"Mrs. Kelley, you scared of the storm?"

The city holds her breath. Everywhere you go people are whispering, or talking, or joking about Gustav. Tomorrow is the third anniversary of Katrina and the city will bury the 80 something bodies that were never identified after the storm. I cannot count the number of students who wanted to know where I would run to hide from the storm. At age 9 and 10, my students vividly remember the last devastating hurricane. They expect Gustav to wipe their lives away. I try to explain that we just don't know what will happen yet...but I can see the worry in their eyes.

We have no idea what will happen. As my mom and Kyle both pointed out, this storm is going somewhere, and it will cause trouble and pain for someone. Because we are connected to the seminary, we are required to leave in the event of a mandatory evacuation. Also, we have had plans in place for weeks now to visit Birmingham for the Labor Day weekend. Our plane leaves Friday night, so rest assured, we will be safe, whatever happens. Kyle and a neighbor will be bringing some of our belongings from the storage unit to keep in the hotel while we are gone. The risk of flooding is much lower in our second story room.

Meanwhile, we hold our breath along with the rest of the Gulf Coast, and we wait. I am spending my evening grading papers and planning lessons. Kyle has to work tonight (did I mention that he has a job?!), so he'll sit in the technology office and do homework. Business as usual.

We are safe. I worry more for my students. Pray for them. For their safety, for their worries.

More updates to come!! Sorry we've been so lazy about updates...school and work have a way of taking over life! We'll try to keep you updated as the hurricane drama plays out.