The San Diego Hazen Update

I just received this e-mail. I know everyone has been worried and wondering what is going on. Here's Rob's latest update:

Subject: Hazen Family Update

It has been an interesting last couple of days but all is
well with us. Monday morning at about 2:00 am we were woken by
75 mph winds. Rachel told me to make sure the patio furniture
didn't come through the windows. So I went outside to fix the
furniture and saw flames on the hills behind our house.  After
driving up the hill to see how close the flames were, I decided
it was time to call the Emergency Preparedness Rep in our
ward to initiate a telephone tree to wake the members.  About 1
hour later the sheriff's department was in the streets with their
sirens announcing a mandatory evacuation.

After 2 evacuations, we have returned to our home and there has been
small handful of homes lost in our stake but everyone is safe.
Our stake center was converted to a public shelter yesterday.
Today it was converted to a home for 150 National Guard
troops. It is pretty cool to see the parking lot full of hummers
and troops carrying machine guns walking around in the
building. It has been overwhelming and very humbling to see
the outpouring of support, sense of community and generosity.
With over 500,000 people evacuated it is not uncommon to be
working side by side with someone that has also been
evacuated, is unsure if their home is lost or homeless.
The shelters have been filled quickly with water, supplies and
volunteers.  Many of the shelters have halted any further
donations because they have more than enough.

Yesterday, the Humanitarian Aid dept. of the Church
dropped off an 18 wheeler of food to our stake center.  It was
of course more than we could handle so it was distributed to
other shelters, food banks and locations in need.  We had a
need for cots and were able to trade some of our blankets for
cots with other shelters.  As a result, our buildings in the stake
will now be fully equipped with cots if another need arises.

Today when the National Guard came in, our Stake
President asked what we could do for them for food and they
responded that they were self sufficient and didn't need
anything.  He asked for meals, snacks and baked goods
to be brought in.  Within 30 minutes, Chipotle, McDonalds,
Baja Fresh, Chic-fil-A,Subway, Starbucks, Mr. Taco, and other
local restaurants had donated meals for the troops (can you
tell that I had some suggestions on who to call?). I am sure
that any other restaurant that was called would have
responded in the same manner.

It has been an anxious time but a wonderful experience for our family. 
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  Give it a week and we will be back to
sunny blue skies. Don't let these fires keep you away.  We would love to see you.

Love,
The Hazen Family