Life Update Post Beryl

Through many dangers, toils, and snafus ...

Good morning!

I hope you are doing well and looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Yes, it is Friday. Thank you, Jesus!

Life has been particularly chaotic for me lately. Usually, when I write articles, I like to take an idea or concept and chew on it for several weeks before writing to you. This past month I’ve barely had time to sit down let alone research or study. So, rather than send you the culmination of many thoughts, this letter will be the culmination of many events. But, what is good theology if not lived theology?

As you may recall, in late May, our community was struck by an intense thunderstorm and several tornadoes. The National Weather Service called the storm a derecho. I had never heard this word before, and as a nerdy writer, I was intrigued:

“A derecho (pronounced similar to "deh-REY-cho") is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage.” - NWS

At least one tornado hit our neighborhood, severely damaging several homes and completely destroying one. Thankfully, our house only took minor damage with some shingles and siding pulled loose.

A contractor had just repaired derecho damage to our roof, and was planning to come back to fix the siding, when Hurricane Beryl hit. Many of our neighbors still had tarps on their homes and Beryl ripped some of those off. Heavy rainfall and high winds compounded damage.

Our siding that was loose fell off completely and rain got into the house. After the storm, Jason and I duct-taped garbage bags over the holes in anticipation of more rain in the coming weeks. Thankfully, our power was restored on Tuesday. Half a million people in the Houston area still have no electricity, and temperatures are well into the 90s. It’s incredibly humid too, so it feels hotter than it is.

Some are saying this is going to be a very active hurricane season. Honestly, people say that every year, so we shall see. I think Beryl was particularly bad - not so much because it was a strong or lengthy hurricane - but because we were still recovering from the derecho. Flooding escalated quickly and trees fell easily because the ground was already soft and saturated.

Meanwhile, I have come down with a stomach bug. While this is fairly miserable, I am grateful I got sick after our power was restored and not before. So, as I write this to you, I am sitting in bed sipping tea and eating oatmeal very slowly.

I am also working on a rather exciting case. I can’t tell you much about it, because I am collaborating with law enforcement and their investigation is ongoing, but eventually here I should be able to fill you in.

Ways to pray:

• Pray for the linemen who are working long days in extreme heat to restore power to Texans. Many have traveled in from out of town, so please pray for their families as they are away.

• Pray for law enforcement who (in addition to all their usual duties) are patrolling around powerless homes and businesses to prevent looting.

• Pray for churches and organizations that are opening their doors to shelter people without power.

• And if you think of it, please pray that I recover from this virus and that none of my kids get sick. Please also pray for the case that I’m working on, that God would give me insight and wisdom, and deal justice to those who have harmed others.

Have a wonderful weekend, and please let me know how I can pray for you too!

Jenn