March 6 – “A couple of fires”

Chris and I did a two mile walk yesterday.  Sounds rather mundane up front like this, but because of what comes later, it is significant.

 

See, later in the day I was watching some college basketball, when I heard a fire truck whiz by, sirens blaring.  Then another.  and another.  The fire department app sent a notice across my phone.  I turned on the radio and heard that an abandoned house was on fire not far from where we live.  It was a distinct possibility that they would be taking defensive positions rather than risk entering the structure.  This could take a while.  I went right in and changed into fire department gear, told Chris I was going to the scene, and took off.

 

And I almost got to the fire.  Seems one of the 5” hoses (that’s the big ones) was stretched completely across the main street.  The closest working fire hydrant was a long way from the fire.  Traffic was backed up pretty far, primarily with people trying to get down the only road to a major residential development.  The police had the street blocked off in both directions.  I pulled over and began my second long walk of the day, this time to check on my guys. 

 

As I approached it became evident that the fire was far down one direction on the same road that, in the opposite direction led to the housing development.  No homes in danger there, then, but access for those folks trying to get there didn’t look good for some time.  On a positive note, though, the guys fighting the fire actually had it completely out within 15 or 20 minutes in spite of the danger of collapse.  Yet another fine job by the Galveston Fire Department.  I’m proud of you guys.  When they started rolling up hoses, I decided to forego another two-mile hike to the actual fire site, and headed back to the car.  As it turned out, on the way back I became sort of an unofficial public information officer.  I reassured motorists stuck in traffic that it shouldn’t be much longer.  I think I repeated the same words of encouragement ten or twelve time.  Every time I advanced a car length, another passenger side window would roll down and ask for an update.  And thankfully, my message proved to be fairly accurate.  Within ten or fifteen minutes the road was cleared, and traffic was on its way. 

 

Last night we started yet another hike of sorts.  On the way to another fire, of sorts.  I was officiating a wedding on the beach, so we parked at the church and began the walk.  As we turned onto the sand, however, there was no evidence of a wedding in sight.  I assured Chris that we were headed in the right direction, though.  After a few more minutes we were passed by a couple in a golf cart.  They suddenly whipped around and returned to us.  The guy asked, “Are you going to that wedding they have set up on the beach down there?”  We replied that we were, and they graciously invited us to ride with them.  Good thing.  That would have been another mile or more.  They weren’t wedding guests or anything.  Just neighbors out for a drive on the beach.  We thanked them for the ride, and later saw them kind of lurking in their cart during the ceremony.  Hope they enjoyed the ceremony.

 

Speaking of the ceremony, we got started a few minutes late, but not bad for an Island Time wedding.  The bride and groom joined me under a really strong arbor some guys had made just for the occasion.  Four eight by eight posts anchored the thing to the ground, so it was not going to blow away, that’s for sure.  The service was a simple one.  They didn’t even attempt to have music.  The weather was amazing.  Just a little chilly.  Bride and groom did great, and we got ‘em hitched.

 

After the ceremony they had arranged for a limo bus to pick up the attenders and take them to the reception venue – the Tremont Hotel in downtown Galveston.  The “Party Bus,” as it was affectionately dubbed, was available as a shuttle the rest of the evening.  Pretty creative solution to getting everyone there and back throughout the evening.  The reception was pretty amazing, too.  Food was great.  Steak or chicken, and your little name tag had a picture of a cow or a chicken to alert your server.  We did some dancing, of course, and the photo booth became a real fan favorite.  We finally bailed out around 10:30 with Lauren and Ed.  They had their own car, so we didn’t have to wait for the party bus.  Thanks for the ride, guys.  And may God be with you, Russell and Chrissy.

 

Quite the day.  One fire put out and another just begun …

 

Joel 2:12 says, “’Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’”

 

Father, please walk with Russell and Chrissy as they adjust to being husband and wife.  Thank you that their friends and families were there to help them get started in that process.  Amen.