Hunkered Down!

It is currently Friday, September 8th at 8:15 in the evening. 

For those of you unaware, Brian and I live in Clermont which is located in Central Florida. We are basically smack dab in the middle of the state.

Approximately a two-hour drive from either coast.

Yes, we are awaiting the arrival of Irma. Sure wish I was talking about the arrival of our next granddaughter instead of a major hurricane! 

We were diligently praying, along with many others, that the Lord would turn this massive storm to the north, completely out to sea, so no one would be effected by it, but that hasn't happened. So we prepare as best as we can.

No, we have not evacuated.

Many may ask why we chose to stay.

Several reasons.

Brian works for The City of Clermont and he has a commitment to his job to be available before, during and after the hurricane. But, praise the Lord, he WILL be here at the house with me through the brunt of the storm!

We didn't know the hurricane was going to slice right through the state until yesterday afternoon, and by then the two main roads leading out of the state were totally jammed pack with those evacuating from The Florida Keys and Miami.

We live in a sturdy, concrete block home. We have made as many provisions as possible. Plenty of water, ice, abundance of food, a generator, propane for our grill, flashlights, boards on our windows will go up Saturday, and lots and lots of ongoing prayer!

One of the most difficult things about hurricanes is the unknown, as well as, the waiting. 

Is it coming our way? Is it going to make a last-minute turn and go out to sea? Exactly where is it going to hit? What kind of damage will we experience? 

Then when we finally know,

"Yes, it's coming our way!"

We want to say,

"Come on, and let's get it over with!" 

You wish with all your might you could speed up time.

The waiting is beyond difficult. At least for me it is!

The anticipation is brutal.

You find yourself watching and listening to every news broadcast you can find on television, the radio, facebook, until you drive yourself to the point of almost having a nervous breakdown! So then you solve that problem by beginning to devour all your hurricane munchies!

The struggle is REAL!   

Meteorologists begin monitoring any little blurp as soon as it appears on the radar screen. Oh don't get me wrong, that's their job, and they do it very well.

Some of those blurps just dissipate. We all like those kind! Sometimes those blurps will develop into tropical depressions or tropical storms, but as they continue their trek across the open waters, they move completely away from land. We also like those kind!

And then

there's Irma!

Irma is currently a Category Five hurricane and is listed as the largest hurricane which has developed in the Atlantic Ocean in recorded history!

YIKES!

The meteorologists have been monitoring Irma way before it became a Hurricane.

They have had their eye on it since the last week of August when it was merely a tropical disturbance. At that point our local weather forecasters would mention it, but it was still way too far away to be of concern. It didn't become a threat until it was obviously moving our way.

Hurricanes definitely have a mind of their own! They wobble this way and that way and shift directions on what seems like a whim. I know there's a scientific reason for their erratic behavior which I will not even endeavor to begin to explain because I couldn't even if I wanted to!

Even at this point, as we are waiting for Irma to hit us some time Sunday into Monday, she is still wobbling around and shifting slightly.

I hope to have power to be able to come back on my usual Wednesday post and update after we have "weathered" this storm.

Like the

saying goes,

"we're hunkered down!"

While I'm

"hunkered down",

I'm holding onto

the following truths,

"God is

our refuge

and strength,

a very

present help

in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

"And he arose,

and rebuked

the wind,

and said

unto the sea,

Peace,

be still.

And

the wind ceased,

and there was

a great calm."

Mark 4:39

"Peace I leave 

with you,

my peace

I give

unto you:

not as

the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not

your heart

be troubled,

neither let

it be afraid."

John 14:27

"Casting all

your care

upon him;

for he careth

for you."

I Peter 5:7

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May God Bless You,

Barb