The Aftermath. Hurricane Ike brought us a party and bailed before clean-up. It's always the love-em-and-leave-em- type. You know? We have incurred roof damage and will need to hang here for the week to deal with the insurance stuff - 3-6 weeks depending on repair time.

We are unsure of work tomorrow and this week. All of Houston is completely shut down. There is still major flooding and power outages. Severe thunderstorms are pounding homes, as it is not relieving our roof damage. Throughout the past 2 nights (with power and without), I've had to create a bucket system in the attic. About 6 painter's buckets secured over rafters are doing the job. They are emptied about every 3-4 hours. In the process, I have been running on little sleep and have developed some sort of an allergy infection. Not fun!

A friend of mine in Maryland gave me some encouraging words and had asked what are the positives out of this process. 1. We are alive and well.  2.How to find rest, peace and trust in the storm.

During the rough nights of locomotive like engines and surges of ocean sounds beating against our windows and walls you can also hear the wailing and moaning of the wind. I've been in Houston during Hurricane Alicia and definitely, Ike was worse. Heather and I made our inner bathroom as the safe house incase of tornados. Through the long night, I watched and listened to the storm. I was ready to grab Heather and our dogs to head for the safe house at a moment's notice.

In my heart I knew that God was speaking. We were already in his safe house. Not a house made of brick, mortar and wood, but one made of faith and trust. It was evident that I had no control over our situation, but we could rest in the Almighty. I heard His words upon my heart that said, "come unto Me and I will give you rest." I did rest and I found his comfort. Not found in my new patented roof-bucket system nor our safe house, but in Christ alone. At this point, my only care was for Heather, our dogs and myself to be provided and protected by God. Our whole home could have been swept away. Yes, this would be devastating too, but this is small in scale compared to the reality of how God's compassion and power.

The song "Give Me Jesus," was my lullaby through the night. As the words say: "you can have all this world, but give me Jesus." The only thing that matters is your life with God and the life he gave you with your family. Nothing else matters. I've always have known this, but these affirmations become more prominent when you are faced with struggle. My dad has always encouraged me to remember that struggle is where you test to find who God really made you to be. I really did not want to be tested in this way, but is there really ever a better time than the present? So what did I walk (or swim) away with? This fact: there is nothing like the present power and peace of God.

On a funny note. Heath and I are in agreement that this will (God willing) be our last hurricane. We want to move to TN! On a hill with a basement. And a white picket fence. Know a trusted agent?

Kidding aside, pray for the rain to stop. Pray that relief efforts and supplies can be delivered to the great people of Houston and other affected areas and families.

Many of you have emailed/called to wish us well and post your prayers - thank you! Some of you have inquired about learning how to help.

The biggest needs in Houston are water and ice. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or  1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

We'll keep you guys posted as more comes our way. Thank you again for all your support!