I woke this morning with this song on my mind:
I just came to praise the Lord
I just came to praise the Lord
I just came to praise His holy Name
I just came to praise the Lord
I just came to praise the Lord
I just came to praise the Lord
I just came to praise His lovely Name
I just came to praise the Lord
He came into my life
One very special day
He came into my heart
To show me a better way
He said He'd never depart
This is why I say
I just came to praise the Lord
I just came to thank the Lord
I just came to thank the Lord
I just came to praise His holy Name
I just came to thank the Lord
I just came to praise the Lord
(I just came, just came to praise the Lord)
I just came to praise the Lord
(Praise His name)
I just came to praise His Name
(Lovely name)
I just came to praise the Lord
We woke up around 4 a.m. to the sounds of "silence", for which we were very thankful indeed. The winds had died down and the rain had virtually stopped. The "eye" of the storm had already passed over with all of its fury, and things were calming down in our neck of the woods.
When we first went to bed last night around 10:00, the power flickered on and off a few times, but then thankfully stayed ON! We kept hearing things beating against the side of our house on our bedroom wall (below), and in the dark we couldn't tell if this oak tree was bent over that far and hitting the house or what was going on.
We just prayed that God would control the winds and the tree and keep it from doing us any harm, and praise God! When we woke up this morning the tree was still intact, and there was no sign of any damage on our house at all. But it is amazing how far a tree can bend in the wind to reach our house!
So, at first light we looked out and saw this pine tree leaning against the other two down by the pond:
But here's what really happened:
Obviously it was already damaged and dying, so it was no surprise that it broke off at that spot. I see little faces in there, don't you?
LOL. They are happy to be set free from the tree! LOL.
We will have to cut this up and remove it, but not today. It can wait a day or two until we have some helpers with a chain saw.
As I looked around the yard further, I found these little "knock out rose-rosebuds".
And look at those holly berries!
Oh, and our big old oak trees in front of the house are still standing big and tall, and only lost a few little tiny branches like last time. Another big answer to prayer!
So, "I just came to praise the Lord..."
Isaiah 61:3 King James Version
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Praying still for our friend Sandra, "Mad Snapper" down in Bradenton, who said she is okay, but without power, and another friend who comments from that area, Brenda, who is also okay, but not sure yet what damage may be where she lives as she had evacuated with her son. So keep them in your prayers please.
Thank you again for your prayers for us. We are SO thankful for you and for God's answers to prayer.
Such wonderful news. I'm so glad all is well, with just the one tree broken. Yes, I see faces too. Both of my girls are safe also. God has blessed!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful to hear your girls are safe! That is a real comfort to you, I know. Yes, we are also very thankful to have no real damage. God has been very merciful and we are very thankful to Him.
DeleteSo happy you're safe!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the prayers and well wishes! We are very thankful!
Delete🤗 Glad you are okay!
ReplyDeleteThank you. We are very thankful to God for His mercy and grace.
DeleteBaruch HaShem!
ReplyDeleteI too, saw the faces in that tree. We’ll do good to hear you’re doing good and everyone else is alive and well, even if without power. I’m sure that must be frustrating. What shocked me was when some woman mayor said if you stay, you’ll die. That was very upsetting to hear.
I hope this is it for your hurricane season. Enough is enough.
Ignore the typos - just an unprovoked attack from Spell Checker.
DeleteThat mayor was probably from the towns that were right along the coast, where the storm surge would definitely be deadly, over 10-15 feet deep! So, yes, she wanted to make a point, and most people listened and evacuated. I haven't heard any numbers yet on a death toll, but most were from tornadoes spawned on the other side of the state from the storm! Totally unexpected and weird. It was a strange storm, and we are very thankful it is over.
DeletePraise God for answered prayers! I can't make out any little faces, but I'm astonished AND in awe of its raw beauty. Anguish, like bloody tears dripping down. Part of me wants to preserve it under lacquer ... aren't you glad I live far away? (lol)
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm NOT happy you live far away! I think it would be wonderful if you lived closer!! But I am not sure I would want to preserve the tree under lacquer...I'd have to think about that one. LOL. I do a lot of strange things and try to preserve many things that probably should just be thrown away, but I think the little "faces" in the tree want to breathe, so lacquer would not be a good idea. LOL. Now who's crazy? LOL. Thank you for being my friend.
DeleteCrying for joy for you.
ReplyDeleteSorry maybe one day I won’t cry.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Crying is a language that God understands, and He gave it to us for that purpose. So let the tears flow. It's healing you from within. (((hugs))) Thank you for your tears of joy. They are the best of all!
DeleteSo glad you are okay and have minimal damage!
ReplyDeleteThank you! So are we. We are VERY thankful to God!!
DeleteSo thankful for this answer to prayer!
ReplyDeleteThank you for praying!!
DeleteSeems God answered all the prayers. Hooray!
ReplyDeleteYes, and we are extremely grateful to God!! Amen!!
DeleteGot electric late evening…son had some damage to house…minimal…he is still moving me back into condo…prayers answered…feel for others…glad you are okay. Hope Terri is ok. Thank you…blessings…keep praying…Floridians strong.
ReplyDeletePraise God! So happy to hear that you are okay and with minimal damage, etc. God has truly answered many prayers.
DeleteThat was Brenda.
ReplyDeleteYes, I figured that out, and am so glad to hear from you that you and your family are safe!! Praise God for many answered prayers.
DeleteHow about Terri….brenda
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Thankful Thursday, though I am reading this on Friday morning. Yes that song is perfect for the praises of friends and family being okay.
ReplyDeleteSue
P.S. I really do think we would be best friends if we lived closer. Tea and yummies would be awesome too.
DeleteSue
Pamela, I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to know that you all are okay after Milton barreled through! Have you heard anything from Terri, though? I'm really worried about her after we heard about the damage in Lake County south of Lakeland. If you hear anything, please let me know. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWish we could have joined you for that celebratory breakfast! We celebrated with our usual Cheerios and were glad for that. I'm pleasantly surprised that Still Waters Pond did not rise any higher than it did. So glad you and yours are well and unharmed.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that you don't have any extreme damage. I read both of your blogs. It seems quite scary, such storms. You can hardly protect yourself, especially when things start flooding. Love from me."
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful you made it through OK. The tornadoes were a real threat with this storm. We are fine too but still praying for all those with damage. Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteSo thankful Terri is ok
ReplyDeleteCould not post on her account
I am glad she will leave next time
It is up to the individual unless is it mandatory evacuation and then there is not a real choice
We put those rescuers at risk.
However one has to sit through a bad one like Milton to realize they
The Lord watched over us and we are
Blessed
Prayers for all
Of us as we repair
Teri thankful you are ok
Brenda
I am so happy you and John are okay and so is your home. Praise God, always!! I am happy to be able to get online today! Hurrying through posts this evening. Love & hugs!
ReplyDeleteI remembered reading this, but apparently, I did not comment. Chalking it up to my old age, LOL. Wishing you a lovely Saturday my friend.
ReplyDelete