Looking Back>Katrina 10 Years Later; Gabrielle Leonard

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Jill English Johnston

It doesn’t feel like we’ve already reached the 10 year anniversary of
Hurricane Katrina.

Everything still feels recent.

I remember where I was Monday morning, August 29, 2005.
I remember turning on the TV at 7:15 a.m. and watching the sky camera pan over a local market just a couple blocks from our house, fully submerged under water.
I remember walking down the hallway to my grandmother’s hotel room with my mom and sisters in Shreveport, Louisiana.
I remember her flushed face full of tears and watching her sit in shock as my mother consoled her.

But I don’t remember exchanging many words that day
and I don’t remember having many thoughts.

The only thing that felt clear in those moments was the confusion very present around me. It was a moment in my family’s life where even striving to control anything around us felt stupid and a waste of energy. I quickly became a spectator watching life play out before my eyes. I hated being forced to realize I had ZERO control over my life.

Katrina came with humbling winds.

I was forced to recognize that everything I strive for and/or attain here in this life could be taken from me in mere seconds. In a matter of seconds all my trophies from sports were lost, all my clothes ruined, our home uninhabitable, and our friends scattered different places around the country.

In 2005 my main goal was to gain acceptance into the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. I practiced diligently throughout the year for my fall auction. I was accepted into the school but was only a student there for a week when Hurricane Katrina hit. As my family and I began packing to leave before the storm, I remember thinking I was just getting a couple days vacation and would quickly return to become acquainted with my new school.

The plans I held for my life then didn’t take place but neither have many of my plans today. This doesn’t mean that working hard, dreaming passionately, and having goals are pointless. What made recovering from Hurricane Katrina hard wasn’t the fact that I had goals that didn’t get met, lost items that were valuable to me or that I was forced out my home town. It was hard because I had placed so much of my identity in those goals, in what I had and who I believed I was becoming.

Jesus used a physical storm to reveal to me how unstable life was for me because I was placing my hope and trust in everything besides Him. I’ve spent too many years placing my trust in my abilities, other’s approval, or what I have. It is exhausting and frankly I don’t believe any of us are made to carry such a heavy load.

10 years later Hurricane Katrina still feels fresh and she still teaches me today to let go and trust God. Our life is not our burden to bear it is His. The more I give control over to Jesus the more Joy I find in my life daily. Not because He grants my every wish or protects me from experiencing tragedies like Katrina but because He does what He has promised to do: Love me unconditionally.

Gabrielle Michelle Leonard currently lives in San Antonio, TX. She works as the Marketing Director for Chick-fil-A Schertz. Gabrielle received a BA degree from Baylor University in the spring of 2014.  At the time Hurricane Katrina, Gabrielle and her family lived in the lower 9th ward in New Orleans, Louisiana.  

Grace & Peace

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Looking Back>Katrina 10 Years Later; Jeanette Everett

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Jill English Johnston

He has a plan for me; I need only to follow….

A few months after Katrina blew through, mission teams started rolling in to the Coast, providing numerous types of assistance, everything from a simple meal to outreach programs to restoration efforts……

Crochet AngelWith one of the teams came a very sweet and humble lady. She brought homemade clothes-pin dolls to share with a few. The doll was a small homemade creation intended to remind its recipient of the promise of God’s presence, and His plan. It was a simple creation, a small crocheted dress fashioned onto an old-style clothes pin.

While she and her mission team spent the week with us, hosting Vacation Bible School and working on some of the many restoration jobs, she tried to spend time with me. This proved to be a challenge. With work, kids, our own restoration activities and the daily routines of life, I had little time to socialize. On the last day of their visit, however, she and her husband stopped by our home and she handed me one of those sweet dolls. On the bottom of the doll she had written a scripture reference: Jude 1:24-25. I must admit that I took me some time to stop and look up the scripture. But once I did, it was just the “God promise” that I needed, as my body, mind and spirit were spent:

“Now all glory to God who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.  All glory, majesty, power and authority are his before all time and in the present and beyond all time! Amen.” (NLT)

It was in that moment that I was reminded, even though I went about my daily routines, doing things my way, HE had an even better plan for me.

He still has that better plan for me…. and while there are days when I do not fully understand His plan, I do know, because of the promises found in His Word….. He has cut a path in the wilderness for me and He will guide me through all of its twists, turns, and distractions. I need only to follow.

Jeanette Everett, wife of one, mother of four, and passionate for “abundant living” resides in South Mississippi. Her life has been an incredible journey, providing her opportunities to learn, love, and experience life to its fullest, which she enjoys sharing with others.

Katrina was a brief stop on her journey. Many things changed for her when Katrina blew into town, but the truth of God’s love, mercy and grace didn’t change. She has been guided in every way by His abundant wisdom!

Her MOTTO: Live with passion, love with all your heart, laugh often. As Jesus said, HE came so that we can live ABUNDANTLY!!!

Grace & Peace

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Hurricane Katrina: 10 Years Later

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Jill English Johnston

I cannot believe it has been ten years since hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.  It seems like a lifetime ago and yet it seems like only yesterday.

