"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
Psalms 8
After lasts nights storms and slight destruction I am amazed that I feel happy today. When the storm blew in last night I began praying that God would put a hedge of protection around my home and family. I try to do this each night, but especially am reminded during storms, which we have been regularly experiencing. I am thankful for the rain after last year's drought, but could do without the high wind, flooding and tornadoes.
The picture at the top is of the business across the street. Five years ago, we had severe wind (and a tornado 3 blocks down) and this building just had it's tin curled back. Last night however with winds of over 70mph it peeled the lumber and tin off of the building, threw it into the power lines behind it and came to rest on Main Street. This was around 3:45 a.m. By 4:00 a.m. our local police were on the scene as well as, the fire department. Shortly after that we could see bright flashes from somewhere behind us, while inside the house. We ran to the bedroom window to see sparks raining down into the back yard, and a loud hissing, popping sound. The neighbors tree had been uprooted and fell into the transformer. I called 911 and reported it, and there was a police officer here within minutes. Sometime later the popping stopped, so I can only assume the power company turned the power off in that area. While all this was going on it continued to rain heavily and the winds were howling, not making the emergency crews jobs any easier I am sure.
I had the kids get dressed, even their shoes, brush their hair and teeth, and sat them on the couch a little after 4 a.m. to wait by candlelight. The power was flickering off and on and Hannah was convinced there was a tornado. I was on my laptop (not plugged in to the wall, it was charged) to check the National Weather Service bulletins. There didn't seem to be any tornado warnings for our area, so I sent them to bed in their clothes. The amazing thing is when I sent the girls to get dressed, they came back dressed with their "bug out bags". Now, I don't know if everyone is familiar with that term, but basically it is a backpack with a change of clothes, a book, small toys, snacks, and a couple bottles of water. The purpose is to have something they can pick up at a moment's notice if we need to leave the house. I had everyone pack one two weeks ago when we had the tornado and storms then. I was surprised they had paid attention! They placed their bags by the front door in case we needed to leave. I ashamed to admit that my own is not packed, due to a certain someone (Taylor) who dumped my bag out without asking to use for his Senior Trip. I haven't repacked it, but will do it today.
At 5:30 a.m. I sent everyone back to bed to get a couple hours of sleep before school. Man, was it hard to drag my eye lids open at 7:30 a.m. They still feel like they have sand in them.
This morning when we got up we walked outside to destruction. It could have been worse. Branches are everywhere in the yard, I lost parts of three trees, most of my sunflowers and corn. Time will tell to see how my storm tossed tomatoes did.
Sunflowers
Corn
The electrical company has trucks all over town and parked on Main Street. Lights are flashing and the entry to my street is blocked off, due to a downed power line.
So, you can see even after all this, I feel good. God kept my family and home safe, and I am very thankful.
If you think about it please pray for us, we are expecting these storms all week.
It is the end of the day (11:11 pm) and I thought I'd annotate for myself what I accomplished today. I have a very bad memory and it helps me to write it down.
I cleaned out the refrigerator today, did the dishes, made the bed, vacuumed, wiped the bathroom down, and then spend the past 12 hours catching up my homework and studying for finals. I will continue to study tomorrow morning, as I have to complete my exam tomorrow evening and one on Thursday. My last exam is on the 14th. I did take breaks throughout the day to talk to a neighbor, watch the kids on the trampoline, and to make dinner. I am afraid I was a little stressed with my homework and was short with my eldest daughter today. She went to bed without my talking to her, so I need to make sure I do so in the morning. I talked to my friend Candi for a short time on the phone. I normally do not like talking on the phone, but I can talk forever to my two friends Candi and Tammy, which then prevents all of us from getting our "stuff" done.
Everyone is piled on the bed asleep now, the two girls and the puppy. They fell asleep watching TV, and I need to move them, they take up the whole bed! I use to like the idea of the "family bed", but as the "family" got bigger and grew taller/longer, it's not so much fun anymore. It is really hard to sleep with a foot in your ribs or stuck in your hiney. Plus, I often get woke up out of a sound sleep when the little one pops me in the face with her hand as she turns over. Time to set up those bunk beds I can tell. Hope everyone has a good night! Pray for calm weather for me please!
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
