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Up against it
Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 04:44PM 
One World Trade Center, New York City :: October 29, 2019
Ugh.
I didn't realize it had been so long since I reached out to you all.
The Queen's funeral sort of knocked me sideways -- was it not poignant, especially at the end? -- and then other events crowded in.
But here we are.
Bad news: Brittany's grandparents live in Cape Coral, Florida.
Their house is a near-total loss. They lost one nice, new automobile too.
They did not evacuate, but rather rode out the storm at the second home of some friends who are still up north for the summer.
This morning, they went back to their house and faced the devastation.
Just about everything they own is under five feet of water and mud.
As of now, they are themselves uninjured and all right physically. But I can't even imagine the mental anguish of the situation they find themselves in.
Of course, nearly all of their church members (Brittany's grandfather is a pastor) are in the same boat.
As are their neighbors and friends, and even some relatives.
A daughter and son-in-law from farther up the Florida coast have managed to reach them today, to help in any way that they can.
Their trip into Cape Coral was iffy because power lines and trees are down, and roads are washed out, and bridges are gone.
Speaking of power, no one has any. Can't use the water, either.
It's a desperate situation and I ask that if you will, pray for Brittany's beloved grandparents.
She is upset and feels helpless sitting out there in Altus, Oklahoma.
Andrew is just finishing up pilot training -- he's in the last phase now, wherein he learns to fly the KC-135 Stratotanker.
In less than two months, he will be a fledgeling tanker pilot. Still rather green, but a tanker pilot nonetheless.
They've already bought a house in Maryville, Tennessee. Brittany will be driving east with Ember to set up housekeeping next week. They have a busy fall planned but if all goes well, they will be with us for Thanksgiving.
As for South Carolina, Ian is working its way towards us.
We live in the geographic center of South Carolina, so I don't think we have a whole lot to worry about; coastal areas are more vulnerable.
But we've had a gray, windy day, and unless something changes (doubtful), the rain will join forces with the wind during the night tonight and they will both be with us all day tomorrow.
I love a rainy day so I will be moled out at home, burning scented candles and watching the weather from the big windows of my sun room.
There will be a dog on one side of me -- actually two dogs, because Erica's chorkie, Sibi, is staying with us for a few days -- and a cat on the other.
Interesting.
But my thoughts won't be far from the tens of thousands of people who are dealing with the destruction wrought by Ian.
God please meet all of those folks in their trial, and comfort their hearts, and protect them, and help heal these devastated communities!
And that is all for now.
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Happy Thursday
Reader Comments (16)
It is just so tragic. You mentioned something that I hadn't thought of; the fact that for many of these people it's not just themselves, but friends, family, fellow church members also in this devastating situation. I'm praying for them and will specifically be praying for Brittany's grandparents.
@Mari ... yes! The ripples just keep going outward. It is hard to comprehend all of the ramifications of this event. God please help. xoxo
We lived in Ft. Myers for 20 years and I am just heartbroken at what devastation has happened. I have a number of friends who also have lost everything. It will take years to rebuild. The FM and Cape Coral area was such a beautiful place.
I'm so sorry that you also have someone close that is going through this. It's so hard to wrap your head around all of it.
Prayers for everyone!!
I'm sorry about Brittany's grandparents. Praying for them and everyone in Florida impacted by the hurricane right now. The devastation is horrible and it's going to take a long time for them to recover! My friend lives in Alva which is just a little northeast of Ft. Myers. She runs a sanctuary for elderly dogs that have been neglected and abused. Luckily, she came through with only some property damage. Her and the pups are safe, thank goodness. Once again, I am thankful to live in Michigan where we rarely have natural disasters. Stay saft and enjoy your rainy day!
