Blog Five

This is Sky here: [written to Arlington Countryside Church's men's ministry director)

We need a lot of HELP moving on Saturday, 11/22/08 9AM- 11:30 AM, to NTH (our NEW Temporary Home) -- 510 W. Tanglewood Drive, Arl. Hts. Go EAST out of our driveway [3026 N. Kennicott.] to our rental home for the months. 9-11 volunteers would make quick work of the move.
Needed:
3 - "Take Charge" individuals:
Coordinator (to recruit and direct)
Team Leaders (A&B) with vans (SUVs or station wagons) to direct and assist other volunteers
A-Team -- from LQ (LaQuinta, Room 228) to NTH -- .8 mile:
2-4 members to help load vehicle and deliver to NTH.
B-Team -- from Hugo's to NTH
2-4 members to load 9 boxes and 10 feet of clothes on hangers and deliver.
When delivering to NTH, please use "bucket-brigade" format (ideally, 2 people outside unload van and 2 inside to place items where directed by ELF, Sky or their designee).
Someone to oversee 3 grandkids (ages Kdgn, 1st, & 5th grade) @ NTH with suggested activities (or create your own).
Pizza is on us @ Barnaby's afterwards -- we'll order your favorite before we leave NTH.
In addition we will need some "household items" to set up "housekeeping" (items to loan to us for 6 months to a year; or give to us to keep and we will probably pass items on to Beverly House or Goodwill when we move out). We are not seeking new items -- just the kind you would find at a Goodwill Store.

Possibilities (Bring to NTH Saturday or to church on Sunday):
Throw rugs
Front door (large) Back door (X-LARGE) Garage door (large)
Kitchen sink 3 bath by sink 3 in front of toilet
Area rugs with protective pads -- 1 for living room - large, 1 for dining room
Bookcase (maybe two)
2- tables (like ACC had before the new round dining tables)
2-5 chairs for above
2-5 Wall hangings/pictures
1-2 electric heaters
couch pillows
Thanks so much, we really appreciate anything you can do for us.
In His Love,

Sky & Ellie Findlay

Blog Four

The Findlays are not moving to the house at 510 W. Tanglewood on Friday as thought earlier. The rental company that is providing some furniture will be bringing it on Saturday instead. The Findlays need some help on Saturday moving from the motel to the house (all the things that they have taken over there in the past weeks). A van would be very helpful.

Some family needs: bathroom rug, card table with chairs, books/games for 7 to 11 year-old grandchildren who spend a great deal of time at their house while the mother works, a computer desk.

Meals that could be provided for Saturday and Sunday would help a great deal in transitioning into a house. Please call Sharon Nelson or Sharon Dykes for any details regarding the above items.

Thank you for your help during this traumatic time. It isn't easy to watch things go up in smoke or get drenched in water.

Blog Three

Sky and Ellie have found a house to rent. It is in their neighborhood. They will be able to look down the street and see their
property and all that will be going on there in the next many months.

The insurance company has said they will be delivering rental furnishings for the house on Friday. So they will probably be in the house by Friday of this week. That will be a great relief for the family; a new settled feeling.

Pray about the many decisions the Findlays have to make on a daily bases.

You may have seen the video of the fire on YouTube. The same video, plus an extended news story is also available at: arlingtoncardinal.net/fireblog.
Scroll down to House Fire On Kennicott... To see the story scroll below the video screen to the word - more
That will bring up a new screen, scroll down to the story below the video screen.

Blog Two

This one is especially for dog lovers: The Findlays could use help with someone taking care of their dog during the day. At the present time it stays in a crate in the motel room while they are gone all day. It is a small dog; not a tiger! Hope it doesn't bark too much at the motel!

First Blog

On Sunday morning (9th), about 3:15 am, Sky woke up hearing a noise downstairs. As his grandkids were staying overnight he thought maybe one of them was down in the kitchen. When he got to the kitchen he noticed light coming in the front window. He realized there was a fire. He called 'fire, fire' to wake up the four others who were sleeping upstairs. Fortunately everyone got out safely as the fire consumed the garage and spread into the attic of the kitchen and living rooms.

You can view a video of the fire and all the fire-fighting equipment from Arlington Heights and neighboring towns at this address:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtlnWMg-120



They are currently staying at a local hotel and working with the insurance companies and restoration people. Within a few days three large bags of their clothes were cleaned and returned to them, so they are doing okay in that way.

We hope to keep you posted about particular ways in which you and others could assist them. Call Sharon Dykes if you wish to pass on information for the blog. You can also click on 'Comments' at the end of the blog to pass on words of encouragement or information that might be helpful to them. As soon as the Findlays get a new computer you will also be able to email them.

Pray for physical and emotional strength at this intense time. They are looking for a house to rent, preferably in the north Arlington Heights area. It will probably be about a year before they can return to their own home.