| Hello Everyone..... Here in Texas we were visited by Tropical Storm Fay Friday night, and early Saturday morning. Her visit kept me busy, cost us money for emergency supplies, deprived me of sleep, turned off our electricity for a while.... and kept me off-line much too long! Storms.... they never come at a 'good time' do they? And even if we have some kind of 'warning' that one is approaching... we still find their visit to be an inconvenience. Storms.... Sometimes they brew inside of us as well as outside. Sometimes they decend on us from other people. No matter what the source.... they are never welcomed with open arms. But... maybe they should be..... Aren't they similar to the dreaded tests we have to take in school. Tests are something none of us want to take...for fear of failing, for finding out what we did not know 'right'. And storms can also test how much we know...or do not know, about ourselves, and our ability to cope with the difficulties that are in essence a normal part of life. But sometimes... we get the chance to look at the 'test' of the storm in a positive light.... Like the test of the storm of 9-11... a year ago. A storm that attempts to destroy can instead reveal strengths that had lain dormant or even unknown until the moment they needed to be revealed. When we are tested....it's good to find out what we DO know... so that we can in turn have that knowledge to rely on when needed. And to find out what we don't know, what we have not yet mastered... is also a good thing... because that knowledge helps us to eliminate that lack or weakness from hindering our success when the next storm in life comes. And it will come. They always do. So when a storm is brewing in your life, wether it's from clouds in the sky outside, or clouds inside yourself or someone else.... be prepared. Get your emergency supplies... and keep them with you at all times. In addition to flashlights and batteries, candles and matches, water and first aid supplies.... Stock up on.... Resolve.... to persevere no matter what. Faith.... that the best you can do... is enough. Patience.... with yourself until you 'get it'. Forgiveness.... for being human and making mistakes. Time.... to stop and think before acting irrationally. Generosity.... to help meet the needs of others. Acceptance.... to face the storm willingly, with confidence. Plan B.... in case Plan A doesn't work. Plan C.... in case Plan B doesn't work. Prayer.... for when nothing works as planned. Love.... to keep hate and anger from taking over. Laughter.... to keep fear from taking over. Storms are going to come. It's inevitable. Be prepared... and go through them with the intent to come out the winner when it is over and the sky is once again blue, and the sun again shines brightly. Batteries now come with little dots on them so that you can test them to see if they have the necessary energy inside to do the job you need them to do. How's your 'inner' energy supply? Are you ready for a storm? If not, you need to charge yourself up... before the next storm hits. After the electricity is turned off is not a good time to test your batteries out. And neither is it a good thing to wait until after a storm hits to test your spiritual and emotional strength. Know what your 'supply' level is ahead of time... and if you find yourself running low in some area... take time to fill yourself up..now, before the need arrives and you find yourself weak, afraid, confused, and empty. Storms are indeed like tests... the better prepared you are ahead of time, the easier it will be to go through it... and pass! My prayer is for your inner strength to guide you safely through whatever storms in life may come your way. God's love is the greatest strength of all that you could ever possess. I pray you have an abundant supply. God bless you, and keep you safe..... Love, Grace | 
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