1 YEAR AGO TODAY... Tuesday, October 9th...
Hurricane Michael was heading towards the Florida panhandle as a Cat 3 storm. We weren't overly concerned - we lived 40 miles from the coast and had weathered hurricanes before, but we shopped and prepped the well-worn generator and fans.
Jess and Melissa were booked on a birthday cruise that Friday so Mel and John had just flown into Orlando and had temporary living arrangements there. Jess' husband, Rob is a firefighter, required to remain active for the storm - the cruise was out, but how wonderful to have a safe place for my children and grandchildren to go and spend time with Melissa and John!!! Blessings in the midst of the storm!
5 days later.... Sunday Oct 14, 2018
The kids are coming home from Orlando today. Melissa and John went ahead and left on the cruise they flew here for, but Jess is bringing everyone else back. Hurricane Michael was heading towards the Florida panhandle as a Cat 3 storm. We weren't overly concerned - we lived 40 miles from the coast and had weathered hurricanes before, but we shopped and prepped the well-worn generator and fans.
Jess and Melissa were booked on a birthday cruise that Friday so Mel and John had just flown into Orlando and had temporary living arrangements there. Jess' husband, Rob is a firefighter, required to remain active for the storm - the cruise was out, but how wonderful to have a safe place for my children and grandchildren to go and spend time with Melissa and John!!! Blessings in the midst of the storm!
5 days later.... Sunday Oct 14, 2018
They had a great time together and I'm so thankful the children were indulged with fun, laughter and family time rather than to have been exposed to the fury and fright of the storm! (Joel was traveling to Alaska at the time helping a friend move there so he missed the excitement)
This canvas hangs in my living room now - a reminder of what is most dear to me and how God kept them all safe.
My kids are awesome! While still in south Florida Jessica organized a fundraiser and filled every spare inch of her truck with supplies to bring back to help others in need. she wrote:
"Coming up with a game plan! Most aid are providing water and other basic essentials so thinking a little outside the box! Any special requests will be honored! Thank you so much for your support!"
As a mother of toddlers she was thinking (and purchasing) diapers, wipes, formula, bottles... Things that were immediately necessary but perhaps overlooked. By now aid stations were being set up all over town overflowing with good will, but mostly with things like water, tarps, food, flashlights and batteries.
As she received monies and shopped, Jess posted her receipts online so that generous donators could see how their contributions were spent. I'm so proud of this girl!
my journal for today day reads:
Sunday, Oct 14 - LEVI'S B-DAY - Day 4
* chilly last night - Thank God - noon and the house still feels like the AC is on
73 degrees @ noon - Hot outside
* visited with Jamie and Brad
* went to Piggly Wiggly for gas and feed - line too long - went home
* fed farm - hay barn flipped so hay is moldy and hot but the animals are loving it!
* milked goats - calf is keeping cow stripped (we had been milking our Jersey cow and bottle feeding her 2 month old calf, but without grid power we decided to reintroduce the calf to her mom to make life easier)
* Bob unloaded trailer - plan is to go to Joshs' and see if we can get hay and drive to Chipley or Freeport for feed, parts for the generator, stove and chainsaws.
* Used the Kia to charge batteries
* Rested and waited for Jess and Scarlet
SHE"S HOME and SAFE!!!
* Bob is using the tractor to move and snap trees out of the way
oh - 1st day - went out to the car and it locked itself with the keys in it (faulty wiring that acts up when wet)
2nd day - truck battery was dead - after clearing tree from driveway we towed the truck out from under another tree with the tractor and used the Mahindra to charge the batteries.
* Took a chance and drove the trailer to Joshs'. HE WAS THERE!! Amazing! Got 5 rolls and set up to meet again on Tuesday.
* Home - Bob changed oil in generator - ran fans - HOT outside! and DID LAUNDRY!
* Made burgers for dinner
* Refrigerator in bunkhouse is shot
* Fridge here not doing well (even with the genny)
* Plan to go to Dothan tomorrow to buy another generator
* Saw Kira and Shawn - Thank God they're ok!
* Heard from Kim - She's ok too - had internet while away from home
Finally... a beautiful end to a very full day!
I am so glad to read about your journey a year later-- this time without being concerned because I couldn't reach you!
ReplyDelete