Hotels, Casinos, Airports, and Our Home...

...What do they all have in common? Well, I'll tell you. But first, let's rewind to this morning. The Chief left a few hours before church to attend some leadership meetings. A few minutes after he left, he called me to let me know that there was a really cool, great breeze outside and that I should open all the windows. I was already scrambling to make some church magazine handouts, but right before I left, I ran around and opened all our windows. Sacrament meeting was nice. Buddha was his usual yakkety little self and Bugga made friends with the people behind us. But, as we left sacrament meeting we noticed little groups of people huddling near the doors all on their cell phones. There was also a very pungent fire smell permeating the building. So we glanced outside only to realize that we couldn't see the hillsides around the chapel. We couldn't see much of anything for that matter. And it was then that we started to hear the word "fire" being whispered here and there. So we started asking around and found out that there were rumors of three different locations, one of which was just one street away from our home. But, our bishop called his neighbor and found out that there was a raging wildfire out in the desert near Ramona. The gusting Santa Ana winds were fueling the fire and driving the smoke and soot in our direction. I sent The Chief home between Sunday School and Relief Society/Priesthood to close all of our windows, but it was too late. He came back to report that there was soot and ash all over our couch and living room, all over the boys' dresser in their room...really all over everything since I had opened ALL our windows. And now, our home smells like a hotel, casino, and airport all wrapped up in one sooty package. The sad thing is, there's really no relief in sight. I'm sitting here watching "The Next Iron Chef" with The Chief and listening to the blustering Santa Ana's outside our windows. The wind will just keep bringing all that smoke in our direction for the next few days. We turned on the news as soon as we could and found out that there are dozens of wildfires raging in southern California right now and all are being driven by the strong winds. Governor Arnold (we're on a first name basis because I can't spell his last name) has declared a state of emergency. Our prayers are with all those who are being evacuated because of these fires. I know that in Malibu, many people are being forced to leave their homes. We have friends there, Ryan and Jolene, and we hope that they are okay. In San Diego county, the whole city of Ramona is being asked to evacuate. Welcome to Southern California's yearly Santa Ana's. I hope we get some clean air soon, I've been feeling claustrophobic all day just thinking that I can't escape the soot and ash. I'm grateful my kids don't suffer from asthma. Pray for us. Pray for rain for California.