Houston

As many of you know, I served my mission in Houston,Texas. As I was there I met so many wonderful people that I grew to love. Since I've been home I have continued to keep in touch with many of them.
When I heard Hurricane Ike was going to hit the Texas coast, I began worrying about my friends. I heard that the Lake Jackson area had a mandatory evacuation as well as my area of Seabrook. I was unable to contact anyone in Lake Jackson but I was able to text Jessica, a friend in Seabrook. She assured me that her family had evacuated to San Angelo and they were all doing well.
My family and I watched the coverage on TV and saw the devastation Ike was causing in Texas. As I was watching it I saw many of the places I had visited and seen being destroyed and it made me sad to watch it. I kept thinking of the wonderful people and the beautiful things that were there.
I have gotten a couple of emails since Ike hit. Sister See sent one that said her son-in-law was able to go back into Seabrook with the fire department. He reported that there was severe damage done to the See house. Their boat was pushed up into their garage, a tree had fallen on part of their house, the water had smashed their furniture around their house, and everything had fallen out of their cupboards. She told me that the water mark inside their house was estimated at about 2 1/2 feet. She said she is in good spirits though and they are well insured. It is just a matter of starting over and rebuilding.
My mom has suggested that for Christmas this year we go to Houston to help some of those that are in need of rebuilding. I think it is a great idea. I always love going back to visit and I think it will be even more special to be of service to those that I love so much.