Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Chinese Drywall in our house - we moved out

I have not been able to bring myself to post anything about this until today. It has all been so overwhelming and it still feels like I'm living in the twilight zone or something. We found out a couple weeks ago that we have Chinese Drywall in our house. I won't get into the details. You can read about it HERE on Travis' blog. It is a very scary thing. The gasses it omits corrodes copper, tarnishes silver, ruins ac units, appliances, electrical outlets, and who knows what to our bodies. I won't go into details about all of our personal health and home issues. We have filed a class action lawsuit. Yesterday we felt the urgency to vacate our home. We left to stay with friends of ours, Mark and Mary Similey (our youth pastor). They are an awesome family who has opened up their home to us. We plan on moving into a rental property on Saturday. I am glad to be out of a toxic house. I will sleep like a baby tonight knowing we are all breathing clean air.

Yesterday my dad told me a precious story. He said, do you remember when you were 5 years old and we were visiting at a friend's house? You came out of the back bedroom covered in blood from head to toe. (I do very strongly remember this moment - even that I was wearing a white dress). He said everyone around you was panicked. It looked like a horrible situation. Your mom even threw your baby brother on the couch (sorry Kev). My dad said, but I stayed calm. I picked you up and set you on the counter and began to clean off the blood. I wiped it away and began looking for what happened. And when I found it, it was just a very small puncture on your head where you got hit.

He said, I am your father and God is your Heavenly Father. He is not panicked but staying calm. He is wiping away the confusion about what has been going on in your health and your house. And it is going to be alright. What a precious memory to remind me of and how calming that story was to me. I tear up every time I think about it now.

We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we do know that God does. That he is in control. That he is calm right now and wants us not to worry. It is easy for me to let my emotions get the best of me during the day. I think about how Blake was born in that house, how my in-laws lived behind us, and how we lived there longer than any other house since we have been married. But I am also reminded that God's plan is bigger. That I need to just trust him. He is picking me up, wiping away the confusion, and keeping me calm.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a parent and grandparent, I've been reminded over the last few days that as much as I love all of you, your Heavenly Father loves you even MORE than I do! That's a lot of love!!! - Grammy/Mom

BrittanyWebb said...

Kelly, I realize the commute to work would really stink, but there is no Chinese drywall in the ATL, so you guys are welcome to come up here to visit...or stay. You know, whatever. Kidding. We love you guys, and are very happy that you have made some decisions and are moving forward. Enjoy your clean air.

jennifer lynn said...

hey kel... so sorry about all this stink... no pun intended! i will be praying for you and that your family will have favor.. God will work it out! i wonder if this is why your computer crashed.. didn't it crash a couple times? have ya'll been sick?
move to augusta.. brandon will build you a house :o)

Amy Elizabeth Robinson said...

I am so sorry for what yall are going through. I wish I could do something to help. Come stay with us! How fun with all the kids!! I love you and I'm praying.

Unknown said...

Praying for you guys, Kelly! You are one strong lady and Jesus has his hand on your family, that's for sure!

Anonymous said...

Wow, the one place you are suppose to feel safe with your family! I hope everything works out for you guys. If you want to come for a visit while you are finding a place to stay you can always come back to your 1st home in good ole Toledo! We are suppose to have 4-6inches of snow this weekend!! How did you find out that you had this drywall? I am surprised with all the permits and inspections needed to build a house that they didn't find anything while the house was being built. We will be thinking about you.

Kori said...

Kelly, I just saw this, and I am so sorry. What a mess. I hope that you are well, and have secured a new place to stay while your house is repaired.

Take care, friend! I'll keep you in my prayers. :)