Day 16 ~ FEMA trucks in parking lots!

Taken from my car window in Taco Bell parking Lot

 So, my wife Karen and I helped a friend move Saturday Morning. That's never a lot of fun but there were lots of people there so it was easier than it could have been with everyone chipping in.  We finished up around 1130am so I told Karen, "Hey, let's go to Taco Bell for lunch" That's one of our favorite spots because we order the "Chicken Fiesta Burrito, fresco style" and that makes it weight watchers friendly.
After we finished, I noticed this FEMA truck in the parking lot so I stopped to take a picture of it as we were leaving.

It's tough to believe that I live in a disaster area, much like New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina but I do. At least there is a lot of damage just miles from my house but, thankfully, none on mine.  FEMA is not the only agency here on the Jersey Shore helping those in need. It seems churches and all organizations are stepping up!

Trucks in the Walmart parking lot

After I left the parking lot for Taco Bell, we passed the other side of the lot where the Walmart is.  Here are four of over 30 trucks, just parked there. I am not really sure why they are there but I am thinking they have something to do with the disaster relief because I have never seen over 30 trucks there before.

Speaking of Walmart, Karen went in to buy a few packs of socks and underwear to donate to the shelter and she saw a lady, who was wearing a Christian Tee shirt,  in the line in front of her with a whole cart of gloves.  Someone asked her what that was for and she said, "Oh, it's for the Hurricane Victims." Well, that lady who asked her pulled out forty dollars and gave it to her for the cause. The cashier was so touched, she was almost in tears and pulls out a dollar from her own pocket  and says, "This is all I have."

Yes, people are pulling together to help each other and that is great!

Day 9 ~ Going to Church with no Heat!

my church, taken from the narthex during the Offering.

We usually have two services on Sunday but we got notified that, because of limited power and NO HEAT caused by Hurricane Sandy, we were having a combined service at 10am.  It was a good service. We had no sound system, no jumbo~tron screens in the front that flashed the Bible Verses and songs for the day but,yet, because we gathered in Jesus' Name and we had love for one another, it was a great time, singing from the hymnal and praying for each other.  Pastor Del gave opportunity for people to give testimonies of God's provision through the storm and, during those times, people kept offering their homes for places to sleep, shower, do laundry or eat.  It was proof to me that people can show the Love of Christ to each and, by doing so, truly showing ourselves to be made in the Image of God.

When the children were released to go to Children's Church, I went to where they gathered so I could make an announcement to them that Jr NYI, their youth group, was NOT meeting tonight, as scheduled because of  Hurricane Sandy.  I took the above picture before I entered the sanctuary. As you see, the doors were closed while I took the shot.  You can see Pastor Brad at the Piano on the right and the people bundled up in their coats.

Despite that, we all were warmed in God's Presence. For wherever Love is, there is God.

Day 8 ~ A Crying Shame...

in the back of Shoprite in Bordentown

In my job, I go to a lot of Supermarkets and everywhere I go, I see scenes like above. Tons of food having to be thrown out because of Hurricane Sandy and the power outage she caused.  When I am in the back room of supermarkets there are lots of employees just opening up frozen packages and throwing out the spoils while they put the cardboard in an other location.

I have to say, I hate to see all this waste.  And to think there are people now who have no heat, no water and no food!

I hope and pray this is all resolved soon!

Day 4 ~ Hurricane Sandy Aftermath

The wind blowing around our School Crossing Sign

Thank God we survived Hurricane Sandy without any damage. We lost power for a while but it came back on at 130am.  We lost our Cable Television but, who cares, we have the internet.  Above is a picture of a School Crossing sign right on our corner that became unhinged. The wind is still blowing and you can see it is slightly lifted.

Here is a side view; the wind is a'blowing!

and a back view, my house, still standing in the background!

a few blocks down, a street is closed due to the tilting power line

A neighbor, who sadly had this tree fall on their house.

The Little League Field bleachers blew over!

right by the Little League Field; the tree is peeled back like a banana!

We hope all is well with you and that Hurricane Sandy didn't treat you too bad!

See you tomorrow!