BST's Blog

One of the things that we were so sad about last Thursday was that we missed the girls' fist day of school...and Ella's true first day, ever, of school. So, today we took pictures and video and acted like it was the real first day. Here are two back-to-school beauties.

I've sensed this collective depression over what's happened in the Gulf. We're feeling it at our house. The girls always want to watch the news and pray for the people and Sheryl and I are trying to get certain images out of our minds long enough to sleep at night. Last night, with abdomen throbbing, Sheryl said, "We can't go one more day without doing something."

So...not sure exactly what that is. Are any of the rest of you finding it hard to find ways to do hands-on helping? There's always the dropping off of food and clothing and that seems easy--needed, but easy. I just want to go help. It's weird how difficult it's been this morning to track down information about Red Cross training. Thankfully, Linda Benthal, one of our missionaries to China is here in the states and has extra time so she's helping to coordinate Otter Creek efforts for Katrina survivors. Doug, Steve Sherman and Beck Cowart took off for Mississippi today with a huge truck and trailer full of supplies and water. Linda's helping us who are here figure out the best way to direct our efforts.

Sheryl continues to heal. Yesterday wasn't as good, but she's making steady progress. Thanks for your prayers.

Prayers. I feel like I am running out of words. What to pray? How to come before God in all of this. He truly is God above the storm and over the flood, but it seems to me that all I really want to do in prayer is be quiet. I don't understand this whole thing and I still trust Him, but I feel like my words are blather at this point. We're praying for comfort and safety. We're praying that God would soothe loneliness and grief and we're praying for provision. Other than that...I am at a loss.

One thing I DO know...God sees and knows about the pains and hurts more thoroughly and completely than CNN, FOX, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, any governor or President or even survivor. Even if he seems distant, He sees. He is in the hands of those comforting. He is in the arms of those rescuing. He is food and water. He is with those dying. He is Emanuel, God with us. It's hard to even say that and not feel like a cheesy Christian commercial. But I believe it. It's a part of the tapestry of my life. I don't even feel like I am choosing to believe it. I believe because it is in the core of my being. Even though I doubt and want to shake my fist somewhere--heaven, govt.--somewhere, I still believe.