Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!
What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Thankful Wednesday!
Rather than wait until Thursday to write about our "thankfulness", I thought I should let you all know tonight just how very thankful we are for how God protected us throughout Hurricane Idalia.
I kept waking up during the night, expecting to hear the sounds of high winds and pounding rain on the roof, and it was just very very quiet. But because I was so keyed up about my expectations, I really couldn't sleep very well, and so finally just went ahead and got up around 5 a.m. to watch the news and see the latest updates. According to the 5:00 a.m. updates, the storm had been upgraded to a category 4, which is very powerful, and had not made landfall yet. However, the expected landfall was, thankfully for us, a little further to the north west on the gulf coast, and our location would be out of the worst of the impact. Still, we were expecting to get a lot of rain and some high winds and possible tornado warnings.
At daybreak I looked outside at Still Waters Pond (below)...
And out the front side of the house looking east (below), and although it was very cloudy and somewhat windy, there was no real rain to speak of...just intermittent showers now and then...
And praise God, we never even lost power except for a couple of momentary flickers that quickly corrected themselves! Wow! And that was how it was all day long! We have been thanking the Lord all day for His kindness and mercy toward us and our community and as far as I know all our family and friends throughout the different parts of the state. However, the area of landfall in the "Great Bend area" and also places further south along the Gulf coast, did have some pretty serious damage and storm surge and coastal flooding. Our hearts go out to them and we pray that they have not suffered any loss of life or serious damages that cannot be repaired. This was a very huge and powerful storm, and we are just so thankful that it didn't come inland anywhere too close to us.
Thank you all who prayed for us and sent best wishes. You are the best kind of friends ever!!
We mostly spent the day resting in our recliners and watching the storm news and doing some reading. I actually took a couple of naps to make up for my restlessness last night, and then we took a nice walk about an hour ago to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. I left my computer turned off until now, as I didn't want the power surges to damage it, as it is it is getting kind of old and the power switch is getting kind of cranky...so I'm thinking I need to do some more backing up of my files and be prepared for the inevitable day when it will finally shut down for good. I truly hope that's a long ways off, but like a good Girl Scout, I should always 'be prepared'. LOL.
We've been singing this song at the close of our Sunday morning worship service this past month...and I feel like it is an appropriate song to sing now and close this post...as you sing along with the singers below, look at the pictures of the trees outside here along the shore of Still Waters Pond. You can't see them moving in the wind, but it's like they are swaying with the music and clapping their hands with joy because they were spared in this storm!! So let us all rejoice together!
The Trees of the Field (Gaither Homecoming Family)
Amen and Amen! I'm so relieved to see this post. I've been concerned for you and it's so good to see that you've gotten through relatively unscathed. I've always liked the song "Trees of the Field." Blessings, Betsy
Thank you, Betsy. It's so nice to know others have been concerned and praying across the continent (& world!). We are so very thankful for all our friends near and far. And we are very thankful for God's protection in this storm. Hurricane season isn't over yet, and so there may be more in the future, but we will trust God to see us through each one. Have a blessed week!
That is wonderful news that the storm did not damage your home. I have been praying the storm would stay out to sea. Yes, let's clap our hands as the song on your video says.
Thank you, Terra! Yes, we are clapping our hands along with the trees here. God has spared us in this storm and we are very thankful. There are more storms out there in the ocean, but we will trust God to keep us safe throughout the rest of the hurricane season. I hope that Hurricane Hilary didn't affect you where you are? I'm really behind in my reading. I hope you are doing well. Take care and thank you for visiting.
I'm glad you didn't have any hurricane in your area. I've seen it earlier today what was happening in Florida and Georgia. I like the song you shared on your post. I remember singing that song for years. We've had some rain lately and more tomorrow. We don't have to go outdoors and water plants. I saw the super moon from our dining room window where I'm sitting in at the moment. Have a blessed rest of your week.
Thank you, Becky. We are very thankful this storm did not harm our area too much. Oh, I can also see the super moon from my window here where I write right now as I speak at 6:30 a.m. So beautiful. I hope you have a lovely rest of your week too. Thank you for visiting.
