I lost everything to FIRE,,,,,

[Fantom]

That's a great testimony.

[Bert W]

I second that! Hang in there Big O!

[DANTIP]

I really can feel the legitimate compassion from these board members. My wife thinks I'm over the top with my truck-buddies, but I must say the friends and contacts I have made over the years on this board have enabled me to have fun with a hobby that is healthy in every way. I tell her "Believe me there are vices my healthy truck hobby can help me avoid". That's all she needs to hear!

[RenoKeene]

This is the one and only internet thing that I have ever been involved with and it has not only helped me with my truck build it has helped me be a better human being...nuff said.

Now Donnie, how about that list...

[TobyArnot]

Things happen for a reason! I stuggeled with posting this cause I know we all have different belives and I tottally respect all of your's but after reading alot of what my brother's here were saying in the post I felt lead to open up from my personal life and share! I hope this helps someone,s that out there and in pain from living the life that I was before all this.
I'm taking things 1 day at a time.
Sorry so long!
God bless
Donnie Snipes

Hey man, never be afraid to witness for the Lord. Too many people seem shy, even ashamed of their faith. I have overcome what seemed like major hurdles in my life. Looking back, most were just bumps in the road. Two things I always try to remember.
.
When the Lord closes one door, He will open others.
.
God never puts more on you than He gives you the strength to deal with.
.
Hang tough Donnie. You are loved and respected more than you know.

[CC69Rat]

BigO - Reading over your comments I could see a lot of myself in there. There is absolutely no way I can say 'I feel your pain' but I too have experienced the pain of failed relationships and turning away from the truth. I was married twice before my current wife, lost one to drugs and the other to a 70-80hr week career choice (hers)

Life is short man. None of us are perfect. Please do not blame yourself for this (if you are) .. I kinda sense you feel somewhat responsible (??) Not sure but please man, keep your head up. The Lord is good in every way. It's all in his master plan. Everything happens for a reason.

There could be a bigger / better shop in the future (?) Who knows. The only thing you can do is just be the best person you can be, one day at a time. I'm not saying the only way you can be a good person is go to church every Sunday, not at all .. but just smile every now and then. I'm under the impression you have taken some major damage over the past couple months man. .. but at the end of the day, what matters most is your family. Your son knows what this means to you. He's right in your footsteps. Ask me how I know.. !! I'd follow my dad to the end of the Earth.

You gotta be strong for him. Hang in there. The trucks will come, new shops can be built. I know it stings to loose the memories, but how about your son? Take pictures every day, he'll need them for his shop one day.

God Bless you man..
Later.

[sir_talk_alot]

guys, lets all see what we can contribute. from my understanding donnie lost his truck, but his sons was out for painting, it lost some stuff that wasnt on it in the fire. lets find out what was lost on his sons truck and see what we can come up with and ship it to him to get his boys truck going. least we can do, im 20, his son is 17, it'd kill me to lose my truck. not rushing donnie, but when you get everything straighted out with insurance and clean up and figure out what is needed let us, at least me know whats needed. ill see what i can come up with.
Posted via Mobile Device

[splehigh]

Thanks for sharing your testimony. Its real easy to go down the wrong path in life. I've been there. Glad you and your son are doing well.

[flashed]

Congrats Donnie, I think you just received a blessing after the fire .You will be alright now and you will have plenty of help .Still sorry about the fire but it may have saved your life.

[motornut]

very sorry to hear about the fire
just remember if you lost a life in that fire,that would be worse
hope the insurance pays out for you
and gets you back in the shop asap

[19Hoosierdaddies68]

