westmont on fire!

Today at 6pm erin called me to tell me that there was a fire behind Westmont and that students were being evacuated! What a scary thing! I talked to her for a while as she gave me little updates here and there. By the time I got home at 830, fire had spread all over montecito! The above picture is an image of route 101. it IS everywhere! as the family and I sat around the TV watching as red and orange flames licked the sides of buildings and trees we were eager to hear where exactly this fire was leading to. As we sat there the words "Westmont College" were said. I could not believe it! Westmont was on the news! The men and women that were reporting said that around 1300 students were safe in Westmont's fireproof gyM! what shocked my core was when she said that there were some hot spots at Westmont!!!!!!!! As we sat in horror, We heard that the Library,and the old math building, (both pictured above) the physics building, and the quanset huts were on fire!!!!! these quanset huts were where i worked during Phoneathon!!!!! they showed us image after image of buildings on fire! i couldnt distinguish between what was on Westmont property and what was not. After a while, they began to grow more and more concerned with Westmont. It was on all the stations now and it was all everyone was talking about. As the family and I watched, I recognized the stone hedge that protects Westmont's main drive way and welcomes students and families in as they drive up. After I saw that my heart began to sink. Now, the fire is getting too personal! Westmont is my home! As I sat on the edge of my seat, I witnessed Clark Halls being engulfed in flames. Fire spilled out of the top of the clark halls. fire was in the windows pouring out! Clark was were I was roomed my first year. It is where I met my boyfriend Geoff. It is where I met some of my best friends! It is the transfer section. enough said. it is home!!!! 

I began to cry as I was talking to erin, whom I met in the transfer section in clark, I couldnt believe that it was burning down!  I know I am not there anymore but it is still my school....my home!!!!!! WOW. i am still in shock. I read a friend's comment on facebook and she said "it is a good thing that Westmont is more than a place" and she is right. Westmont is a beautiful place with beautiful trees and amazing memories. I love them and will cherish them all, but Westmont is more than a place.... it is a warm feeling i get in the pit of my stomach,  it is something to belong to, it is a name that always brings a smile to my face, it is my friend, it is a memory that will never leave. I dont know what is happening right now. I shut the news off. Every article I read made me more sad. I know this..... Erin and Justin are safe at home. Laura and her sister just arrived at erin's house and are safe. Jean marc is in the fireproof gym safe.and all the other students and facutly are being taken care of and they are safe and secure. and i know this.... THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL. No matter what happens. No matter what is still standing in the morning. I know that God works all things together for good. I know that he is STILL A GOOD GOD!!!!!! I am confident that the Lord is watching over my friends. I know because those friends of mine are HIS CHILDREN!!!! I Know that "it" will all be okay. I know that Troy Harris is the best man for this daunting job set before him. I know that all is in the hands of MY HEAVENLY FATHER!!! I know that PRAYER CHANGES THINGS! I KNOW THAT I HAVE A GREAT GOD WHO CAN CONTROL ANY FIRE!!!! 

Please keep Westmont and Montecito in your prayers.

I will post more when I know more.