Family Time (Sunday)

DAY THREE --- May 23rd (SUNDAY)

It was the beginning of the third day after the fire plus it was Sunday. I was looking forward to a day of some relaxation and spending time with family & Church family. One thing that was not normal for me that Sunday was going to Church in slacks instead of a dress or skirt set. We had several visitors in Church that Sunday and I was glad my sister & brother-in-law (James & Bertha) had come out from Steinbach to take in the service and morale support for us. It was good to get a sisterly hug & we shared some tears as well. Besides me there were 2 more ladies in Church that were in the same apartment. It was good to see them that morning as well and all were doing well. In fact one of them had got a place already just 1 day after the fire. The Lord was working in our midst.
One of the first announcements that morning was in regards to the fire.

(The media "radio & newspaper" had reported quite a bit already about the fire. I was oblivious as to what was being reported due to the fact that I wasn't really listening to the radio and didn't take time to get a newspaper. I also never contacted anyone from the press.)

The Church bulletin had this announcement (*DONATIONS FOR FIRE VICTIMS "OTHER THAN OUR OWN MEMBERS" SHOULD GO TO B & D MUSIC OR MORDEN FRIENDSHIP CENTER. PLEASE CALL THEM IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR SEE DANSELLE.)
Pastor Lyle opened with a prayer for the fire victims.  The morning message was on Matthew 24:1-3. (I came across Church bulletin at the time of writing this post).
Details of the message I don't remember since I didn't write down any notes plus my mind may not have been totally concentrating on the message the whole time. Singing songs from a Hymnal is always food for the soul (at least for me it is). I'm sure we sang songs that morning that were an encouragement for me & one of those songs may have been "THE COMFORTER HAS COME". After the service we talked with a few more people.

I had not seen the apartment since friday noon so I didn't know what they had done for security on the building. James & Bertha wanted to see it as well so then we walked over since it was only 2 blocks from the Church. The apartment building was boarded up along with yellow tape around the building, a white tarp was on the third floor due to an open roof and security people were assigned to the site. We didn't know when we'd be allowed into the building and since it was Victoria weekend, it might only happen on tuesday.
We walk back to our vehicles and  James & Bertha hand over some things from them and their family.  Along with the supplies was a THINKING OF YOU  card that my niece & great niece made,  very precious & thoughtful. We said our good-bye and thanked everyone.
Plans for Sunday lunch was a picnic lunch in the park with my daughter & son-in-law (Melody & Ryan) & granddaughter & my son Phillip.  The weather was fairly nice that day for a picnic. Again it was good to be surrounded by family for part of Sunday and have a leisurely picnic lunch. It was also a good opportunity to take some pictures, especially of granddaughter. After lunch we all went  for a walk back to the apartment for Melody & Ryan & Phillip to see the damage. This time as we're walking around the apartment we also take pictures of it. We also talk to one of the security men and I introduce my family to him since I knew him from several years ago. As we're talking it crossed my mind that he (security man) had been injured in a house fire many years ago and we briefly talk about it.
Before my family heads back home to Wpg I show them a new apartment in town that I had a viewing appointment for on monday.
We still had some time to spare before evening service after we said good-bye, so we get something from Tim Horton's and drive over to Stanley Park. While we're waiting inside at Tim's another couple approach us and ask how we're doing,
At Stanley Park I look for a spot to park the car so we can get a little bit of rest and away from other people. Thankfully the weather was holding out, but it had showered a bit in the afternoon.
After the evening service we head back to Roland and wait for Diedrich & Judy to get home. A bonfire in their back yard was another event of the day and close to the end of the day.

Daily events from the day of the fire definitely were out of the norm for us. We couldn't set a routine since everything was so uncertain until we had our own place, but even then it would take awhile for life to feel normal. Besides a routine I had to adjust to not wearing my glasses which I had got just 2 months prior to the fire & since I was still adjusting to the glasses I was managing quite well without them.
To close the day I'm very thankful for the support from family & Church family.
Thank you Lord for a day of rest. Goodnight.