The Aftermath

Here are a few pictures we took after the hurricane. We were amazed at the pounding our city got. Most are still out of power. We were the first of just a few that received power 24 hours after we lost it. Fences are down everywhere, signs blown off, power lines snapped in half and in streets, trees down everywhere, street lights dangling within reach over the streets. It's an amazing site. However, we feel blessed. The more we watch the news, the more we realize how blessed we are.

We got word that we were having Sacrament meeting Sunday morning and that we should be dressed to work. After the sacrament was passed our meeting was comprised of how to initiate insurance and how to take safety precautions. The kids were getting a kick out of going to church with their "work" clothes on. It was a little wierd. I was invited to ward counsel and the plan was to group up into several work crews and head out to clean and repair. So many members lost roof shingles and had interior leaks. We sustained a leak but it was nothing compared to many in the ward. Mike has already pulled up some carpet in the office and we are on a waiting list for roofing work. Sunday, Monday and today has been full of laboring for the men and the women are helping to clean up and gather food/ice/water for those with nothing.

This is the house of one of the church members. Their pile of trash is small compared to many of Pearland.

These pictures don't do it justice and I didn't get many pics in the first place. And really, compared to those from Galveston and surrounding areas, they are quite insignificant. It's just an overwhelming site for us country people.

Here's another picture of our backyard. We were one of the lucky ones to have our fence leaning. Most fences are gone! The boys were giving me a hard time because to get a good phone signal, I had to come to the backyard and stand on our "tower of telephone reception" (aka firepit) for better reception. I'd do anything to talk to my momma and siblings!

My brain is so fried tonight that I'm not sure what else to say. I'm just full of gratitude and don't want to spend so much energy on the negative.

In a nutshell:

I am not training at this moment. However, I did see an orthopedic and he said I probably pushed myself a little too much and I need a little physical therapy to strengthen my core, then I can start running again.

The kids are pretty darn excited that school has been cancelled for the rest of the week.

Maddie's bday is Monday the 22nd. During Hurricane Rita a couple of years ago, we celebrated her birthday in a warehouse somewhere in Lufkin, Texas with cupcakes and a bunch of strangers. I think we've decided that she will no longer be able to have a birthday. Maybe we'll just change the date!

My sister, Jen, has started her own blog! Yea! She's just getting started but check it out. She has the cutest kids ever and will be getting pictures up eventually. Crazy Greene Love.

Thanks for your loving comments, prayers and concerns!