The Road Less Traveled

Katrina Victims Find New Life

After Hurrican Katrina ripped through New Orleans, I sent word through the congregation of a family that is very close to us, the Stackhouse family, and Ed, wrote in my blog about their situation. In talking to them recently I asked him to give an update on his family. Here is his personal note to you. Ed speaks about depression, struggles with FEMA, his family, and his faith. Please comment below to encourage the Stackhouse family and let them know we are still lifting them up in prayer.

 

Dear Friends,

 

             Have you ever had times where you felt like you were in a daze?  Have you ever had a day where you just meander through, as if your body was on autopilot?  I am sure all of us can relate to that type of day, whether it was because we were up late the night before or feeling ill…..or something that just caused us to minimally function as a human.  It feels like we are coasting to make it to the next day.  This has been our disposition these past eight months since Katrina.  God has taken care of us, and we are fine in his hands….but the destination has not been clear. 

 

            According to Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time to every purpose.  This is our time in the desert.  This is our time of wandering.  This too, has its purpose.   The Israelites wandered in the desert forty years, to cleanse Israel of the previous generation.  The previous generation showed a lack of faith, despite all God had done in Egypt and along the journey.  While we do not have a lack of faith, this desert jog serves to build and strengthen our faith.  We have had to rely on God and others for much.  It has been a time to learn to be humble as well. 

 

             While our destination is not entirely clear, I can tell you where we are on the map now.  Mindy has been working part time at First Lutheran in Clearwater, Fl.  She just accepted a contract to teach preschool there next year.  Mindy is not really a preschool teacher, but after a few interviews…this is the job that God has provided.  This job is not without its merits, as it offers us for the first time full paid benefits for our entire family. 

 

            Chris and Rebecca have adjusted to their third school in less than a year.  This has not been easy, but we are starting to see them get back on track.  It is refreshing to see more typical problems for their ages arising, such as not wanting to do homework and wanting to spend too much time in the complex’s pool.  Chris played baseball this year, as he has done every year since age 5.  He wants to play football this summer, but I am not sure we will have the money to do so.  Rebecca is in Brownies for the first time.  She wants to get back to gymnastics, but again…..I am not sure about money.  The both of them fight, scream at each other, and bicker over every shared thing….so I think life for them is approaching normal.  It has been extremely difficult for them to adjust to apartment living, but there is only so much that we can do….

 

We have decided that now is the time for me to go back to college for another degree.  During this time, I hope to start another business to make ends meet.  I have applied to the University of South Florida, seeking degrees in both creative writing and technical writing.  Perhaps I will once again compete in College Bowl competitions, just like when I was in college before.  Ultimately, I look to improve my communication through writing.

 

            As for me personally….I am the one not adjusting so well.  I have gone through the typical cycles.  First, ok God….what do we do?  Second, ok God, what did we do wrong?  Third, ok Ed, why does God not like you?  Fourth, ok God, I am sorry…you provided help when we needed it.  Fifth, ok God….where are you now?  The help is running out.  Sixth, ok God, thanks for the help again….etc…etc.    At one point, I just stopped caring and I couldn’t figure out why. 

 

            I will add this part for the benefit of anyone else who can relate.  Depression is not what we used to think it was.  I used to think it was a term used by doctor for people who just couldn’t cope with life and/or lacked faith.  I thought of a depressed person as perhaps a ten of clubs short of a full deck.  Never, ever did I think that I could become that way.  After all, I am a Christian….a pillar of faith.  Depression is chemical, and can be triggered by traumatic events.  I was feeling apathetic.  I was down and just didn’t care.  I didn’t want a job…..I didn’t want to go to church….I didn’t want to bother with my kids…..and I didn’t know why.  It was after many nights of getting less than a couple hours of sleep that I decided to go see a doctor.  I didn’t go because of the feeling of apathy, but because of the lack of sleep.  All the symptoms tied together, and with appropriate medication, I am getting back on track.  I put this part in this letter for your benefit.  If you feel this way……please don’t wait to see a doctor. You are not crazy, you are not going to be labeled, and if you want to feel “normal” again.....go see the doctor.  Even if you are unsure, see a doctor…..it will save you and your family.

 

 

            Our finances are not the greatest.  We limp through each month, by the grace of God.   God provides each and every month, according to our needs.   FEMA helps with rental assistance, but nothing else.  We had to take out a large loan from LCEF to replace many things, as insurance did not cover flooding.  (There is a whole long story on this, but to keep things shorter….we were not eligible for flood insurance.)  FEMA provided a mere $1600 for our losses.  We received a lot of help from the church Mindy grew up at in Crystal Lake, IL, as well as other Lutheran Churches.  First Lutheran welcomed us with open arms and paid for tuition for the kids. 

 

            Brothers and Sisters, please keep us in your prayers.  Also pray for those that are worse off than we are….as there are many whom have not been blessed with the help we have had.  Pray for those that have suffered splits in their families during this time.  Pray for those that have lost loved ones and friends.  Also do not forget these people over time…..they will need help for years to come, not just for the few months after this storm.

 

 

In Christ,

 

Ed Stackhouse

Technorati Tags : Katrina

Powered By Qumana

Strong in Faith Despite Loss

There is a certain sense of dismay, of wonder, of shock in the voice of my friend Mindy. I am not sure that it has quite hit her yet. We have asked her how we can help, what we can do, but at this point she is not sure. They are very happy that they are safe,not one of the many faces of those with no food, water or a place to stay. For the children, they aren't sure what is going on either. At eight and six they have no concept what it means to have nothing. It just seems like they are visiting grandma in Florida. They will probably register the children in school because they do not know how long they it is going to be before they return home. Despite it all, they know that there are many praying for them, and they know that their future lies in the hands of God. There faith is strong. I am proud to call them my friends, my family.

Hurricane Update

We found a way to get a hold of our friends. They are in Tampa, FL with family. They did get out before the storm hit, but they have no idea about anything that they own or the situation of their home. The family is thankful to be alive and well, but the pictures they have been watching on CNN are not promising. Please continue to pray for them as well as all the others in this tragic event. God Bless.

Dear Friends lost in Hurricane Katrina

I write this at 11:30 p.m. because my heart is in pain, my mind is wondering, and my prayers are being constantly lifted, yet it does not seem enough. So I write to you in a desperate plea for your prayers for dear friends of ours, Ed and Mindy, and their two children Chris, who is our God son, and Rebbecca, who are lost somewhere in New Orleans. We have no way to reach them and no idea if they are even alive at this time.