October 23, 2007

• Fires

  
  My thoughts are really jumbled up and down this morning, as I hear more about who is affected by the Southern California brushfires.  Living in SoCali is bizarre.  You hear about "earthquake weather" and know what that is.  You also know about Santa Ana winds causing the ideal "fire weather".  One time, as I was watching TV the Emergency Broadcasting System interrupted my American Idol show and let out the longest "BEEEEEP" about a tsunami warning in the Redondo Beach through Manhattan Beach area.  You know just exactly what I'm talking about if you're from around SoCali and live just within a 1 hour driving distance away from the beautiful mountains, forest and beaches.

  Sunday morning, my dad told me how close the fires were to Pepperdine (my alma matter).  I learned that Malibu Presbyterian was charred down on ABC News.  That was the church I used to attend while I was in college--a beautiful church that sits perfectly overlooking the forest, hills and ocean, I must say!  It was one of the churches I thought I'd want to have a wedding ceremony in.  There was not one TV station that didn't broadcast the updates on the destructive fires here in Southern California.  To make light of the situation, it was kind of an inside joke for students at Pepperdine (Malibu campus) to be aware of the the holistic Pepperdine experience--is not without mudslides heavy rain season, the scary brush fire evacuation...maybe even a Pacific Ocean tsunami.  Of course, when that kind of destruction is really happening around you, there's no making light of any state of emergency situation!

  I also learned that a couple people I know are affected by these California brushfires.  It's hard to imagine for my family and friends, just how quickly they had to decide what to pack up and what to leave behind just in case the untamed brush fires do decide to sweep over and ravage their homes.  A couple of my friends who's homes may be in danger, called me up and asked me to pray for them during their evacuation yesterday.  Their voices sounded scared, vulnerable and uncertain.

  

  As I left for work yesterday morning, the sky looked gray, orange, and eerie.  I could smell the scent of ashes, even though I live 35 miles away from the closest disaster.  The air smelled like winter logs burning in a fireplace, only it wasn't a good thing.  There was a heavy film of soot I found on my white car as ashes "brown snow" down all over Los Angeles.  The air quality was horrible yesterday, and we kept everyone indoors during recess and lunch recess.  No one was on the playground for PE.  The playground was completely covered with ashes that were falling from the sky.  The layer of ash was so thick, you could kick it up in the air!  My nose was irritated and my eyes were itchy from the pollution.  Some of my students had to go down to the nurse's office to use their inhalers.  The pollution caused by the fire weakened some of my students who suffer from severe asthma.  It was difficult to operate on normal schedule when we are all thinking about what is happening around us, and thinking about who's being affected by this fiery phenomenon. 

  I'm still getting emails from friends requesting for prayer because the fire is moving "a little too close for comfort".

  I just hope to God that everyone is safe from danger. 

  Please keep me updated on your situation.  You can call, text or drop me an instant message.  *Hugs*

  • 9:20 am
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