Updated Music Playlist

Okay kiddos, I have updated the playlist. You may be relieved, or even more offended. If you are in the latter category, (for those of you that don't know what latter means...you know who you are...that's the second one...okay, okay offended) don't be. This is music with a message. If you don't believe me, google the lyrics and you'll see what I'm talking about. I thought about holding your hand and putting the lyrics on my page somewhere, but didn't feel like it; at least not tonight. If there are any concerns, feel free to contact me, but be warned. You had better pack a lunch because I can assure you - we're going to do some serious arguing, err, debating.

blessings,

-josh

Still Cleaning Up

Wow, I hadn't realized it has been about two months since my last post. Okay, here's the run-down of what's been going on. We just got our roof repaired two days ago; I'm still fighting with insurance trying to get the foundation repaired; when it rains, it comes through the bedroom window (still trying to figure out how) and splashes on me; Vivian turned seven and lost her first front tooth; Corbin is still crackin' us up with his 'isms http://createdbycourtney.blogspot.com; it snowed between 5-10 inches (we're freakin' 40 miles from the beach and cleaning up from a hurricane); I tore down a 900 sqft. shop...with my bare hands and managed to drive a 10 penny nail into my right knee (don't ask); tore most of the fence down and am trying to re-level posts that are salvageable while digging out those that were broken in the storm....whew. Other than that, not much has been going on. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, we (the family) went to a rockin' concert Friday - The Winter Wonderslam featuring Toby Mac, Family Force Five, Relient K and B. Reith (pictures are on Courtney's blog). We rocked out as a family (minus the first 2 hours, Vivian crashed out but partied with us later). It's great to be able to share your hobbies with your kids; ours just happens to be going to ear-bleeding concerts YEAH! Okay, before somebody calls CPS on us, we make the kids wear shooting muffs to protect their fragile ears so they can damage 'em themselves in a few years with MP3 players or in their case an MP16 player or some other technical garbage that takes your kids away from conversation (soapbox, sorry). I won't promise that the next entry will be soon, but I'll at least try.

Blessings,
-josh

When It Rains...

Well, it's been a few weeks since I've posted anything so here goes. We're still cleaning up from the aftermath, but after seeing the destruction from the gulf coast, I have no right to complain. Our home did suffer some structural damage, and later this week I am going to have to crawl under the house and check the piers. A neighbor from down the street has a home close to the same age and size of ours. They had some significant damage to their piers so it's worth checking into before the insurance adjuster shows...if he ever does. Additionally, today a very dear friend was laid to rest. Growing up, he was like a little brother to me and less than a year ago he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma - a very lethal form of cancer. Many might say he lost the fight however I beg to differ. His brother, my best friend, could not have said it better. "This disease may have knocked him down, but refused to stay that way. He kept getting back up." Jordan won this fight. He refused to give up; even to the end. He was 21 years old and leaves behind a wife and baby boy.

During the service Corbin looked at me and saw me crying. "Daddy, are you crying?" "Yes buddy, I am." "Why daddy?" "Well buddy, a very dear friend of mine has gone to heaven to be with Jesus and daddy's a little sad." Corbin then did the most thoughtful thing a 4-year old could do. He crawled in my lap and held me. It brings tears to my eyes even now, many hours later. This has made me question not my own mortality, but the mortality of those closest to me. It could happen in an instant. Cherish the moments in this life for they are fleeting.

God has a plan even when it seems unfair. God is still there even when we feel He is not. God is there-He never left us in the first place.

-blessings

Thank You All So Very Much

Yesterday at 1600 (4:30PM) Texas Task Force 1 de-mobilized from operations pre/post-landfall of Hurricane Ike. The task force was able to put me up in a hotel in College Station; Courtney & the kids met me there for a much anticipated reunion. The hotel (Courtyard Marriott) has been absolutely wonderful to us. At first they were unable to accommodate us for more than one night, however we had to take Corbin to the hospital at around 1AM; he now has strep-throat. After speaking with the manager (Jennifer) we now have the room until Monday-longer if we need it. So when you stay out of town, go Marriott. Thank you all so much for the support. Thank you for lifting Courtney's spirits as well as mine. We our truly blessed by our extended family in the blogging world. I have around 10 GIG of pictures, so once I am able to sift through them all, they will be posted. Some friends have secured our home, so we will be heading back to my parents house for some much needed rest. Again, thank you all.

To the left is Scooby - I knows it's ridiculous, but I can't remember his handler's name; I think it is Kathy but I'm not certain.

Above is the beauty amidst destruction-Many will ask where God was during all of this, but the truth is God never left. People speak of finding God as if He was the One that was unavailable. The thing is, we are the one's that make ourselves unavailable until there is no where else to go; no where else to turn. He is with us always - even when it doesn't feel like it.

