Ike is coming!

Ike is nearing landfall on our Texas coastline. Our hearts are hurting for our "home away from home" - Galveston. It is disturbing to watch the news videos showing the destruction and damage that has already occurred on the island... and it is only going to get worse. It is frightening to know that almost 50% of Galveston's population has decided to ignore the evacuation orders and have remained on the island. We've been there during a tropical storm, and I can tell you from personal experience that trying to face down a hurricane like Ike is risking life.

(Updated: We learned on our late local news that many more residents of Galveston Island did decide - at the last moment - to evacuate. Whew! But, approximately 20% still remain - and that's still too many.)

Ironically, our suburban town is one of the evacuation sites for Galveston evacuees. Hundreds (thousands?) of Galveston islanders arrived by buses overnight last night. Many of our schools have been turned into temporary homes for these people. Tears well in my eyes as I think about these people and what it must be like for them to sit in these gymnasiums and field houses... for them to watch the same destruction that I am viewing on the news. Makes me want to go hug them all.

The weather predictions for our area have actually improved over the last 12 hours or so. We'll still have high wind and some rain but should avoid the really bad weather. We're stocked with food, water, batteries and other necessities. We're good to go.

Pray for the people of coastal Texas.