Susan and Hayden and I returned home from Louisiana on Friday. We waited as long as we could take it. On Thursday I had spoken with one of my neighors and she said we had "lot's of yard work to do, but everything else looks good." So we were feeling quite good about ourselves, definiely blessed, but still hurting for those who weren't so fortunate. When we got home it was like we hadn't missed a beat - except the yard. Whooohooo! It was a wreck! The good news we did not have to go without power or water at all. We were so thankful, I guess it pays to live near the hospital.
We both decided we would jump outside today and work on the yard. It took us almost the whole day just to make the front yard semi-organized. We did a lot even though we had to juggle Hayden. It is really hard to get in to a rhythm while working on something like that when you have to deal with an infant, but Hayden is a trooper. Here is the debris pile after just one day of front yard clean up. The important thing is, we were spared and are safe. We thank God for that! Thanks to all of you guys who prayed for us during this scary time in our lives.
This was just the front yard debris.
Two additional things to note:
1- Susan and I both managed to get stung by yellowjackets today. Fortunately Hayden did not. I am sure our neighbors thought we were on heavy perscriptions, yeah that's it.
2- I am so dissapointed in myself. I am not sure how to explain it but, with all of my prayers the last few days I felt like I was using God like a vending machine. I know it sounds funny, but God has been so good to Susan and I, and somehow I am sure he knows I thought he was going to let us down. Even if our house would have demolished, He has never let me down, yes I would have been sad, but I have to remind myself of this -
Luke 9:57-58
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Romans 8:26-28
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.
Great and Awesome God and Father - I thank you for your hand of protection and love. I do not yield to you enough, I do not know you well enough, yet I yearn to be more like you and more intune with you and your spirit. I love you, I am weak, you are strong. It isn't enough for me to search out your heart, may I find it. Thank you for safety, and for the blessing of life and life which was spared. Please be with those hurting so badly at this time. Only your hand can heal them and give them what they need!!! I am yours Father to use, to mold and to care for. Please understand when I am weak, and every day when I fail you! I love you! Amen
