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
