The Hurricanes that Were Not

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

This weekend we were supposed to face our first - and second - hurricanes ever.  Iselle and Julio were supposed to follow the exact arc of our little island chain, and one after another, bring damaging winds, torrential rains, and dangerous surf.  Evacuation route maps were circulated.  Emergency shelter locations were announced.  There was a state-wide shortage of bottled water and SPAM.  (I'm not kidding.)  School on Friday was cancelled.  Dan was even sent home from work early on Thursday, and told to not return until Monday.  Seriously.  He got a "hurricane day" off from work.

Now, anyone from Joplin can tell you how devastating a tornado can be.  But I will say this.  At least a tornado doesn't require any planning or preparation.  I had a list of things I needed to accomplish around the house to be ready for the cyclone twins.  All the outside furniture had to be brought in or tied down.  A week's worth of bottled water and canned goods needed to be stored.  Bath tubs needed to be filled.  Tarps, candles, matches, playing cards, batteries, flashlights.  Anything we would need for a week with no electricity or running water.  I'm telling you it was exhausting.

And then God.  He cupped His hands around Hawaii and directed Iselle 100 miles south, and Julio 200 miles north.  The Hilo (east) side of the Big Island of Hawaii definitely caught some of Iselle, but there were only showers 30 miles away on west side.  Here on Oahu, Friday was windy with the occasional short rain shower.  It was actually kind-of a nice day.  Dan even went for a walk in the afternoon.  We never saw a cloud from Julio.

Dan.  My incredible husband.  Commander Dan Stanley of the USPHS.  I truly do not know how he does what he does.  Every day.  Did you know what his job was here?  He was the first person that an Army soldier would see if they were showing signs of mental or physical trauma to the point that it interfered with their performance.  Most of the time this was because of some indescribable horrors that the soldier had experienced.  Experiences from combat, or from an abuse while in the Army, in college, or in childhood.  Many times all of the above.  Dan's job was to listen and ask questions so that he could evaluate their condition and recommend them for the appropriate help they so desperately needed.  Day after day.  Another story.  Another person robbed blind of their peace.  He listened nearly every day for 2 1/2 years.  He is a rock made from some material that does not exist in me.

In January we began what we knew would be our last year in Hawaii.  The job was for 3 years, and at the end of 2014 Dan would have to start looking for a new assignment.  One more entire year of listening to trauma, and then a job search before Christmas.  The storm was in the forecast, and the winds were beginning to blow.  But God was already moving before us.  Even before we knew we needed Him to.

Soon Dan learned that all of the USPHS Social Workers on the island would be shifting into a new unit.  Dan would no longer be in-taking new soldiers and recommending them for treatments, but he would be one of the treatment providers.  This would mean direct therapy with these soldiers on a weekly basis.  Six sessions a day.  The most intense part of his job would now become it's entirety.  There would be no options or exceptions.  The second storm was imminent.

And then God.  He cupped his hands around our family and directed Dan into a Case Management job for the same new unit.  No more counseling, therapy or trauma.  With a flick of His finger He shifted the storm 100 miles to our south.  Then He moved in a way we never expected.  The change in positions here released Dan from the initial agreement to stay for the full 3 years.  He was free to look for a new assignment.  Through one storm He saved us from another, and sent it flying 200 miles to our north.

And then God answered our Mothers' prayers to bring their grand babies home.  Unbelievably, we are moving back to Springfield!  A position opened at the time when we needed it.  The timing, the position, the steps involved were only the handiwork of God.  From where we are sitting there is a thick forest with one single, clear, direct path where God has most certainly gone ahead of us.  And so we follow Him.  Just as we did when we moved to Hawaii.  And wherever He continues to lead from here we will follow.  For the storms and the paths He has cleared, we will follow.

Don't get me wrong.  You can expect a blog very soon on all of our favorite things here that we will desperately miss, just as soon as I can type it without whining or crying.  But maybe, just maybe, you can expect another about all of the things we are really looking forward to.

See you in September, MO.