Happy Tuesday!
The sun is shining today here in PA and all the snow that fell on Saturday is almost gone. A little sad about that, but glad the sun is shining. For this week's Tuesday Question, I'm asking something that I've thought about a lot.
"What is the one thing you would grab if your house was on fire?
Everyone is out of the house, you can go in and grab ONE thing.
What would it be?"
Growing up we lived in a very old parsonage that was right next to the church that my dad pastored for over 30 years in Queens, NY.
When we moved into the parsonage I was in second grade and at that time it was over 100 years old. It was a beautiful Victorian house that had 3 floors, a scary basement, a laundry chute and even one of those old-fashioned doors that opened from the floor in the back porch leading down into the basement. We never, ever opened that door!
Here's a picture of the house that I took when we went for a visit last year.
When we moved into the house I shared a bedroom with my sister, Liz, and then when I turned 13, the playroom became my room. I was thrilled!
But it was on the third floor, right next to the attic.
I remembering asking my dad if the house was on fire, how would I get out if the stairs were blocked. He didn't pause one minute and told me to climb out on the ledge outside my window and wait for the firemen or my dad to come get me.
Now, don't worry, the ledge was big enough to be considered a little balcony, it just wasn't a balcony...there were no railings or anything like that. But, being the fearful girl I was, I always thought what I would bring with me on that little "balcony" while I waited to be rescued.
My one item has changed throughout the years, naturally, but if I could only grab ONE item NOW this is what I would grab.
My Bible. My parents gave it to me in 1977. It's the Bible I've been using ever since. And, yes it's falling apart. It's not even attached to the leather anymore.
I have it in a nice pink Bible carrier, but no longer carry it to church. I use it only for my devotions every morning. Here's a picture of the inside.
My dad wrote what he wrote in every Bible he gave to anyone, and as a pastor of a large church he gave a lot of Bibles as gifts to people...
"This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book."
THIS is what I would grab if my house was on fire.
Thankfully, I no longer would have to sit on a ledge outside my bedroom window waiting for the firemen to arrive. Leave me a comment and let me know YOUR answer! And if you want to leave me a comment on Facebook, that would be great also!
Christine says
Precious indeed to make sure you get your Bible! Mine's in about the same condition and even tho' I received a lovely new leather bound Bible for my birthday my 21st b'day bible is more like a trusty old friend!
Have a lovely day
Christine
Jacquelyn Stager says
I know others have asked this question and I've never really stopped to think about it...humm...Ijust asked my hubby and he said he would grab his MacBook and if he had a second chance, he'd grab one of his guitars. Me? I'd probably grab my computer since it has 14,000 pictures on it! But I just don't know. My house is full of things I love that aren't valuable in terms of money. I'd probably go for some scrapbooks or photo albums! Good question Lois!!
Marti says
I would probably grab my box of memory books--These can't be replaced, and as I went by my computer I would snag my back up drive. If I had time for a second trip, I would get my tote that has the pictures, I haven't yet scanned. Everything else can be replaced, and somethings I would be so glad to see go--the decision finally out of my hands.
Sandi G says
I'll take his spinach quiche if he doesn't!
I would definitely take my scrapbooks with my kids baby pictures.
Nellie's Cozy place says
Hi Lois,
So glad to hear Olivia is doing so well, accept for the sickness, but glad she is doing much better, that is hard when they are away and sick,
Cause they want Mom as much as we want to get to them!! lol
Sounds like a great set up with her apt and room mates, and nice it has a sitting area too. That makes it seem a bit homier too.
Oh yea, and I meant to tell you the house you used to live in is gorgeous. I absolutely love old homes like that, and have always thought it would be so neat to have one, but since I have found out that some can be quite the money pit, so decided oh well..........
on that one!!
Have a great day sweetie and thanks for coming by to fill me in.
Love and blessings, Nellie
Nellie's Cozy place says
Morning Lois,
Thanks for your visit hon, glad you liked my new look, it does feel very fresh to me, and I will try to remember to take pics of these chairs beforehand, sort of embarassing they look pretty bad, but they are clean even tho they are stained!! lol
Well, in answer to your question I think I would have to say the same,
because my bible was given to me my the Pastor that taught us most of everything we know about Christianity, but mostly because God says the only 2 things that will last are love and the Word of God. So that prioritizes things pretty simply.
Love your questions every week, it was a great idea.............
Love and blessings hon, Nellie
P.S. and how is Olivia doing??
Loretta says
Lois my answer would have to be a huge box I have filled with family pictures, videos, and important papers. I would miss those things terribly!!!
April says
You made a very good choice, Lois. God's word is something we can always rely on. Just to be a bit different, I'd probably choose to grab my big stack of diaries. So many memories!
Modern Day Disciple says
Hi Lois! I love that Bible and my own well worn Bible. I have so many scrapbooks and a trunk of journals with my writing. But the one thing...you said one thing and everyone was out. That includes my pets, right? That would be most important : us and my precious animals of course. This is something I think of because of the many writings which are mostly dialogue with God, poems, stories in the making. I can get a new Bible even though I love mine. A lot. I have thought about this and I can't come up with one, it pains me to think of the writings and pictures gone but I guess I just think it's all stuff. Too overwhelming for me to choose. As long as my fur kids are set and of course my family. I am good. All else will be burned up someday anyway. Am I too morbid? I will have to ponder more, ok? Maybe even blog it!
Jill says
I love nothing more than a well worn bible. I also love what your father wrote in it. Such good advice.