Okay, so maybe *I'm* not on the news, but an e-mail I sent to the station is.
I sent an e-mail to Frank Billingsley, the chief meteorologist for Local 2 News during hurricane Gustav (yes, before hurricane Ike) telling him how much I appreciated his coverage and basically thanked him for what he was doing. A day or so later I received an e-mail from Local 2 promotional department saying they were putting together a promotional package on Frank they were going to put on air and were asking permission to use a portion of the e-mail I had sent.
I saw the commercial for the first time this morning as I was getting dressed, it includes several viewer e-mails and my e-mail is indeed included at the very end. I've seen two versions of it so far today and the second version was just my e-mail portion and a picture of Frank. :)
So, those of you in the area and that watch local 2, keep an eye out! It will be signed, "Natalie, Huntsville" they don't include last names. And the times we've seen it today have been during news (of course, we've had coverage of Ike going on channel 2 all day so that could be why we've seen it twice already) Keep an eye out especially at 4,5,6 & 10 o'clock news as that is when Frank is on but my guess is you might catch it at ANY of the news times.
Just wanted to share! Hope some of you catch it! If so, let me know!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Hurricane Ike Has Come and Gone...
My family and I are present and accounted for. We arrived home from Dallas (In Coppell...Yes, Clayton, I thought about you and would have called but don't have the number) just a short while ago after being gone since Friday morning.
We made the decision to leave after watching the news and deciding that hurricane Ike wasn't going to do what Rita did at the last minute and turn. Thankfully, we had relatives up in Dallas ready and willing to let us stay there as long as needed. So, my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew, Tazzie (our dog) and myself left Huntsville early Friday morning and "hunkered down" in Coppell.
The hurricane made landfall at 2:10 a.m. Saturday morning in Galveston and came through Huntsville as a Category One hurricane around four. Our neighbors across the street kept us updated on things with our house and how things were around town. We were glued to the news channel in Coppell (which had been gracious enough to allow channel 11 news from Houston to do continuous coverage of the storm/aftermath). So thankfully, we were able to stay up to date through that as well.
As we were coming home this morning, we passed 56 AT&T trucks all headed south and 21electrical trucks headed the same direction. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that they were headed to help people in such great need. And it was especially moving because as we were seeing these convoy's the song "Home" by Blake Shelton was playing on the radio and I was thinking about all the people who wished they could go home!
I was surprised how much we DIDN'T see as we came into town...Sure there were trees down here and there and yes, the lines at the gas stations (those that have gas) are forever long but I was expecting more. Well, when we turned down our street...We got more. It looks like a war zone. Trees down on houses, yards are a mess, trees on power lines. It's unbelievable! There is NO DOUBT whatsoever that God had an army of angels surrounding our house and that His Hand was over our house and us during this time...Here's a few reasons why:
* A tree of our neighbor's fell across our driveway. It missed our house AND my dad's truck by six inches.
* We are one of the few residents that have power in our neighborhood. We were originally told it could be out for as long as four weeks. It was restored last night.
* None of the stuff in our refrigerator or freezer spoiled.
* Besides a mess in the front yard and the tree that fell, that was the only damage we sustained.
We were not lucky. We were BLESSED. God's gracious Hand was and is upon my family. My sister and her family are still without power but they had no damage to their house and are just dealing with things in the yard.
Thank you SO SO SO much to those of you who sent texts and made phone calls to make sure I was okay. Darenee, Kim, and Kristi, you guys are THE BEST. There's a reason you guys are called my best friends and I know a couple of you were being hit with this as well and to get texts from you and phone calls meant so much. Thank you for the concern and for the constant friendship even in the midst of madness.
Please continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Ike. Darenee, I know you were hit especially hard. I love you and I'm praying constantly for you guys. If you need me, please call me.
Thank you once again for you all concern and prayers. We are here. We are safe. And we are so so SO thankful.
We made the decision to leave after watching the news and deciding that hurricane Ike wasn't going to do what Rita did at the last minute and turn. Thankfully, we had relatives up in Dallas ready and willing to let us stay there as long as needed. So, my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew, Tazzie (our dog) and myself left Huntsville early Friday morning and "hunkered down" in Coppell.
The hurricane made landfall at 2:10 a.m. Saturday morning in Galveston and came through Huntsville as a Category One hurricane around four. Our neighbors across the street kept us updated on things with our house and how things were around town. We were glued to the news channel in Coppell (which had been gracious enough to allow channel 11 news from Houston to do continuous coverage of the storm/aftermath). So thankfully, we were able to stay up to date through that as well.
As we were coming home this morning, we passed 56 AT&T trucks all headed south and 21electrical trucks headed the same direction. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that they were headed to help people in such great need. And it was especially moving because as we were seeing these convoy's the song "Home" by Blake Shelton was playing on the radio and I was thinking about all the people who wished they could go home!
I was surprised how much we DIDN'T see as we came into town...Sure there were trees down here and there and yes, the lines at the gas stations (those that have gas) are forever long but I was expecting more. Well, when we turned down our street...We got more. It looks like a war zone. Trees down on houses, yards are a mess, trees on power lines. It's unbelievable! There is NO DOUBT whatsoever that God had an army of angels surrounding our house and that His Hand was over our house and us during this time...Here's a few reasons why:
* A tree of our neighbor's fell across our driveway. It missed our house AND my dad's truck by six inches.
* We are one of the few residents that have power in our neighborhood. We were originally told it could be out for as long as four weeks. It was restored last night.