Originally Posted by BIG ORANGE

I wasnt gonna go here in this matter but after reading all the replies and being moved by the out pouring of suport in so many different ways I must tell this lenthy story:
Back in the winter of 2003 I walk away from my faith, I went back to my old ways of sin. In 2007 I went through a divorce and in 2009 I met a lady that I thought was the love of my life. 2 1/2 yrs later that relationship ended at my request. Many months before the end of the relationship I was out cutting grass and talking to God, I ask him how would I ever make it back to the cross? I was in a sinfull relationship with a lady(not married) and I spent alot of time in my shop drinking and doing other things that I'm ashamed to say (sin) I loved my shop but not only was it where I built alot of trucks it was a place to drink alot and do other thing's! Well Dec. 4th my relationship ended and she moved out and just acouple weeks ago my shop burned to the ground while I was at work and my son was at school. And where am I going with this? Well let me wrap it up for you,,,,,
I found my self without any excusses now but I also found myself very lost and empty with out direction. I started talking to God again, well last Sat nite I got my cell number changed cause I wanted stop some of my past from contacting me, I sent my new number to a biker friend of mine that goes to a biker church. Sunday morning he replied that he got my new number and was praying for me and would like to invite me to church that morning! Well I took a look at what all was going on with me aswell as my son 17, so I ask my son if he wanted to go and he said YES that we needed that! I was supper supprised at that comment, so we got ready and went to the biker church where we were met with open arm,s! As the feller was doing announcements and taking prayer request I raised my hand and begin to ask for help in the form of prayer for myson and I, well after I started speaking I just broke down and began to weep and the next thing I new I found myself down in the floor crying out to God for forgiveness and I felt all these hands on my back and head alot of voice's crying out to God to bless me and my son also! After what seemed a life time but was only moments I arose to my feet and turn around and there was my son right behind me in the same shape as I was earlier and he to had ask God to forgive him also!!
Things happen for a reason! I stuggeled with posting this cause I know we all have different belives and I tottally respect all of your's but after reading alot of what my brother's here were saying in the post I felt lead to open up from my personal life and share! I hope this helps someone,s that out there and in pain from living the life that I was before all this.
I'm taking things 1 day at a time.
Sorry so long!
God bless
Donnie Snipes

You brought me to tears my friend! I too have gone through failed relationships and luckily turned to God for support through the bad times. You and your faith are an inspiration, never be ashamed of that. Hang in there, this might just have been Gods way of saying you need a freash clean start, new shop, new friends, new life! I am almost happy for you because I feel you are in good hands.

[pat 70/71]

Donnie, You have a well deserved clean slate. Your post inspired me and showed me that you will be fine. I wish you and yours all the best! cheers, Pat

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by BIG ORANGE

I wasnt gonna go here in this matter but after reading all the replies and being moved by the out pouring of suport in so many different ways I must tell this lenthy story:
Back in the winter of 2003 I walk away from my faith, I went back to my old ways of sin. In 2007 I went through a divorce and in 2009 I met a lady that I thought was the love of my life. 2 1/2 yrs later that relationship ended at my request. Many months before the end of the relationship I was out cutting grass and talking to God, I ask him how would I ever make it back to the cross? I was in a sinfull relationship with a lady(not married) and I spent alot of time in my shop drinking and doing other things that I'm ashamed to say (sin) I loved my shop but not only was it where I built alot of trucks it was a place to drink alot and do other thing's! Well Dec. 4th my relationship ended and she moved out and just acouple weeks ago my shop burned to the ground while I was at work and my son was at school. And where am I going with this? Well let me wrap it up for you,,,,,
I found my self without any excusses now but I also found myself very lost and empty with out direction. I started talking to God again, well last Sat nite I got my cell number changed cause I wanted stop some of my past from contacting me, I sent my new number to a biker friend of mine that goes to a biker church. Sunday morning he replied that he got my new number and was praying for me and would like to invite me to church that morning! Well I took a look at what all was going on with me aswell as my son 17, so I ask my son if he wanted to go and he said YES that we needed that! I was supper supprised at that comment, so we got ready and went to the biker church where we were met with open arm,s! As the feller was doing announcements and taking prayer request I raised my hand and begin to ask for help in the form of prayer for myson and I, well after I started speaking I just broke down and began to weep and the next thing I new I found myself down in the floor crying out to God for forgiveness and I felt all these hands on my back and head alot of voice's crying out to God to bless me and my son also! After what seemed a life time but was only moments I arose to my feet and turn around and there was my son right behind me in the same shape as I was earlier and he to had ask God to forgive him also!!
Things happen for a reason! I stuggeled with posting this cause I know we all have different belives and I tottally respect all of your's but after reading alot of what my brother's here were saying in the post I felt lead to open up from my personal life and share! I hope this helps someone,s that out there and in pain from living the life that I was before all this.
I'm taking things 1 day at a time.
Sorry so long!
God bless
Donnie Snipes

Awesome Testimony! Welcome back!

