Atypical Morning Adventures

My morning began at 3 am, the Bub's lights on and Mom sitting on the floor with a flashlight pointed at the base of the kitchen counter.

First thinking we had another water leak, panic tightened my chest. Even as I asked what was happening, I tried to remain calm, telling myself whatever happened God would take care of us.

The propane sensor was chirping an eardrum dagger every 30 seconds or so. Since propane gas sinks, the sensor is by the floor and therefore Mom was on the floor.

Two possibilities could have alarmed it. One, we had a propane leak, which is why Mom opened up all the ceiling fans for ventilation on this rainy and freezing morning. Or two, it needed to be reset.

Of course the sensor didn't want to wake us for anything dangerous like a leak, so it only asked we push its 'test' button. We did, it fell into contented silence, and Mom and I were able to fall back asleep.

Scrolling forward 7 hours, I awoke with a song in my heart and ice lacing the pines above our costal state park campsite.

Freezing rain creates a beautiful scene but also a dangerous one, especially among trees.

The forest cracked and around us, pine cones to twigs to whole limbs crashing to the sandy ground. One young pine, bowed with the weight of the ice, shook off its burden and snapped upright in a spray of white. One heavy limb or fallen tree could break the outer shell of the Bub and let in water to damage our bubble of safety.

Mom said we had to move.

But where would we go? The state is in a state of emergency; the roads are unsafe to drive.

Thankfully, this state park has parking for beach goers and overflow for trailers, free of over hanging trees and power lines.

My body shook, but not from the chilly rain, as Mom and I worked to ready the Bub for the move. We prepared him quickly, but without trying to rush. When we've rushed before, bad things happened.

The lyrics I had woken to stayed with me throughout.

My hope is in You, Lord

All the day long

I won't be shaken by the drought or storm

The peace that passes understanding is my song

And I say

My hope is in You, Lord

In less than an hour, we were in the Beast, our tow vehicle, the Bub hitched and ready.

I sit at the table now, writing this and glancing out the window at our now beachfront view.

The golden sea grass is arched and plated with a clear-white casing. The naturally sculpted trees, well away from where we are parked, are delicately iced, and the ocean opposite them is grey and wild. I can peacefully appreciate the beauty without the danger now.

But when I am in danger, or in a false alarm, I want to always be at peace by trusting the One who controls the
wind and the rain.

~Janelle

Photo credit: Lori Brown (my mom).