Exhaustion

Well, we have officially survived for one whole week. Here's hoping we can keep surviving. Sometimes it feels like we will definitely make it through this and there are other moments where we look at each other and wonder if it will ever get better. This is the deepest pit we have ever been in.


I'll give an update, I can't guarantee it will make lots of sense, but well, you know.


::We are meeting with the passport representative tomorrow. We have everything we need except a permanent address. We have filled out all the necessary paperwork. Pray that expedited really means expedited. Thank you to our parents, who made sure we had all the documents we would need - fast.


::We have really hit the wall. The exhaustion has set in. Our bodies feel heavy, our minds feel foggy, and it is difficult to even get out of bed. We are slowly coming out of the shock and the emotions are starting to hit us. I can't even describe how hard it is.


It feels like someone died and I can't figure out who. Remember that. For us, it is like a death. Grief is slow and long and wide and deep. That's part of the reason we can't even think about replacing our things yet - because we are still grieving the fact that our things are gone.


::We *think* all has worked out for the house to rent in Iowa. We will find out tomorrow or Monday. Please pray with us that it will be well. It is a cute little place, close to Kennan's new job, near people who care about us. We really, really need to be in a place that isn't an apartment or a duplex or really anywhere with other people living on top of or beside us. We have some trust issues right now with neighbors, so having a space that is 'ours' is pretty important.


::We are slowly finishing an inventory of everything we owned. Wow-ee can you get a lot of stuff into a little apartment. As things hit us we are shocked all over again. Grandpa's drafting set, Grandpa's carving, the last blanket grandma ever crocheted, Kennan's artwork, pictures of our life, a bird brought back from Russia, an elephant from Thailand, an artwork from Ecuador. Little pieces of life that can never, ever be brought back. Things that can never, ever be replaced. Beautiful pieces of history, now gone. Yes, things are things, but things really matter. God created a beautiful world and enjoying it is part of living a full life. Since we don't own a house and because we have moved so very much, our stuff itself was our home and haven. 


::Some people have had some questions about the donation account through Wells Fargo. Basically, the fund is called the Archer fund through Bridges. If you go into a wells fargo and tell them you want to deposit money, with the account number (listed on the sidebar), they can deposit it. That will then be tax deductible for you. If we receive checks in the mail, I am depositing them to this account as well, just so we can keep track. If you do not bank through wells fargo you will not be able to directly transfer money without a fee. You'll have to actually go to a wells fargo itself.


::If you would like to send something not give something to the account itself, no problem. We are so grateful for everyone's generosity. There are no words to express our full thanks and gratefulness. We feel very loved. Our address here will be in effect for at least 2 more weeks. After that, we're not sure of our address, so we're asking that people send things to my parent's address. 


Our address, for probably 2 more weeks or so, is:
PO Box 1995
Homer, AK 99603
907.953.9005 or 9002


After that, or if you want to make absolutely sure we receive something, send it to:
7135 E 132nd St S
Lynnville, IA 50153


I can't think of anything else. Please keep calling, emailing, texting. It helps us to remember that we aren't alone. We feel very alone and vulnerable, and knowing people care helps to keep us rising above the ashes. Literally.


Pray that we will be able to sift through the rubble soon. Pray for the fire investigator, who is nearing the time he is going to make his report. Pray for us to have clear minds and loving words. Pray that the insurance company doesn't fight. Pray that we keep our sanity, that we don't get sick, and that we keep good track of all of our finances, even in this troubled time.


Thank you for loving us. Please share the blog with people who will pray.