After the storm comes...

It's been a few days since Ike furied its way through our area. It feels like months. The storm itself was strong for hours and wild for three of those hours. I stepped out on our protected front porch twice during the wild time. I wanted to stand in the actual wind just to say I'd done it. The night was as pitch black as a darkened room with no windows and the noise was like a train in front of you. I could see the trees in my own yard but not beyond. I cowered out on stepping out into it because I couldn't see if something were to fly at me. In the morning came the damage survey. Our house and neighborhood did fine. We lost a couple small branches, tons of leaves and one fence post (of course to the neighbor with two small dogs who can now visit us any time they wish). Our community did not fare so well. Thousands of trees are down. Many were ripped, roots and all, right up and out. The children needed activities since power was down. We hopped on our bikes and went exploring. We helped others clean yards, cut trees, and casually visited friends. Sydney said that night in family prayer how grateful she was for the opportunity to serve. So, I guess all it takes to get an eleven year old to serve is... a natural disaster. Just kidding. She's a great kid! We endured only a couple of days with no power. The water never gave out. The communication, or lack of, was the greatest challenge. Cell phones were absolutely good for nothing and home phones and computers were inaccessable. I felt like a pioneer. Remember the good ole days when nobody carried a cell phone (10 years ago). How did we survive? So, fast forward a couple of days... Now we are filling our extended time out of school with projects. We've replaced pictures, moved furniture around, invited friends to dinner every night, had kid friends most days, finished Sydney's Faith in God, worked on Tyler's scouts, and enjoyed some fantastically, beautiful days. This sounds like all bliss, but there are still hundreds of thousands without power, debri covers the grounds, our beautiful city and parks are in shambles and the econonmy (not to mention education) are at a stand still. In addition, so many homes and lives have been demolished at the fury of Ike. Those of you who prayed for us, please pray for them- the countless thousands who have not had our fortune and blessings.