The Phone Call Every Parent Fears: “THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE!”
My family really debated sharing this. We went back and forth for months. It’s still really hard to watch!
But each time I replay the footage, I see God, in every detail…
That no one was home when the fire started. Charleigh had wanted to stay home from dinner and would have been alone, upstairs in her room. The kids all have fire ladders in their bedrooms. It’s a blessing she didn’t have to use it.
That the kids came home when they did, which prevented our whole home from going up in flames.
That they reacted so bravely and quickly, calling 911 and Brent.
That the kids had the common sense to know it wasn’t safe for them to go into the house. Had they tried, the outcome could have been much worse.
That Brent was so calm throughout it all. He has enough experience in emergency situations to know that panic only adds to chaos. His calmness was a blessing to the kids and me.
That I was able to have the posture of praise and prayer with my hand lifted while watching my husband put out the fire, rather than on my knees in complete defeat. That feeling of helplessness, but also of complete peace – trusting that everything was going to be okay – ONLY comes from Jesus! The “old me” years ago didn’t have that posture. I thank God for the work he’s done in me and my whole family.
That the firefighters who responded (most of whom are volunteers) were so selfless and diligent.
That the flames never touched Quinny’s body and we were able to hug her and bury her on our homestead.
That when Charleigh screamed out “I’m sorry for all my sins, please just save our house, save our animals,” she didn’t say that because she believed the fire was a result of her sins, but rather because she’s been taught to pray that way – praise God for his blessings, confess our sins and seek forgiveness, THEN present our requests to God. It makes me happy to know this is instilled in her and came as second nature, even in such distress.
That our home can be rebuilt and we have so much to look forward to.
That we have such amazing, supportive people in our lives who were open to being used by God to provide support beyond what we could have ever asked for (because we’ve never ask).
I could go on and on.
Most people watch this and feel only heartbreak. I can watch it now and feel immense gratitude for all the ways God blessed us and continues to bless us.
If anything from watching this ring camera footage, let it serve as motivation to prepare your home and your family for emergencies. Make sure your kids are trained to know what to do, especially if you aren’t there. Have a family plan. I pray none of you ever experience anything similar. But we all go through hardships and loss, but I’m telling ya, an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ makes ALL the difference!!!
After some exposure therapy, I’m finally able to share the footage that followed the phone call no parent ever wants to hear: “THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE!”
On March 23, 2026, our family experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. What began as an ordinary family dinner just a few minutes away from home turned into a devastating house fire that changed our lives forever.
In this video, we’re sharing the terrifying moments from the night our home caught fire—from the frantic phone call from our 11-year-old son, to racing home not knowing if our children were safe, to watching firefighters battle the flames. We also share the heartbreaking loss of our beloved dog, Quinny, who had been part of our family for 13 years.
This isn’t just a story about loss. It’s about faith (because God is always good), family, courage, first responders, and finding hope in the middle of the toughest time.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to experience a house fire, or if you’re walking through a difficult season yourself, we hope our story reminds you that even in life’s darkest moments, you’re not alone. He is always with you 🙏🏻
If this video touches your heart, please consider subscribing to our YT channel @ Freedom Forest Farm as we continue sharing our family’s rebuilding journey, homestead life, and the blessings God continues to reveal along the way.
Thank you for watching and for keeping our family in your prayers 🫶🏼