-josh

More Updates and Photos

Well once again, thank you all for keeping us all in your prayers. It is truly comforting to know how much you all have cared to to take the time to lift up my wife and especially pray for us during this time of separation. As a team, we are all very tired. Unfortunately, some of our members may not have homes to go to. A task force member from California had a family member die in the train collision earlier this week. I know there will be damage when I return; I know there will be a lot of work to do. But it doesn't really matter. Everything that is important to me is in Central Texas-well away from this chaos. Yesterday I made a store run for the Overhead Operations group that I am in and while I was at the store I saw a mother and her 2-3 year old daughter. I couldn't help but stare at them while they shopped because the little girl looked so much like my daughter when she was that age. I miss my family terribly and I don't know when I'll get to see them. After we're demobilized from here, I will have to report back to my fire department; they are still without power and emergency operations will have to resume regardless of amenities. So do me a favor-hug your kids; kiss your spouse and realize how blessed you truly are.

blessings,

-josh

Some More Photos & Bad News

Well folks, knowing that it would only be a matter of time, we do have some fatalities. I am not allowed to give specifics or numbers as per our Public Information Officer, however some have lost their lives. As disheartening as it is, with the widespread mass-destruction, it is quite amazing that there weren't more casualties. Up here in the Command Element, we do what we can to keep the spirits and morale up for those involved. Here is one of the power point slides I included in our 0800 Unified Command brief. Below is our sleeping arrangements. That's me with the e pillow on my face - it's not easy sleeping with the lights on.

A Few More Photos & Many Thanks For Your Prayers

Hey kiddos, I had some much needed down-time and had the opportunity to share some pictures and information. First let me thank all of you for the prayers and well-wishes that you have shared not only on Courtney's blog, but mine as well. Receiving your messages reminds me of my days in the Marine Corps when mail-call came, so thank you all. Operations continued today and the destruction is tremendous, however I am pleased to report that as of now, we have yet to find any fatalities. Hopefully we won't. To the left is the unbelievable amount of equipment that it takes to run a USAR operation & this isn't even a third of it. And above is the luxurious shower facility we reconed. If you're wondering what that is, yep, you guessed it. It's a mop sink/shower with hot water. AAHHHH.

-God speed

Ike - The New Katrina

So we're at it again. This post will be short and sweet to share some photos and let you all know that myself, Courtney & the kids are safe. This is another C-130 that is beginning to be our method of transportation, but we are mixing it up with some UH-60s as well. The wake of destruction left in Ike's wake is devastating. Nothing can compare to seeing it first-hand. The last 24 hours has changed the topography of the coastline that will be seen for possibly years to come. Our field teams are out fulfilling rapid needs assessments of the residences that refused to leave as well as assisting those that have changed their minds. The death toll is unknown, if any, at this time. I'll keep the updates coming as I have time and access.

Gustav to Ike

Operations went well with Gustav and better yet, we (South East Texas) dodged a bullet. That's me above giving a brief to Texas Military Forces. To the left is a C-130 from the TX Air National Guard that we used to help evacuate folks from New Orleans. Texas Task Force 1 along with Texas Military Forces, California TF-1, 4 & 5, Colorado TF-1, Nevada TF-1, Arizona TF-1, Tennessee TF-1, & our brothers from Merseyside in Liverpool (that's the United Kingdom for all you yanks) all staged in Houston for the duration of the storm along with multiple ambulance agencies from across the state and abroad. After three days, our type 1,2, & 3 teams were demobilized; myself and the overhead team were de-mobed on day four. So now I'm back re-stocking my gear and set to go back out on Wednesday for Hurricane Ike. Again, please keep those in the Caribbean and Cuba in your hearts and prayers, for they have taken a tremendous beating this season. Additionally (and most importantly), keep the families of those that we have to leave behind while we go and help our fellow man.

Greater hath no love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Well, it has been a rather busy season for the Task Force (4th deployment this year) and the party is just beginning. Gustav is on its way and the predictions are showing, at the very least, a Category 3 by landfall. In addition to Gustav, Hannah is gradually building in the Atlantic and may throw us a curve-ball by making the turn in southern Florida thus making its way into the Gulf as well. So things will be pretty interesting in the days to come. I have already been placed on stand-by with TXTF-1 USAR to be mobilized Sunday morning. Though I never look forward to deployments, it is impressive, to say the least, to see the multiple agencies work in chaotic harmony to serve the general public. This is why we do what we do - to serve our fellow man. Pray for those who have already been affected by Gustav and certainly for those that will be impacted early next week. I'll do my best to keep you updated as to operations and whereabouts.

grace & peace

-josh