02/26/2026
Two years ago last night Nick and I got the call that changed our whole world. Our foreman had called to let us know a press was on fire. As we drove to the shop we realized the enormity of what we were driving up to. We could see the fire and smoke in the night sky long before we arrived. Jesus was the first name we cried out to. It was almost the only thing we could say. Jesus help us. As those who have gone through devastation know, this was an overwhelming, world crashing down on you, overpowering helpless feeling to watch as fire consumed what we had built for 24 years in a matter of minutes come crashing down. Before the fire we were finally getting to where we had pictured our company getting to and were excited on our next steps and plans. We had our family, our employees, customers, vendors to think of, to take care of. In those moments of despair and heartache and fear we asked God for help. He is our ever ready present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). He is our rock and our fortress that we can run to and be safe. He is our strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). And in that moment Jesus was the fourth man in the fire with us (Daniel 3:25). While so much was destroyed and lost, the flames did not burn us and it did not overtake us (Isaiah 43:2). We prayed through this storm each and every day, asking God for his direction, his assistance, his grace and he always delivered. Does that mean it was easy? Absolutely not, each day was a struggle to even get up and start another day! The enormity of our situation, our responsibilities, our hard work and long days were the same but we had God’s promise and his favor. He brought so much help alongside us. Our family and close management were with us each step of the way starting the morning after, even the night of. Our employees showed up to offer support and offer help and then showed up to work when we got our first press running! We had employees all over the place, picking molds out of the wreckage, going to our vendors to clean molds, running presses or assisting with jobs running at other plastic companies. We had friends and vendors coming alongside us from week one to bring in equipment, get things running, help clean up. We had subcontractors picking up, cleaning up molds, running molds. We had customers in to help organize and assess molds and jobs. It was chaos but we did it, because God brought all around in our time of need. He directed the steps and path with favor. And we are so thankful. We could not have done this without Him and without all of our employees, vendors and customers who stood with us. There are not enough words to express how much it has meant to us and still does.
Why do I share all of this? I want to encourage you! I know how hard life can be and it can feel way too big to even try to fix it, approach it, get up each day. You don’t have to do it alone. We were not meant to deal with life’s hardships on our own. Come to Jesus and he will make a way when there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43:19). This is not post about the anniversary of our fire, it is a post of celebration and gratitude that God got us through these past two years! His word has directed us on each decision, he gave grace and strength to get up and do what we needed to do each day, and I can truly say that we are stronger than the storm, stronger than the fire, stronger than the fear, because of Jesus.
Thank you to all who were a part of these past two years, from our family, friends and employees, to the fire fighters and first responders, vendors and subcontractors, customers who stuck with us, and most importantly to Jesus. Much love to you all! Here is to all that God has in store for us! (Colossians 2:6-7; Hebrews 10:23)
"The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house," says the Lord Almighty. "And in this place I will grant peace." Haggai 2:9
