IRMA

When we think of fall 2017 we will now think of one word: IRMA. 

It's crazy to look back at how it all played out. At the time it was such an emotional, scary (weird) thing. Now when I look back on it, I see us counting our blessings, praying, and serving friends and strangers. 

A week before the madness broke out, we were at dinner with a bunch of friends. We were talking about the path of the hurricane (which at the time was very far from even thinking about hitting us) and what we would do if it ever came over our way. That was all hypothetically speaking of course. Just days after that dinner, we were hauling hurricane shudders up our stairs and preparing to leave. 

Props to SJ who did it all by himself with no complaints.
This is definitely a 2-3 man job and took him hours to cover our sliding door.

Leaving the state was scary. Part of me thinks Shaun kind of liked it. He was living the scenes from the 'end of the world zombie' movies that he loves (haha)

So many feelings:

First, a weird humbling feeling going through all the belongings you have fortunately been blessed with. Trying to decide what means the most to you or how much of it can fit in your car. Planning and positioning the belongings that you are leaving in the house and hope the way you positioned them can take a potential hurricane. 

Next, a devastating feeling seeing countless car accidents containing totaled cars that were full of people's sentimental treasures. Twice we witnessed someone rear ending someone else and just keep driving on, not caring to stop. It was mayhem.

Then, feelings of fear seeing sold out signs at gas stations or hearing people plead with others to take only what they need. So many cars were stranded on the side of the road with no gas. 

 BUT most importantly, the feeling of happiness and gratitude receiving texts and calls from friends and family offering their homes to us all across the country. As we approached our hotel that first night at midnight, (8 hour drive turned 14) we were singing one of our favorite hymn lyrics:

"By day and by night, His presence is near." 

We felt watched over and had made it safely to our hotel in Georgia. 

Before our time in Florida, we lived in Alpharetta Georgia. It is a city just 20 minutes north of Atlanta. I have a few cousins and an aunt that lives in Georgia as well. Shaun and I were blessed with the kindness of some former ward members. They took us in so that we could let some of our friends go stay with my cousins. I don't think they realize just how grateful we were to be under a roof with people that we love.

How did I not get a picture with the Miskin family?!
Their cute son Sam will have to do..

We tried to keep ourselves away from the news as much as possible by doing some of our favorite Georgia things that we used to do. We joined up with some fellow evacuees and showed them our old stomping grounds. Stone Mountain, Roswell Mill, Pepperonis & naps under our favorite tree.

After a few sleepless nights of watching the news, IRMA finally hit. We gave a prayer of thanks that it wasn't as bad as people were saying and then we were on our way back home to serve. Unfortunately everybody else had the same game plan and the traffic was HORRENDOUS. It was probably worse going home than it was driving to GA. We decided to stop in Orlando and let the traffic die down a little bit.

Gast stations were still closed so we were able to use our gallons that we had stored on top of our car. 

Since we were in Orlando waiting in Limbo, we decided to hop over to Disney World. 

We finally made it home to assess the damage. Our apartment building didn't have power so our kind friends took us in for a few days. 

A lot of delays to our new build. 

 The next few weeks, church was cancelled so we could all go out and help our community. It was an amazing opportunity to bond with some fellow ward family members and meet some new amazing friends in need.

A septic tank had overflowed in the debris we were cleaning up.
We tried to make some tongs...

My most favorite friend I met was a guy named Jim. He has been an artist his whole life and runs an art studio above his garage. He constantly was offering us chairs, water, and even his air conditioned home to take breaks in. When he was showing me his art studio for a second, he asked me to tell him about the "Latter-day Saints." I was able to share my testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (which we had in common). As we were leaving his garage he said "I am so glad God sent you guys to my home." That sentence kept me going the rest of the day.

September was such an insane month. However, as I opened up my camera roll of pictures, the good came pouring in. It consisted of friend reunions, a safe evacuation, disaster relief efforts and strangers becoming friends. This disaster brought so many people closer.