Hurricane, Tornado and Power Outage!

It's been an interesting week with earthquake, tornado, hurricane and two days of power outage.  My heart is full of gratitude of no trees fell on my property and no flooding in the basement.  The church has taught us to be prepared at all times and we were definitely put into a test this past week.  We were glad that we adhered to the guidance by our beloved prophet.  At a conference talk by President Hinckley in 2005 titled, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear!"  He said, " we have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster.  But the best storehouse is the family storeroom.... our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come." 

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-559-20,00.html

We felt calm when the hurricane hit, and we slept through the night when there was a tornado (we didn't even know there was a tornado warning until the next day).  Though we lost power for two days, but we had a good time without all the electronics.  The good thing about this is that I was "forced" to go to bed early (because of no power), woke up before noon and felt refreshed the next day.  It just feels great!

A Tornado Watch is in effect for Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs, the Lehigh Valley and Central and North Jersey until 8 p.m. And a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10 p.m. in Delaware and South Jersey.

The extreme heat played a role in the Watches as temps reach 96 in Philly with a heat index of 101.

There were reports of large hail falling mid afternoon in Allentown, Bethlehem and Upper Makefield Bucks County.

Storms started developing across the northern suburbs around 3 p.m. and slowly moved south over the next few hours.

There could be the potential for these storms to become severe and rotate. Gusty winds and possibly an isolated tornado are possible as the storms move through parts of the area Wednesday afternoon.

If a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Warning is issued for your area seek shelter immediately. Do not go outside to look for the storm. Stay away from windows and go to the interior of your home on the lowest level.

Earthquake Experience

We had encountered our first earthquake experience yesterday.  It started around 2:00pm and lasted about 30 seconds.  I was in the kitchen making some pesto sauce when the house started shaking.  My first thought was the kids jumping upstairs, but when I found out it wasn't them; then came my second thought.  It was either the train or the geothermo.  When all signs/reasons were ruled out, I went upstairs and tried to grabbed the kids to the basement and hide.  But then, everything stopped!  I called Johnny right away since he had a meeting  in NJ.  However, the phone line did not get through for quite some time.  So, I started emailing him.  Thank goodness, he returned my email at 2:19pm and he was all good!  He was actually giving a presentation to the clients when it happened!  :)

**************

good!!!  now.... come home in one piece ok!!!!  the line still can't get through to you... 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: J

To: p

Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:19 PM

Subject: Re: are you ok?

I'm good

Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 01:07 PM
To: 'J
Subject: are you ok?  

hun,

 

we just had an earthquake experience at the house for about 30 seconds to 1 min.  i've been trying to call you but both your blackberry and cell numbers are not working.... call me when you get my message!

 

love ya and drive home safely, ok!

**********

This was quite an experience for us.  As I looked back, nothing wasn't important except my family .  The weather has been a little unexpected lately with thunderstorms and rain.  We don't know enough about the mother nature, but being prepared... having food and water storage can ease some of the worries!

Busy Doing Nothing...

Monday: Called and scheduled a bunch appointments: Jeannie's well check, pest control, bank, and state inspection and oil change for my car.  

Tues: Went to the open house at Templxx U. with Jeannie.  It was a little rainny and my kid was grumpy.  bad combination.... She has no interest of attending that school but we wanted her to have an experience of what's like to be studying at a traditional U. rather than a church college.  For a while I was upset because of her attitude and I walked alone until she caught up with me.  At least, she told me now that she had the confirmation that BYX is her first priority!  Yeah!  The same evening, Johnny and I went with the missionaries for a discussion.  The investigator was a very nice lady and she showed up to church today!  That makes me feel good!

Wed: Took the car to the shop for an inspection.  The guy said the front brake pads were really worn out.   I am glad to have them fixed since Jeannie is practicing driving, and I don't want any accident happened to her.  Then went to pick up Jeannie and the Gillaxxx girls from the movie theater.  We then drove to the park right where Johnny and Evan were fishing.  We picnic and had a great time.  

Thursday: Nothing much on Thurs. 

Fri: Had the Gomez family over for lunch.  We were glad to see their family, but sad to see what they are going through.  The husband lost his job a week after they moved to VA.  I couldn't believe what I heard when she told me.  Fortunately, they are faithful and positive about the situation.  Sometimes I wondered what I would do if I were in their position.  I hope that the Lord has a better plan for them. 

Sat: Went to the beach with the same families and a few others.  It was nice and sunny (probably the only day   without the thunderstorm!)  Came home and had a steak dinner which I marinated the night before. 

Another Busy Week...

Not much happened this week....

Jeannie: practiced some more driving and had driven twice from the church to home this week.  I am still a little nervous when she drive even though she is improving...  I guess it's a mom thing!

Johnny: went to NC for a client's meeting and he also took Evan fishing twice.  No fish (I am perfectly fine since it's not where they should be fishing!) but they had a lot of fun!

