April 29, 2014, Nashville, TN., 1:49 pm., C.D.T.~

Dear Journal~

I wish we could say we're doing fantastic, but alas: nothing could be further from the truth.  Currently, we're under flood watches (and warnings): it's raining buckets out there, and just to our east and southeast, there could be more severe weather, in the form of very large hail, damaging winds in excess of 70 MPH, severe lightning, flooding rains, and of course, long-track, violent tornadoes that could go on for miles.  

I and my daughter, Alaska, are sitting here at Nashville Memorial Hospital .... rather, I am sitting while Alaska snoozes on a cot here in the Emergency Room.  She had a panic attack about the storms late last night/early this morning and had a bad asthma attack.  She got some medication and some oxygen to help with her breathing and she is currently sleeping like a baby, thanks to some Valium.  She will be able to go home in a few hours, but until then, she has to wait until the medications have been delivered through her IV line and then the doctor will discontinue the IV, the oxygen, and the heart monitor.  Then she will be able to go home once he signs the discharge papers and get the home-care instructions.

I just hope we HAVE a home to go to ... I pray there's no flooding in our house .... if that is the case, we will be moving, to Alaska once Bindu and I are married.  Alaska will be happy to hear that.  She hates Tennessee and there's just been too much hurt here for her (and me).  I know we should trust God in these difficult circumstances, but the storms are really messing with her mind and emotions, and I hate to see her so depressed and freaked out.  I just wish there was more I could do for Alaska, as a way to reassure her that all is going to be okay ....

Now Alaska IS going to see Carrie Underwood Saturday at the Grand Ole Opry House here in Nashville; Bindu and I got tockets and we are all really looking forward to it.  I just hope the storms stop by then or else we won't be doing anything!  I got her a pretty sparkly blue-and-green-and-purple top and black leggings, not to mention, teal-colored sandals.  I want her to look special for her first real concert, and I want it to be a memorable experience for her.

We are going to go to church on Sunday and help with a food and clothes drive for the victims of the storms; Alaska and I are going to donate the items we no longer any use for.  We are also going to have a special prayer service at church and a time for reflection and discussion about how we can help the tornado/storm victims.  Should be really enlightening for the two of us.

Just keep the prayers coming for us here in the southland, and pray that the storms stop soon; we both haven't slept well the past couple of nights, and we are both plumb worn out to a frazzle, especially Alaska!  Any (and all) prayers would be greatly appreciated!  Also lift up the families and friends of the missing/injured/dead; they are the ones who REALLY could use the prayers!  Thanks and God bless!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Martha.  :(