Sandy Comes a Calling

Wrapped in a blanket and armed with an umbrella, I thought I would take a peak outside this morning to see what the yard looked like...it tends to flood in heavy rain and it has been raining since yesterday. Those in the know are saying the winds and rain will be worse today and it will be Tuesday before Sandy's rains are done in our area

Pretty much everything is closed up around here, so husband home. Officials encouraging people to stay off the roads....don't have to convince me...streets here flood with any kind of heavy rain...so I wouldn't even take the chance. It's a great day for soup and baking, as long as we keep power...and a good book. Praying for all those in the path of this storm that you will be safe. 

 Photo courtesy of husband who thought it was odd that wife would be out in the rain wrapped in a blanket

Calm Before The Storm

With the storm headed our way, husband and I decided to head out to the beach to get some photos. Weather not too bad yet, husband made the usual preps today. Took the umbrellas down and stored them for the winter, took all hanging plants down, and he cleaned leaves out of the gutters in anticipation of the heavy rain we are supposed to get.

                               As you can see the surf was getting a bit rough and the
                              wind was picking up, but there wasn't too much rain yet

                                                      Boardwalk pretty deserted

                              This photo was just for fun, loved the way the lights looked on the statue

 They are saying "Sandy" should make landfall sometime on Monday night but we will begin to feel the effects by tomorrow because this is a massive, slow moving storm. Because of it's size it's going to effect a lot of people on the east coast. We have done what we can do, now we just wait.

The Kindness of God

Thanks to all who prayed for us during Hurricane Irene. The storm is gone, we had no damage or flooding, just a yard full of debris. God was indeed merciful to us.

Friends and church family communicated through the day via texts, phone and internet. We never lost power, such a blessing because it was hot and humid today, thankful for air conditioning. This morning people began checking in and needs were matched with people who could help. It was the church being "the church"

I know there were some areas hit harder than others and I know that there was loss of life from this storm, we will continue to pray for those effected by this. But I also wanted to thank God for his protection, his mercy and his kindness, this could have been much worse.
 BTW did anyone catch the FOX newscaster Sunday evening mention that maybe it was the power of prayer that kept this storm from being any worse?

Thanks again to all those who prayed, I know it made a difference

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all your deeds  Psalm 73:28

The Waiting Begins

The beach last week, big difference today

Our preps are done. We spent the entire afternoon yesterday taking down plants, tying things up, running those last minute errands. Husband was even up on the roof checking the gutters. (did it while I was out, probably a good thing) Stopped into to see Sweet Lady, was told if facility took on water they would be evacuated, we had an opportunity to bring her to the house but decided against it. We are not sure what we will be facing.

Our church has put a network together to help keep track of everyone's status during the storm. We are staying and have let them know. The goal is to help if someone needs assist, especially afterward. We are charging all our phones, computers and IPods (amazing how technology has taken over our home) Husband found an inverter, says it will allow us to use car battery to run small appliances (like a coffee pot or fan)

We still have power, but I don't expect that it will stay on as the weather deteriorates. Once power is lost it may take days for them to restore it. 

Friend posted some good reminders

So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand  Isaiah 41:10

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you  Isaiah 43:2

Who has measured the waters in the hollow in his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens  Isaiah 40:12

We are as set as we can be, trusting the Lord, asking for his protection, thanks to all that are praying for us, we appreciate it.

Reality Setting In

Preparations are continuing in earnest. I think reality has hit everyone today, it does look like we will be hit by this storm. My is son headed up north, along with thousands of others,  there are mandatory evacuations just south of us and it is clogging our roadways. You have to go through a tunnel or over a bridge to go anywhere in this area so.....backups have already begun, it's going to be a long evening for young son.

Husband worked until dark taking umbrellas down, securing anything that could become a flying projectile. We have more to do outside tomorrow, husband will be off work early to finish up. Meals for the next couple of days will be whatever is left in the fridge, omelets for dinner tonight, probably ice cream for breakfast, you get the picture. We are planning for power outages, the last hurricane we lost power for four days, friends were without power for up to two weeks. 

We had an offer to go up north to stay with friends, but they are in the path as well so we declined for now. Looks to be a busy morning tomorrow, pray that we have an opportunity to do all that needs to get done. This storm looks to be worse than anything we have experienced before. Praying for protection for all those that will be effected.

Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup, you have made my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken Psalm 16:8

Preparing

Interesting events this week, frst we had a little earthquake, a first for me. I was at work, we all looked at each other a little dumbfounded, trying to figure out what was happening. Now we are all watching for Irene.

My husband was supposed to be traveling this week but at the very last minute his trip was canceled, so now he will be home to help make the necessary preps, a unexpected blessing.

We started yesterday, picked up several bags of ice, that's to go in our chest freezer. Put all the proteins on the bottom of the freezer, put the ice bags on the top of proteins, if the power goes out this will keep our meats frozen for several days. The key is not to go into the freezer, if the power goes off.

The biggest job will be taking care of all the outdoor stuff. Hanging plants will have to come down, furniture either brought inside or secured. Glad my husband is home to help with this task.

Other jobs on the list
Fill the cars
Get a little cash
Get a bottle of gas for the grill

Find the flashlights, batteries never a problem I keep them on hand

Pull out the old push button phone, last time we had a power outage it was the only phone that worked

Wash clothes and do dishes, don't want to have dirty clothes or dishes around if the power goes out, maybe that's not on the essential to do list, but I will be doing that

These kind of events can be great opportunities to encourage and serve others, I have a couple of friends who may want to ride it out with us, going to check on this tonight. Checked on my DIL and son they are also preparing, no kidlets this weekend, she wants everyone to stay put...good plan.

Will be a slow weekend, praying it will be a safe one for all