One Year Later

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I've been thinking about this blog for a week.  I've been wondering what I should write, how I should write it, what I should say.  Today makes a year since we lost everything.  If you don't know our story, you can read it here. ( you can also click on the label "The Fire" in the right column to read our journey)

I sit here now and still don't know what I'm going to write.  There are so many things I want to say.

God is so good.  His mercies never cease.  It's hard to comprehend that it was a year ago today.  This time last year I was hanging out with my family, with no idea what was about to happen.  In some ways it seems like forever ago.  In some ways it feels like a week ago.  I don't think about the fire every day.  Seasons come and go, and in each new season we have had new reminders of what we lost.  I remember the first time it was cold outside, and I went back inside to get a jacket and realized I didn't have one.  I remember when we were packing for vacation and realized we didn't have swimming suits or flip flops.  We still look for things and then realize they aren't here anymore.

Time is a strange thing. 

In the midst of a trial, I know God is there.  We couldn't have made it without him.  I look back at the peace I had and know he had his arms around me.  After the trial, I can look back and see how we have overcome.  How He has overcome for us.  I see the affects of his power, his protection, his plan. My children have been healed from their nightmares and fears.  He has healed their little hearts.  Every now and then, they bring up something that was "burned in the fire" which gives us another reason to talk, once again, about how Great God is. 

I remember all the miraculous ways God provided for us this last year.  I think of the grief of loosing all our precious memories, but being so thankful.  I was overwhelmed with Thankfulness that our family walked out of that house and escaped the fires.  Thankful we could make new memories.  "Stuff" didn't have much meaning anymore, after we walked away with our lives.  Even if we had lost our lives in that fire, we know we would be living in eternity with him.  Because he spared our lives, we have a clearer vision for our future.
I sit here now and pray for all those other families who lost everything that day.  I wonder how those families that don't know the Lord made it.   Are their families still together?  Are they happy and restored?  I have been praying for them all year long, and somehow feel we are connected, but will probably never meet them.   These families make our mission clearer. 


The Cobb Family adventure will not be defined as a story of tragedy.  It will be defined as a story of Overcoming faith, and unending gratitude.  We are overcomers and will continue to move toward the plan and purpose He has for us.  We have a clearer vision for our future-- to tell others about Him and share His joy in every circumstance. We need to tell everyone about Him.  We need to tell them about the one who restores, the one who heals, the one whom Joy comes from.   There is hope in the cross.  There is hope through our Savior. 

I am filled with Joy today.

Joy-- that I am smack dab in the middle of God's purpose.

Joy-- that I have my family to make memories with.

Joy-- that comes from a new perspective on everything that we have, or do, or see.

Thank you for your prayers, texts, cards, emails, gifts, and friendships this past year.  We are so thankful for our family, church family, and friends. 

Thanks for following our Adventure.  We are happy to have you along for the ride.

( If you have instagram or twitter, you can follow our story with the hashtags:  #cobbfamilyadventure  and #lifeafterafire )