Once again Chuck and I followed the ERV(emergency response vehicle) loaded with supplies.  The couple driving the ERV came from Fort Worth, TX and drove it all the way here.  They have been responding to disasters since 9/11.  We picked up a retired psychologist from Virginia today who was there to address mental health issues.

Today we headed north to the Indian reservations.  It is really beautiful country up there.  A lot of mountains and nurseries which had trees, trees, trees.  Also there were many orange groves.

There is so much poverty in that area and many were burned out.  Once again there would be a trailer or home burned out and it would be surrounded by homes that were spared.  Amongst this poverty were three very large casino’s.  While all this was going on there were tour buses parked in the parking lot of the casino’s, so it is business as usual.

We located several families who needed water and snacks.  One family needed diapers, but the ones we had were too small.  We came across a young Indian lady who should have been a NY Police officer.  She took over the project and drove us all over the area whirling her pick up around the dirt roads.  She got us to the tribal hall and local clinic where they could distribute the supplies to those in need.  We were able to empty our ERV. She was our open door.

Several units were sent to minister to the firefighters.  They have been on duty for so long in the remote areas and were in need of food and water and some TLC.  They were going to provide them with three meals today.

There were signs everywhere as we drove up the mountain thanking the firefighters, police and volunteers.  The people remain very grateful for all you do for them.

Chuck and I went out with a team of 9 people into an area that was affected by the fires. It was up in the hills and there were very nice homes up there. It was strange to see how one house was burned to the ground and the fire had skipped over to another leaving the one next to it intact.

We rode for a long time trying to find the people needing supplies. There were burned down homes with no evidence of humanity around the rubbish. Then down the street you would pass joggers.

We went back to the street where the team set up yesterday. There were about 5-6 homes on each side of the street that were burned to the foundation. Groups of people had come in to help the people go through the ashes to find any sign of keepsakes. There were so many people who were coming in and out helping. Many were from the neighborhood and their house was spared.

The saddest story today was a young man who lost his home. He told Chuck that this was nothing, he had just buried his wife who died with breast cancer. He found his wife’s wedding ring among the ashes. This young man and many of those who lost their homes had a remarkable attitude. They all were assuring each other that they were going to make it through. Everyone was full of gratitude for whatever was done for them.

We are full of smoke and a little tired, but nothing to compare with those who were doing manual work. There were even little boys, probably 11 or 12, working their hearts out. It helped restore my faith in America.

Chuck and I arrived in San Diego, Ca about 5 PM Pacific time.  We had been in an airport or airplane since 8:15AM Pacific time.  There were a number of Red Cross workers from across the country on the same flight from Atlanta.  One man was from Richland, MS and is a retired police officer.  He lives just down the road from my youngest son.

Chuck was assigned a car and we headed down the highway with a lady from Brunswick, GA to find the headquarters.  Well, we took the wrong turn at Albuquerque and were 10 minutes too late to get assigned to a hotel.  We were told to report to a High School for shelter.  However, as we sat to eat a meal provided us by the local chapter, a couple we met from NJ told us of a Baptist Church where they had stayed the night before which had few people.  They escorted us to the Church. 

The Church was wonderful.  They had cots for over 100 volunteers, but only 6 of us were there.  That made the noise level very minimal and we were able to rest.  Cots are not the most comfortable sleeping arrangements even with a blow up mat on it, however, we still had more than most people in the world.  We were safe, well fed, clean and in a great spiritual atmosphere.

The next morning we drove to headquarters and found out they had moved.  So we got a map and picked up another lady from SC and headed to the new area.  We got in a large line and got registered and went through orientation and got a hotel assignment.  We were not assigned to a job and told to leave our number and they would contact us.

When we arrived at the hotel our jaws dropped.  I don’t think we have ever stayed in such an elaborate facility. We both feel a little out of place. Chuck knew about it from the Golf Tournaments.  He wishes he could play golf here but that is not happening. 

Many are here volunteering and they have no cars and some are 45 minutes away close to the Mexican border.  We have a car and are in a Resort.  God’s favor is truly amazing. Tomorrow we will be a part of a pilot program.  Our leader is from Savannah, GA. The Lord gave us is the desire of our heart.  We will be going out to the areas effected and taking supplies and identifying needs. 

