The Storm of 2012

This afternoon we got our electricity back from a snow storm that occurred  last Friday night and Saturday morning. We got about 24" of snow overnight, definitely the most snow accumulation I've ever seen in such a short period of time. We were out of electricity and heat for five nights. Temperatures got down to zero Fahrenheit one night. We stayed warm by hanging sheets from the doorways to concentrate the little bit of heat from my propane ice fishing heater into one room, where we basically lived for four of the five nights. We didn't have running water, so no toilet, cleaning water, showers or drinking water. When we learned that power may not be returned until Friday, we took some friends up on their offer to stay at their rental house. I'm so grateful for friends- so many offered their help- just what Christ calls us to do as the Church. This event made me think of the fact that God is in control- there is absolutely nothing I can do about this. We prayed and asked God to protect us and to provide for us. I also thought of Jesus calming the storm in the Gospels. The disciples were frightened, yet Jesus was in control the entire time. Jesus was kind of upset with the guys for being afraid and not trusting that he was in control. I tried to have faith, but have a long way to go.  

I thought about other parts of the world where electricity is not a "normal" part of life. I am grateful for electricity, running water and heat, but I depend too much on them for survival. I take these luxuries for granted. Many different cultures around the world live without these things. I pray that the Lord would help me not depend on them as I do. 

I thought about how much work it is to not have running water or lights in the house or heated rooms. We had to go to the neighbors or the township hall to fill jugs for water. We had to make sure we had fuel for the heater and to occasionally shut it off during the day but make sure it was on in time to heat the house at night.  We used a propane camp stove to heat water for coffee and to wash-up and to cook with. Jessica and I slept on an air mattress. Since we lived out of our living room, we had to inflate and deflate it and tear down and remake our bed each day. On top of that, I had to snow blow 24" of wet, heavy snow from our very long driveway in order to get out to the road. Tree branches that were broken and hanging from the trees and were blocking our driveway needed to be removed. Just moving snow and cutting tree branches took two days. Very exhausting. I am thankful for a good friend who let me use his snow blower for the winter. I'm thankful that this kind of work is not required every day in my life, but I'm aware and have a greater appreciation for those around the world who do labor like this every day just to survive.

We had great family time. Talking and laughing with one another. Tyler and Renae came up with a new game that Jessica termed "Butt Ball". This was all by candlelight just like the old days, perhaps in settler's times. 

People I know who did have electricity offered their hospitality by letting their friends use their showers and get water from them and even offered their houses for heat and shelter. They helped move snow from roofs and driveways and offered food. 

Even through the bleakness of the circumstances, these were good days. Days I would like to see more frequently. When people had faith in God. When people pulled together and helped each other out in times of need. When people serve Christ with glad and sincere hearts.