Monday, October 29, 2012

Hurricanes and Mother-in-Laws

"Before the storm"
Ocean Grove on the Jersey Shore

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.
Well here we are... again.  A hurricane/superstorm is here in New Jersey.  Of all things they named it the same name as my Mother-in-law.  It's unfair or maybe a test of my faith.  I found my peace a few months ago.  She's not controlling, just anxious.  Who am I to judge?  My husband said, "Look honey my Mom is coming to visit on Monday."

My heart started to pound, back spasmed, "Whaaat?"

"She's in the News."

Oh of course, it's ok.  I can breathe.  We laughed together.

I took this photo last summer.  I wonder if the cross will stand up to Sandy.  The old wooden cross is just a symbol really.  Zephaniah 3:17 promises God Himself is in our midst.  Especially when we're scared.  Or maybe we pay more attention to His presence when we're scared.  This is a scary storm.  It's huge and our state is the front door for it to move into the midwest.  My heart goes out to the millions of people in New York.  NYC is cramped.  We have lots of open space that the city doesn't.  I really appreciate all the prayers for us.  Even the candidates are stopping to help out and pray.  Thank you.

One person said the lack of campaigning is a gift from God : )  Maybe so.  We are weary of all the negative ads.

As I was anxiously praying about the storm Zephaniah 3:17 came to mind.  God will never leave us nor forsake us.  He is mighty to save.  For hurricane Irene I sang Kumbaya as the wind pounded the big trees outside.  "Come by here my Lord, come by here."  I will probably be singing again this year.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray You will comfort and guide us through this storm.  Please change this mighty storm to a wisp of wind.  Let it go out to sea where no one will be hurt.  You are mighty to save.  Comfort us in our fear and help us remember Your Word.  You are always with us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

I don't know how long we'll have power.  I wanted to get this out before we're in the dark.  The worst for us is supposed to be tonight and tomorrow morning.  My battery operated gadgets are charged.   Camera ready.  May God bless us one and all.   I'll keep praying : )

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  
Psalm 27:13

Last night I prayed they wouldn't forget us and leave us in the dark.  This morning I woke up to a helicopter outside the window : )  It was the National Guard checking in on us.  We got our power today (11-4-12) after 4pm.  Thank you so much for prayers.  God bless!  Karen  
P.S.  Still more prayers and work to do for others.  God will guide me.


16 comments:

  1. Praying for your safety! Please let us know how you are if you can.

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  2. Thanks Colleen I will let you know. God bless!

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  3. Hahaha it just took us 30 minutes to figure out how to put batteries in a boom box! Has it been that long since digital first came out? We're all set now. We have a fireplace, boom box is set to News and I snuck in some music CDs. I made a bed for myself on the couch- hubby will sleep in his recliner. We have 2 lanterns that run off of 6v batteries and a generator. A few weeks ago I had the sudden urge to buy some replacement batteries. Maybe the Lord was prompting me. Ready as we can be : ) Be back soon.

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  4. I've been praying for you guys Karen...So funny about the Mother in Law, LOL!

    Let us know how you are faring when you get a chance OK?
    ~God Bless, and keep you~ Pleading the blood of Jesus over you all~ Amen ~ Lisa

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  5. We're fine : ) No power... No damage!!! Thanks be to God : ). Thanks for prayers! Jersey shore is gone. 2 million lost power. We're in the last 85000 will write more when I have a computer. Cell phones are so small : )

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  6. Can't believe the shore is gone. We've only seen a few newspaper photos. Praying for those who mourn.

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  7. Err make that last 709,000 without power. May take a few days...

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    1. Still praying that Supplies and help will come wherever needed.

      Praying for all who lost loved ones, and lost homes and businesses~
      Thanking the Lord you and your husband, your home, and kitties are well! Hoping and praying you get power back on soon Karen.

      ~God Bless~ Lisa

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  8. Thanks Lisa! We got a flicker of light last night : ) Maybe today we'll get power. They are rationing gas now. God bless!

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  9. Traffic lights are out, drivers don't stop. Lots of accidents. I gave my National Geographic and Astronomy magazines to kids next door they are going bonkers very grateful for them. Churches are opening doors with food and coffee. My neighbor told me to boil water on the stove for heat. It. Works! Temps at night in the 30's now. Prayiing for the homeless all without power.

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  10. Power companies are here from all over USA : ) There is so much to be thankful for : )

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  11. We have gas stove so I can cook, a fireplace, hot, clean water. We can take showers. We got a generator for a few hours of light at night. Praising God for thermal underwear : ) And neighbors that help each other out.

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  12. Hi Karen,
    Thanks be to God, he will never leave us or forsake us. I am glad you got through this storm alright.
    Blessings,
    Ken

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  13. Thanks Ken! We just got our local newspaper yesterday. The editor wrote that our area really "dodged a bullet." The surrounding towns really got hit. I believe it was God's hand and the fact that our landscaping company went through the trees and cut down any that were dangerous. He will never leave us or forsake us! Amen!

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  14. Forgot to mention, I found a Youtube of a bicyclist riding through Ocean Grove filming. The wooden cross above is gone as well as the dunes. But someone put up a metal cross in it's place made of pipes. : ) I will share the Youtube in my next post.

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    1. Wow, that would be amazing to see! How God uses his people to testify of His love and strength. I'll be waiting to see that footage. Thank the Lord that they had the good sense to cut those trees...I read that trees were the biggest threat to many communities...that only makes sense!

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