Back Home - Rita Reflections

I've finally made it back home. I worked from Sept. 22 - Oct. 1. Took a day off, and worked Oct. 2 - 6. It's obvious that the plant had damage from multiple tornadoes; roofs and walls were missing, cooling towers lost shrouds and fans, and one Hi-line tower fell down. We took the brunt of the storm.

It had to be God's hands holding the roof on the building where we stayed, his hands keeping the walls upright. It really got bad around 23:00 Friday. I went to bed and slept soundly until 02:00 Saturday when we were awakened for some emergency. Soon after that the lights went out as our last unit tripped offline. Powerplants aren't meant to be in the dark. I couldn't sleep after that. The rest of the night was filled with loud banging and the wind howling all of which was loud enough to be heard through the earplugs I was wearing. When the sunlight started filtering through the rain and clouds Saturday morning I was just thankful to be alive.

Psalms 9:10 says "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." I can honestly say that I put my trust in Jesus Thursday as I left for the plant. I trusted that he'd keep our home safe and strengthen the preparations we made, I trusted he'd keep Amanda and our little dog Ace safe wherever they went, I trusted he'd keep all the men at work (and me) safe; he was faithful. On Sunday as we headed toward Moss Bluff to check on our houses I had a peace that everything would be alright.

God didn't spare me because I'm living better than others. God didn't damage others homes, or take them completely, as a punishment. The peace that I had was not that I'd have no damage. The peace I had was that God was my provider and strong tower. It was only that he would meet all my needs according to his riches in glory.

Earlier in the year a big change was on the horizon at work that would have really affected Amanda and I. For months I was angry about the change and got mad about it every time it was brought up. One day a friend of mine told me that this change was not a problem but a chance for me to put my trust in God and see that he would provide. That humbled me, changed my view, and got me on my knees.

Through all of this God proved he'll always be my provider, my deliverer, my redeemer, my strong tower, and my ever present help in times of need.

I thank him for that daily.
Jake

Thank God

I just wanted to take a minute to thank God for keeping us through Hurricane Rita. Jake and I had to be apart due to his job, but God protected us both and continues to do so. Jake, I love you and miss you.
I am amazed at the way that God has proven himself to us already. I think this experience sums it up best:
Jake went to check our house and saw that everything was okay including our new arbor out back. This arbor is well-built but is not anchored into the ground. If you would have seen the damage in our area, you would know that the arbor SHOULD NOT be standing. What God showed me is that He made that arbor stronger than it should be, and that is what He will do for all of us who are working, displaced, and unsure after Hurricane Rita. He will be our strength and the "lifter of our heads." May God bless all of you especially those (including my wonderful husband) who are working to restore life to normal in Southwest Louisiana. --Amanda, Proverbs 3:5&6

Jake - Rita

I'm okay, have been at the plant since 9/22. On emergency power, Amanda is safe, house is okay, lots of damage around town and at the plant. Our crews worked wonders through the storm. Nelson Station was in the wall of the eye for 4+ hours, never got into the eye. Thank God it was only a 3.

Let all our friends know, please. I don't have their e-mails.

Fear Not

I think this is comforting as Rita heads in this general direction:

Isaiah 42

1    But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2    When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3    For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

4    Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

5    Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6    I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7    Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Sunday Night's Sermon

A great Sermon tonight @ Faith Tabernacle Pentacostal Church! Rev.
Warren Reed taught on the love of Christ.

1 John 3:1-10
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be
like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even
as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in
him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not
seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of
the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither
he that loveth not his brother.

Courville Opus

I guess this is post one on the Courville's blog. I don't know what will be here in the future. Since today is Sunday, I guess the first thing to say is Thank God! Don't forget to pray for those in the affected region around New Orleans; they need God's direction. If you need to request prayer, please visit our website & click on the Katrina Prayer List. You can request prayer for anything, not just things related to Katrina.

We hope this finds you well; may God bless you - he already loves you!

Jake & Amanda Courville
www.courville.us

P.S. GEAUX TIGERS - Beat UTK!