Thunderstorms + Life Update

One of my favorite things in the world is a good storm. I find it incredibly cozy to bundle up next to a window as the pitter patter of rain hits the roof. If there is thunder and lightning – even better. I marvel at the electricity that dances across the sky. I almost yearn to hear the deep rumble of the thunder. However, storms can be scary… especially during hurricane season.

In 2004 I was living in Florida and there was a particular hurricane that left her mark on my family – Hurricane Jeanne. Jeanne was the deadliest hurricane of the 2004 season and caused at least $7.94 billion in damages. As we were running away from the hurricane, she was making her way through our neighborhood. We came home to flooding in our home and the entire living room collapsed. I can’t imagine how my father must have felt with the weight of being responsible for 3 children, but I remember being shocked. I was about 11 years old and I didn’t quite understand what it meant for us.

My 2 older brothers and I ended up going to Denmark for a few months to stay with our mom while our dad worked on a short-term solution. When we came back to the states there was a RV parked between ours and the neighbor’s house and my dad was working on the house himself (my dad is carpenter/remodeler). We ended up living in that RV for 9 months.

To say that it was an easy time would not be accurate. 4 people living in a small space can cause tension and frustration. However, when I look back on that time, I can’t really remember all the bad stuff too much. I remember getting to watch my dad work nights and weekends on the house, I loved watching him work. I thought it was the coolest how he was able to take something so broken and fix it. I saw how kind he was when he had to contract out certain jobs because it wasn’t in his expertise. How he put so much heart and hard work into everything. My brothers and I fought as siblings do but there are also the memories of playing together and when we would all squish around our tiny table for meals.

One of my favorite memories from childhood comes from that time in the RV. Storms pass through quite often in Florida but there was one day when the afternoon sun disappeared, and rain clouds dominated the sky. As the rain started pouring and the crack of lightning was heard, we all raced to the front of the RV. We pulled back the curtains and each took a seat, watching the lightning splash across the sky. No one talked, we just sat and watched together… in peace.

Despite what we had been through, the storms that we stayed for and the storms we ran away from – we knew we were safe. Soon the storm passed and the sun came back, shining down so brightly on us. The evidence of the storm was there, in the soaked ground and the smell in the air but things were clear again.

When I look back on that time, I don’t remember the bad. I don’t really remember the fights or the tears or the pain. I remember having such incredible peace in the midst of the storm.

 

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Hey everyone, long time no see!

Back in March we got sent home off the field because of COVID19. I have spent the last 2 months in Florida with my dad, enjoying some stellar thunderstorms and waiting to hear back from the World Race on what our next steps are.
Last week we met in a video call and we decided on relaunch for October 2020! Yes! So excited! We are going into this with very open hands to what God has but as of right now, this is where we feel God leading us. 

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and thoughts, all of the messages have meant a ton. 
I am still receiving donations now that a relaunch is underway. Donations can be made at the top of the page where the donation tracker is, just press on that and it will take you to the donation site.

I hope to provide an update on how Indonesia was soon.
Til then, stay safe and God bless!