This afternoon it started raining a little which should help clear the air and stop the remaining fires.  Thanks for continuing praying for us, all those responding to the fires and the victims.

Little did I know when I wrote my blog yesterday that we would be deployed to California today to help with the Red Cross shelters. Chuck and I have been running like chickens with their heads cut off(ok, a southern thing) today trying to get all we needed to bed down in a shelter.

We look like we are going to war. Well, I guess we are going to a war zone. The motels are full so we have to bring sleeping bags and mats to sleep on in a shelter. Has the ring of the Summer of Love tour to me.

I left my sleeping bag in San Francisco, not my heart, my sleeping bag. It had a lying spirit and I don’t hanker to liars. It said it would keep me warm to 40 degrees. Yeah, right. Tell that to my frozen body that had ice forming on it. I had on cuddle duds, Jennifer’s sweats, an Indian blanket and the sleeping bag and I was still freezing. So that dud was history.

We drove to four different stores trying to choose some sleeping bags and mats that we could afford and be comfortable. Hopefully we have some good ones. We will try not to complain no matter what, because after two weeks we will be able to come home to our bed which is much more than many in CA.

Pray for those effected by these fires. Pray they catch the arsonist. I will share our experience when we get back.

Ps 55:4-8 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

Looking at the California fires on the TV makes me shudder.  The sudden intensity of the fire and how it is affecting most of California should really be a wake up call for us to be prepared.  Trusting in the Lord’s protection does not mean to just sit around and expect to be in a glass bubble.  The Lord protects us by giving us warning and a way of escape many times. Being prepared is not a lack of faith, it is wisdom.

What if you heard someone’s voice being shouted from a bull horn in the street that you had 15 minutes to evacuate?  What would you take, where would you go?  You think that will never happen to you? I pray you are right, but are you willing to take that chance with your family?

Here are some basics that you should start with:

1. Have a plan. Educate your family and practice who to call and what to do. This includes mapping a route to your planned destination (also map one or two alternative routes in case the first one is blocked.)
2. Have a contact person outside of your area to phone if you get separated from your family.  If you have family in other parts of the country, mutually decide what the contact number will be so all of the family has news on the status of each other.
3. Know the plan of your church. Know your neighbors.
4. Keep up your immunizations.
5. Gather all of your important papers such as insurance, mortgage, banking, passports etc. and place them in a duffle bag so that you can grab them and exit.

This is a starting point.  Later this week I will let you know some supplies that you need to have on hand.  Remember do not let this bring fear on you.  Fear is not from God.  2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

This time last year my mom had just celebrated her 90th birthday and was here in SC visiting Chuck and I. It was obvious that her health was failing, but she was determined to do as much as she could while here. I think that she knew this was not only her first visit here, but would be her last. To be honest, I knew also. That visit was a gift from the Lord that I will forever cherish.

We took Mom on a trip to the North Carolina Mountains while she was here. She shared my love for the mountains. The leaves were at their peak and she seemed to enjoy every minute of the very long trip. The last trip we made with my Dad was also to the mountains. Now they both are on the Mountain of God worshiping with the rest of the cloud of witnesses.

While she was here everyone was anxiously awaiting the birth of my niece’s, Amy, first child. This would be my mom’s 5th great grandchild. The number 5 means Grace. Well, soon after mom’s return to MS Gracyn was born. This little girl captured my mom’s heart in her last days and as mom declined she would respond to Gracyn when she would not to others.

I still find myself starting to call my mother to ask her if she heard some piece of news about the family. She probably knows the news before I do now. I believe she and dad are watching and interceding for us still. They and all the other among the cloud of witnesses are cheering us on to fulfill our destiny.

Still Miss ya Mom!

When Chuck and I moved to SC 20 months ago I had a strong “impression” to get myself prepared for disaster response.  Many times an impression is how the Holy Spirit speaks to us.  A lot of times I miss His gentle direction because it is not a loud audible voice or writing on the wall, but a still small voice.

How many times have you been in a store and looked at something and felt you should buy it and then talked yourself out of it because you were sure you already had that at home.  Then you get home and realize you should have listened to that still small voice.  You don’t think God is concerned about those “little” things in your life?  He has proven to me that He surely does care.  Remember, He knows every hair on your head.

