Yikes Ike!

I love the water. I'm pretty sure I was a lovely mermaid in a previous life. One with petal shaped, velvet soft fins. Different shades of purple of course. But, even I would have taken a break from meandering around with my friends in the ocean and bailed at the onset of IKE! Ike is not my friend. And, from what I have seen and heard, Ike is no one's friend. Do you think Ike is angry about something? Maybe he just needs a hug!

I'm glad my kids got out early. Val headed to Mandy's in Belton. Jeff and April loaded up the kids and the really big dog and went to April's parents in Belton. We have been in constant cantact. Valerie is glad the Rainforest Cafe on the Seawall is ok!

I have some really crazy friends in Alvin. They decided to stay and rideout the storm so they boarded up their windows and hunkered down. (my two new favorite words) As I was talking to my friend Suzette on the phone, shingles were flying off the roof of their home. Something you should know about my friend Suzette, she is a nurse in the nic unit at Women's Hospital in Houston and works all night, she is clostrophobic and can't sit still for 5 min. I'm almost positive there was a murder in her house during the night! Somebody call the popo!

My friend Anna was mad at her husband for not whisking her and the fam away to higher ground, but alas, she settled in for the long haul. Her daughter Moni fled with her baby Jerrod to their home so that made staying worthwhile. Dale, Anna's husband was so nice to get out this morning and check on his friends around town and the homes of those he new were vacant. That's just the kind of good friend he is. Thanks Dale.

My friend Leeann and I were texting until early this morning about our new comic relief, Geraldo Reviera. He's great. Leeann is fascinated by the big words he uses. We still haven't stopped laughing about his coverage of the "man in the water" during Gustav! And now, there is the famous "secret pole swipe" on the seawall in Galveston. LOL

Finally, our cousin Jeremy has been holding down the fort at the hotel where he works. I think he thought it would be fun. You know he's a sanguine and sanguines are all about having fun. But, about 1:00am this morning it wasn't fun anymore! He sent me a text and said the roof was gone at the hotel! Then, the floods came. So Jeremy packed up all the people taking refuge in his hotel and headed to the hotel next door. I'm sure he felt like Moses leading his peeps into the wilderness! He's OK. Just ready for vacation.

Ike is no one's friend. But, Ike is the amazing power of God in action. I don't know why Ike came, did so much destruction, and continues to move inland. I love to sit on the seawall and watch the calm ocean or the rolling waves. It makes no difference to me. I see God's power and beauty in all of it. And I am in awe. In awe that he would allow me and all of my insignificance to be here. I live to praise him. Even in the storm I will praise him.



Dear Father, thank you for loving me. Your power is greater than anything this feeble mind of mine can see or even imagine. I will lift my hands and praise you in this storm. May all those in Ike's direct path be safe from harm. May they look to you for comfort. Thank you for the gift of salvation through you Son. I love you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

NEW!

New church, new town, new place of work, new friends, new home, new-new-new!! I am all about new these days. Jerry and I recently moved from Alvin to our new home in Cleburne. The reason: a new ministry opportunity. Jerry is now the Pulpit Minister at Westhill Church of Christ in Cleburne. We are blessed. It's hard to put into words all of the emotions which have come with this move. We left our beautiful daughter, Valerie. She is our youngest at 22 years of age and is finding her way without us for the first time. We left our son, daughter-in-law, and the two most precious grandkids in the whole wide world. What were we thinking, right? We left our ministry of 10 years at ACOC. Saying good-bye to our ACOC family was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. During the past couple of months I have been sad and confused at times. Sad about the family and dearest of friends left behind. Confused about God's decision to place us here. I know deep down in my heart God has a plan for us and our new church. A plan much greater than us, more than we can see, and more than we can ever dream or imagine. We are blessed. I look forward to the future with our Westhill family. I already see great and wonderful opportunities in this community. God's Spirit is alive and well and moving in his children. My heart overflows with gratitude to have been chosen to be a part of the Westhill ministry. We are blessed!

Thank you Father for loving me. You are all powerful. You hold this world and all that is in it in the palm of your hands. Loving Father, may you keep our family, friends, and all those in the path of Hurricane Ike safe from harm and devastation. Please bless our Westhill family as well as our ACOC family. May we shine as bright and beautiful lights for you in a world of darkness.
In Jesus Name, Amen.