Hamner's Home: September 2008

The short version... We survived the storm and made our way back to Houston the Sunday after Ike made landfall. We had minimal damage to our fence, a tree and our storage shed. The only "suffering" we had to endure was being without power for almost nine full days. It was difficult at times, but even in the midst of it, I learned so much and those things definitely outweigh the hard things. If you want more details, read below.

The Long version... For those who want to know more!!!!! There were so many times over the last week I wished I could have blogged. The Lord showed me so many great things through this ordeal. I'll try to put them into words. First, watching from a distance was like a flashback to living through Katrina three years ago (being so close, yet so far away...for those who don't know, we lived in Lafayette, LA when Katrina hit). All we could do was watch as this monster of a hurricane made landfall. (not that I am comparing it to the devastation of Katrina...thank goodness we have ALL learned not to underestimate the power of even a Cat. 2 storm.) It brought back so many memories and the warnings and anticipation of what the storm was capable of was draining. I did not sleep that night at all. We started getting text messages at 4:30 am from family and friends in Houston and it was just getting started. My good friend that lives in our neighborhood said it was the scariest thing EVER and sitting in the darkness with her family, all she wanted to to know "how much longer???". I was so thankful we left. I know I would have been scared, but I think JE would have been terrified! My first lesson was a gentle reminder to follow my husband's lead...let's just say I was not happy about packing up for a family of FIVE, including a newborn. :) Everything else I learned came from not having power for SO LONG! I realized very quickly how much I take for granted the modern conveniences that the Lord has blessed us with . And, I was without them ALL at once. Being without A/C for the first couples days was okay because the Lord sent a cool front through right after the storm hit. BUT, it eventually did get HOT again. We did not have a choice in finding other activities to do during the day besides watch TV. I'll be the first to admit that I abuse that privilege so much, mainly as a survival tactic, but being without it made me realize that we can (the kids and I during the day) survive without it...we HAD TO! We exhausted every other toy/activity we have in our house...specifically those toys/activities that are often overlooked. The boys had so much time to learn to play together and I had so much time to engage with them. Some of you might have this mastered, but it is something I struggle with. There were so many opportunities to "learn" and so many invaluable opportunities to "talk". It was time not wasted for sure! By Friday (almost a week later) I was exhausted and HOT and Eddie brought home a generator and a window unit. It helped, but it didn't make life normal. I continued to wash all dishes by hand and to make sure that ALL task were completed by 7:15pm. We quickly realized why the Pioneers (before the invention of electricity) got up SO EARLY and also went to bed SO EARLY. Those are the times when the sun is up!!! It was difficult not being connected to the world...no phone, TV (news), internet, and cell service that was in and out, but it was so great to realize how much I depend on those things. In the wake of the storm, I am grateful that the Lord protected my family and friends, but there were so many people who lost home and everything they owned and even some lost their lives. The warning for those who stayed near the coast was this: "write your social security number on your arms and legs"! I think being grateful for what we did have was what kept me going those long, hot days. It was amazing to me, as well, to see how no matter what your economic status, everyone was in the same boat. Poor and rich alike were without...no amount of money (within reason) could buy food from a closed grocery store, find available gas, or buy electricity. And, it became such a great time for ministry. Not just to serve those who were without...that was good, too. But, simply being out with our neighbors. It was amazing to see people helping each other and developing relationships that otherwise would have taken so much longer to develop. So, bottom line, I think I just have a little different perspective coming out of this. All things are from the Lord and his timing is perfect! He is good in all circumstances...oh, such sweet reminders of invaluable TRUTHS!!!

The Hamners fled H-Town on Thursday afternoon. Eddie was able to work at an office in Dallas on Friday for a litte while also keeping his family out of BIG BAD IKE's way. We are still here for now, but will probably try to head home tomorrow. We have no idea what we are heading into, though. My mom has water in her house and her neighbor had a tree on their roof. Some friends in our neighborhood have lost a couple of trees. We almost postively know that we will be without power. We only were aware of one another couple from our church that evacuated and a co-worker of Eddie's came up here with us. Everyone else we know, stayed. The only contact we have had with friends/family have been through text messaging. I wanted to post something because I am not sure when I will be able to again. I'll update as soon as possible!