Boom in the Night

On Monday night, Hurricane Sandy blew through our part of Virginia.  The rain was substantial, but the wind….let’s just say that I didn’t like it, at all.  (which is a grown up way of saying that I got scared 🙂  )  About 8 PM, I was laying in bed with my youngest, singing her lullabies, when we saw a huge flash of light, and heard a big “boom!”  Then downstairs, I heard my husband say “What was that?” and my other daughter said, “There’s a fire in the backyard!”  Needless to say, Amy & I got up in a flash and ran to the back window, where we saw the electrical pole/transformer that’s in our back yard sparking, then starting a pole fire.  Sparks were flying onto our outbuilding’s roof and into the woods.  I called 911, and was reporting it, when all of a sudden….”BOOM!” again, huge white/green flash explosion, scary electrical surge sound in the house.  Then finally, a final and even bigger explosion which made the whole house shake and feel like it was on fire.  The phone line and electricity in the house was gone suddenly, and we were all quickly making our way downstairs, in the dark, making sure we had everybody and our dog.  All I could think of was to get out of there.  Thankfully, my cool-headed husband realized that the house wasn’t actually on fire, and when he looked outside, he saw that the fire was completely out in the backyard.  (Thank You, Lord!)  So we stayed, and prayed, and then prayed some more.  And then the wind stopped around 3 AM, and I have never been so happy to hear the quiet return.

Here are some pictures of our awesome Rappahannock Electric guys rebuilding our pole the next morning….

The wind and tree broken transformer pole

The live wires that fell into our yard

REC workers to the rescue

So long story short, I am thankful, for life, for the fire going out, for utility and rescue workers, mostly for the mercy of God.  For any of you who went through worse experiences further north, I am continuing to lift you up in my prayers, for strength through these coming rebuilding days.  Blessings, Lisa

Prayers

This morning, as I am reading all the forecasts and projections for Hurricane Sandy’s landfall, I am also praying.  Not a big fancy prayer, but simple, short sentences that fill my mind as I read.  “Help them, God.”  “Please give everyone safety.”  Here in Virginia we’re looking at lots of rain and some wind gusts tonight into tomorrow.  But wherever you are right now, be thankful that you are safe and reading this, and hug those that may be close by, or at least tell them that you appreciate them.  Because anytime that things like this come along, it’s a wake-up call that our God-given life is precious, and that moments are precious, and that it is such a blessing to be here together.  Be safe, and be God’s.  Slainte, Lisa

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.”  (Psalm 107:28-30)

Looking with all your heart

There’s a new Kenny Chesney song that sticks in my head and I find myself singing more than I want to.  “El Cerrito Place” and the chorus goes, “I’ve been looking for you baby, I’ve been looking for you baby…”  several times more.  You would think that kind of repetition would not make for a good song, but for some reason, his single-mindedness to find this girl, not giving up, going to all her favorite places, is endearing.  I love to think that if I went missing, that my dear husband would spend many hours and weeks and months with the same determination to find me.  🙂

How hard and how much do we want to find God?  Do we run after a relationship with Him in the same way we run after our earthly loves?  How amazing it would be (and I’m including myself in this) if we could persistently and desperately yearn and long for a close relationship with God.  He never walks away from us, never leaves us; it’s usually me that steps back for whatever reason.  He just waits and loves and rejoices when I finally get it through my head that He is always there.  Slainte, Lisa

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”                         – Jeremiah 29:13

 

He Who Laughs, Laughs Better Together

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”                   – Proverbs 17:22

“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.” – Robert Frost

I have noticed something; I laugh much more, louder, and deeper when I am with other people.  Now you would think that this would be obvious, but the other night my husband was traveling and I decided to watch reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond” to have a good laugh and relax before bed.  After all, upon previous watchings, my hubby and I would laugh almost to the point of crying.  However, I watched this time quietly, almost vegetatively.  I was happy somewhere on the inside, felt amused at times, but there was no laughing out loud, guffaws, etc.  Why was that?  I felt somewhat mad at myself for my lack of outward enjoyment.  (as I always feel so much better after I laugh for awhile 🙂  )

It’s the companionship that was missing.  The other person that’s with you that is also laughing at the same thing, or starts the laughing, and then you can’t help but join in.  The laughter that continues long after the punch line, until you don’t really know why you’re laughing anymore.

So now hubby is back home, happily, and last night we watched a show and laughed and laughed.  And it felt great.   Slainte, Lisa

 

Peace Amidst

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands….there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. “

-Psalm 19:1,3

A bit of peace and beauty for your Tuesday morning.  These auroras are truly magnificent. Watch in wonder.   Slainte, Lisa