Last week was an incredible week with an outrageous weather event. I must say living in Idaho for as long as I have (I'm an Idaho native-born in CDA), I surely don't remember a windstorm of this magnitude. The weather channels compared the storm to the Ice Storm of 96 but this one was different. At the peak of the high winds, I took our dogs, Obie and Ramona, out to the backyard for a brief time. They did not like the wind or all the leaves and other items swirling about them in the least. It made me feel a little like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when she ran around to try to scoop up Toto while the tornado was bearing down of her location. I let the dogs in the house but stood outside a little longer to watch some of the larger trees in our neighborhood. They were swaying in rhythm with the wind gusts but bending a lot further than they typically would have bent. One of the trees behind our house in the neighbor's yard is especially tall and historic due to age. If that tree were to ever come down, it would easily take out our garage, part of our renter's house as well as our home. I'm grateful we were once again spared from any significant damage. The news showed so many homes with trees piercing the roof or crushing cars. I also saw an interview with Susie and Scott Fischer (our members) and the tragic results of a tree hitting their home. I hope and pray that they were able to get the tree removed and repairs are underway before the first big snow arrives.

In the book of Mark (4:39-41) we read the story of Jesus sleeping in the stern of the boat while the wind and the sea is tossing the boat around like a child's toy. When the disciples wake Jesus because they are afraid, he rebukes the wind and sea by saying "Peace! Be Still!" And the wind immediately ceases and the sea became calm. I was actually thinking of this story when I was sitting in our front room that night listening to the wind gusts outside. I was wishing for Jesus to come and say "Peace! Be Still!" But I too was like the disciples sitting there being afraid and somewhat nervous. Oh I wasn't as afraid as they probably were sitting in a wooden boat being tossed by the rough seas and ferocious wind but I was fearful for some reason. I've been through worse storms when we lived in the Bahamas and survived a hurricane but you don't think of hurricane force winds in northern Idaho. I felt safe with my husband being in the house with me which was comforting and of course my two doxies were buried under the blanket on my lap snoozing like Jesus must have been. I realized after a time that I was where I needed to be and that in my inner being I needed to listen to that small voice saying "Peace! Be Still!". I pray that those of you who had damage to your homes or property are able to receive the help and resource support you need. I thank the tireless workers of Avista and Kootenai Electric for all their hours of labor to restore power to so many homes affected by this storm. But most of all, thank you Lord for keeping us safe.

 

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless You & Your Family