This Little Light Of Mine…

*photo source unknown

This Little Light Of Mine…

WOW.. what a longggg 6 days it has been. Honestly, I am not sure where this post is going to go & it is out of my comfort zone to share my raw, real feelings on my blog or social media (I choose to share little glimpses of our life with you all, what you see is never the full picture, but just a small part. I am actually a very private person and pick and choose what I share), especially when they have to do with something so personal- that is when I turn to my family members and loved ones. But, my heart is telling me that I need to SHARE (maybe there is someone out there that needs to read this).

I can’t even begin to describe all the emotions we have felt this week as the devastating Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. We first caught wind that Harvey was going to hit last Tuesday. Honestly, we didn’t think much of it. We asked native friends and no one seemed to be worried and so we thought, yes, there will be lots of rain and that’s probably it (our minds have honestly been preoccupied elsewhere lately with something we will share soon). Even though we didn’t expect much, we went to the store and stocked up on the essentials.

Well, then Harvey hit and was a Category 4 Hurricane causing catastrophic inland flooding in the Greater Houston Area.

It all happened so fast, but yet has seemed like forever before life has been “normal”. At first we got lots of rain, we watched as the floods started, then we saw families being rescued out of their flooding homes on the news, we spent the nights sleeping in our closet holding our two babies tight because of tornado warning after warning after warning (with one that actually touched down in our neighborhood)… and then the flooding started to happen in our area. We watched as the water rose on our street and backyard (we are directly backed to a small creek).

I was of course scared. More scared than I have ever been in my life. I would have my moments that I would just feel overcome with emotions going over in my head what we would do if our home were to flood, how we would make sure the kids were safe, how we would escape in an emergency situation… literally my mind couldn’t stop racing. We started taking our belonging upstairs. We packed bags for if we had to evacuate in an emergency situation. But then after talking with our families (we have the best support system and I can’t tell you how hard it has been to be alone in this with our loved ones so far away) and with a lot of prayer, we felt hopeful.

With whatever was going to happen, we knew we were prepared.

(We have always had a good amount of water and food storage for emergencies like this- THIS is so important!!) and we knew that we could get through this and that what mattered most was that our family was SAFE. I never, ever thought we would go through something like this. I’ve seen it on TV many times, but never have experienced the heartbreak of being in the midst of such devastation. As many of you have seen on my instagram stories, our prayers were answered and the streets in our neighborhood drastically subsided. I have never been so thankful.

Now, I feel so inspired…

I totally have a new outlook on life and this time I had with my little family not only helped us grow closer together, but closer to the Lord through many, many heartfelt prayers we had as a family and as a couple each day.  I also have felt SO antsy to get out and help our community. Sid has been amazing and was able to help a few families in our area move furniture because their homes were about to take on water (he walked in knee deep water to go and lend a helping hand whenever he could and I am so proud of him. He has already signed up to help cleanup surrounding areas).

Since early this morning, we kept walking out and monitoring our streets waiting for the water to go down enough for us to be able to go make our first round of donations. I can not tell you how amazing it felt to be able to help in some way. We have felt your prayers and support and can not tell you how grateful we are for it all. I know that many of you are from out of state and want to help, so I will list some organizations at the end of this post that you can donate to! Houston is in MUCH needed help NOW, but help WILL also continue to be needed for quite some time.

I have been listening to “This Little Light of Mine” by Bruce Springsteen (I am an old soul) today with my babies.

This song just rang so true to me and reminded me of how we EACH have a light in us that we need to share and do our part in bringing someone a little more happiness…it reminds me of faith…that we each have struggles, some greater than others, but that ultimately we are never alone and Heavenly Father is looking out for us because He LOVES us…He gives us peace, He wants us to have faith, He gives us grace, He wants us to come to Him and pray, He directs us through the Holy Ghost, and He ultimately gives us divine power (if we succumb to His will) to do His work.

WE are the light for one another, as we can be His hands of service here on earth.

(Monday), Gave me the gift of love
(Tuesday), Peace came from above
(Wednesday), Told me to have more faith
(Thursday), Gave me a little more grace
(Friday), Told me to watch and pray
(Saturday), Told me what to say
(Sunday), Gave me the power divine
This little light of mine

American Red Cross.

To make a financial donation, visit the their website, call 1.800.RED CROSS or text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation for those in need.

Catholic Charities of USA.

To make a financial donation, visit CCUSA’s disaster-specific website or text 71777 to make a donation.

Global Giving.

To make a financial donation, visit their website or text HARVEY to 80100 to donate $10 to Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible donations. The fund is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. To make a financial donation, visit the GHCF website.

TAUDREY (where most of my necklaces are from!) is donating 40% of OF ALL ONLINE SALES MADE ON WEDNESDAY, 8/30, DIRECTLY TO HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF FUNDS.

LEARN MORE HERE.

Donate/purchase cleaning kits from UMCOR here.

The Texas Diaper Bank is asking for cash and diaper donations to help provide for baby and senior citizen victims who need access to clean diapers.

Salvation Army.

To make a financial donation, visit www.helpsalvationarmy.org, call 1.800.SAL ARMY, or text STORM to 51555.

Donate to Texas Children’s Hospital here

This helps hospital continue to support its patients’  needs. .

United Way of Greater Houston has established a Flood Relief Fund to help with recovery needs of those most impacted.

To give to the United Way Flood Relief Fund, visit unitedwayhouston.org/flood or text UWFLOOD to 41444.