post-Rita

No pictures this time, but figured some might be wondering how everything shook out with Hurricane Rita...or the lack thereof!

I was headed to Dallas last weekend for my class anyway, but when Rita decided to head our way, I left on Wednesday afternoon instead of Friday morning. I picked up my dear 84 year old grandmother and her blessed 3 felines (who I'm allergic to, as most know) and we headed north. When I left, Rita was a strengthening 4 headed for Corpus with a predicted turn north that would take her mid-way between CC and Houston by her landfall.

My friend, Kate, informed me later Wednesday night that Rita was now a 5, but had made that northern turn...so north in fact, that by Thursday, she was no longer a threat to Corpus at all, as everyone came to find out. So all is well for Corpus Christians who had a good scare thanks to Katrina, but never even got rain. :)

Very productive trip as I was able to stay with a friend from West Africa, Lori (pictures forthcoming), friend from home, Ashley, get 75% of the work done for my class in 2 days, and visit the main campus of Howard Payne University (I work at the Corpus extension). All in all, a good but tiring 5 days!

texas state aquarium

On Labor Day, a few of us went to the Texas State Aquarium, located right here in Corpus Christi, for a few hours. Our friend, Rachel, has been working there this summer, mostly with the dolphins but she gets to do other cool stuff too. Here are some of the sights from the Aquarium...

the sea otters, my favorite


How cute is this little guy?


Kaitlyn and the baby alligator


downtown Corpus Christi and the piers (I lived just behind these tall buildings last year)




the dolphin show

Last night, this BEAST was outside my front door. As Christine left my apartment, we saw "IT" and Christine attempted to stomp at "IT" to scare "IT" away. Instead, it faced my front door head-on as a threat to come inside! So, being the complete wimp that I am, I went out the back door and around to Sallie's apartment. I have learned that Sallie is good about getting rid of the "IT"s that we find out here (she killed off a worm-like snake in May by beating it beyond any recognition as a living thing with a shovel). Sallie came over and took care of "IT" with a gentle touch...


Sallie and "IT" (yes, it's a small frog)

praying for Katrina victims

The only two people I know personally who lived in New Orleans were girls in West Africa with me. Julie and Tiffany both evacuated before the hurricane, but were told they would only be gone for 3-4 days so they took nothing with them. Now, with unsure futures, I am filled with compassion for them and the millions whose lives have been turned upside down by Katrina.

As I try to wrap my mind around the images, videos, and written records I've seen on TV and the Internet this week, I wonder how to pray, and what to ask God for. At this moment, I feel I can only worship and adore, because asking seems like too big a task. I wonder how Romans 8:28 will come to pass, but believe that it will.

In September 2002, I moved to a tiny village in central Ivory Coast. Two weeks later, our supervisors planned a team retreat in Mali for 5 days. Robin and I packed for our short trip, planning to return and continue life in Babadougou within a week. The people of our village were already very dear friends to us. We didn't know we would never be back. The day before our scheduled return to Ivory Coast, a civil war caused by government rebels tore the country in half. The city with the most violence and warfare was less than an hour from our little village.

3 years later, I have found that life does go on...even though for awhile it seems to stand still. The orchestration of the events since September 2002 have been obviously touched by God's loving hand, and all I can do is worship...though terror had reigned for a short time, the victory is His. I have seen Romans 8:28 brought to fruition by the events in my personal life, and believe it will come to fruition in time for those who have been victimized by Katrina.

Elihu said to Job in chapter 33, verse 14, 29-30: "God always answers, one way or another, even when people don't recognize his presence. This is the way God works. Over and over again. He pulls our souls back from certain destruction so we'll see the light--and live in the light!"