Uh-0h. After ravaging Louisiana, Gustav is headed our way. I've been out of town since Saturday and planned to be gone for a week but rushed home this morning to ... prepare. And wait. To prepare and wait and help. But the weather is calm and beautiful now. (Above, a picture of Freeman House's original barn.) Freeman House is about 1 hour west of Shreveport, Louisiana, a community already packed with folks who fled Katrina and decided to stay. Our little town also absorbed some of Katrina's displaced, so we are familiar with what we're already seeing this morning: long gas lines, a busy grocery store, heavier traffic. News reports say 1.9 million have been evacuated from the Gulf as of this morning. Some are headed here, just ahead of the rain, apparently. The weather forecast calls for 10 straight days of rain.
So we get ready. I have buckets and gallon glass jars out, ready to catch the water that always pours into Freeman House when we get these leftover hurricane rains. (A new roof estimate is $10,000. Can't afford that just now.) I also have baggies of personal hygiene items: toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc., ready to distribute if need be. I have meals ready to cook and a cleared-out library floor so someone can sleep here if they need to. We'll see.
I may be in and out this week, depending on what comes our way. In the meantime, the people affected by Gustav are in my most fervent prayers.
Happy September, all. -Brin
15 comments:
I'll be praying for all of you.
I'll be praying too! Just a funny thought...have you ever thought of hosting a fundraiser to put a new roof on Freeman House? Just a thought.
10 days is a long time to deal with heavy rain.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as well! So thoughtful to plan for the needs of others too. Am I surprised? No not from what I have read about you!
Prayers and hugs Brin! You are a wonderful caring woman!
Hugs,
MN Kathi
Lots of prayers going heavenward... Praying not only for your personal safety, but also for the protection of property.
You're a doll to think of the personal hygiene kits and of clearing extra space should someone need it.
May you know His peace right in the middle of the storm.
Board up the windows nd hunker down.. be safe. Will be thinking of you.
So glad for the update as I realized your area was being talked about on the news (East Texas) and of course, all of us share concerns for our dear blogfriend Brin. I've been praying for everyone who has been affected, and will be affected by Gustav ... and I'll continue to do so.
I like Cori's idea of a fundraiser to put a roof on Freeman House! Maybe all your internet friends could have a virtual stay at Freeman House B&B. We would send you our donation, and you could give us a "tour" of the rooms, described in detail, tell us again about the history of the place, perhaps sharing a little more about "the letters", and finally and most importantly, telling us what we'll be virtually served for breakfast! I can almost smell that delicious aroma of baking bread from here ...
You're all in my prayers as well. My thoughts are with you.
That was the first thing I put on my blog this morning ... a call for prayer for everyone in the path of Gustav and Hanna. You have such a kind soul making plans ahead of time for anyone "lost in the storm." You are a handmaiden of the Lord, sweet girl. xxoo
Thinking and praying for all of you.
Very kind of you Brin, to prepare for others in need.
Hoping and praying all of your loose limbs have already fallen and you don't suffer any loss of limb(your own and Millie's of course) or property!
We had to get cat food today and Walmart was just freaking out. Didn't help that it started raining, HARD, while we were in there. Sheesh, you'd think we were about to have an ice storm!
There is a creek that runs through Longview, Grace Creek. My son has a friend who lives uphill from its banks. They got a call from the city telling them to be prepared to evacuate when it floods. This is the creek that floods Jackson Park every time it rains more than 2 inches. I can only imagine what 10-20 will do to it.
Stay safe!
Happy September to you also Brin! So nice to have you back!
I'm thinking and praying about you Brin, as were due for up to 8 inches of rain over the next 3 days. At least the hurricane wasn't as bad as first thought, but how sweet of you to think of others, no surprise! Why so much for a new roof? That sounds really high?
Sending prayers from San Diego!
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