could possibly enquire about. All the clothing and furniture in one room has been damaged by smoke contaminants and water with contaminants. We`ve been told, by the adjusters and their contractors that all this can be cleaned. This is contrary to the fire investigators advice which was to be 'very careful' of contaminated materials and that some things cannot be cleaned. We have even been lied to on several occasions over the past few days. As you can see, things are not going smoothly. On a larger scale, the strata`s insurance company even tells us that they will likely clean the carpets rather than replace them; though this this is about the 4th time possibly, more that the carpets have been water damaged and contaminated in earlier years by problems not of our making. In my view, these carpets are no longer hygienic or safe.
Saints, I know this sounds like a long list of things that I am not pleased about but know that I am not discouraged by what I am dealing with now. I am telling you about the battle we arein. Not only is there a need to do verbal battle and advocate for every little thing which has been keeping us rather busy and tired throughout the last few days, but I also need to do spiritual battle. If you would stand in the gap in prayer for us, that would be awesome.
God knows everything we must deal with in advance and His Word clearly tells us that
``all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.`` Romans 8:28 This is a Word that always comes to my mind when things go wrong, or at least when things`look wrong`in the physical realm.
In a few days, or as the Lord enables, I hope to write a blog about the upside of the fire and what I see are the blessings in disguise. I pray that what I`ve shared so far and in the future will be an encouragement to you as you face any of your own trials. I will also try to update this happenings on the insurance side of things when developments warrant.
The Bible tells us
34:19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Troubles and afflictions are a given, but victory and deliverance are also guaranteed to the righteous men and women of God. Praise His name and Amen! Thursday, May 14, 2009 3:40 p.m. I am praising God. I just spoke to the project manager for the strata corporation and they will indeed replace the carpet with something similar. This is a huge answer to prayer!!! Also, the issues with the personal property adjuster continued over these past few days. I spoke to his boss today and had him removed. Just too much confusion throughout these past few days. I pray that the new adjuster who will call me tomorrow will be fair and just. That is all we want. I praise God for how he is undertaking in this situation. When I return from a brief visit to mom's this weekend, I hope I can begin to make the most of my time here at the hotel. We have a sauna, a gym and an outdoor pool and we are close to the beach front and many shops and restaurants for lovely morning walks and leisurely coffees. I also be using this time of temporary relocation to organize some of my personal papers that I have brought with me to the hotel. Love to all of you. And THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your faithful prayers. God bless.
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