In the month leading up to the anniversary, I will share with you the guest blogs of some special ladies who each had their own unique experiences with Hurricane Katrina.  I have invited them to share their thoughts.

As we look back and remember, I also want to share with you my journey.

I kept a daily journal of our experience and emailed it out to family and friends. On this 10th anniversary, I am going to publish each entry on its corresponding day.

As I have reread and prepared each post, my tears flow fresh as I relive the uncertainty, the struggle, and the loss encountered by myself and hundreds of thousands of others. I also give thanks to how the Lord led us through, how He provided, and what He taught us. I rejoice over the caring friends, families and strangers, as well as the blessings in the midst of devastation.

I invite you to join me and remember..

Grace & Peace

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First Verse, a journey through the Psalms: Psalm 44

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Jill English Johnston

O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago.
(Psalm 44:1, NLT)

I like how the Message translates this verse: “We’ve been hearing about this, God, all our lives. Our fathers told us the stories their fathers told them,”

Whether we know it or not, we pass on stories to our children. So, we must ask ourselves, what are the stories we are telling? Because these stories will become a part of who they are and will be passed down to their children.

This truth was conveyed in the movie Inside Out by Pixar/Walt Disney Pictures. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. In the story, Riley’s loving parents passed on stories (the movie calls them core memories) of love and laughter. While the movie goes on to depict the struggle Riley has with conflicting and even repressed emotions, I want to focus more on the stories her parents gave her.
We are only given a glimpse.  But they were good.  They gave Riley confidence in who she was and a sense of where she fits in the world. Of course, these stories can be turned upside down in the midst of life’s changes (as happened to Riley), but when the good stories are reinforced, we can navigate the changes and come through even stronger.

However, sometimes, the stories we’ve received as children are not the same story our fictional Riley received.

Sometimes we receive negative stories.  Sometimes we’re told we’re no good, we’ll amount to nothing, we don’t matter.  Or we hear that life sucks and the world is always out to get us.

Sometimes we’re told that to survive, we need to rely on a substance to get us through.  Or that we need to get while the gettin’ is good.  Or that its okay to run others down, to always put ourselves first, and if we’re not happy, to move on until we are.

These stories are not life giving.  They are life draining.

We can choose, however, to change the stories.  It takes work, it takes being intentional, it takes choosing a new story every day.  But it can be done.

Because our Heavenly Father always has a better story.  He tells us He loves us and that we do matter and He has a plan for us.  He says, yes, in this life there will be trouble, and yes, there is an enemy who seeks to take us down.  BUT – He says – I am greater and I have overcome the world and the enemy is defeated.

He tells us to rely on Him for our strength and to get us through.  When we do, we won’t just survive, we will THRIVE.  He will provide for us and that in His kingdom, the first will be last and the last will be first.  He tells us to encourage one another and to love one another.  He tells us real joy comes from within, from the hope He has placed in us, not in our circumstances.

Choose today which story you will tell.  For it will make a difference.  It will make a difference in your life.  And it will make a difference in the legacy you leave. Because as the Psalmist says, “Our fathers told us the stories their fathers told them,”

What stories will your children tell?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Let me hold fast to that which is true: the good stories passed down to me. Rewrite the negative stories I have received.  From this day forward, let my stories be true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, the best, the beautiful, and things to praise.  And may I pass down a story worth telling.

Grace & Peace

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First Verse, a journey through the Psalms: Psalm 46

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Jill English Johnston

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
(Psalm 46:1, NLT)

Troubles.

I don’t know about you, but I fervently try to arrange my life to minimize as much trouble as possible.
I’m usually unsuccessful.
Obviously.
Because we know in this life, there will be troubles and tribulations.
Jesus told us to expect them.
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33, NLT)

But the Lord uses these difficult times, if we let him.
“The things we try to avoid – tribulation, suffering and persecution – are the very things that produce abundant joy in us.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Hightest)

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Completion doesn’t come easily. It comes with a cost: tribulation, suffering and persecution, troubles and testing. But we can respond with joy because of what the Lord is doing in the midst of them.

However, I don’t want to just focus on our response and the reasons for these things. I want to look at the truth of our role in them.

The Lord reminded me of something significant about the battles we experience. Not only is he our refuge and strength, he is the one who fights for us.
“Each of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.” (Joshua 23:10, NLT)

The Lord has his role in the battle: he fights.

And I have my role: I stand firm.
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11, NLT)
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13, NLT)

When we stand firm, we resist the devil and like it says in Joshua, we will put to flight a thousand of the enemy.
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist (stand firm against) the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

These truths do not mean it will be easy. But we will get through it.
“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. In the meantime don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help you will get through this.”
(Max Lucado, You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times)

When we go through the times of trouble, be encouraged and remember the rest of Jesus’ promise.
“But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT)

Prayer
Father, give me the faith to stand firm, for I know the battle is yours. You promise when I resist the devil, he will flee and I claim that truth right now. Fight the battles I face because I know you are victorious and you have overcome the world. I praise you for what you are doing in the midst of it all.

Grace & Peace

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