Free Storm Tossed: A troubled woman finds peace with herself and God in the midst of life's storms. by Beth Jones Page A

thought. Of course there isn’t any service! The towers are down! She turned on the weather radio and was dismayed to hear how many homes, businesses, and lives had been destroyed in Hurricane Ana and that Governor Susan Rudy had declared a state of emergency, with the Red Cross, FEMA agents, and the National Guard being called upon for assistance.
    She closed her eyes, gulping, when news reporter Bob Bright (had he ever gone to sleep? Why was he still reporting?) said that one of the Destin graveyards had been hit and there were dead bodies, from the graveyard and the storm, floating in the street and to please stay inside to prevent the spread of disease.
    Dead people. Disease. Rachel shivered from cold and fear. The temperature had dropped a lot since the storm. She knew after disasters, it spread rapidly from dead bodies, sickness, lack of clean food and water, unclean hygiene, flies, mosquitoes, rodents, and other pests.
    The house only had one bathroom and shower, and it was downstairs on the first floor, which was now flooded from the surge. She was afraid to go down there. What if one of those breaking sounds was the front door busting open and a dead body had floated in, like they were on the roads which were now muddy, salty rivers? She thought she’d lose her mind if she saw that.
    She’d have to use the 5 gallon bucket in the room for a bathroom for now, until she was rescued. She knew from taking survival class last summer to keep it covered tight to prevent flies, mosquitoes, and other pests from getting in i t. She’d use trash bags for a cover.
    She grimaced at the thought of living so primitively and was afraid of getting sick. What if I survived the storm only to die of disease afterward? She thought. Then she rebuked the thought. God didn’t save you through that hellacious storm just for you to die of disease! Stop thinking so negative and fearful! It’s time for action now. You need to find out how everyone is and if--. Rachel remembered her neighbors’ smiling, friendly faces and couldn’t stand the thought of never seeing them again, so she started hurrying.
    She would move the gallon bucket “bathroom” to another room since she’d be sleeping and eating here for a while. She hoped it wouldn’t be more than a few days. She needed to get on the CB and call for help, then get the heck out of dodge and fly home. The landlord Mr. James would just have to get over the fact that she was breaking her lease early. Let him sue her. It was understandable in these extenuating circumstances that she couldn’t stay here.
    All she wanted to do now was go home to her Jackson and her Faith—and yes, even her stepdaughter Autumn. The storm had opened her eyes to what a blessing she really was in her life. Another daughter. A gift from God.
    She didn’t know what she would do for a shower since the shower was downstairs, other than judiciously using the alcohol wipes to stay somewhat clean. She guessed that not being able to wash and straight-iron her hair for several days, or even, God forbid, a week, was a small price to pay for still being alive.
    Thank you, God , she prayed again. I don’t deserve to be alive, but You heard my prayers and answered me. You must still have a purpose and a plan for me. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
    She took the 5 gallon bucket and the toilet paper into the second bedroom. She had been using the third bedroom as her office since she arrived here, when she wasn’t outside sipping her coffee and using her laptop. She loved having a portable business that she could take on the road wherever she went.
    After she used the bucket, she covered it tightly with 2 thick trash bags and closed the door, praying that God would keep flies, mosquitoes, and other pests away from it. It disgusted her, but she had no choice right now.
    She went into her bedroom and tried to use the CB to call for help. Like her phone, no access to anyone, but she heard a tiny bit of static which gave her hope