“The Great Flood of 2016” is what they are calling it. Something twists in my gut calling the flood “great”. “The Great Flood of 2016” will prove God is greater. This past week has been one of the most heart wrenching weeks of my life. Countless family and friends had their homes flood here in Louisiana. Most of them do not have flood insurance because they do not live in a flood plain. Many areas that were “never supposed to flood”…flooded. Water was down our street just a third of a mile! Flooding was the last thing I was concerned about…until this past week. I couldn’t sleep because my heart broke for those losing everything. I couldn’t sleep because I was watching the water rise. I couldn’t sleep because I was getting our “Evacuation Kit” prepared. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time… because of Hurricanes though…not floods.
A flood was never expected in my neighborhood. But neighbors less than a half a mile from our home now have their lives in piles on the street. The have stacks of sheet rock and carpet torn out of their house piled up next to their lives. I am trying to do what I can from home to help but feeling “stuck” at home with our 1 year old is hard. My husband has been serving non stop. In the beginning he was rescuing people from houses. Now he is gutting his parent’s house and also neighbor’s houses. We are “one” right? So, he is an extension of me right?… That makes me feel a little better. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He truly has a servant’s heart and I Love him more each day because of it. My parents were able to keep our baby girl one night so hubby and I could go gut his parent’s house for our “date night”. Sounds real romantic right? Oddly enough, there was something romantic about working together to fix what the flood had broken.
Going through a heartbreak together gives us the opportunity to heal together. The keyword being, together. In times of crisis and emotional turmoil be patient and honest with your spouse. Allow your broken hearts to heal together. You are one. Let this experience bring you closer and bind your hearts together in a way that would not be possible otherwise. You will end up with a stronger bond than before and you will see God’s goodness.
Even though this past week has been tough… our resolve here in Louisiana is tougher. I have been so encouraged and inspired by my friends during this time. I want to share with you what God is doing in their lives through this tragedy. God is already working things for their good and the studs aren’t even dry yet! He is faithful and He is in control.
The Lord spared our home from the flood but our small business was flooded. The small private Christian school, Victory Academy-grades pre-k to 8th, my husband graduated from along with our two older children and now praying that our two younger children will graduate from was also flooded. My husband who also serves as a State Representative is helping in rebuilding our community as well. He volunteered to help lead in getting the school up and fully operational as soon as possible. He’s exhausted and overwhelmed as well as humble and grateful that he can help so many. He also spend the first two days after the flood using our small boat to rescue those in the community. He has a heart of gold and serves with passion. I have prayed to The Lord about where He wants me to serve in all this. And I struggle with what He has called me to do because I don’t think is it enough. But then He reminds me that as long as I obey and that I am in His will it is more than enough. So The Lord calls me in all of this to be there for my husband at all times in whatever he needs. He’s out there serving, volunteering, ect for those The Lord places in his path and I am to be there to love, care, encourage, cook, clean, run errands, take care of our children’s needs, to be ready and willing to help him with whatever he ask. I am his wife, his helpmate, his best friend, and dare I say I’m here to serve him. So I’m doing exactly what his vital and necessary during this time. I love my husband there is nothing more precious to me right now then his well being physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and I pray daily that The Lord helps me meet his needs with His help of course. – Julie Ivey
November 18 will mark my 10 year wedding anniversary! Mike and I have have had our share of ups and downs like everyone else in life. Six months after we were married, Mike’s dad passed away. We had three miscarriages before our beautiful daughters were born. Our house flooded with 24 inches of water a week ago. We lost many things but not our faith in God! He has surrounded us with loving friends and family. We have so many more joys than disappointments in our ten years together. Michael Savoie amazes me every day. He is a great father and a loving husband. Our journey together gives me strength to face each new day! I love my husband!!! – Heather Austin Savoie
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:10,11
I designed this shirt to raise money to help Louisiana flood survivors! If you click “Shirt style” you can pick other styles and colors (including purple!)! Countless family and friends have lost their homes to flooding and do not have flood insurance. All profits will go to help them. Thank you. http://www.bluecotton.com/
Doing this book with a group at our church has been a great blessing to our marriage. I can also see how it has benefited some of my friends too as I watch their interaction with their spouses.