« August 2005 | Main | October 2005 »
September 24, 2005
Come Wind, Come Weather
The Lord spared Katy, Texas last night. Although we had strong winds and rain, we have seen little damage near our home. All is well!
We are so looking forward to our day of fellowship tomorrow! It will do our souls good to be together praising the Lord for His deliverence.
Thank you all for your prayers.
A view of the sky to the west before the storm - and a concerned little Emma.
Darker clouds to the east! But all is prepared for the hurricane.
The aftermath is windy and rainy, but overall minimal damage. Even the children's fort came through fine!
Posted by jm at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2005
Rita Update - In Search of Gasoline
Melissa and I went searching for gasoline today. For those who do not know, crude oil, the base component of gasoline, is the second largest consumable in the world - second only to water. And today, we saw first hand how valuable this product is. All over the area, on freeways, highways, and county roads, abandoned cars cluttered the shoulders. We do not know where the passengers went, but our prayers go out to them.
This does bring up an interesting thought - our lives are very dependent on the gooey, sticky black stuff called crude oil. I am not talking about only transportation fuels such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc. The list of petroleum-derived by-products is endless, including such products as ball-point pens and sunglasses, trash bags and nylon rope, crayons and toothbrushes, deodorant and nail polish and tennis shoes and lipstick, candles, paint, carpet, soap, perfumes, balloons, photographic film, insecticides, margarine, cassettes, telephones, and polyester.
This presents an opportunity for us as parents. We should teach our children to conserve this energy source, and also find ways to be self-sufficient, at least as much as possible. We do not know how much crude oil the Lord has given us, but like all resources, we should thank him for his provision.
For those interested, we have 1/4 tank in our Camry and 3/4 tank in our Ford E-350. And no gasoline in sight.
Click here to donate to Family Reformation Ministries.
Posted by jm at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
Hurricane Prep Photos
A cordless drill - a "mantool" to prepare for a hurricane!
Stacy helping at the office - so many books to store!
James VI helping to prepare the office for the onslaught.
Taped, boarded, secured. No tea today!
A young McDonald maiden (Virginia Grace) awaits the hurricane with one of our dear friends from New Orleans (Marisha).
The temperature leading up to Rita's landing has been record-setting! Who would have expected 100 degrees in September! Emma and Virginia Grace attempt to cool down with a family favorite - popsicles!
Checking the latest coordinates, estimating wind speed, monitoring the slow evacuation process. How spoiled we are with technology! It was not too long ago that such meteorological menaces came upon us unaware. Thank God for the gifts He has given us today!
We have washed out just about everything we can find to hold that most precious commodity - water!
Another McDonald maiden (Tiffany) helping in the kitchen - if we lose power and water, at least we will eat well!
Ah, the finished product!
Preparing our home includes securing the windows. With Rita's slight turn east, we are not expecting "major" winds (just 65 to 70 mph sustained) but the gusts could be severe. We will be praying today for our friends in the storm's path.
Click here to donate to Family Reformation Ministries.
Posted by jm at 06:04 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2005
Red Sky in Morning...
Red sky in morning, Sailors take warning.
Red sky at night, Sailors' delight.
I woke up before the crack of dawn today to search for some bottled water in preparation for Hurricane Rita. Unfortunately, the shelves were empty. The sun was just rising as I left the store, casting an eerie red glow around our city. Gas stations were packed with lines of cars, a few piloted by very angry drivers, striving for position. I-10, our lifeline to San Antonio, had become a parking lot. We are hearing reports of folks taking over 12 hours to make the normal 2.5 hour drive. Many are running out of fuel, creating even more hurdles for frantic families behind.
We have decided to hunker down and weather out the storm. James VI and I spent the day preparing our store and office, taping and boarding up windows. Data is backed up and files are protected.
At home, we have one family from New Orleans staying with us, and another coming to stay from another part of the city. We have made bread and cookies, gathered hymnals and Psalters, tested batteries and flashlights, in anticipation for the fury of the storm.
Our ministry opportunities will certainly grow after this event. In the eye of the storm, God is still our source and in control.
Please keep us in prayer. While we did have a red sky this morn, God has given us His Word to be our comfort and guild.
We will post more details as the Lord allows.
"Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught." (Proverbs 3:25-26, NKJV)
Click here to donate to Family Reformation Ministries.
Posted by jm at 01:46 PM | Comments (1)
September 20, 2005
Operation Katrina Update
Dear Friends,
A quick update on Operation Katrina.
Families continue to call with needs as a result of Katrina. For a time, we have a single mother with two children living in our home. While I type, I am on the phone with a mother of two with another blessing on the way. She is living with family in South Carolina. Here husband is still in Louisiana with reports that there are still five feet of water in their home.
We are excited to note that a number of publishers to provide curriculum to those affected by the hurricane. To date, the following advertisers have stepped forward to help...
Alpha Omega
Critical Thinking
Deeper Roots
H&H Publishing
Konos
Learning By Grace
My Father's World
Rosetta Stone
We have been able to help a growing number of families to date with needed curriculum and funds for lost supplies.
Many of you have offered your homes as well to help these families. I have been excited to see the outpouring of offers from your homes. However, to date, we have few families needing help. What we are seeing is that homeschooling families have such a strong support system with both extended families and friends, that most are not in need of housing.
Some of you have also asked to donate used curriculum to this effort. If you have items to donate, please contact Project Noah.
This is a very fluid situation that is changing fast - especially with another hurricane brewing in the Gulf. I will try to give you updates as they become available.
Click here if you would like to donate to this work.
James
Posted by jm at 08:44 PM | Comments (2)