I had been working on some projects at our camper just outside of town and decided to stay the night there so I could finish what I had been working on the next morning. At about 4:00 a.m. Friday, April 13 I was awakened suddenly by my wife’s grandfather telling me I had to get home because my house was on fire. That was all I knew.

It’s a 15 minute drive from our camper home and it was the longest drive of my life. I kept wondering if my wife and son were alive, if they had gotten out of the house, how bad is the fire, how did it happen? This feeling of uncertainty and helplessness is a feeling that I will never forget and I can say has changed me for life.

I was very relieved to find my wife and 18 year old son safe when I got home but in shock when I saw my family’s house. I wasn’t there but I was told the house went up fast. In less than 15 minutes we had lost everything inside our home and garage...

We know how lucky we are and that God was watching over us that night not only because we are all safe but because of the treasures He spared. When walking around what was our bedroom, before the house was demolished, I found my wife’s wedding ring and the pearls she wore in our wedding unharmed along with our wedding album which was all burnt on the outside but the pictures inside are perfect. I was also able to save the last gift my father had given Emily and me, an oak storage bench. When I found it, it was black with soot and looked burnt but as I wiped away the soot I realized it had sustained virtually no damage.

We thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we rebuild.
Torrey, Emily and Nick Rand

All donations will go dollar for dollar to the Rand family through Pastor Heiden and Hosanna Lutheran Church.

Request from Pastor Phil Ressler, Lord of Life LaFox

In June Madi will compete at the national level in St. Louis. All contestants are required to pay all of their own pageant expenses. Help support Madi as she continues to witness to everyone that she meets, especially the other contestants.

Watch our website for a video of Madi giving her testimony about what Christ has done in her life.

Students loved visiting with the dogs and many shared stories about their own dogs back home. Faculty members also came by for a few minutes of encouragement with the Comfort Dogs. Concordia Wisconsin is the largest in the Concordia University System with ongoing construction projects continuing to expand their facilities.

Please continue to keep all of those affected by these storms in your prayers as well as prayers for the safety of all the relief workers and volunteers who are so tirelessly responding to the needs of these communities.