I’ve discovered that life goes on in the aftermath of a hurricane. Now that everyone in the community has had their power restored, life is pretty much back to normal. I believe the last of our community had their power restored by last Wednesday. The students have all returned to school, and clean up is in progress almost everywhere I look. Life goes on.
After being able to actually tour the area we live in, and see much of the damage caused by hurricane Matthew, I now realize, more than ever, how blessed most of us really are! There are many, many trees down, with a lot of them within just a few feet of people’s homes. Fortunately, most of the trees fell away from most people’s houses–or in between them. But for the Grace of God, all those homes could have been damaged, including the former home of Ed’s parents.
I’m observing that our little flock of chickens hasn’t been quite the same since hurricane Matthew. Their chicken coop is located at the edge of our yard, where several tall pines surround it. The noise from the storm was LOUD from inside our house, so I can only imagine how it must have sounded to the chickens from their coop outside! Whenever I let the hens out of their pen, the following morning, the poor things pretty much stayed hidden for the first day after the storm. The fact that some of our hens are in the middle of molting season hasn’t helped matters, either. Some of the poor things look like they’ve been plucked, so they’re still looking naked and afraid:) Egg production is now at a standstill.
Have you ever noticed how one project always seems to lead to another one? During the hurricane, we were forced to move two freezers from the former home of Ed’s parents. One freezer we put inside of our storage house, the other we placed under our carport, temporarily. Because there are no windows for ventilation in our storage house, we had to purchase a screened door for the house. Ed’s in the process of installing the screened door as I write.
Yesterday, I observed, again, how God will help us triumph over whatever stumbling blocks Satan throws in our path. Yesterday morning, I woke up with a headache, that persisted all day, and threatened to keep me from attending worship. I determinedly made it to the first service, but by the end of the day, I came close to giving in to the headache, which had worsened. I was really struggling because our son was guest speaking at a little church, in town, and I really wanted to hear him preach again. Finally, at the last minute, I got off the couch, put on my clothes and went to church–headache and all. And do you know what? Once I got into church and began the worship service my headache almost went away! Praise the Lord!
You know, good worship services can take place anytime, anywhere. What could be sweeter than gathering with four elderly Alzheimer patients, in an assisted living home, singing Jesus Loves Me, and hearing their sweet voices all chiming in? That experience was priceless, and one I’ll always treasure.
There’s nothing quite like decorating for autumn…twice! I’d just finished putting up the last of our fall decor, when the weatherman began warning us about hurricane Matthew. Finally, on the day before the storm, I decided I should bring the outside decorations inside. I’m so glad I did! Last Friday, Ed and I finished decorating–for the second time. Unfortunately, my blow up jack-o-lantern decided to stop working last night. What’s a girl to do?
My back is feeling much better, these days. Although I’m still cautious, I can bend without discomfort, once again. I still feel some minor nerve involvement in my left leg, but I can live with it, and hope, in time, that will continue to improve, as well. The surgical site on my ‘backside’ is also doing well. One of these days I might actually get rid of my padded toilet seat 🙂
I don’t know why, but I’ve really been struggling with this ‘blogging thing’, lately. What once came so easily, is now so difficult. I’m lacking in both motivation and energy. I hope the situation will improve, with time, and that my blogging friends will not forsake me during this difficult time. Thank you to those who still come by and comment! I love and appreciate you. Thank goodness for The Wednesday Hodgepodge, which guarantees I’ll blog and visit at least once a week, but I’m going to try and to better. With that thought in mind, I’m outta’ here…
Reflections...by Kathy 