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by sir_talk_alot

guys, lets all see what we can contribute. from my understanding donnie lost his truck, but his sons was out for painting, it lost some stuff that wasnt on it in the fire. lets find out what was lost on his sons truck and see what we can come up with and ship it to him to get his boys truck going. least we can do, im 20, his son is 17, it'd kill me to lose my truck. not rushing donnie, but when you get everything straighted out with insurance and clean up and figure out what is needed let us, at least me know whats needed. ill see what i can come up with.
Posted via Mobile Device

Don't have much in the way of parts but if there's anything you need that I have, it's yours!

[LilD]

Originally Posted by sir_talk_alot

guys, lets all see what we can contribute. from my understanding donnie lost his truck, but his sons was out for painting, it lost some stuff that wasnt on it in the fire. lets find out what was lost on his sons truck and see what we can come up with and ship it to him to get his boys truck going. least we can do, im 20, his son is 17, it'd kill me to lose my truck. not rushing donnie, but when you get everything straighted out with insurance and clean up and figure out what is needed let us, at least me know whats needed. ill see what i can come up with.
Posted via Mobile Device

Im in also. I dont have much for parts but have more tools than I will ever use

[rkn463]

Originally Posted by BIG ORANGE

I wasnt gonna go here in this matter but after reading all the replies and being moved by the out pouring of suport in so many different ways I must tell this lenthy story:
Back in the winter of 2003 I walk away from my faith, I went back to my old ways of sin. In 2007 I went through a divorce and in 2009 I met a lady that I thought was the love of my life. 2 1/2 yrs later that relationship ended at my request. Many months before the end of the relationship I was out cutting grass and talking to God, I ask him how would I ever make it back to the cross? I was in a sinfull relationship with a lady(not married) and I spent alot of time in my shop drinking and doing other things that I'm ashamed to say (sin) I loved my shop but not only was it where I built alot of trucks it was a place to drink alot and do other thing's! Well Dec. 4th my relationship ended and she moved out and just acouple weeks ago my shop burned to the ground while I was at work and my son was at school. And where am I going with this? Well let me wrap it up for you,,,,,
I found my self without any excusses now but I also found myself very lost and empty with out direction. I started talking to God again, well last Sat nite I got my cell number changed cause I wanted stop some of my past from contacting me, I sent my new number to a biker friend of mine that goes to a biker church. Sunday morning he replied that he got my new number and was praying for me and would like to invite me to church that morning! Well I took a look at what all was going on with me aswell as my son 17, so I ask my son if he wanted to go and he said YES that we needed that! I was supper supprised at that comment, so we got ready and went to the biker church where we were met with open arm,s! As the feller was doing announcements and taking prayer request I raised my hand and begin to ask for help in the form of prayer for myson and I, well after I started speaking I just broke down and began to weep and the next thing I new I found myself down in the floor crying out to God for forgiveness and I felt all these hands on my back and head alot of voice's crying out to God to bless me and my son also! After what seemed a life time but was only moments I arose to my feet and turn around and there was my son right behind me in the same shape as I was earlier and he to had ask God to forgive him also!!
Things happen for a reason! I stuggeled with posting this cause I know we all have different belives and I tottally respect all of your's but after reading alot of what my brother's here were saying in the post I felt lead to open up from my personal life and share! I hope this helps someone,s that out there and in pain from living the life that I was before all this.
I'm taking things 1 day at a time.
Sorry so long!
God bless
Donnie Snipes

Donnie, God bless you for sharing your testimony. He is always there to welcome us back with open arms.

-Richard

[VA72C10]

Donnie....thanks for sharing that. I'll be praying for you and your son as you go forward with your lives.

[72 Super]

