We are safe in Northeast Texas, but I am without cell phone and internet and it is killing me! ...Uh...what I really mean is...Thank you, Lord, for providing us a place to stay free of charge while our parish recovers from Hurricane Gustav. Even without my usual technological vices. Amen.

OK, I feel thoroughly chastised. But I want to be transparent, and I am definitely not used to being without my trusty cell phone and laptop!

Praise Reports:

Our house is OK!

I survived a 13 hour van ride with a screaming baby and 3 restless preschoolers! And me!

Daddy is OK, but away from us right now. He evacuated to MS and has already returned home. He has been very busy at his funeral home and their partner homes and doing some Disaster Relief Chaplaincy work, too. We miss you, Daddy.

The boys have been in heaven here in the country. In fact, they were out in the pasture area as I was driving away (I am at the grand metropolis--NOT--known as the Naples, TX Public Library in the computer) playing with the neighbor's goats and looking at the horses. There is an old barn they've been playing cowboys in and an old garage has been the site of many "Texas Ranger" play scenarios. They come in each day covered in dirt and cobwebs and are as happy as can be.

May Clare, on the other hand, is enjoying being inside away from the boys and the dirt and the (ew!) bugs and has enjoyed having Baby Andrew all to herself cuddle. He has been great, eating and crawling and pooping and drooling...your typical 6 month old on an extended "evacu-cation" as we have begun to call it.

In fact, all the kids have been great through all of this. From watching Daddy board up the house to packing their favorite toys in a box to bring in the van "just in case the mean storm takes them" to driving so far and sleeping on pallets on the floor for two weeks and then to be in the middle of nowhere without their regular stuff...they have been remarkably adaptable and sweet and loving. God is gracious and good and has loved us through this...and He continues to lift us up when Mommy misses Daddy so much and would love to be home again.

Thank you for your prayers for us and for everyone displaced by Gustav. We won't be returning home until their is power and gas and a regular supply of diapers and milk (even Wal-mart is still closed).

Jennifer and David (and Grandma Clara)

Zach, John, Thomas, Mary Clare, and Andrew