Dr Becky Towne

For friends and family who are concerned about our safety here along the Texas coast, we are still living in temporary housing in NW Houston. (We are supposed to close on a house in Pearland on Tuesday.) The city has asked everyone to stay in their homes, if the houses are sound structures and not in flood areas. This is so those in mandatory and voluntary evacuation areas can have access out of the area. I think that was a good call.

Jim and I are in a good location, have food and water, and have made room in the garage for one of our cars. This will be my third hurricane to go through (Carla in '61 and Alicia in '83) and Jim's second. I think we're as prepared as we can be. This looks like a mighty powerful and widespread storm. Yesterday, the seminary closed at noon and we worked to move things away from the wall of glass on the front of the complex to safer locations in the building.

One anchor man on the local news this afternoon remarked about the perspective gained when watching the "angry" waves of the Gulf breaking over Galveston's seawall. His comment was that humans are pretty small in comparison to the power of storm and sea and that there is nothing to be done but respect the power and get out of the way. Unfortunately, many people along the coast have not gained that perspective and are attempting to ride out the storm on Galveston island.

A healthy awe for the power of nature and the power of God is beneficial when heeded and devastating when ignored. More to come--after the storm.

Becky