Power ~by Stephanie

I'm a fan of thunderstorms. I'm a BIG fan of thunderstorms.
The rolling thunder has always captured my attention.
I see through the thunder a glimpse of my Creator's power and have always been amazed. Until last night I had never feared a thunderstorm; you see, now I'm on an island during hurricane season...
My family finally had gotten to bed at around 9:30pm. The wind howled as it swept through the lonely road and between the slats of glass in our windows, I fell asleep thankful for the breeze because the heat during the day had been so loathsome. My guess is that is was 2 or 3am when I was suddenly awakened by a crash so loud, so strong-it shook the bedroom and my reaction to it's interruption was nothing like my past reactions. Fear. Stephanie's first thought, "My Father, you have control over the wind and the rain. I must trust, so comfort me." I reached over my head to twist the slats closed so I wouldn't become drenched in the torrential downpour now making the road outside a muddy river. The lightening was nothing less than breath taking, it lit the sky and I could see the ocean through the two houses across the street. I decided to use the sheet I had not wanted at the beginning of the night merely for something else to occupy me besides lying there restless and listening to the sonic echoing quake throughout the house-and the whole island. I can't explain the sound, it was different from anything I'd ever heard before. It was louder, larger,...stronger, yes, the power behind the thunder that I'd been previously introduced to was nothing compared to this. After thirty minutes of lying awake listening to the thunder it had become altogether glorious and beautiful- I enjoyed the feeling of safety not in spite of the thunder but because of the thunder. I'd been given peace again, the thunder was just as it always had been to me, a comfort...a comfort that MY God is BIG, MY God is STRONG, and MY God, seeing my fears and tears, CARES.
Today was icky, there wasn't that delightful breeze to refresh me this morning in the hammock, there wasn't a cool wisp of air during class to keep my mind alert; so naturally we went to the beach...as a result I'm burnt since we ran out of sunscreen and haven't bought more yet... It rained once we got home, it rained hard! We stood together on our porch watching everyone run in their 'beach attire' in search of shelter. (Using their diver manuals as a sort of covering wasn't working.)
I have a lot of homework tonight, not more than usual really, about eight pages worth. It is difficult because of the difference in sentence structure; I've truly grown to like how English is more specific...I know it's not as specific as some languages...
We're having brownies tonight! I'm so happy...I miss chocolate being readily available.
Stephanie
-the natural wet and caffeine-deprived islander