a new beginning

The storm is over. God was gracious to New York City. Branches and leaves covering the streets were the extent of the damage near us. Sadly, the other boroughs were hit harder and my heart goes out to those families. 

It was a strange but fun weekend indoors. 

We made a pallet on the floor and played games and watched movies. David dressed Wesley in his lifeguard shirt. Fitting for the weekend. 

Then our dear neighbor came over and brought cupcakes. We sang Happy Birthday to Irene and prayed for the best as we enjoyed the delicious treat. Thankfully, Irene was nice to us City folks. 

Sunday, the same sweet neighbor had us over to visit - for  a change of scenery. The kids love them and had the best time having a dance party in their living room and eating lots of treats. Then they both got up on the saddle (he was a mounted policeman in the City for a number of years) and posed for a quick pic.

Today is Monday. A new beginning to a new week. New mercies. The storm is over. 

We started school today. Homeschooling - to be exact. As I told a few friends - it was more of a syllabus day today, where we had a tea party and talked about the schedule and expectations and started decorating notebooks. After a few hours at a playground and visits with friends, we went to a store, nearby, and Kate picked out a few more supplies. All in pink and purple, of course. 

On our way home, Kate spotted this unusually beautiful sky right outside our apartment building.  The first rainbow I've ever seen in the City. 

Interesting. 

This is as much of the sky that I ever see at a given time in the City.  A sliver. 

I was so thankful for this sliver today. Reminded me of much. 

Promises of new beginnings. 

calm before the storm

The City shuts down at noon. All public transportation will cease to operate. Restaurants, grocery stores, markets, Starbucks - all closed as of this morning.

The City that never sleeps - will be quiet for 36-48 hours at least.

I've been thinking lately about how to prepare. How do you prepare for something you full don't know or understand? A storm that is more powerful than any I've seen before. Knowing there is a chance we will only experience a part of the storm and that is enough to cause tragedy. That's powerful.

Yet, a storm that can be quieted by a single word from its Creator. That's more power than I can comprehend.

We have stocked up on water, food, flashlights and batteries like I mentioned earlier. Charging cell phones and laptops. I have the a/c on in every room cooling it down in case we are without electricity for several days. I vacuumed. I did laundry last night. Dishes are clean.

I find myself a bit anxious this morning - not feeling like there is enough I can do. It feels plain silly to just sit around and wait. I clearly don't handle waiting...well.

Our family will all take showers and baths in a few hours in case we aren't able to for a while. Kids are out with David this morning at a playground, since we are more than likely not going to be outside for 48 hours.

Then it hit me. I am Martha.

In the view of a storm - even in the calm - I am Martha. Busy. Working. Cleaning. Preparing tangibly because that is where control can be obtained. But, I realized the preparation that really matters is - prayer. Quiet. Reflection. Heart preparation. Sitting at the feet of Jesus.

I quieted the news and turned the lights off. Turned on my Valley of Vision CD and knelt in submission to my Shelter. My Refuge. My Calm.

elevators, earthquakes, hurricanes... oh my.

Just to give you a brief update on what is going on this week in our lives:

1. Elevators: I suppose I should make that singular. Elevator. That's better. Our building just has one. We have always chosen to live in a smaller building in the big city. No huge high rises for us. We have just found them more quaint, less expensive, and as close to a home as you can get with a little more character inside.  Our current building has six floors and one elevator. We love our building, and it is a very old building. So, the elevator is one that you have to open the door to before you can actually walk in. None of this automatic business. Just a few months ago we got a phone wired in there for emergencies. Safety first!

So, you can imagine what life is like with a double stroller and two kids trying to get into an elevator that you first must  open the door and wedge your stroller through - just right - before the quick moving elevator slams shut and moves you to your desired destination. But, I am not one to complain. In the City - it is a luxury to have an elevator at all. I am very thankful.

We are on the 4th floor.

Our management company slipped a note under each door a few weeks ago (while we were still away) saying that we will be receiving a new elevator. A modernized one. Whooohooh! It's 2011, so that is good news. SO... that means we will be WITHOUT an elevator for 8-10 weeks starting in mid-September.

Gulp.

Did I mention our laundry and our trash are in the basement? Did I mention I have two kids and two strollers and we have to get out everyday for fresh air or we all go crazy?

Gulp.

On the positive side, I am looking forward to bonding with our neighbors and several have generously offered to help in any way. And, our building is providing a 24 hour doorman to help carry things for us. So, that is wonderful.

Gulp.


2. Earthquakes: I am sure you have heard and are tired of hearing about the earthquake on the Northeast. The first one since 1880 something? Yea - that one.

I was at home cooking, Kate was playing joyfully and Wesley sleeping peacefully. God was so gracious. We did not feel a thing. Friends all texted checking on each other. Several friends were in their swaying buildings with things falling off the wall, but overall - no one seemed to be seriously injured. It definitely was a bit unsettling when I could not get a hold of David though.

I was watching the news and many buildings including the one right across the street from where David works was evacuated and out on the street (per the news cameras) I could not call out to check on him. I could, however, send texts, to which I was getting no reply. Sigh.

