It's been three long, busy, and very tiring weeks after the storm, and I pray that all of you survived and are on the road to recovery. I know when I was making last minute phone calls of the reunion postponement, several still had not had their power restored. After talking with some, I think we could all survive a few days without power, but when you don't have running water, that is a totally different story! Anyway, I pray that none of you have family members that are missing or were lost as a result of the storm and that you will soon be able to recover from any damages sustained to your personal property.
Our reunion has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009, same time (2-5 p.m) and place (Clear Lake Church of Christ) as our original plans. We want to get through the current hurricane and holiday season before we send out "Save the Date" postcards and start the invitation and reply process all over again! Hopefully we will not have an unual winter blizzard or storm to preempt our date again, but that's why it will be even more critical for everyone to reply and provide an email address if possible for any last minute information or changes.
As I mentioned above, it has been a very busy and tiring three weeks, but in a good way. Clear Lake CofC members sprung into action the Sunday after the storm to begin mopping up the water in our auditorium that had rained in where the shingles had blown off of the building. We made an effort to contact every member of our congregation to see what their situation was and find out how we could help. Chain saw crews were dispatched to cut trees that were down and clear yards of limbs and other debris. Generators, gasoline, and food were taken to those in need. We also unloaded and distributed a semi truck of food and other supplies from the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Inc. out of Nashville, Tennessee.
With the immediate needs taken care of, we have now partnered with Hilltop Rescue and Relief who will be helping those who sustained more serious damage to their homes. This organization has provided relief to victims of hurricanes, floods in the Midwest, and fires in California. Hilltop volunteer workers will be sleeping, showering, and preparing/eating meals at our building when they are not assisting and ministering to families suffering after natural disasters. In the coming weeks, we will be welcoming relief workers from outside the Houston area as well as local workers. If you have a week or even a day or two to help, go to
http://www.hilltoprescue.org/ to find out how to get involved or to volunteer. If you are physically unable to directly help with hurricane relief, you may send monetary donations of any amount to Clear Lake Church of Christ at 938 El Dorado Blvd., Houston, TX 77062 if you feel called to help support our relief efforts. Please be praying that God might be glorified through this effort and that many needs will be met in the name of Jesus.
Josiah Andrew Blackburn was born to Jamie and Jay on October 16 at 11:30 p.m. Needless to say it was a very long day for Jamie and the rest of our family as we anxiously awaited Josiah's arrival. Josiah was a petite bundle of love at 7 pounds 4 ounces and 19 and 1/2 inches long. Proud grandparents for the first time are Debbie and Jack Blackburn. Ecstatic great grandparents for the fourth time are Betty and Tom Richter.
Posts
