Waiting for the Light...

We have weathered the storm, and are waiting for our power to come back on. I was thankful our house was spared from any damage, and so glad to see outside after David took all the plywood off all the windows. It's very, very dark in a house that has wood over every window, especially when there's no power, and therefore, no lights.
The first 2 days, the kids whined for the TV and computer, but realized how well off we were after we drove to church and back on Sunday, one day after Hurricane Ike. They saw all the debris in the street, all the trees that had fallen on homes, and the long lines for food and gas. So after that, they stopped complaining. We are on our 5th day without power now. But David took pity on them this morning, and hooked up the computer to the generator. So they happily watched a few episodes of The Backyardigans.

I have to admit it seems surreal to be on the computer at all, let alone check my email and post on my blog. After the kids went out to play, David hooked up the modem for the first time this morning. I had 69 emails... unreal.
These are the graces that have been the most memorable since the hurricane hit.

1. Generous and caring neighbors. John across the street loaned us his generator periodically, then another neighbor Tom gave us his extra one to use until we have power. I will be forever thankful to them. When the power is restored, I'm going to bake both of them a cake. We have cold water, ice, and all the frozen food is safe. When you have 4 kids, you've invested in that food in the deep freezer. Another neighbor Lisa (the next street over has power) let me do two big loads of laundry, and when I picked it up, she had even laid the clothes flat so they wouldn't wrinkle. Awesome. I'd forgotten how much laundry we go through in 4 days.

2. The sandwich shop down the street was open Saturday night, and we got hot sandwiches for lunch on Sunday. Amazing how a simple sandwich makes everything better.

3. A cool front. David Paul on Channel 11 said, "this would be the most significant cool front for Houston, ever." He was right. Since Monday night, it has been gorgeous outside, and more than tolerable inside the house. No rain, so everything has dried out, and the kids have been able to play outside to their hearts content.

4. We never lost our phone line, gas, or water. I've been able to cook every night, and the kids have made s'mores over the gas cook top twice. Chocolate is the best distraction :-) Gabriel LOVED warm melted chocolate, and kept begging for more.

5. Mass, (although brief) was a welcome respite on Sunday, and it was reassuring to see familiar faces and know people were fervently praying for each other.

6. Faith like a child. After communion on Sunday, I heard Christina say to David, "Daddy, we have to pray for all the people's houses that got hurt by the hurricane." She remembered all the downed trees we saw on the way to Mass, and how many of them were on homes.

7. Gratitude that our house is fine, our neighbors homes are fine, and no one we know has lost their house completely. Some had damage, but nothing major, thanks be to God.

8. Quality playtime with each other. The kids have been forced to find other ways to amuse themselves, often with toys they haven't brought out in ages. At one point, Joshua was on his Leapster, Rebecca on the Leapad, Christina had her My First Leapad, and the girls showed Gabriel how to use the Little Touch Leapad. It was sweet to see that much cooperation.

9. No flu shots. The kids were supposed to get flu shots Monday afternoon, but the clinic was shut down; no telling when they'll be up and running again. Nobody was upset by that at all ;-).

10. A good old fashioned newspaper. We've been able to buy a paper every day and check for news about schools, grocery stores, gas stations, etc. It's been a reliable source of news for us.

I am ready for life to get back to "normal," but realize God is giving us the opportunity to earn graces right now. I've been through typhoons and blizzards growing up, but really didn't appreciate the full impact a natural disaster has until now. As a child, I suppose you don't really understand or see the greater picture because you count on your parents to make life as normal as possible. I keep telling the kids, "We're just camping out in the house."

Everyone stay safe, and let me know how you are. God bless, and we're praying for you.