Fire Part 5 - Pictures From My Front Yard

Monday Night - Behind the edge of our cul-de-sac

Tuesday morning - coming up over the hill towards our house.

That helicopter was awesome - dropped water right on approaching fire. Note the little "floating pipe" coming out it's belly - thus the nicknake "Mosquito".

Fire Part 4 - From The Helped to Helping

Steph's Brother and his family are on thier way! The live up in Escondido - and have not been home since Sunday. The hotel they were staying in has booted them :( - so we are happy to help. We have found one portable "pack & play" crib - but still need another. Please call me 540.1221 if you can loan us one for a couple days.

The Fire Part 3- HOME!

The Smokey Moon from our home

We heard from our friends that people who lived in Rolling Hills Ranch were free to return at 5 PM today. The Rose family has returned to our home with a new appreciation for the "little" things. Much thanks to Mitch and Michelle Rosen - who a) allowed us to crash at Midnight, b) Allowed us to "Re-crash" at noon, C) Offered to set up a "Omelette Bar" for Breakfast if we stayed one more day.

I am - honestly - humbled by the many calls of care and concern from all of our friends from across the country. I do encourage you to pray powerfully for our community - and for the many people who continue go without housing - or who have lost thier homes. If you sleep tonight in your won bed - in your own place - you are better off then 500,000 residents of San Diego.

I am going to sleep...

Fire Part 2 - Notes From The Inferno

Jake and Michaela - Midnight Evacuation October 22nd, 2007 -
Harris Fire - San Miguel Ranch

It is about 3 PM. Steph and I went back to the house - and talked a police officer into letting us run into our home and grab some "essential items". We have heard that we will be allowed to return home at 5 - but are not sure. A couple observations- at a moment like this.

1 - I feel so blessed by the great "Neigbors & Friends" we have in our neighberhood. YOU REALLY know the kind of people you live next to during a disastor. So many of us have called each other - knocked on each others doors- kept one another posted. If you have not invested time in getting to know your neighbors - do so BEFORE you need to.

2 -It looks like the Eucalyptus grove to the east of our cul-de-sac - did not catch on fire. Although it appears there were some sparks. Our home ajoins San Miguel Golf Course - and that is where part of the fire got bad today.

3 - I have great sympathy for so many people who are suffering right now - and displaced. Steph's brother - who just bought a dream home in Escondido - has not seen his home in three days - but it is near the "Del Dios highway" - which seems to a bad area. Stephs mom and dad in El Cajon were in danger for a while last night. My Dad just called me - (he lives in Big Bear lake) - and he has been notified that he may have to evacuate. GEEZ, we could't stay wiht family if we wanted to!

Everyone - it looks like my family & home have been spared. However - many others have not. I really encourage you to pray for those who are suffering loss right now. And you can bet Rancho Vista will do SOMETHING to help one those who have devastated in this fire.

Rose Family Fire Update

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear" Psalm 46:1-2

Thank you to the many friends who have called and inquired about our safety. To be efficient I would like to send out this update vie email. I will update as I am able.

First - Most importantly - Steph, Michaela, Jake and I are safe! It has been a LONG 24 hours.

Last night - as the hill due east of our home was engulfed in flames - we evacuated at about Midnight. I left our family at Mitch & Michelle's home - and went back to our home to keep an eye on things.

This morning we returned at about 7 am. I promptly fell asleep. At 10 am - our neighber pounded on our door. The hill side directly across the street was smoking. Fire trucks, helicopters, police, and #)(@$$#@) "Lookie-Lous".

The police came by with a bullhorn - and told as we are under a "Mandatory" evacuation. We had about 3 minutes to leave.

Now we wait...and hope...and pray. We solicit your prayers - and that you pray for our neighbous and all in our community who are displaced,suffering,or suffered loss.

I will update when I can.

John