We wake up feeling discouraged as it is still raining. We are hoping to go to church this morning just for a small impromptu service as a way to worship and thank God for his blessings in all of this. Church has no power so they decide it is probably best to cancel.
The water on our street is higher now. At one point is it up to the door of our neighbors on the end. Ugh! The blessing in all of this: cooler weather!
One story that those with power are telling is about a woman in one of the hard hit areas talking with a reporter. The reporter asks how she feels seeing no churches open on this Sunday morning. The woman responds, "Honey, it is no problem. We always buy our chicken from Popeyes!"
Now if you live in the north you might not understand. We have a restaurant chains that sell chicken down here by the name of Churches and Popeyes.
We light some candles and listen to our kids whine. We fill the morning between going outside and looking, playing Jenga, cars, blocks, trying to get a line out to call family and friends for updates.
Friends begin to throw cook thawed food parties. We decide to get out before the water rises again. As the water goes down, we head out to our in-laws to see the damage in their area and cook some macaroni and cheese for the kids. They have a gas stove. On the way, we see that some areas already have electricity and are open.
Our in-laws arrive with some Chinese food they found while out. We get a call from my son's school saying school is canceled through Wednesday. What a surprise! Trees are down blocking roads everywhere. Water is over the highways and police are redirecting traffic.
After having lunch, we leave to visit some more friends. The heat is unbearable and we are feeling sick. On the way home, we decide that the kids can't last much more without electricity.
We decide to drive to Arkansas and stay with my brother. As we get to the house, neighbors are out cleaning. Jokingly, I say that we have power when my hubby unlocks the door. The joke is actually on me because we do! Everyone is screaming in celebration and the air is turned up along with lights turned on all over the house.
We find an old antenna and turn on the t.v. not prepared for what we would see. Destruction after destruction was shown on t.v. People suffering and working to rebuild was shown all across Houston.
Through this all there is a spirit of getting together and helping one another. Life down here may be without power, homes, and/or food, but there is still this spirit of hope and fight.
The local Christian radio station continues to say, "Houston, we will get through this and soon Ike will once again be a president from the past."
Houston has one-third of the nations economy is controlled in this city. Ships were waiting off the ship channel just hoping to be allowed into the Port of Houston. Oil refineries are down. Industries from technology to retail headquarters are all at a stand still.
Yet, today three days after Ike blew through and changed lives forever, people are out fighting to make things better. Clean-up is happening all over town. Stores are opening back up, restaurants are opening up. Gas lines are still long, but Houstonians are rolling up their sleeves and getting back to work!
People are still without power. Many still needing food and water. The biggest need is ice and gas. Yet, we continue to fight. I recently found out that Houston and Galveston was only a nightly news update nation wide. I guess that is why I wrote this. I wanted people to hear the news down here and know what life is like.
People and volunteers have come across the entire nation and Canada to help. We feel blessed. However, as you lay your head down tonight, realize there are many here who have no home, have no power, have no food, etc. Through all of that, Houstonians still have hope for a future. We rebuild! We will persevere!
