Normal

Well, I can't honestly say things are beginning to feel completely normal-- but it's the closest it's been in a long time (PTL!).

We had a great weekend in New Braunfels going to Schlitterbaun (America's #1 Water Park) with the Deanie's sister and her kids. It was a blast and very relaxing. I spent about 3 hours in the "Lazy River" which isn't lazy at all-- it has huge three-foot waves! Grayson and I had a blast together, I know it will be a big "memory" day for our family. Later in the evening, Deanie's mom took us out to dinner. We had a great time together and laughed a lot!

Sunday was awesome! I got to sing on the praise team-- a different group than I usually sing with-- and it was an outstanding worship time. It was a cool and grey day and it made us think of Illinois! We went shopping for sweatshirts since we didn't pack any to bring with us down here! Sunday night both the kids had activities at church, so we went out for dinner with some of our new friends. It was very relaxing and we had a great time-- I believe these people could easily become our new best friends down here. It's been so hard to leave our close-knit group of friends in Illinois-- this was the first time I actually felt like we could be getting close to making the same kind of friendships again!

Yesterday, work went extremely well! We got over a major hurdle on a project I've been working on that has just languished for months now... and then yesterday there was this big break-through! Boy, did that feel good and take some pressure off!!

So, it looks like normal is just around the corner. Now, if we could just sell that house...

Father, thank you for your love and caring. We praise you for all the works you are doing in and through us. Thank you for your provision and protection. Amen.

Driving through hell

On our way to Alabama for my sisters wedding we had to first pass through Louisiana and Mississippi. We opted for a more northern route so as to avoid all the Katrina aftermath. Little did we know at the time that there is no such thing-- we were shocked to learn that the entire states have been devastated! As we drove through Louisiana we began experiencing a very eery feeling. We passed convoy after convoy of military vehicles. Trees lay on the ground everywhere, snapped in two like toothpicks.

We decided to stop for gas before it got worse only to discover that there was no gas-- no electricity either. We got back on the interstate and about 20 minutes later we decided to stop again, this time assuming we'd have better luck. At this exit there was still no power but there was one gas station open. With two lines stretching in opposite directions as far as you could see, the station was being run by military police. It was an eery scene.

A little creeped out, we hopped back on the interstate and decided we would just try to get past these two states if at all possible and then we'd stop for gas. We made it through without having to stop again and pulled off the interstate at the very first exit across the Alabama border. What we found was unbelievable... more lines! We decided not to push our luck and joined the line at this station. One hour later, our car was gassed up and we were back on the road.

I can't explain to you how eery and odd it felt to not be able to pull off the interstate and drive through McDonald's and fill my car up with gas and my kids up with snacks. The idea that these people have no power and limited sanitation just blows my mind. The idea that we have to have military police running the gas stations blows my mind.

Obviously, this does not begin to compare with the challenges and experiences the people in and around New Orleans and Biloxi are facing-- but it is a different kind of hell none the less.

Father, I praise you for getting me and my family through this situation. Father, I beg your mercy on these people who are not just traveling through, but who are living in this situation. I praise you for all the goodness that has already come from this situation. Be with these people as only you can. Show us how and where we can serve. Amen.

Feeling the love

It's so great to be back in blogland with you all and already feeling the love! I was so excited when I saw I had 13 comments-- Jokes on me! Thank you Dwiggy for helping me out on that one.

But seriously, I do already feel your love and it means so much to me! It's been a difficult three months, but knowing I have people all over praying for me and thinking about me makes it all so much better. I'm so blessed to be a part of God's family. One of His greatest gifts to us all.

We'll be traveling this weekend to my sister's wedding-- her fourth to be exact. I won't go into all that here-- but please be praying for our safe travel and for blessings on her marriage. It is all our hope that this one will work out and that she will be able to glorify God through her marriage. She is a wonderful Christian woman, but this part of her life has been very, very troubled in her past.

Work went really well today-- must have been all your prayers for me. I have to admit, I did come to work this morning with a great feeling that I had prayer warriors on my side. I had lunch with my two bosses-- both females-- and we discussed several upcoming projects. I really do like them-- they are super people with strong visions for our company and its future. I'm glad I'm here and part of this organization-- it's just that some days....

Deanie and I have some serious praying and discerning to do about our housing situation. This has been perhaps the most difficult part of our transition. The other house has not sold and our realtor gave us a list of "improvements" she thinks we need to make in order to sell our house. None of them are big, it's just that we're not there to oversee any of this and it's frustrating and expensive! Then we have this side of the equation to worry about-- I mean pray about. Although, I think if we could sell our house, finding one here wouldn't really be a big problem. Please pray for God's leadership in these areas of our lives.

Seeing the homeless people in Mississippi and Louisiana this week has been very humbling for us-- especially right now in the midst of our own housing "crisis." Last night at dinner our 9 year-old son prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for providing me with a great job and a house for us to all be safe and together in. WOW! Does he have the right perspective or what?

Father, thank you for putting family in our lives-- both our physical families and our church family. Thank you for the way you are so faithful to provide for us. Bless all those who are hurting right now in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Amen.