@Lori ... Oh wow, I knew you had lived in Florida but I did not know it was Ft. Myers! Brittany was born in Ft. Myers. She is so heartbroken, not only for her grandparents but for the area where she grew up, that holds so many memories for her. It will take a long time to process all of this, and a lot of prayer and hard work too. I feel badly for everyone affected, but especially the elderly and those who will have a more difficult time starting over! xoxo
@Jeanette ... I think you have told me about your friend in Alva who helps the dogs! God bless her and them. I am so glad to hear that she and they are all right despite some damage to the property. Can you imagine how many stories there are and will be, to be told about this disaster? Just mind boggling. Yes Michigan is a beautiful state and blessedly free from many such events. But OY ... that governor! Haaahaha xoxo
Will pray for Brittany's grandparents and continue to pray for the people of Florida. I just can't imagine it all. So much destruction and devastation. Yet because I know our Lord, there will be beauty from these ashes. It might just take a bit of time to get there. Take care of yourself, Jenny, and your family!
betty
Thinking of you and hoping you and your family made it through the storm safely.
Hugs, my friend.
Happy Wishes to all I have missed!
Sadness at the latest hurricane information.
So happy you were not in danger.
Yes, the Queen's funeral was stirring...
Oh those wonderful young men, who carried her coffin! What a perfectly performed duty! What a memory!
Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci
Now, for October Eves.
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Oh man! I hear you about our governor! We are going to try our best to get rid of her in November but I'm not holding out much hope!!
Sadness for those impacted...
So glad you were not...
Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci
🍁🍂🌰🍂🍁
Awful, just awful. The news just keeps getting worse as the death toll rises. I’m sorry about your DIL’s grandparents, but glad they survived. I’m also glad that your son will be closer!
I have been following the news and thinking of just how hopeless that kind of devastation would leave me. I'm bad enough of we have a couple of hours with no electricity! Cannot imagine mud! I saw a shark swimming in someone's front yard! Hope you had no after effects from Ian. I love rainy days, too! Up to a certain level, I guess!. Add for the Queen, that has all been quite a feeling of complete change. I am glad I don't have to suddenly accept Charles and Camilla... it would not be easy to transition.
Thinking of you!
Praying for her grandparents!! What a horrible time of life, as well, to lose Everything!! My God in Heaven...
hughughugs
Donna
@Betty ... Thanks friend! We do need your prayers. Andrew and Brittany managed to arrange their schedules so that they could go down and help her grandparents for a few days. It was complicated but they were glad to do it. There is an overwhelming amount of work to be done but God is faithful and we know that He will meet them in the task! xoxo
@Lori ... Thank you! We just had a lovely rainy day. I enjoyed it (albeit guiltily when I considered what others were going through) because one, I love rain and two, it was cooler and three, I was able to stay home all day with candles going and you know the drill. Cozy. xoxo
@Mari-Nanci ... October Eves indeed! I am savoring every moment of October. Cooler, less humid, just so lovely. So glad to see you! xoxo
@Jeanette ... Wouldn't that be wonderful, to get her gone? Wow she is off the charts woke lib. Ugh. xoxo
@Bijoux ... YES I am so thankful that the Sextons were not hurt ... what they are having to deal with is bad enough. So many lost their lives. Tragic and irreparable. xoxo
@Gayla ... Ugh I know ... power outages are the worst IMO. I feel like I could deal with just about anything if I had power and running water -- and they have neither! Just devastating, on top of everything else. Sharks and snakes, ew! I do love me a rainy day, though ... I look forward to them and aim to get the most out of them -- especially in the fall, which is a special kind of rainy day! Can't deal with C&C ... just no. They are gross. xoxo
@Donna ... can you even imagine? I can't. It's horrible. I know that God is with them and they are trying to stay positive, but they've been dealt a crushing blow. xoxo
We are praying.
We also have a friend that was in the path of the storm. She is physically well, but much damage to deal with.
Prayers! Prayers! Prayers!
@Carla ... that is right, my friend. The only answer is to work as though it depends on us and pray as though it depends on God. Because it does. I do wish that there were something else I could do to help! I'm glad your friend is okay ... xoxo