Friday, September 19, 2008
Today we tried as a family to provide some assistance to others impacted by Hurricane Ike. We all (Rachel, Stephen, John and myself) got up and were at the Gateway Christian Church at 8:15 am. Gateway is serving through the weekend as a base for CORE - Christians Organized for Relief Efforts. It's an organization that comes when needed and assists the community in many, many ways. Although, I haven't been able to find them on the internet yet, many of our local churches are working through them for Hurricane relief efforts in a centralized fashion instead of trying to do it church by church.
The scouts were looking for a way to be of service during the relief efforts. CORE told us while they won't let kids into houses to help with home cleanup, they would allow them to go and help people cleanup their yards from tree debris. So, we were there at 8:15 am yesterday. Unfortunately, we stayed for just about 2 hours and they didn't have anything for us to be able to do as they had hoped they would. So, we just went back home and worked on things at the house that needed to be done like fixing our fences!
We were also invited to an impromptu party last night by the Reeders over in Pearland. They had a prior event planned for a policital fundraiser and it was cancelled but they still had a band paid for and coming. So, they just invited folks over who could make it for a relaxing evening. It was fun seeing everyone and my, how all these kids have grown. Some very beautiful & handsome young adults out there!! We enjoyed swapping stories with everyone and catching up on what everyone is up to over in our old neighborhood. We were home by 11 pm since there is still a mandatory curfew in Friendswood from 11 pm - 5 am.
SCHOOL is still OUT! The kids have been out of school now for 7 school days. It is very likely they will be out another week as many of the schools don't yet have power. Without power, they have been unable to really get inside and look for damage at the junior high and high school. Friendswood has officially stated "Closed until further notice." Clear Creek which is our neighboring school district came out yesterday saying they would open on Sept. 29 which is another week out. Friendswood & Clear Creek typically have the same schedules, so it wouldn't surprise me to see us out another week as well. While there is nothing we can do about it, this sure isn't good for the kids. Academically, we were just getting back into a routine and then poof. Also, Band has a competition on 10-4 and they will not have even practiced for over two weeks when they come back and face a competition literally 5 days later. Unfortunately, their show is not ready for competition at this point. Not to mention we probably now will have to go to school into June to makeup all this missed time. It's very unfortunate.
John's school situation is probably even worse. Baytown is still at 70% power outage. Their schools say "closed indefinitely" so who knows what is in store for them and when.
For me.... I start heading back downtown on Monday. Fuel is now mostly available with small wait times, so it's probably time for me to start heading back to my office.
If anyone wants to help those in need from Ike, I have a friend at WFB who I have worked with for years, Laura, who was displaced during the Hurricane and is now trying to find housing for her and her family (2 children and husband) up near the Woodlands. Unfortunately, a tree fell on their home causing massive roof damage, a natural gas line to break and the resulting water damage from the open roof. They are unable to live in their house until it is fixed. The offices of WFB took up donations for her and her family but they still have needs. If you are interested in assisting in any way, financial donations are welcome or physical donations are welcome as well. Let me know and I can find out what they might need or help get your donations to her family. Please keep them and others in need from Ike in your prayers.
Love to all -
MA
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