Living by God’s Grace
Reedsville family struggles through holidays
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REEDSVILLE -- John and Carrie Baumgardner's recent run of back luck has seemed more like a marathon. The Reedsville family has relied on their faith and the support of family and friends to pull through it.
It's all they can do when they've struggled through two health crises and their family home burned to the ground within a span of several months.
"It's been a trial," said John, age 46 and a father of five children ranging from ages 11 to 19. "If it wasn't for God's grace, I don't know how we'd have gotten through it. We've been dealing with it, the best way possible."
The family's fortunes took a turn for the worse on April 7, when Carrie, age 45 and who works as a licensed practical nurse, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Doctors wanted to perform surgery immediately, but Carrie, knowing the prognosis and recovery process, wanted to wait until after her daughter Meagan's high school graduation so she could attend the ceremony.
Carrie subsequently had surgery on June 7 as doctors removed a tumor along with her pancreas, gallbladder, part of her small intestine and most of her stomach. After the surgery, Carrie developed an infection and was hospitalized for four weeks.
During her hospital stay, John maintained the household while working and trying to help Carrie remain positive. Meagan also worked two jobs to save money for college while pitching in with chores around the house such as cooking and cooking for her and her siblings.
If the cancer diagnosis wasn't bad enough, the family encountered another turn for the worse on June 26 when their house caught fire.
Back at home recovering but in a weakened state, Carrie smelled smoke and found the dryer on fire. The family got out and neighbors called 9-1-1, but the family home was a total loss. The fire hit a day before the couple's 24th wedding anniversary.
Following the fire, the Baumgardners stayed with Carrie's parents then moved into a friend's house until their home could be rebuilt.
Shortly thereafter, their youngest son, Mason, had to have an emergency appendectomy.
Carrie is still unable to work but is finally eligible for long-term disability.
"She still has good days and bad days," John said. "She has trouble keeping food down and has trouble absorbing the nutrients."
John, who is employed full-time as a draftsman for Dumor Inc. in Mifflintown, has also been working a second job as a janitor at Mifflin County Christian Academy in McClure.
Habitat for Humanity is helping the family with the rebuilding process. John said originally Habitat for Humanity was just going to help with the framework, windows, doors and making the new home weather tight. "They said they're helping us even more because they know I'm trying to raise the money," John said. "They've really gone above and beyond. We're raising as much as we can and doing some fundraisers."
A benefit spaghetti dinner has been planned at the Reedsville Fire Co. for Jan. 29, starting at 11:30 a.m. Meals are dine-in or takeout and will be sold for a donation until they are gone.
The Baumgardners also held a Community Night fundraiser at Hoss's Steak and Seahouse in Lewistown where nearly $800 was raised of the receipts was donated to the family. There have also been soup sales and a basketball tournament.
"The biggest hardship is my wife's not able to work yet," John said. "She's been off without pay, which has made this whole situation rough."
Other family members have helped, but $125,000 is needed to reimburse Habitat for Humanity for construction costs to their home.
Their rental contract had an option to buy the home; however, John said the owner underinsured the home. They received the half-acre of land and $11,000 as a settlement. The Baumgardners also didn't have renter's insurance.
"It's a drop in the bucket when you consider they had to take the house down to the foundation to bring it back up," John explained.
They are hoping their new four-bedroom ranch-style home will be completed at the end of February, so they can move in early March.
"Thank you for everyone that has helped through this journey," Carrie posted on social media on Dec. 24. "We cannot thank you enough! This holiday season is quite different from past Christmas season. Through all of this we have learned to appreciate our family more, lean into God more, and not take anything for granted because it can be gone in an instant."
Mark Crosson and other members of the community started a fund-raising committee for the family called "Building Up the Baumgardners" in late September. The group has raised more than $10,100 and continues to reach out to local charities and other organizations.
"They attend our church and I have known them for many years," Crosson said. "We've helped families before, but not to this magnitude."
They've also set up Facebook and Go Fund Me pages.