Wow!  The last week has been a whirlwind (no pun intended) of weather and activity in and around the Houston-Galveston area.  With my family safely tucked away in Lake Charles, LA, I weathered the storm with no major incidents.  Sure, we'll get a new roof and fence, but all in all, we fared quite well.  No major damage to speak of...we were fortunate.

After the weather cleared on Sunday, I was recalled by by Air National Guard unit (147th Reconnaissance Wing) to begin post-hurricane recovery efforts.  As a unit chaplain, I spent most of the next week visiting with our folks, ensuring they and their families were taken care of, visiting military members working at several area Points of Distribution (PODs), and visiting with folks at the Ellington Field FEMA registration site.  I also had the privilege of meeting President Bush, our Governor, and many other VIPs who have been in the region surveying the damage.  Understandably, stress levels have been high and energy levels low, but after a week, most have started to get into a routine of what will end up being their 'new normal.'

There is surely much more to write about, but quite frankly, I'm tired too.  More may follow, eventually, but I'm looking forward to catching up with family and friends and getting back to my own new normal.