In the Path of the Storm
Hurricanes and tornadoes are new to me. I grew up in the cold desert of Southern Idaho. Rain there it is a slow drizzle, not a furious torrent.
Upon my arrival in Texas, the thunder storms delighted me. The lightning streaked across the sky, and I waited to be shaken by the thunder. The power of nature was spectacular.
I didn’t have to worry about my house flooding, or my children being startled awake by crashing clouds. I could gaze out the window and simply enjoy the view. Some of that wonder still exists, but it is tempered by reality.
Our house has flooded twice from rain not associated with a hurricane. Sweeping water out the front door and drying wet books taught me to fear. I am not terrified, but my heart does beat slightly faster as the news announces the real storm is still miles away.
We’ve been watching the trees sway since early this morning. The clouds speed across the ominous sky, and the rain has started.
My children are in awe of the impending storm. They want the blinds up so they can see it all: the sway, the drip, the green, the gray. Seeing them gaze out the window, my heart remembers the wonder and trust of childhood. Wonder at the power and majesty of nature. Trust in love for shelter.
Update: All is well. The inside of the house stayed dry. No branches crashed into the roof. As an added bonus, I got a day off work and long nap. However, there are thousands of evacuees in our city who are still worried about their property. Please remember them.
Stay safe Renae! Hope your family keeps (relatively) dry.
Our family experienced Hugo, when it came all the way up to Charlotte, still as a category 1. That’s one of my most vivid childhood memories, and because of my relative youth, I gloried in the excitement of the incomparable winds, without carrying the adults’ burden of worry. I experienced being without power for a week+ as an adventure. I’m sure my parents and other adults found it to be much less thrilling, especially since many were without power for at least 2 weeks, and many properties were badly damaged.
Oh, I’m glad you made a post today. I was wondering about you and another friend in Texas as I watched the weather station late last night. I prayed for both families and others as well. I’m hoping all goes well for you through the week-end.
Blessigns!
April,
Thank you. Outside is very wet, but the inside of our house is dry, and no branches crashed through the roof. :) It is still raining, but the worst passed. I breathed a sigh of relief and feel asleep for hours.
However, I think the kids are disappointed the power didn’t go out. Like your story, they were looking forward to the adventure. They enjoy reading with a flashlight and eating in the dark.
DJ,
Thank you for your prayers. I really try not to worry about these things, but the news reports the worst case scenario. Seeing a mass of swirling clouds the size of Texas heading towards your house isn’t comforting either.
My thoughts are with the thousands of evacuees in our city. My property is safe; they are still worrying about theirs.
Hey, thanks for your comment. We were watching the weather channel last night and I was trying to think if I knew anybody in Texas, then I remembered you. I wasn’t sure what part you are in, but I hope all is well and you are safe. Storms can be so scary sometime. Now that we are in Florida, I’m sure we will get our fair share too.
Good to hear from you.
We need an update…is all well there now?
Emily,
Yes, I added an update to the bottom of the post. Thanks for asking!
Good to hear things are well with you and your family. I’ve just seen a few pictures this morning on the news and I feel so bad for all those people. They are in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings!
Hi Renae. I’ve been a Floridian for most of my life, I never have gotten use to the storms. LOL! Glad everyone is safe and you didn’t have any damage. Yes, my children get a little disappointed when the power doesn’t go out too. They want to get the flash lights, the lanterns, etc. But in the day time, they like their a/c being on! LOL! During Fay, just a few weeks ago, the power did go out and we had a lesson on creation. The room was completely dark and I showed them what it must have been like when God said, “Light be!” It was very dramatic when the lantern came on….
Glad to hear that you and yours are safe. My dad wanted to be a storm chaser, and liked to take us out to look at storms. My mom would stand in the hallway and pray that they’d be over soon.
His creation is marvelous, even in its storms.
So glad you guys are safe! I remember Hurricane Gloria, in which our home’s basement flooded hip deep. It was scary, but I remember being in awe of the awesome power of God at the same time.
Yes, the power of nature is marvelous and fearful. I imagine storms are part of creation groaning for the sons of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19-22)
Summer,
Homeschoolers use every opportunity to teach, don’t we? :) We read about weather and even found a book about hurricanes at the library.
MInTheGap,
I bet she did! My kids like to splash in the rain, but they were not allowed to during this storm.
Glad that you’re ok. I grew up with tornadoes….I’m still afraid of them. I remember, as a child, seeing all the school buses in the parking lot on their backs, like turtles, after one tornado came through. Scary stuff.