This experience with hurricane Irene was amazing on so many levels. The only other hurricane that I have ever gone through in Charley, but I was not even in my home state -- I was in Georgia on my way home. As much as I dislike change, I think that it is fun and faith-building to go through new things like this. Getting prepared, hearing the reports, tracking a storm that is actually coming my way: while nerve-raising, it was very exciting.
However, the most exciting part of the entire experience was a prayer that I sent up to God. You see, my family had prior commitments, and Irene was attempting to drop in unannounced. Or at least without any concern for our bookings. I asked God to keep that storm away from us on Sunday -- we were planning on an outing with friends and such. I had all of these ideas about how it would work, but I really did not care. I totally trusted that God would do what was necessary. I had this complete faith that could hardly be shifted. I really did not care at that point what the reports said. I was trusting God. Sure, I had doubts: I am human, and while I would rather avoid all doubt, it happens. God strengthened me each time my faith faltered.
So I wake up at five to ten this morning, and I find that the rain has largely diminished, despite being so powerful less than an hour earlier. The weather report is saying that Irene has passed the area where my family and I live, and has passed into the upstate New York area. At this point, the rain has entirely stopped here. I am constantly praying for those in the storm zone, both past and present. I empathize with all of the people who have suffered much damage due to this storm, and I pray that God is with them. Even people who have been "lightly" hit are dealing with flooding and fallen trees.
I am so thankful to God that He has answered my prayer, considering that we expected to have rain all Sunday morning and night. The only portion of my prayer yet to be answered is the outing -- let me attempt to convince my parents!