Hurricane Sandy visits Chicago!

So, this is what Hurricane Sandy is sharing with Chicago, besides the high winds. This was Lake Shore Drive this morning. It is pretty rare to see cars pulled along side the road, and traffic security trying to honk and move people. You can see Navy pier in the top right photo in the distance, and North Ave. Beach in the top middle distance. 

It *was* beautiful. The waves were crashing over the wall where people normally jog or bike. The water level was at the same height, the waves obviously were larger than that. 

Just giving a little peek into what Lake Michigan looked like from our neck of the woods. This storm has effected the entire country, hasn't it?

Hope everyone is staying warm and safe. Oh, and something funny? Want to know the song that met me at the door when I got back into my car?

But the waves are calling out my name And they laugh at me Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me Time and time again "Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

- Casting Crowns "Voice of Truth"

Josh Hamilton and Shannon Stone

"My faith in the Lord and my relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily basis helps me handle life," Hamilton said while in Phoenix for the All-Star Game. "And this is life. There are tragedies, there are things that happen that you have no control over. And you don’t understand them and will never understand them until you can understand them in front of your maker." - Josh Hamilton

By now you've heard the story (and here). Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers through a ball into the stands, and Shannon Stone reached for it, but lost his balance and fell to the deck below, and later died from his injuries. 

I cannot get this story out of my head. It hits home for us for so many different reasons.

My husband is a fireman, so was Shannon Stone. We are such a baseball family, so are both of these families. My husband would do anything to grab a ball for his son, or his daughters, so did Shannon Stone. 

I've thought about this so much, I just don't know why things like this happen. It just makes me sick to my stomach. I have heard on the news and such that Josh Hamilton is having a hard time with this. I cannot imagine the pain that the Stones are also going through. My heart goes out to both families. I pray that the Stones will be encouraged by all of us who are praying for them. I pray that something good comes out of all of this. 

I do know that God does not make mistakes. Things happen, and Josh Hamilton put it into words so much better in the quote above. I also heard that Josh will eventually get to speak to this family.  I am encouraged that he will get to share his faith. 

Please pray for both these families. Feeling the loss of a father must be hard, and being someone involved in a freak accident like this would be tough to live with as well.  Pray that the Lord will give Josh Hamilton the right words to say, that the family will be open to hear what he has to say, and that our Lord Jesus Christ's name will be praised in all of this.

Praise You in This Storm 

by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus