Evacuated

Undoubtedly you have seen the photos of the insanity on I-45. I began my own trek on Thursday morning at 5:15 am, fully intending to avoid that interstate completely.

At least until the radio announced that they would be opening all lanes of traffic to go northbound. "Sweet!" I thought. Seemed most people had taken my idea to go up through College Station to Waco and hit I-35.

Once on I-45, it took 3 hours to go 8 miles. In five hours I had managed to hit a few pockets of moving traffic and got 50 miles down the road. At 1:30, nearly 8 hours after I had left, I took an exit for backroads, wound my way up to I-35 north of Waco, and cruised into Dallas just before the thick of rush hour. Needless to say, I looked as though a hurricane had hit.

Rita has managed to avoid Houston for the most part. For this we are thankful. Still no word on the damage or any of the after effects. I hope to be able to return Sunday evening or Monday morning. Much will depend on the power situation.

I can't tell you how much I have appreciated all the prayers and offers of hospitality. An very big thanks to Aunt Kathy and her family for opening up her home to me. I know that can change the dynamics of a house real quick. I was able to get a round of golf in yesterday (didn't break 50 but did manage a birdie), took some power naps, and caught a Texas high school football game (Creekview, my cousin's school won, 37-14).

Today we get to watch the Spartans throttle the Illini and tomorrow I am going to my college roommate's church. Our campus pastor from CUW is there, so it will be good to hear a familiar voice deliver the sermon.

I know, I know. Sounds more like a vaction. I do miss my wife and my daughter more than I could ever explain. I pray they are able to return as previously scheduled on Monday. If not, the hugs will be tighter and the kiss a little bit longer. (Sorry if thats too much information, but I miss my BABIES!) Praise God for his protection so that this entire situation wasn't more serious than it could have been.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAS DAD, DAS Grampa, Mister J SIR!