Me and Ike – Part IV

Hurrication Time


As Sunday morning after the storm dawned we proceeded with our plans to attend worship service at the church. They had announced ahead of time that they would have services, with or without power. As we pulled into the parking lot it was evident the lights were working. Exciting news! Air conditioning and hot coffee never seemed so good! It was the beginning of many blessings we enjoyed through our church home during what was soon to be called “hurrication.” Since the church is on the same grid as the fire department, it had full power and was instrumental in providing many basic needs for so many people – a kitchen with working appliances, telephones, a cool place to sleep, and Internet services, just to name a few. But the thing that was most striking was how the people pulled together to help each other out. Almost immediately, needs were assessed and work crews were organized to begin meeting those needs. The church staff and volunteers worked long hours in the days following the storm contacting church members to make sure they were okay. Something that the pastor said during this time was that we may or may not have electricity but we all had “Power.” “Yes,” I thought, “our Higher Power, Jesus Christ, was caring for his flock through His people, the church body.” I am so grateful for what God has been doing this past month. I am also grateful for my church.

Sunday afternoon, we drove to my daughter’s apartment to see if she had electricity. That was quite an adventure!



In this picture we are following a truck going west bound on the east bound side of Beltway 8. The west bound lane was closed due to flooding. We didn't know it until we arrived at the next intersection but the east bound lane was closed as well. Oops! We made it through but the water was deep! Some did not.





Here we are traveling on the wrong side of the road again, this time to dodge a tree, not to far from daughter's place.

Although there was a tree blown down on her building, her damage was similar to ours, a downed rain gutter. Needless to say, there was no electricity. So she gathered a few more things (like towels and a battery operated television) and we headed back home, taking a different route.

I made the mistake of thinking I could make it through this passage without going up on the curb like everyone else. I now have a lovely scratch all down the right side of the Explorer.




Schools were closed and the weather was great. The children on the block played together more and the adults visited their neighbors more, exchanging hurricane stories. Even the cat entertained himself.

I think I can do it.

This is harder than it looks!Now what? The fire department is too busy for cat rescues!
Safe and sound in loving arms at last. Everyone pitched in with cleanup. The eldest granddaughter washed laundry in the bathtub using her feet. Hey, if you can do it with grapes to make wine that people drink, I saw no reason why it wouldn't work with laundry! Thankfully, this was the last time we had to stoop to such a primitive method since one of my friends (who lives near the church) had electricity at her house and offered her washer and dryer.

A broom can be a guitar or a microphone to a three year old singer with a big imagination. Enjoying board games with friends by candlelight was also a new but fun experience.

That's all I can do for now. I'll finish up on the next post.