So, after 20 minutes or so, I checked my email. David was just diligently working on the ump-teen floor he works on and didn't feel a thing. He didn't know it was such a big deal, so he didn't think to check in with me and he doesn't get cell phone access up in his building. Funny now. Not so funny during the time we could not communicate.

We are now coming up with an updated emergency plan for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

3. Hurricanes: Ahh - this brings me to the last bit of news for this week. One week brings so much evidently. Yes, we are preparing for a hurricane now. As if one natural disaster was not enough - let's try two! That will be fun.

We have bought over 100 water bottles, stocked up on batteries and flash lights and canned food, and are praying for the best. My dad said to fill up a bath tub with water so that we have it - just in case. The City is unprecedentedly shutting all public transportation down. No subways. No trains. No buses. No ferry boats. Restaurants and grocery stores will be closed. Church will be closed.

Think about New York City for ONE day with most everything closed.  Almost unimaginable.

Then think about how crazy it is to be living on an island with NO way of getting out. We don't have a car. We do have prayers and are praying that the worst will not hit the City or the outer boroughs. Hospitals and nursing homes in low lying areas are already evacuated. But, even if we wanted to get out... we can't. Stop and think about the last time you had absolutely no control or way out. Yea.

So, here's hoping and praying for the best for everyone in the path of Irene!

Now, you know what our family will be doing this weekend. See you on the other side of the storm!

mountains and valleys.

The pause from the blog these past few weeks has been intentional, as I sought refuge and quiet and an unplugged rest in the Colorado mountains. It has been delightful. A true mountaintop of experiences. Thank you for the prayers and wishes.

Mornings of strong coffee on the deck overlooking God's creation.
Sounds of the creek trickling and laughter from children exploring dirt and rocks and sticks and wild raspberries.
Memories made with family - snapshots captured eternally in my heart.
Getting back to the basics of life and earth and family.
Campfires and singing praises to our Creator.
Watching wildlife in their habitats - as a mere spectator. (thankfully no bears!)
Cool evenings and daily storms watering the forest.
Sunrises and sunsets followed by full moon skies.
Conversations that would not have happened otherwise.
Books read and quiet times enjoyed daily.
Climbing and conquering a mountain - a true adventure with the one I love.
Weekend away in luxury with just the husband.
Self-reflection. Heart-refection. Confession. Prayer.

Such a rare treasure - cabin time. Family time. Mountain time. A treasure not taken lightly.

As we were planning to return to City life last weekend (please note :I'm not sure I'm ever prepared), we received a call that stopped the world from spinning a bit. My world, that is.

My dear aunt passed away, after a year battle with cancer. I had said my goodbyes at the conclusion of each visit over the past year - and God graciously allowed me one more hour with her last Wednesday before she left us on Friday.

Though she and I saw God through different lenses, I loved hearing what she learned in this last year of knowing her time on earth was limited. Though many things were mentioned, one stood out among the rest as the most profound. That she was not in control. She said her experience of God was deeper  - she felt Him nearer in her valley this past year.  She reminded me of much - the important things - to love well and to be thankful for the valleys where we can experience God the most.

Loss. Goodbye. Emptiness.

Never ready, but always known.

Such a contrast to the rest and joy experienced during the first few weeks of our trip. Yet, such gratitude that the Lord allowed us weeks of laughter to lead into a week of sorrow. A mountaintop experience followed by the valley. That's how life works, I've found.

Mountains and valleys. They cannot exist apart from each other.

The perspective is gained on the mountain top, but the vision is first cast down in the valley.



David and I climbed a 14-er mountain a few weekends ago. Starting out on the trail - you never really know what is ahead of you. It's just about one foot in front of the other. At points along the 7 mile trail, you can see the summit, and the vision is cast.

But, it's not until you summit - and feel your heart pounding out of your chest - that you look across mountain range upon mountain range, that you gain an accurate perspective.

(This is a view of the mountain we climbed from another mountain. Perspective. I assure you I probably would not have climbed it if I had seen it in it's entirety. Another lesson of God's grace in not letting us see the big picture.)

Perspective. How small we are. How great God is. How tough the journey up. Then, how increasingly difficult the journey down.

It brings a song by Steven Curtis Champman to mind.  In The Mountain Champman sings, "My faith is strengthened by all that I see. You make it easy for me to believe, up on the mountain." He prays, "Lord help me remember what you've taught me, up on the mountain." Then the song concludes with, "But, I know we are headed for a Valley..."

We are assured of life's mountains and valleys, though we don't know them by name.

It's remembering when we have seen God's face and experienced his love and walked with his faithfulness and his steady provision that allow us to face the valley, confidently and securely...and to keep... walking step by step where the trail may lead.

(Oh the mountain analogies are endless!)

His love is steadfast from either vantage point. His hand ever leading. His promises sure.

Psalm 121

¹I lift up my eyes to the hills.
   From where does my help come?
² My help comes from the LORD,
   who made heaven and earth.

 ³He will not let your foot be moved;
   he who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴Behold, he who keeps Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.

 ⁵The LORD is your keeper;
   the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
   nor the moon by night.

 ⁷The LORD will keep you from all evil;
   he will keep your life.
⁸The LORD will keep
   your going out and your coming in
   from this time forth and forevermore.