weathering our first tornado

"Smells like a tornado."

I looked incredulously at my friend, but she was right. That afternoon, the tornado sirens went off as I was preparing for dinner, so we tuned into the local radio station.

The next hour felt like an eternity. We listened anxiously as tornado after tornado developed around the greater Oklahoma City area. I glanced up nervously at our skylights while I finished chopping lettuce and green onions, realizing that this beautiful blessing made me particularly vulnerable in the kitchen. We went through the house gathering emergency supplies, squeezed into our little laundry room, and shut the door.

Being a relatively new Okie, I felt fear rising in my heart. A tornado had ripped through our neighborhood before—and it could very well happen again.

Rumor has it that over 20 tornadoes developed throughout Oklahoma state that evening. While God chose to protect us and our skylights, other families are picking up debris from their demolished homes. Does that mean God loves us more?

No. This experience reminded me a lot of the days leading up to my husband's layoff. We heard rumblings of it, but we weren't quite sure who it would hit. That time, it was us.

Even though it one of the hardest trials we've faced as a couple, now in retrospect, we thank God for it. God allowed that "tornado" to hit us to help us reevaluate our purpose as individuals and our direction as a family. And we're still praying. Turning in the right direction is only the beginning.

early mornings and sore muscles

So a week and a half into the new job means...

Getting up at 5AM is becoming a normal-- albeit not yet comfortable-- part of life.

Figuring out two work schedules with one car. (Good thing our exchange student can now ride his motorcycle to school!) My boss gave me a key to the office, so that I can check in with security and go to work at 6:15. Problem is, I went to the bathroom one morning and forgot that my keycard wouldn't work until 7:00, so I had to find a way to climb over the receptionist's desk to get back into our office.

Packing lunch and snack again. I confess I didn't miss this part when my husband wasn't working. But now, because his job is so physical, I not only need to pack him a lunch but also a morning and afternoon snack for break time.

Dropping him off and picking him up at work when I need to use the car during the day.

Having him home for more of the afternoon, because he gets off between 3-4 PM. We like this part of the job.

Doing more laundry, because his clothes get greasy and sweaty from assembling oil valves.

Structuring our lives around his work schedule because it is very taboo to be late. (I was so worried about this that I dreamt that I dreamt that we had overslept-- yes, that means I woke up "twice" thinking he was late to work-- all in the same night!)

Making tentative weekend plans, because he may have to work on Saturday. (There are 3 out-of-town weddings we'd like to attend this month...)

Feeling exhausted throughout the day as we learn to go to bed earlier...

Changes-- yes. But it's been good. We are grateful for this job and the opportunity he has to be part of industrial America.