Post Gustav

This last week has been a blur, with enough work and stress to last for 3 weeks. I personally was only away from the hotel for about 3 hours total from Sunday to Friday at noon.

Gustav while not a very powerful hurricane at landfall was still able to produce the windiest storm in the recorded history of Baton Rouge. You can see the effects of this throughout the older neighborhoods of the city, like the one I live in called 100 Oaks. Most of the city has been out of power since Monday morning. Many parts, including my neighborhood, are not expected to get power back for some time, as many as 21 days. At least the electricity bill will be low this month.

On Friday Kristin and I had had enough of the hotel and decided to get away for a day, and headed to Lafayette to her Mom's house. We picked up a generator from her Dad's house and settled in for an easy night.

Today I have done not much more than sit on the couch and watch College football and the history channel. Kristin filled the day shopping for a wedding dress. I found out that wedding dresses cost more than the typical man's wedding band. She wears the dress for maybe 8 hours but the man wears the ring for the rest of his life.

This was a much needed day of rest, for the both of us.

Now we just have to get ready for the Ike. The bright side of this is if I don't have power restored by then at least I won't have to worry about losing electricity again.

Riding out the Storm

"He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.Psalm 107:28-30"

Well it is finally here, after a week of constant preparation and anticipation, the storm is here!

The hotel is as ready as possible. The church is ready with text and email alerts to help whoever is in need. My apartment is as ready as possible, I just hope no major trees fall on it or the roof doesn't blow off. Kristin's house is as ready as possible.

Kristin and I, along with most of our management team are hunkered down in the hotel. We are considered "essential personnel." That's an exciting title. We have a full hotel with first responders. These people will be essential to restoring the area to normal as soon as possible.

The only weapon that we have is prayer. Prayer for low damage, strength, endurance, and focus. Focus for the task at hand, and on the one who makes all life possible.

We just have to do what the Casting Crowns song says and "praise him in this storm.". For, "When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.Proverbs 10:24-26."