So for the last 20 months I have been on a journey to be prepared. First, I got my nursing license in Sc.  That truly was a God thing. When I was just going to give up because it was to complicated due to the lack of corporation of the MS Board of Nursing, God placed my case on the heart of a lady with the SC Board on Nursing.  She made the waters part and I was able to obtain my SC license.

The next thing before me was to get my Chaplain’s course and licensure.  I was able to do that through MorningStar Ministry at a discount in cost and was also able to get Crisis Intervention training later.

For a short season, I felt I was dangling in air with no real direction as to where to go next. Then I was gently directed to the American Red Cross.  Chuck and I have been taking their free courses off and on since the first of this year.  For a while we had personal situations that kept us from getting real involved. But suddenly over the last month things have escalated.  We are now part of the Disaster Action Team(DAT) and have taken six courses this month and still have some coming up.  I do not think this is a coincidence. 

We are truly headed into the last days.  We need to be prepared physically and spiritually. As Christians we should be the most informed and the most prepared.  God raised up Joseph to prepare for a famine seven years before it came.  It saved not only his nation but also Egypt. We should be prepared to not only take care of ourselves and our family, but to help those who do not know the Lord thus showing them the love of Christ.

I have heard Rick Joyner say a couple of times that there are days ahead that if we don’t learn to live under the Psalm 91 covering we will not live. I am going to make it a priority to pray that Psalm over my family every day and also I am praying that my family be made a disease free zone.  3 John 1:2 says “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”.  The biggest thing I need to work toward is prospering my soul and the other will be a byproduct.

I went to a Disaster Preparedness meeting today at MorningStar and learned some very practical things that I want to share.  I will do that over the next week.

Well, I am finally moved over to my new website. Chuck Jr has done a lot of work and I am excited and very pleased with all he has done.

I hope he does not end up regretting moving my blog. We were on the phone for over an hour while he was watching Hunter practice soccer and trying to walk me through all the steps. Pray that the transition is an easy one for me.

You will see that you can leave me comments and there is more organization. Also there are some links added that are some of my favorite websites to visit.

I will work on this more this weekend, however, tomorrow I have a Women of Destiny meeting and I want to watch the Call in Las Vegas tomorrow afternoon on God TV. Brittany has multiple Soccer games so Chuck Jr will be glad to know that I won’t be bugging him.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!!

Once again the moving of the SOL group was delayed because of finances and setting up places to stay.  Some of those who had been resting at Jennifer’s home were now back with the group and Bob and Wilma had now joined us.

We used Sunday to rest and prepare to travel to San Francisco on Monday August 6th.  I was very thankful for my long reprieve of sleeping in a bed and being able to take a hot shower.  We thought that we would be bedding down in a church in San Francisco, therefore I thought my days of living in a tent were over….not.

We got up on the 6th and loaded up Jennifer’s vehicle and headed to San Francisco with Bob and Wilma following.  There were actually three routes that could be taken and all three routes were used by different ones of the group.  We chose the middle one thinking we would have more scenery and yet not be on the very slow coastal route.  It was not very scenic and seemed to be a very long trip.

The area kept reminding me of Israel.  The word talks about Israel blooming in the desert and this part of California is irrigated desert and grows all types of fruit and vegetables.  It was a little weird to observe so much growing in a very dry area.

We headed to San Francisco thinking that we were going to stay at a Church and while we were traveling there the eraser hit the board again.  Some of the team got there ahead of everyone else and the Church had made wonderful arrangements for the group, but there was no place for the large vehicles to park.

Hour by hour we would get reports as to where we were to go.  The final word did not come down until just before we got to San Francisco. We were to head to Pacifica to pitch tents in the field of a Christian School.  I quickly had to mentally adjust to the fact that I had another week in a tent.

Pacifica, CA was on the California beach line.  There were tall cliffs at the edge of the water and a lot of very green trees and pretty flowers. It was a nice area and being on the coast it was very, very cold at night.

We arrived ahead of the bus group and had the pick of where we could set up a tent.  Wilma and Bob set up toward the back on an elevated area by the school garden.  I was going to do the same, but saw the evidence of droppings that looked like deer to me.  Everyone said it was rabbit.  I thought to myself that must have been a huge rabbit.

I moved over to the soccer field close to the road.  However, when I got set up I noticed that the same droppings were all over the soccer field. Yuk!