"I hope you evacuees can come to church with us tomorrow," I said to my great niece.
"What's an evacuee?"
And so we learned a new word, one they will never forget.
After a little storm prep ourselves, for a storm that didn't amount
to much after all, we got a text saying our nephew, wife,
four girls, MIL and pet rabbit were coming up to our house to seek shelter.
We were happy to have them here.
But it was a bit stressful texting back and forth with my sister as they
packed up important stuff, wrapped photo albums in plastic,
boarded up their house and left to shelter at their nearby church,
not knowing what they'd find when they returned.
We prayed much.
Nephew was anxious to get back to check on their house, farm and horse, so
left when the worst was over. As soon as we had washed their sheets and towels,
our niece and her family arrived. They had left before the storm hit, but because of road
conditions had to overnight on the way up. The decision to leave had been
very difficult and you could see the exhaustion and strain on their faces,
as they too chose what to take and what to leave,
and then drove through driving rain and wind.
We're thankful everyone was safe, minimal damage was done
to their homes and the power is coming back on.
It was a bonus family time for us and the cousins.
We have much to thank God for,
while there are others hurting to pray for.
...Therefore (we) have hope.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end,
They are new every morning.
