MaryJane,

How are you all doing? Did your husband and son get to work on Monday morning?

I check out the news a lot to stay informed about "Irene".... Many state governors declared their state a 'state of disaster' (or is it emergency?) before the hurricane hit. I think all of New England did except for Vermont and New Hampshire.

I keep thinking about Vermont. According to the news it says that all major roads in Vermont suffered flood damage. Other sources have also told me that New Englanders are stoic, independent people, closed to the gospel, being hardened by Unitarianism. My question: has this disaster softened their hearts towards God?

When we had those tornadoes this spring and you asked the survivors where they were they would end their story with "God was with us and protected us."

Just wondering...

_________________
Sandra Miller

by ginnyrose on 2011/8/30 3:55:50

MaryJane,

How are you all doing? Did your husband and son get to work on Monday morning?

I check out the news a lot to stay informed about "Irene".... Many state governors declared their state a 'state of disaster' (or is it emergency?) before the hurricane hit. I think all of New England did except for Vermont and New Hampshire.

I keep thinking about Vermont. According to the news it says that all major roads in Vermont suffered flood damage. Other sources have also told me that New Englanders are stoic, independent people, closed to the gospel, being hardened by Unitarianism. My question: has this disaster softened their hearts towards God?

When we had those tornadoes this spring and you asked the survivors where they were they would end their story with "God was with us and protected us."

Just wondering...

________________

Hi Ginnyrose
Thank you again for the great and much needed advice before this storm it really helped. We are doing fine. My husband and son were able to get to work but they did have to take alternate routes due to downed trees. My son in law works further south and was not able to get in because their offices are without water. Many towns along the rivers and down on the coast are really suffering the affects of this storm. Lots of flooding is still happening. There are still entire towns with out power as well.

Vermont is really been hit the worst. I just cried watching some of the videos. People there were not expecting what they got because so much attention was given toward NYC. I think it will be many weeks maybe even months before Vermont is able to come back from this. Some towns were completely under 4 or more feet of water.

Most of the churches in my immediate area are Catholic. There is a huge Catholic population here, more I think then any other. It has made finding fellowship very difficult. You hear a lot of people saying things like "mother nature took it easy on us," or "we got lucky and dodged a bullet." No one I have heard seems willing to give God the thanks HE deserves for helping us through. I will say this for as much history this area has in the Christian faith the people have lost that and its really sad to see. Sadly I have not heard people voicing the kinds of things you shared.

Thank you again for all your prayers. I do know all the glory goes to God, He was and is with us and I am thankful for HIS mercy.

God Bless
maryjane

Edit: I did want to clarify that what wrote above is just a sampling of those I and my family have come in contact around work and at stores. I do not know over all what others who have been hit much harder maybe thinking or their hearts on this storm in relation to God. I pray that many will call upon HIS name and I want to look for ways and opportunities during this time to share JESUS with those HE brings me into contact with.

Hope everybody's doing fine, I know many people were affected by the hurricane. My thoughts and prayers for you will always be there. Hurricane Irene left many deceased and several emotional scars not long healed. To add insult to injury, thousands now have to face the prospect of costly fixes to their damaged homes. And many concerned individuals are eager to help out those ruined by the natural devastation. But sadly, catastrophes like these also bring out those desperate to benefit from the already-devastated victims. The Better Business Bureau last Friday issued some steps you can take in sorting the legitimate from the unscrupulous. Article resource: Some contractors and charities taking advantage of Hurricane Irene. Stay safe people, pray for safety always.

"The Better Business Bureau last Friday issued some steps you can take in sorting the legitimate from the unscrupulous. Article resource: Some contractors and charities taking advantage of Hurricane Irene."

This caution and warning is justified! In the aftermath of the tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa, unscrupulous contractors swindled people out of their money. A 'contractor' will ask you how much insurance paid you. You tell him and he will tell you he can rebuild you a house for that amount of money. You agree to let him do it, pay him and then he vanishes, never to be seen again.

Be very careful!

BTW, MaryJane, am glad you are doing OK.

Now we are eyeing a tropical storm on our coast and we are hoping so much it will come up our way and give us much needed rain. Our tree leaves are falling, yard grasses are turning brown: we are very dry. Yes, we desperately need rain..and Texans are wishing this storm would come their way and stay a while, as well!

_________________
Sandra Miller

ginnyrose


Yes I saw that Tropical storm Lee was heading toward the south. Will be in prayer for you to get the rain you all need so much. We are due to get more rain I keep praying these storms would head down toward Texas and give them the rain they need too.

Also thank you for the warning about shady people attempting to steal or take advantage of those who have lost everything. Sadly this happens all to often. We are beginning to see some tempers flare here due to the extended days people have been with out power. It has been very hard on the elderly and those families with young children and not much means for these kinds of events. The one thing I will say about CT it is so expensive and I mean that. Everything here is really expensive, in fact there are many families that barely make it because of the cost of living. This storm will only make things that much harder. God is still in control though and we place our trust and faith in HIM while looking for opportunities to be faithful servants to others.

God Bless
mj