Let's Hope It's A Good One Without Any Fear

I was sent this e-mail the other night.

Last night was one of the most horrific nights I've ever witnessed.

My family and I had just gone to bed and were well asleep. The temperatures were already well below zero and it was expected to be one of the coldest nights so far this winter. Sometime between 10:30 and 11:00 pm, we got a phone call. The caller was in hysterics and screamed that their house was on fire and to call the fire department. So we called and then proceeded to put clothes on over our pajamas, not really knowing how bad the fire was or exactly which neighbor's house it was. Only minutes later, the neighbors (the Karpers, for those of you who know them) pulled up into our driveway and flew into our house screaming frantically. For those of you who don't know them, they are one woman (divorced from a very deranged husband), with her 4 kids, one who is only 16 and has a baby (about 1 year old). They burst into our house carrying the baby--who was badly burned, hardly breathing and not making a sound. The other three had blood on them. They also weren't wearing any socks, shoes, coats, hats, or anything except pjs. One of them only had shorts on. Luckily, my Mom is an EMT and we were able to call over the radio for an ambulance. The baby started crying finally (a very good sign). I went outside to try to flag the ambulance to our house. Have you ever known what it was like to feel absolutely helpless? To know that something really awful is happening and there's nothing you can do? That's how I felt when I stood on the road watching their house burn to the ground, just waiting for help to come. I have never witnessed such a fire in my life.

The ambulance finally came and took the baby and her mother. Later, another EMT came and took the rest of the family. Luckily, 2 of their children weren't even at home for the night. The rest of us neighbors stood outside with the fire department, in subzero weather, trying to help in anyway we could. It took almost 4 hours to put out the flames and the house is still smoldering this morning, with nothing left but some of the log walls. There are even icicles on the charred logs from the water they used to put out the fire. There is nothing left in the house but rubble. None of their possessions even survived.

When I stood on the road waiting for the fire department, I saw how lucky they are to all be alive. I have no idea how they got out of the house fast enough. The baby was transported to Madison last night by Med-link. The mother of the housedhold (the baby's grandmother) was treated for cuts she got when she broke the window out to get the baby from the burning house. They all had frostbite from being out in the cold with no shoes. But they are all alive.

This family has absolutely nothing left. They were very poor to begin with, the mother's husband was an alcoholic and they divorced years ago. She barely has a job. They need all the help they can get, which is why I'm begging you to keep them all in your prayers.

One more thing I would like to add: This really shows us the true meaning of Christmas. When your house has burned down and all your possessions are gone up in smoke, it's what you have left that really matters: your family and your faith. It's not about gifts and material things. I saw it last night. Life is the most precious thing God has ever given us.

Merry Christmas and please keep your prayers flowing for them,

LAUREN

You heard her.