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Hello there,

Lately, I’ve been thinking more about everyday life and how much we rely on things we usually take for granted. Most of the time, life moves along comfortably enough that we don’t stop to question it. Power comes on when we flip a switch. Water flows when we turn a handle. Heat is just there when we need it. It’s easy to assume those things will always be available.

Then life has a way of interrupting that assumption.

In my little spot of the world, Fern hit us hard.

For many people, life came to a sudden standstill. Electricity was gone. Water was unavailable. Heat sources disappeared. Food was limited. In some cases, there was no internet and no phone service. Daily comforts we barely think about—things we depend on every single day—were suddenly out of reach.

We had a warning. We had time to prepare. And yet, many were not prepared at all.

That’s not said in judgment, but as an observation—and a reminder. I think sometimes we don’t truly understand how dangerous situations can become when the necessities we rely on are stripped away. When the systems we trust fail, even temporarily, reality gets very real very fast.

One of the biggest things this storm reminded me of is that we cannot rely solely on utility companies, the government, or even other people for our safety, care, and well-being. That realization can feel overwhelming, especially when preparedness is a process. It takes time. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and we all have to walk this out in our own way and on our own timetable.

But if there’s encouragement to be found, it’s this: many of us lived through days—and even weeks—without power or water. And we made it. That alone should give us confidence and clarity. This storm should be a wake-up call, not driven by fear, but by wisdom.

At the same time, my heart is full of gratitude.

I am so thankful for the organizations, churches, communities, neighbors, and friends who showed up for one another. I saw generosity, sacrifice, and kindness everywhere I looked. The Lord has been dealing with me on charity—love in action—and this storm revealed exactly that. True charity. Real love. Not just words, but hands and feet at work.

It never fails to amaze me how communities come together when it truly matters.

Sometimes it can feel like God’s love is fading in this world. But then something like this happens, and suddenly His love is visible everywhere—through shared meals, opened homes, checked-in neighbors, and quiet acts of service. It is by His strength and His provision that we don’t just survive these moments—we can flourish through them and come out changed for the better.

My prayer is that we take what we’ve experienced and let it shape us. That we prepare wisely, love generously, and trust deeply, not out of fear, but out of faith.

Lord Bless You, Michelle