Count the three day weekend gone.

I took a call yesterday afternoon late. I had began to grill supper. One of the "big wheels" at the core customer's Ft. Worth bottling/canning facility had called asking a huge favor. "Can" run Monday. Blank silver bullet aluminum cans that will be taken from Abilene to Fort Worth which will be filled with city water. (Not Ozarka or Dasani). This is very similar to what the competitor of our core customer requested we do for them today. Anyway, KO, DO, and me are going to take the Labor Day run so the guys can have off. With only three exceptions, at some point over the holiday weekend all of our roster has shared in our efforts to help with our small contribution to disaster relief.

This morning Highland will be taking a special contribution to aid in the relief. Part of the funds will go to Houston's Impact Church to aid with the relocated evacuees there. Part of it will be sent to Churches in the affected areas of the Gulf Coast. While money is essential, it is the easy part. I challenge all readers to toe the line with donations but I also challenge them to go beyond the easy part and give of their time.

The timeline I am hearing is unbelievable, some residents will be displaced for up to four years. During that time a small child would be beginning school, a teenager could have graduated high school. America would have a new leadership.

Baton Rouge is now the largest city in Louisiana. Experts are comparing what happened after the hurricane hit Galveston and Houston. Most experts believe that the "new" New Orleans will be only a shell of what it once was. Companies are moving inland.

I was disappointed in the destinations we were given for delivering the water to the Gulf Coast. I had put my name down first for Mississippi. There has been a lot of attention given to the affected portions of Louisiana. I wanted to go where the worst damage was done. In particular I wanted to go to Gulf Port. Its been several years ago I was in the Gulf Port to put a specially manufactured plow on a ship headed to Honduras. I was amazed as I watched the Dole facility and the Chiquita facility. The containers and equipment present were enumerable, yet all the new footage I have seen, it is now gone. If some of these large objects were no match for the storm what chance did a home have.

As I type this morning, my specialty breakfast casserole is doingt the shake and bake. I did all the prep work last evening and sat it in the fridge. This morning I simply turned the oven on, greased a casserole pan, poured the mixture in and topped it with the remaining cheese. I have already sacked the plates, napkins, picante, and utensils. My plan is to get ready for church while my casserole cools.

I am finding myself trying to get my mindset for Church and SS. For some reason it is difficult this morning. I have work to do in this area. It has been a difficult week.

Have a day. Be the real deal!

FATHER, please work in me. Help me to rise above the hubbub that nips around us everyday. I ask that YOU continue to purify my heart and mind. I continue my thanks to YOU for Krl and ask her healing and renewal. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, S.T., and Karen. I ask for their healing and care. I pray for those sad and hurting from loss and I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who are stumbling as we try to follow YOU. Keep us centered. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. FATHER I pray for all the victims of the hurricane. I pray that their needs will be filled quickly. I pray for the relief workers and ask that YOU expedite their efforts. FATHER, YOU are in control. Work YOUR plan.