Starting over in your 80s after losing a home you’ve loved and lived in for more than 30 years is not an easy challenge, but it is one Travis and Linda Branham are facing head-on with the help of God.
The Branham’s home, located off County Road 187 near Selden, was completely destroyed last weekend in a fire that started shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.
Erath County Volunteer Fire Rescue, Hico Volunteer Fire Department, Selden Volunteer Fire Department, Stephenville Fire Department all responded to the blaze along with Erath County Fire Marshal Tommy Shelton.
Despite the best efforts of all the departments, the majority of the contents and the home itself is a complete loss.
Though Shelton said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, it has been ruled as an accidental fire.
Travis and Linda are the parents/in-laws of Susan and Weldon Branham. Susan is the owner of Hot Tempered Chocolates and Weldon serves as the pastor of First Baptist Church. The entire family is incredibly grateful that though the home and majority of the contents were lost in the fire, both Travis and Linda were not injured in the fire.
The family wishes to thank everyone who has prayed, brought food or supplies, offered help and offered support in so many ways.
“The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and so appreciated. They are so thankful to everyone but especially to the Lord for his protection and grace upon their lives,” Susan said, on behalf of Linda and Travis. “Without Him they would have no hope but because of Jesus Christ, they do.” Though much of the couple’s possessions sit as ashes inside the home, several items were recovered undamaged, seemingly miraculously but showing God’s power.
One such item was a piece of cedar with a scripture on it, made by Weldon as a gift for his parents when Susan and Weldon were going through a rough time financially in their life.
“It’s meant a lot to them over the years and a constant reminder of God’s promise,” she said.
“God has once again used His miraculous power to show me that He is guiding us, even when we can’t understand or see the path ahead. By all reasoning of man, this should be in a heap of ashes with most everything else in our home. Isn’t our God amazing!” Linda said, through social media. “We would really like to thank all of the firefighters who came out to try to help save our home.”
The room where the wooden scripture was found was in ashes as were all the possessions surrounding it.
For those wanting to help Travis and Linda, they are requesting gift cards, including Amazon, so they can slowly start replacing belongings at their pace. Gift cards can be mailed to 454 Edwards Drive, Dublin, TX 76446 or dropped off at Hot Tempered Chocolates in Dublin.