'Our whole life started in Fort McMurray': John and Christina Farrell hanging tough

They found love, family and livelihoods in Fort McMurray, and John and Christina Farrell vow that their forced evacuation from the scorched oilsands city will only be a temporary one.

• A second natural disaster: N.L. woman says Fort McMurray fires 'a million times worse'
• Not everyone has 'big Fort Mac money': Some Newfoundlanders can't afford to go home
• 'I'll stack 'em three and four high': Bishop's Falls native provides shelter to Fort Mac family

Like many of the thousands of people whose lives have been tossed into turmoil this week, the Farrells are hanging tough.

"We're just thankful the family is all well, and safe," said John.

"That's all we can really think about now."

Upheaval could last months, longer

John is originally from Marystown, while Christina is from Corner Brook.

They met after moving to Alberta in 1992, and soon married.

They have two teenaged children, and John's elderly parents also live with them.

Their Newfoundland roots are strong, but their foundation is solidly planted in Alberta.

"Pretty much our whole life started in Fort McMurray," John said Friday as the couple checked into the evacuation centre in Edmonton.

John said they weren't able to calm down enough to think about their future until Thursday night, after confirming all their family and friends were safely evacuated.

It may takes months, perhaps longer, but they'll settle back in Fort Mac.

They will have a head start on many families. It appears their home, located in the hard-hit neighbourhood of Abasand, was spared by the fire.

"It's really hard to see everyone, friends and family and neighbours, their homes are gone … I don't know how to explain it," said John.

'We're really lost right now'

They are temporarily living with family members in Edmonton, and say they're faring better than they imagined.

John's father is 87 and slowed by heart troubles, but made it through the crisis unfazed.

Beyond that, their lives are now on hold, with so many unanswered questions.

Both were well established in Fort McMurray, with John working with oil giant Syncrude, while Christina is an educational assistant.

Christina learned Friday that she'll receive a paycheque until the end of this month; John has only heard rumours, but nothing official from his employer.

Then there's their childrens' education. One's in Grade 11, while the other is in Grade 9.

"We really are lost right now," said John.

"We'll figure it out," added Christina.