Me: Song practice and dinner with Mary and Liz...  did not play for them today since we only practiced the song once and I sub. playing for the sacrament for Sister Hansen on Sunday.

Fri: We went to the beach with the Gillaxxx, Rogexxx, and Smalxxxx, then Lansdale with Johnny for his badminton game and groceries.  It was such a nice day to be at the beach and it's always good to hang out with friends.  Jady would love to go back and we will see how it goes this Sat!

Sent a meal to Michelle G. after her surgery.  I am glad that she is recovering well.  The same night, we had the Muldowxx, Veaxx, and Josepxxx for an ice-cream social.  The kids played really well and the adults had a great time.

Interesting week on the market.... 400-500 swing everyday!

Aug 1 - Aug 6

Relaxing week....

The kids are done with their camps and we had enjoyed their moments at home.  Jeannie had finished her 3 days peer mediation training and is gradually recovering from her sickness (induced by all the sleepless nights while at camps and youth conference).  Took Jeannie out to practice her driving three times this week and I was terrified!  My heart raced as she stopped too close to the car in front, and when she went around cars and people without checking into the cars from the opposite direction.... I thought we were going to have a head collision.

Evan has been great camper this week.  He went swimming twice at our neighbors pool, went fishing with the scouts and did quite a bit of reading...  :)  It's about time to finish his summer reading before school starts!

Jady did not do much and she slept past 10:30am every day!  :D  She's been fun and was trying to help me take off the leaves from the rosemary plant.

I spent a lot of time making bags from my scrap fabric.... well I put mine favorite bag pack in bleach and that's  why I ended up making all sorts of bags.  Harvest all my basil and herbs and spent many, many hours processing and storing them for winter use.

Johnny's work is kind of slow for the summer and he had spent a lot of time with the kids... we went out to Minadxx last Friday afternoon and he and Evan went to play badminton afterwards.

Still have a list of things I would like to do before the summer is over:

1) Declutter..... go around the house and starts with a small area everyday!
2) Paint the trims and closet doors at the kids' bedrooms.... and of course the walls (might have to wait until school starts since the kids don't like me painting their rooms)
3) Call the dentist, Jeannie's Dr. visit, oil change appointment
4) Finish the painting projects for the small glasses
5) Process album books.... at least get done with the trip to Miami!
more.. more... more....projects....

Fast Sunday

It was a nice fast and testimony meeting today.  Sister Bloxx testimony reminds me so much of her faith and Christ like love.  She was abandoned by her dad while she was young, and yet she took care of him when he was diagnosed with terminal illness.  I could never imagine myself being able to forgive if I were her.  She said something stood out in my mind.  She said she has learned to love... she was released from her pain after she learned to forgive her dad.  Sometimes people don't even know that they had offended us when we hold grudges again them; so releasing ourselves, and forgiving others will free our souls and improve the harmony within us.  I love her... she is so true and honest.

On the other hand, I also learned from the other sister (in a negative way) that I should stop being a hypocrite and be true to myself.  If my thoughts are not coincides with my action and behavior, then I should never pretend who and what I am.  Chinese has the same proverbs: when a person's mouth doesn't match his/her heart or words and action don't match.  It really bothers me when people say they love so and so, and doesn't really put into action.  I should not judge, I really shouldn't because I had been in situation that I was not honest to myself and I struggled.  There are many times that I want to please people or try to avoid conflicts and end up doing something that I am not happy about.  I've been a hypocrite and I realized how much I did not like it.  It's time to change.... be honest to myself and others.        

*****  My dear visiting teacher, Michele E and her family showed up in the chapel.  It's such a surprise and I just love seeing her and miss all the chatting with her.  She has been a sweet heart and will always has a special place in my heart!!!!

Busy Week....

It was a really busy week last week.  My v.t. companion, Angela had a week to pack and move toVirgina; and Tammy, the sister whom we visit also moved on the same day.  I've been helping with packing, babysitting and fixing meals.  On top of that, I also volunteered to drive the youth the youth conference and was invited to a sister's birthday luncheon afterwards.  I am totally exhausted by the end of the day.  It's nice to  serve, but I also felt my family has been neglected.  Time to spend some time with them....

I am also sad that I've lost two my good friends in the ward, really, really sad!  :(

Kids Comments After Camps

Anyway, this is what I got from the kids after scout camp/yw camp, SOAR and youth conference.  Evan agreed that we should not take things for granted such as food.   He also earned two merit badges: swimming and study of bugs.  Johnny and I were totally surprised that he passed the swimming badge since he literally learned to swim the day before he went on camping.  As for Jeannie, she loves the SOAR camp.  She met lots of  friends and had tons of fun.  She said the food at BYU is great and she likes the environment a alot.  Hopefully, she will be able to get her personal statement written before school started!  This girl seems to grow more mature by the many things she told me about her experience from the different camps.