I'm happy to read your praise report because I was on line earlier trying to look on the map of Florida to see where your town is and the town of another family whose blog I also read. It is nerve wracking watching all the weather events. Here all summer we have been having to deal with wildfires, countless evacuations, destroyed homes and lack of rain. I even had one relative whose home burned to the ground very early in the summer season at the start of wildfires but so many others have lost their homes too. I am thankful you and your husband and loved ones were safe and out of harms way. By the way, I never did locate your town on the map because I couldn't remember the name.
Thank you, Penny! So good to hear from you. I am truly sad to hear about your relative who lost their home to fire and so many others who have also lost homes , along with all the evacuations, etc. Praying you will soon get some rain that can wash away all of the fires and smoke and keep you all safe. We are safe and doing fine now...and our town is Interlachen. It's very small, so not easy to find on the map. If you can find Gainesville, go due east about 30 miles. Thank you for your prayers and concern. We are very thankful.
Wonderful news! So glad that you are doing well and are safe! And thanks for sharing that song and the video. I have never once heard that song...hard to believe but it is super "catchy" so I think I will be humming it throughout the day:) Here's to blue sky the rest of the week!
We are marked safe as well even though it nearly came right over us. It pays to be far inland. When it passed a few miles to the West of us our trees were clapping their hands in abundance. Too bad they can't clean up all the exuberance caused by TS Idalia. *grin* Looks like I've got my yard maintenance cut out for me for the next week or so. Hope y'all have a peaceful remainder of the week. I think we all deserve it after all that, amen?! Blessings. xx
I'm glad to hear you weathered the storm too! It was scary and did a lot of damage to so many. I'm keeping everyone in my prayers. Take care and enjoy this beautiful day!
So relieved to hear this, Pamela! I was keeping an eye on the storm all day yesterday, and I was pretty sure you all were spared, but it's great to know for sure. Blessings!
Pam: I am thankful to hear that Idelia missed your area. I looked up your location on Google maps. I was watching the TV news and Jim wanted to know why. I told him that I had a friend who had to prepare for the hurricane. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
It is beautiful to see how nature worships the Lord, including the trees "clapping their hands." Like you, I enjoy meditating on that thought when I watch the forest on windy days, and especially with this week's hurricane. I'm so glad the storm did not affect you adversely. Your experience was much the same for us in our town. We are grateful.
Oh I haven't heard that song in AGES!! we sang it all the time at churches long ago. So happy yall are OK and I'm so glad it's left here too. We got hours and hours of hard rain and tornado warning but we're OK and the sun is out today . Remember the big bright Supermoon tonight and it's also a Blue moon plus we can see Saturn. Last night we couldn't see it for the rain-- maybe tonight!
It's so wonderful to hear y'all made it through safely! I/we kept scrolling through our phones looking for video coverage. No matter how many, these bursts of nature are terrifying. Neat song! I'd not heard it before.
Thankful you are okay. I am back home. I know those who were hit were praying diligently. There is no rhyme or reason why the hurricane lands where it does. It is something to take seriously though.
I am so happy you are safely back at home. I know it must have been a bit harrowing and unsettling to have to evacuate, but so thankful you had a safe place to go. I am thankful that there appears that even though there was a lot of physical damage in the areas where the storm came aground, there apparently was no loss of life, and that, to me, is the biggest answer to prayer. Buildings/houses can be rebuilt, but people cannot be replaced. So thankful many heeded the warnings and got to higher/safer ground.
Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.
Yay!
ReplyDeleteđŸ¤—
Yes, "Yay!" Indeed!! God is good and we are so thankful!!
DeleteAmen and Amen! I'm so relieved to see this post. I've been concerned for you and it's so good to see that you've gotten through relatively unscathed.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the song "Trees of the Field."
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you, Betsy. It's so nice to know others have been concerned and praying across the continent (& world!). We are so very thankful for all our friends near and far. And we are very thankful for God's protection in this storm. Hurricane season isn't over yet, and so there may be more in the future, but we will trust God to see us through each one. Have a blessed week!
DeleteThat is wonderful news that the storm did not damage your home. I have been praying the storm would stay out to sea. Yes, let's clap our hands as the song on your video says.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terra! Yes, we are clapping our hands along with the trees here. God has spared us in this storm and we are very thankful. There are more storms out there in the ocean, but we will trust God to keep us safe throughout the rest of the hurricane season. I hope that Hurricane Hilary didn't affect you where you are? I'm really behind in my reading. I hope you are doing well. Take care and thank you for visiting.
