God Help The Australians

       Breaking news of a horrific nature…Australia has been experiencing some terrible fires, overnight, that has caused major damage to some towns and at least 84 deaths.  Although that number may continue to climb as they gain control of the brush fires.   There are many who were hospitalized with burns and some of them may yet lose their lives because of their injuries.  This is the deadliest wildfire that Australia has ever had.  The areas that have been the most impacted were in the southeastern area of Australia; as well as  towns about 50 miles north and east of the capital, Melbourne.

         People have lost their homes, their livelihoods in some cases and many have lost their loved ones or their own lives.  Some people were killed in the fires as they tried to escape in their vehicles.  This is horrible; it is suspected that some of these fires were deliberately set.   If that is true; it is a crime, the murders of innocent people are on the hands of those who set these fires.  It is unfathamable why anyone would wish to do such harm.  The firefighters are bravely trying to fight the fires, which may take days to control.  I pray that God help the Australians by bringing some rain and helping the firefighters to gain control and help the people of Australia as they cope with their losses.

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The Earth Cries

       The earth cries out in grief, and humanity is groaning, in it’s misery; do you hear it?  Cyclones hit Myanmar thousands and thousands are dead, homeless, thirsty, starving.  China is shaken to it’s core by the earthquake that has also killed thousands.  Sumatra was washed away from the Tsunnami and thousands and thousands are dead and lost.  Katrina hit the United States and flooded homes and businessess and left lives in devastation.  Wildfires are consuming buildings, homes, and wildlife and millions of acres around the world due to droughts.  Famines hit the parched lands inflaming lands already hit with starvation.  The ice shelves are melting in the Artic.   Tornados drop in and in seconds wipe away generations of people as well as places.  Hurricanes heap destruction upon land and seas. 

           Do you not feel nature rebelling, against the inhabitants of the planet earth?  The intensity of these disasters and storms has increased dramatically in the last decade or two.  They are increasing in number as well;  we must listen. 

        Why, what is all of this chaos trying to teach us?  Has the careless actions of generations before us finally reached the peak of what nature can endure without self-destructing. The way we live today is impacting the world; and not for the better.   Are we being taught now that we must be good stewards of the gifts given to us by the Creator?  Yes! 

          Greenhouse gasses are contributing, lack of conservation of trees, farmland,  and bodies of water, and poor utilization of landfills,  are all destroying our environment. 

         Being ignorant, lazy, un-informed or misguided, are no longer acceptable excuses.  Suffering and death, on a regular large scale basis, is going to be a way of life, if we don’t wise up soon.  Making smarter, safer, greener choices can only slow down the effects of the damage we have caused.  But we must start now…if we hope to have any chance of restoring the precious balance that is nature.  It is going to take courage and committment.

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Weather with the Power to Destroy

        My family is scattered around the whole country.  The weather has always had the power to destroy; but, it seems in the last few years that it has been magnified.  Had to do some calling this morning to family in Kentucky, and soon will be calling Atlanta, Georgia  and other points south to check on our family members well-being.

         My cousin told me this morning that they had no power.  Her cell phone didn’t work for a time.  Traveling this morning was impossible as roads were blocked with debris.  There were deaths in their town.  People lost their homes.  Others were injured; businesses and homes damaged.  Fires were a problem as well.  It is warm their now…but tonight the temperatures are supposed to drop to the 20’s and without power many will have no shelter or warmth. 

         It is times like these where people have to help each other out and fill a need if they are able.   

        Last night’s storms brought devastation through high winds, and tornadoes in the south because of warm air and cold air collision.  That storm also extends to Michigan…but instead of 60+ degree weather we are in the low 30’s. 

        The storm takes the form of freezing rain, sleet, and snow and powerhouse winds where we live.  It is only supposed to intensify as the day goes on.  Down south…the cold air is coming and they are probably in for more destruction.  There have already been over 44 deaths associated with last night’s storm down south. 

         On top of all of that…i have family and friends who have to travel today and tomorrow.  My husband is flying to Florida tomorrow morning.  I am praying that the weather improves greatly as we take our lives in our hands traveling the roads and the skies.  It is scary; i wish we could all just hibernate until the storms pass.

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Siberian Artic Blast

      Once again we are experiencing winter at it’s less than stellar approach.  Here in michigan, when it gets like severe snowing and blowing with wind chills in the -minus category…it is a little hard to recommend!

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Keeping warm

      Keeping warm, here in michigan, during the winter is difficult.  It is difficult for a number of reasons; not the least of it being financial.  Everything under the sun keeps going up in price.  Jobs are scarce and the people who do have jobs really don’t know day- to- day whether they will have their job at any given moment.

      My house is a huge old farm house.  The walls all need insulating.  We pumped lots of money into insulating the attic a couple of years ago…however….it doesn’t do the trick because it is a multi-story home. 

     We spend a huge amount of our income to keep the furnace running on it’s propane.  With the price hikes in heating costs…we just spent about $800.00 and it will last about 5-6 weeks.  It isn’t like we are wasteful either.  We keep our heat on 58-60 degrees.  It is cold but we bundle up.

       Winter heating really starts in early November where i live; and, goes into April. Even on a conservative estimate it is 5 months of heating.  That could mean between $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 dollars this winter to heat our home.  Is this not insane?

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ICU

       My dad was moved to the ICU today.  He was given heperin as they believe that he has a blood clot below the lungs.  The doctors are not sure yet though so they are doing more tests.  He will have a specialist evaluate him tomorrow.

      The problem is that his blood is so very low that the blood thinners could kill him .  Yet, if the other dr is right and it is a reoccurance of cancer or some other type of cancer..that is equally horrible.  I am scared for my dad.  Right now, either scenerio is bad…and the treatments for the conditions are equally dangerous.  Only God is able to heal and protect him.  We are all praying.

      My mom is having health problems too…she is there for dad but…this stress isnt good on her right now either.  Man, we are all worried.  So many people going through hard times. 

       Then out in California…the fires.  Wow, hug those that you love….tell them that you love them.  Keep them close to your heart and mind.  I know i am. 

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