Dear Journal~

Bill here.  I'm sitting here in the quiet of the early morning, trying to keep my mind clear. 

No church today:  too busy, for one thing.  Had to drive my wife to the airport; she had to be there two hours before her flight left at 6:00.  She flew down to Galveston, Texas, to help out with hurricane relief efforts; she and other members of the hospital's disaster relief team flew down there to assist in any way they could.

I've been up since three; was on the road by three fifteen.  Got to the airport about three forty five; at four, my wife was checking in, getting her ticket to Galveston.

Louie will probably be in Galveston for a week or so.  I will miss her very much; the house always seems so empty without her presence!

The children are still asleep, nestled peacefully in their beds.  Just checked in on them; they all look like small, sleeping angels.  They look so calm, relaxed; nothing like the scared little rabbits they were yesterday upon finding out that Mamma was going to Galveston.  Tears everywhere; it was a mess!

I will be praying hard for my wife, and the team, pray for guidance, strength to get them through the trying days that surely lie before them.  They went to Missisippi three years ago after Katrina, and it still causes her to tear up whenever she thinks about it.  It had a profound effect on her, and I am sure this go-around will, too.

The only ones that are up (besides me) are the animals (well, some of them, anyway).  They're in the kitchen with me, eating their breakfasts.  They must have been starving:  you never heard such barking or meowing in your life!! LOL  And now I am eating a bagel with Philadelphia cream cheese and drinking some coffee to wake MYSELF up, so I can be of use to the family once they arise to greet the day. :)

We may get a piece of what was left of Hurricane Ike here sometime tomorrow or later today.  Must be going to rain; my joints are doing a Cajun two-step!  *OW*  Took something for the pain, it hasn't kicked in yet. 

Hurricane Ike really tore up Galveston and Houston; it went as far north as Palestine, Texas, which is in east Texas, before it fell to tropical storm status.  People are left reeling in shock, disbelief; they can't believe that it's happened to them.  Four people died in the storm (two in Texas, two in Louisiana), and several may be missing (those who decided to stay or didn't want to leave).  My heart breaks for them, as well as the rest of that region; Ike really hit them hard!

It is going to take weeks, months, even years, before Galveston (as well as Houston, Baytown, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, etc.) is (are) back to where they were prior to Hurricane Ike's arrival!

We will probably go to church tonight.  It always feels strange to go to church without my wife; she brings such a warmth and love to all who come into contact with her.  Everyone there just loves her to pieces, almost as much as me! :)  No doubt people will be offering their prayers, concern, support, which I always welcome, apperciate!

Well, I hear some of the kids talking, rising from sleep, so I'd best go now, get their breakfasts ready.  I will write in here again soon; until next time, this is Bill signing off!  God bless and talk to you later!

~Bill. :(