We saw and heard lots of red-winged blackbirds, egrets, herons (we think) and barn swallows twisting and turning to catch their dinner. Snakes slithered away from the path as we walked along (Michelle swears Al actually stepped on one, and it was certainly the biggest one we saw there!). You could even hear frogs in the marshy areas, and the kids had fun picking out the turtles sunning themselves on logs and rocks!
As were heading back towards the cars, we looked up and noticed weird clouds rolling in to our left. Some of the strangest clouds I have ever seen. It looked like all color was being swallowed up in grayness. At the same time, Al and I had begun to discuss the rumbling overhead, which to that point I had assumed to be airplanes (it is very near the airport and we had already seen several planes fly overhead) but which we began to think might be thunder. Suddenly, big drops of rain began to fall, so we called the kids and began to run towards the cars (about 1/2 mile or so to go). Then, after one or two glances, we realized that, not only was it raining, but it was now hailing, too! Like the size of small pebbles. Hail! So, by this time we were all sprinting for the cars. I had Liam in the jogging stroller and made Katy hold on to the side while we ran. Joel was up ahead of me and it was all I could do to keep him in my sights, especially after a boom of thunder. Poor Al and Michelle had to unbuckle Sam from the umbrella stroller and fold it up, one of them running with the stroller and Susie and the other with Sam. Matt had Darsie by the hand. We were all flying. And then there are the thoughts...hmmmm...what do I remember about tornadoes?....look at this tree-lined path...what if a tree falls?....it's hailing more now...hmmmmm......
Joel made it to the cars first, with Katy, Liam and me a close second. We waited in our van for the others, then we all huddled up in our vans until it stopped (only a few minutes). A few minutes later, it was an amazing transformation. The sky cleared and was bright blue again. And, arching fully overhead, stood a double-rainbow, a full arc! It was breathtaking!
Thoughts on our experience:
- It's always good to check the weather channel before heading out!
- It's not so comfy to be completely drenched and soaked from head to foot, especially when you are wearing jeans!
- It's pretty scary being out in a storm, especially when you are with your kids and know you couldn't shield them all from whatever might come after them!
- God is amazingly powerful! That storm was mighty and fearful! And God made it! He is in control of it! Not one raindrop or one hailstone fell to the ground except that He commanded it! We talked with the girls about God being a fearful God (quoting Lewis, "Aslan is not a tame lion!").
- God is good! We were utterly at His mercy, and He proved Himself faithful to protect and provide for us! He delivered us from the storm, all safe! I was thankful for the Bible verses that we had recently learned in the kids' Sunday school class and reminded Joel and Katy of them while we sprinted - "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." "When I am afraid, I will trust in You, In God whose Word I praise."
- We are not in control of our lives - we could die at any moment! I need to be OK with that.
- A rainbow, especially after a storm like that, is a powerful reminder of God's promise to never destroy the earth again but instead to provide a rescuer for us, to take upon Himself the destruction we deserve!
- Worship is the only appropriate response to God's great mercy and grace! We worshipped in the car afterwards!
BEFORE: Ominous clouds, colors eaten up by grayness.
AFTER: God's faithfulness proven and announced in the skies!
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