Button has been waking up very early these past few mornings. Though I am not quite ready to face the day, I can't help but enjoy these little moments with my littlest one. Yesterday we ventured out to the porch in the chilly morning air and sat on the porch swing as the sun rose. Today, we saw the sparkly dew on the screens shine in the early morning light. Soon, his teeth will all be in and then my newly walking boy will probably go back to sleeping in until 8. For now, though, I'll appreciate the time that is just for the two of us.
We went out for a drive this morning to check on the church and found that Irene's damage was pretty minimal. There were a lot of downed branches and several toppled trees. The only flooding we saw was very near the ocean and on side streets. Since many of the buildings are built a bit higher there, I think that they avoided damage. The church was fine (we expected at least some damage since it is so close to the water!) and all of the homes in our area look fine too! Glory to God!
O Lord Who summons the waters of the sea and again by Thine almighty power art able of hold them back and illumine all that is under the heavens, in repentance we pray Thee, hearken and, out of love for mankind have mercy.
As the eyes of a servant look unto the hand of his master, so do our eyes look with faith unto Thee, O our God, until Thou hast compassion on us. Therefore, destroy us not with immeasurable rains and destructive winds but mercifully look upon us with good weather, and compassionately have mercy.
Lord have mercy. (3x)
Remember not our transgressions, O Master, for if Thou does consider the lawless, no one will be able to stand before Thee. But let Thy compassions quickly go before us, O Lord, for we have become exceedingly poor. Let not bad weather corrupt us, neither let it destroy our homes and towns, we pray Thee, quickly hear us and have mercy.
Lord have mercy. (3x)
O Lord let no watery storms drown us, and let it not ravage the earth and destroy us. But as Thou art good, do Thou direct the rushing of the water, and, as Thou art mighty, do Thou command that it become a moderate course with healthful air, as Thou art rich in mercies, with broken hearts we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy.
Lord have mercy. (3x)
Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea and in the air; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us. For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Also the following Psalms may be recited: Psalm. 50 (Have mercy on me) Psalm. 101 (O Lord hear my prayer), and Psalm. 129 (Out of the depths)
The storm hasn't arrived yet, but it sure is wild out there already! It has been windy and rainy all day with big gusts of wind and heavy downpours at times. I am so thankful that we still have power... it meant a nice breakfast (pancakes), a good lunch (burritos and chili cheese dip), and a comfortable nap for the little ones with the fans on.
.:Eating dinner on the counter:.
One year since little Button's baptism!
