What a Spring we have all had here! It's been a wild one and I'm so thankful that my family is safe. I'm pretty tired of being so "weather aware," but so grateful that there are people that are amazingly good at what they do and can warn us of dangerous storms. Other than a flooded back yard and a beehive that floated away we are unscathed, and that is more than so many of our fellow Okies can say. Our prayers are for them, I'm grateful to be in a possition where we can litterly help. After this past month, I can now imagine utter distruction. Places so close to us look like war zones. What once was organized is completly wiped out. It's a sombering thought. After the flooding of last weekend, it doesn't take my imagination, to picture what 40 days and night of raining could do. I have felt how insignificant and what little control I really have. My feelings this past month have been interesting ones. They have gone from worry, to scared, to sorrow, to gratitude, to anxiety, to panic,to nervous, to peace, to empathy, to relief, to guilt, to hope, to determination, to shock,to horror, to obssesive, to happiness. I've learned a few things this past month or maybe just relearned them in a very real sense.
1- If we are prepared we shall not fear. (the tornado shelter is being installed in a couple of weeks, I sure miss my Kansas basement.) I have felt such a heavy responsiblity for my kids. Mike and I keep them safe, we protect them! I've thought a lot about being prepared physically, and spiritually. Sometimes there isn't any time to "gather and get ready." Sometimes you just need to go now! I've had time to ponder, my plans for my family. And I realized this month that no matter what I do, I might not always be able to keep everyone safe. That is an awful thought. Storms may rage, that I can't keep at bay. Other peoples poor choices may hurt us, but even though I am not all powerful someone is.
2- I've learned that when I remember that there is a plan of happiness, I feel peace. When I've done all that I can do, whatever happens will be ok, because Christ is in control and he can make all things right. He has a plan for my family and it is the best plan. For my bennifit, our little family has had a few talks these past weeks about that.
3 - People are more important than things and people are good. In awfulness there is goodness. Where there is hurt there will be helpers. It has been touching for me to see the goodness of people. It has been edifying to see the light of Christ in so many eyes and to remember that when people try to act like Him hearts are softened.
4- When the sun comes so does hope and peace. Our days have litterly gone from dark, eery, and dangerously stormy to sunny and bright all in a few hours. Christ is the ultimate light and hope, I like the feelings of the sun.
5- I'm so grateful for the "watchmen" chasing the literal storms but even more grateful for our "watchmen" warning of more dangerous spiritual storms. How blessed we are to have a living prophet and the Holy Ghost that can warn comfort and bear testimony to us.
It's been an interesting spring, we are not totally out of the woods yet, but I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had to see first hand how good Okies can be.