Originally Posted by BIG ORANGE

I wasnt gonna go here in this matter but after reading all the replies and being moved by the out pouring of suport in so many different ways I must tell this lenthy story:
Back in the winter of 2003 I walk away from my faith, I went back to my old ways of sin. In 2007 I went through a divorce and in 2009 I met a lady that I thought was the love of my life. 2 1/2 yrs later that relationship ended at my request. Many months before the end of the relationship I was out cutting grass and talking to God, I ask him how would I ever make it back to the cross? I was in a sinfull relationship with a lady(not married) and I spent alot of time in my shop drinking and doing other things that I'm ashamed to say (sin) I loved my shop but not only was it where I built alot of trucks it was a place to drink alot and do other thing's! Well Dec. 4th my relationship ended and she moved out and just acouple weeks ago my shop burned to the ground while I was at work and my son was at school. And where am I going with this? Well let me wrap it up for you,,,,,
I found my self without any excusses now but I also found myself very lost and empty with out direction. I started talking to God again, well last Sat nite I got my cell number changed cause I wanted stop some of my past from contacting me, I sent my new number to a biker friend of mine that goes to a biker church. Sunday morning he replied that he got my new number and was praying for me and would like to invite me to church that morning! Well I took a look at what all was going on with me aswell as my son 17, so I ask my son if he wanted to go and he said YES that we needed that! I was supper supprised at that comment, so we got ready and went to the biker church where we were met with open arm,s! As the feller was doing announcements and taking prayer request I raised my hand and begin to ask for help in the form of prayer for myson and I, well after I started speaking I just broke down and began to weep and the next thing I new I found myself down in the floor crying out to God for forgiveness and I felt all these hands on my back and head alot of voice's crying out to God to bless me and my son also! After what seemed a life time but was only moments I arose to my feet and turn around and there was my son right behind me in the same shape as I was earlier and he to had ask God to forgive him also!!
Things happen for a reason! I stuggeled with posting this cause I know we all have different belives and I tottally respect all of your's but after reading alot of what my brother's here were saying in the post I felt lead to open up from my personal life and share! I hope this helps someone,s that out there and in pain from living the life that I was before all this.
I'm taking things 1 day at a time.
Sorry so long!
God bless
Donnie Snipes

Donnie,

God is always there for us although most of the time we don't really know how. It is situations like this that we finally see though. We all wish you and your son all the best from here on. God Bless you and your family.

Ray

[Zoomin]

Great testimony Donny, and I really admire you for sharing it with everyone.

Here's a verse that really helped me when I was going through similar times.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

I can testify His Word is true.

[Dunenutt]

Fire is one thing that scares me!

Even though mine turned out ok, it was a helpless feeling watching it burn (fuel line). I have always unplugged everything in the garage, disconnected the battery, and checked once more before bedtime. Having a gas water heater in there has always creeped me out! I may be moving it now!

Keep up the positive attitude, hope it all works out!

[BIG ORANGE]

Thanks again guy's. Havent had a day off since last sunday and Mr King wasnt gonna be home for Buck and I to go over and check on whats needed for the truck but hopefully we can this weekend. I will let ya know what we find out. I havent heard a word from the insurance company on the shop other than the adjuster came by Mon. and looked around. I'll keep you all posted on everything!
Donnie/Buck

[bcutt]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

BigO - Reading over your comments I could see a lot of myself in there. There is absolutely no way I can say 'I feel your pain' but I too have experienced the pain of failed relationships and turning away from the truth. I was married twice before my current wife, lost one to drugs and the other to a 70-80hr week career choice (hers)

Life is short man. None of us are perfect. Please do not blame yourself for this (if you are) .. I kinda sense you feel somewhat responsible (??) Not sure but please man, keep your head up. The Lord is good in every way. It's all in his master plan. Everything happens for a reason.

There could be a bigger / better shop in the future (?) Who knows. The only thing you can do is just be the best person you can be, one day at a time. I'm not saying the only way you can be a good person is go to church every Sunday, not at all .. but just smile every now and then. I'm under the impression you have taken some major damage over the past couple months man. .. but at the end of the day, what matters most is your family. Your son knows what this means to you. He's right in your footsteps. Ask me how I know.. !! I'd follow my dad to the end of the Earth.

You gotta be strong for him. Hang in there. The trucks will come, new shops can be built. I know it stings to loose the memories, but how about your son? Take pictures every day, he'll need them for his shop one day.

God Bless you man..
Later.

Well said...Hang in there Donnie.

[NGN]

Big Orange- My son Jack who seen the pictures of your loss,wants to extend his sympathy. He's 7 1/2 years old. We each have a 67 to work on. Glad no one was hurt. Nick & son Jack.

[Maxxd07]

Hope all works out for you. This tragedy is one that we all really fear and its good to see you being positive through it all. Its also good to see that no one was injured.

[stomper]

Originally Posted by BIG ORANGE

...next thing I new I found myself down in the floor crying out to God for forgiveness and I felt all these hands on my back and head alot of voice's crying out ...
Donnie Snipes

^^^This is where I started to feel a lump in my throat. Men need to be around other men doing GOOD things - brotherhood, ministry, fellowship. Whatever you want to call it. I used to attend a men's group. Reading this may inspire me to return to it. Sounds like you're on the right path. Here's praying for you.

All the things you're hearing that sound stupid now like "It happened for a reason" or "It will get better." are true. God has a plan.