8,227 Miles Away

It's been a strange couple of weeks here on the island. It hasn't been my favorite that's for sure. I'll start off with the typhoon that hit last week.

With storms in the Pacific, especially because we are such a small island, the path and direction of a storm can change so fast. Earlier in the week, we weren't really sure if it would be a direct hit, or a complete miss. The last direct hit to Guam was from a super typhoon in 2002. This storm was much bigger than the one that just hit us. To clarify, typhoons are hurricanes- they just call them by a different name over here. To be considered a super typhoon it has to have sustained winds for at least a minute of 150 mph which would be equivalent to a Category 4 or 5 in the Atlantic.

Nonetheless, we took precautions. With the last direct typhoon, the whole island was without power and water for weeks. So I ventured to Home Depot two days before with what seemed like majority of the islanders as well. I got a storm radio, battery operated lights, batteries, canned foods, water, and a trash can. The trash can was to fill with water, just in case we lost water.

Thankfully, John was home when the storm hit. It's more fun to have someone with you! Especially if the power goes out. Though, he slept most of the time because he had just worked a midnight shift. I might have woke him up a few times because I wanted him to watch the storm with me ;). Anyway, the storm didn't pick up speed until later in the evening, and the eye actually hit the north and middle of the island (we live in the middle). We were able to keep track of everything from someone he works with- our internet and phones stayed on for the entirety of the storm which was really nice.

Because the storm was here for a while we had to plan when to take Nala out to potty. As the winds grew stronger I was more afraid to let her outside for fear she'd fly away or get hit by a tree branch. Right before we knew the winds would be at their worst we let her go. Honestly, I thought she would be too afraid to go out at all. Especially with my panicky voice telling her to hurry. Instead she frolicked around and almost ran to the other side of the house. Thankfully she listened and came back haha!

In the end, the storm clocked in with sustained winds of 84 mph with gusts of 106-115 mph. I believe this is a Category 2/3 hurricane back home. It was definitely one of the strongest storms I've experienced. Of all the hurricanes I've been through I would probably equate it to Hurricane Charley back in 2004 (for the east coast side; I know the southwest coast had a much bigger impact).

All in all- we made it out just fine! We were without power for about 10-12 hours total which is not bad considering a lot of the island suffered longer, with anywhere between 3-7 days without power and water. We did lose a few trees in the yard-including our large mango tree which made me sad! Hopefully we won't have to deal with another storm anytime soon. Though the season hasn't even really begun!

This past week has been very emotional. My best friend and her family were hit with a life altering tragedy last Monday. Before moving here, I knew that there was a chance for events to happen that would make being here difficult. I just never thought it would happen so soon, or at all for that matter. Three years isn't a long time I thought.

This is the first time since moving here that I have literally felt on the other side of the world; 8,227 miles away to be exact. Having technology has helped so much with making me still feel connected to home. However, when things like this happen, being physically present and closer for that matter could never replace what technology has to offer. It is truly hard to grieve and be present so far away. However, one of the best things I've been leaning on this week has been the power of prayer. A sweet friend of mine reminded me that though we may feel powerless in circumstances like this, prayer is the most powerful thing we could ever offer. No wisdom or words or even hugs can take away the pain in the hearts of the ones I love, but truly believing that Jesus is present in their lives right now brings such comfort.

One of my absolute favorite songs is on one of my Indelible Grace CD's called "Pensive, doubting, fearful heart". The last stanza says this:

Though afflicted, tempest-tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou canst be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart.
All thy walls I will repair,
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew,
And in thee it shall appear,
What a God of love can do.

The whole song is wonderful, and you can find the version I love here:
https://indeliblegrace.bandcamp.com/track/pensive-doubting-fearful-heart