I had worked on an earthquake plan for the school where I taught, but even that preparation did not prepare me for all that  was happening.    With every shake that came, new fear arose that something more was going to happen.  The initial earthquake was bad enough but every aftershock was almost worse, because now fear was in mind.  The aftershocks in the first few hours after the quake were strong and didn’t seem to stop.    I was 6 1/2 months pregnant with Nathaniel and I was alone.  Clyde was in Montana waiting for his first grandchild to be born who was due any day.   Even though January in California is still relatively warm compared to most of the country, I was concerned about going outside.   I knew that more harm could be done running out during an earthquake, I didn’t know where my shoes were, there was no electricity so it was dark out, and I was on the verge of a cold.  I did not know what was best for  us.   Inside the womb, Nathaniel must have felt either my fear, the aftershocks, or both.  He was extremely active.  I stayed in the house for about an hour and a half until there was a bit of light.  I looked for some clothes and because all dressers had fallen and the closet doors would not open, the only thing I could find were clothes from the dirty laundry.   Not my favorite thing to do but better than wearing jammies outside.  Just as I was heading out the door, neighbors were coming to find out about me.  It had just dawned on them that Clyde was gone, and they hadn’t heard anything from the house.

     There were so many things that happened in those first two days, I could not write about all of them.   With help of neighbors I was finally able to get a call to my family that I was okay, I set up a tent in the front yard to stay in because it felt safer than the house.   Concerned neighbors made sure I ate and that I was warm enough in my tent.   The aftershocks continued to come and when we could joke about it we would guess the intensity and see who was closest when the report came over the radio.

     It took two days for Clyde to make it down.  Power was back on in a few days, school had been canceled for the week, and some sightseeing began.  As we looked at buildings in our neighborhood we saw no reason why some buildings stood, while the one next to it was leaning, or fallen.  We were so very grateful that we were safe.  Those near the epicenter did not fair as well as we did.  Seventy-two people died in that quake.  It would have been many more if it had bee a different time of day and not on a holiday.

     A few days after the quake I began feeling labor pains.   In calling the doctor, I found out I wasn’t the only one.   I was warned not to pick up anymore furniture, and not to spend so many hours trying to clean up. 

     There are so many “little things” that happened during that time that had a big impact.  What I want to say is that even though I was in a relatively good situation compared to many during the earthquake, and I was a Christian and knew what would happen to  my baby and me should we die in the quake, I still felt a lot of fear.  Everytime I heard the shower door rattle, a window shake, or any noise I heard during the quake, the fear returned.   Every strong aftershock had me in tears.   Even though I spent more time in the house after Clyde arrived,  neighbors were still living outside.  Many had questions about my faith, and even though I was fearful, I had much less fear than those who didn’t know where they were going when they died.  Hearts were softened to hear the gospel during that time.

     What I experienced was like a drop of water compared to the deluge the people in Haiti are experiencing.   Life was so difficult before this disaster: it is hard to imagine what it must be like now.  Simple things like getting a drink of water, going to the bathroom, eating, and sleeping must be so very difficult for these people.  Every sound, sight, smell can bring many unexplainable experiences to a person.  These sights, sounds, and smells will not go away soon for these people.  People who are trapped by both fear and rubble but who are still alive.  So many lives lost and people left behind who are grieving the loss.     These are not only hurting people but are also souls for eternity.  

    I pray  for the Christians who are in Haiti or who are going there to help these people.  I pray that hearts are open to the gospel and to the love of Christ for all man.   I pray for the Christians who experienced the quake and have fear of their own, that they may still have the strength to reach out to those in need.  Even if we can’t go and help, we need to pray for those who can.  God can use even a disaster like this for some good.   I pray for that.

Just wanted you to know that Carolyn Hudlet’s brother (my uncle) passed away during the Christmas holidays and she is in Texas with other family members.   My sister who is home from Argentina was able to go with her.   Please pray for them as they take care of all the things that need to be done during a time like this.   It was very unexpected as this is the brother who was still running marathons at age 71.   We praise the Lord that Uncle Len is at home in heaven.    Thank you for your prayers.

Blogging is something new for me but I will try to keep you  updated on some of the day to day things that happen around camp.  I will try to check for comments every day, but not sure I will write something every day.   It may take me a while to get used to this, but look forward to communicating this way. 

As many of you are experiencing, it has been cold.  However, unlike many of you, we have very little snow.  We are thankful Clyde has not had to plow much.  The kids are disppointed they don’t get to sled.  They are trying to make an “ice skating rink” in the lowest part of the horse pasture as it flooded and froze on it’s own.  Now they are trying to add layers water on top to thicken the ice.  Half the fun is just seeing if they can do it. 

Please let me know what you think of this form of communication. 

Happy New Year!

Janet