DeleteI'm glad you didn't have any hurricane in your area. I've seen it earlier today what was happening in Florida and Georgia. I like the song you shared on your post. I remember singing that song for years. We've had some rain lately and more tomorrow. We don't have to go outdoors and water plants. I saw the super moon from our dining room window where I'm sitting in at the moment. Have a blessed rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Becky. We are very thankful this storm did not harm our area too much. Oh, I can also see the super moon from my window here where I write right now as I speak at 6:30 a.m. So beautiful. I hope you have a lovely rest of your week too. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteI'm happy to read your praise report because I was on line earlier trying to look on the map of Florida to see where your town is and the town of another family whose blog I also read. It is nerve wracking watching all the weather events. Here all summer we have been having to deal with wildfires, countless evacuations, destroyed homes and lack of rain. I even had one relative whose home burned to the ground very early in the summer season at the start of wildfires but so many others have lost their homes too. I am thankful you and your husband and loved ones were safe and out of harms way. By the way, I never did locate your town on the map because I couldn't remember the name.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Penny! So good to hear from you. I am truly sad to hear about your relative who lost their home to fire and so many others who have also lost homes , along with all the evacuations, etc. Praying you will soon get some rain that can wash away all of the fires and smoke and keep you all safe. We are safe and doing fine now...and our town is Interlachen. It's very small, so not easy to find on the map. If you can find Gainesville, go due east about 30 miles. Thank you for your prayers and concern. We are very thankful.
DeleteWonderful news! So glad that you are doing well and are safe! And thanks for sharing that song and the video. I have never once heard that song...hard to believe but it is super "catchy" so I think I will be humming it throughout the day:) Here's to blue sky the rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteWe are marked safe as well even though it nearly came right over us. It pays to be far inland. When it passed a few miles to the West of us our trees were clapping their hands in abundance. Too bad they can't clean up all the exuberance caused by TS Idalia. *grin* Looks like I've got my yard maintenance cut out for me for the next week or so.
ReplyDeleteHope y'all have a peaceful remainder of the week. I think we all deserve it after all that, amen?!
Blessings. xx
I'm glad to hear you weathered the storm too! It was scary and did a lot of damage to so many. I'm keeping everyone in my prayers. Take care and enjoy this beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteSo relieved to hear this, Pamela! I was keeping an eye on the storm all day yesterday, and I was pretty sure you all were spared, but it's great to know for sure.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I'm happy to hear you are safe.
ReplyDeletePam: I am thankful to hear that Idelia missed your area. I looked up your location on Google maps. I was watching the TV news and Jim wanted to know why. I told him that I had a friend who had to prepare for the hurricane. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful to see how nature worships the Lord, including the trees "clapping their hands." Like you, I enjoy meditating on that thought when I watch the forest on windy days, and especially with this week's hurricane. I'm so glad the storm did not affect you adversely. Your experience was much the same for us in our town. We are grateful.
ReplyDeleteOh I haven't heard that song in AGES!! we sang it all the time at churches long ago. So happy yall are OK and I'm so glad it's left here too. We got hours and hours of hard rain and tornado warning but we're OK and the sun is out today . Remember the big bright Supermoon tonight and it's also a Blue moon plus we can see Saturn. Last night we couldn't see it for the rain-- maybe tonight!
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful to hear y'all made it through safely! I/we kept scrolling through our phones looking for video coverage. No matter how many, these bursts of nature are terrifying.
ReplyDeleteNeat song! I'd not heard it before.
Thankful you are okay. I am back home. I know those who were hit were praying diligently. There is no rhyme or reason why the hurricane lands where it does. It is something to take seriously though.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you are safely back at home. I know it must have been a bit harrowing and unsettling to have to evacuate, but so thankful you had a safe place to go. I am thankful that there appears that even though there was a lot of physical damage in the areas where the storm came aground, there apparently was no loss of life, and that, to me, is the biggest answer to prayer. Buildings/houses can be rebuilt, but people cannot be replaced. So thankful many heeded the warnings and got to higher/safer ground.
DeleteAmen, Pam, Amen!! We are so blessed to have been missed by Idalia. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you made it through!! God was indeed very kind to many in Florida. Lovely photos of the stormy skies too.
ReplyDeletePrayers were said for y’all. Life is still very crazy here so I have little time to comment or think to put a thought together, but I did pray.
ReplyDelete