Evacuation - Day 1

So, we all knew this day would come. We knew that there would be a first evacuation after Katrina, but no one really knew when it would come. The day arrived. We have been monitoring Gustav for the past few days. Karis and I were supposed to fly on Friday to SC to be with Page during his last week and graduation, so the plan to leave New Orleans was already in place. However, the mode of transportation between here and there was the new focus. As the forecast continued to narrow on New Orleans, Page and I decided it would be better for me to pack as though we were evacuating and drive from New Orleans to Columbia.

I have spent the entire week trying to put together what constitutes my life on paper and in objects. Let me try to put into words what this activity has been like for me over the past few days. I wanted to pack light, but I did not want to look back and ask myself why I brought this one item and not something else. I wanted to pack with a rational mind not an anxious one. I washed most of the clothes. I packed up one set of dishes and set them aside for a stronger person than I to take upstairs. I gathered all our important paper work, pictures, special items (handmade blankets, dolls I have had since I was 1, Karis' baby stuff, etc), things to help us take our mind off the not knowing (games, movies, etc), computers, school stuff (to teach with), diplomas, and clothes for a week (for both Karis, Page, and I). I tried to think through everything several days in advance, but on the day I knew I was leaving everything became very confusing for me.

I had some very special people stop by the house to help me take all the important stuff from down stairs up stairs. We took everything off the walls, some of the important kitchen appliances (my mixer for example), our bar stools, printer, etc and put them up stairs. Our house now looks like we have moved out. I cleaned out the refrigerator and freezer. I put drinks in a cooler and tried to put everything I thought we would possibly need without out getting too sentimental into the middle of the living room to take out to the car.

Along with trying to get everything organized to leave, I had to put 2 fruit trays together for a fellowship Thursday night and teach a class on Thursday morning. Everything got taken care of. I had some wonderful people at my house on Thursday night to help me take care of Karis (give her a bath, entertain her, wash my clothes, fold Karis clothes, etc) and help me put everything into the car.

So, at 9pm on Thursday night I was ready to go. Karis was sleepy. Phillippe was fed and almost asleep. And I had enough caffeine in me to keep me going for a while. We loaded up in the car and made our trip to Montgomery to spend the night with Page's parents. We arrived around 2am. Karis and Phillippe slept most of the way. I did not stop at all between NO and Montgomery.

I did have to turn around and go back to the house one time. I had forgotten to get Page's bagpipes out of the closet. Those of you that know Page know that me leaving without the bagpipes might have constituted grounds for divorce. So I decided that I would go back and grab the "sheeps guts" as they are so loving called by one of Page's colleagues. I decided divorce was not something I wanted to contend with right now. :-) - Just kidding.

I will keep you updated on our location and sanity as we go through the next few days. Know that Page and I are very calm and resting in the peace that only comes for our Father in Heaven. We are choosing to trust in the providential, good, and loving hand of God. He has everything under control. We know that no matter what happens (good or bad) we will see God work in a might way!