* None of the stuff in our refrigerator or freezer spoiled.
* Besides a mess in the front yard and the tree that fell, that was the only damage we sustained.
We were not lucky. We were BLESSED. God's gracious Hand was and is upon my family. My sister and her family are still without power but they had no damage to their house and are just dealing with things in the yard.
Thank you SO SO SO much to those of you who sent texts and made phone calls to make sure I was okay. Darenee, Kim, and Kristi, you guys are THE BEST. There's a reason you guys are called my best friends and I know a couple of you were being hit with this as well and to get texts from you and phone calls meant so much. Thank you for the concern and for the constant friendship even in the midst of madness.
Please continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Ike. Darenee, I know you were hit especially hard. I love you and I'm praying constantly for you guys. If you need me, please call me.
Thank you once again for you all concern and prayers. We are here. We are safe. And we are so so SO thankful.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
In Honor of September 11th...
I know this is about my third post in two days and I hope those of you that are subscribed aren't sick of the notifications yet. I just couldn't let today pass and NOT post this video.
It'a called There She Stands and it was written and is sung by Michael W. Smith. Michael has sung this song at every concert of his I've been to since the attack.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was affected that day and we continue to pray as well for those that are serving our country right now. God bless you all!
Please scroll to the bottom of my page and pause my music to see the video.
It'a called There She Stands and it was written and is sung by Michael W. Smith. Michael has sung this song at every concert of his I've been to since the attack.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was affected that day and we continue to pray as well for those that are serving our country right now. God bless you all!
Please scroll to the bottom of my page and pause my music to see the video.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A Great Yet Heartbreaking Dream
I had a dream last night....
I dreamt that I finally had my dream realized. The dream that wakes me up at night (and sometimes keeps me up at night).
I've had this dream before. It's always the same...I wake up right before the hug. Last night....I got my hug. And I've never felt so peaceful, relieved, and safe than I was in that moment, in that hug, in the arms of the person that I owe so much to.
I woke up, of course, while I was still in the embrace and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I was so elated that I finally, FINALLY, got the hug, and yet so frusturated to wake up and know that it happened...Only in my dreams. My emotions won out in the end and a few tears slipped out, but I fell asleep a bit later after praying about it smiling, confident that one day, that dream WILL become a reality.
I dreamt that I finally had my dream realized. The dream that wakes me up at night (and sometimes keeps me up at night).
I've had this dream before. It's always the same...I wake up right before the hug. Last night....I got my hug. And I've never felt so peaceful, relieved, and safe than I was in that moment, in that hug, in the arms of the person that I owe so much to.
I woke up, of course, while I was still in the embrace and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I was so elated that I finally, FINALLY, got the hug, and yet so frusturated to wake up and know that it happened...Only in my dreams. My emotions won out in the end and a few tears slipped out, but I fell asleep a bit later after praying about it smiling, confident that one day, that dream WILL become a reality.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Good or Bad: Just Be Honest With Me
As I continue reading, The Last Lecture by the late Randy Pausch, I got to the chapter entitled, "Don't Obsess over what people think." In that chapter (which is only a page long) he states that he told his students and those working for him that they never had to worry about what he was thinking, "Good or bad, I'll tell you what's in my head." I'm sure that took the pressure off and allowed those around him to work without that added weight.
I started thinking about how *I* worry about what people think and how others perceive me, and as I read this I started thinking how nice it would be to have those around me treat me the same way Randy treated those around him...Not to have to worry how people feel because they are upfront with me and tell me straight out if they don't like something (Granted, that doesn't always mean I'll give in and change my course of action, but at least I'll know where they stand on the issue). I often think people humor others or say nothing at all because they don't want to risk hurting others feelings or offending them.
As for myself...I'll respect you a lot more if you have the courage to just be honest whatever the case. I'll do it for you, if you'll do it for me. Sound like a plan?
I started thinking about how *I* worry about what people think and how others perceive me, and as I read this I started thinking how nice it would be to have those around me treat me the same way Randy treated those around him...Not to have to worry how people feel because they are upfront with me and tell me straight out if they don't like something (Granted, that doesn't always mean I'll give in and change my course of action, but at least I'll know where they stand on the issue). I often think people humor others or say nothing at all because they don't want to risk hurting others feelings or offending them.
As for myself...I'll respect you a lot more if you have the courage to just be honest whatever the case. I'll do it for you, if you'll do it for me. Sound like a plan?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Imperfect Creation, Made Perfectly!
We're having some remodeling done on our house, one of the areas being worked on is my bathroom so I'm having to use my parent's bathroom to shower. Those of you that know me know that I LOVE my shower time...I have some of my best times with God while I shower. Well, because of the way my parent's bathroom is situated, I can't get in and out of the shower on my own and have to have my mom's help. Having to use their shower really cuts into my desires for long, relaxing showers since I shower at night and I know my mom is probably ready to have her bathroom back to get ready for bed, and because, she can't really get too far because the minute she gets started on something is probably the minute I call her because I'm finished and ready to be helped out. So, I try to shower as quickly as possible and get out of their bathroom.
I was thinking about this tonight while missing my bathroom, wishing things could be different and that I could do it on my own. God spoke to me (no, not outloud) and just told me, "Natalie, I created you in such a way that you would best be able to glorify Me." I stood in the shower for a second trying to process this and then I got it...
God created all of us perfectly! I don't mean physically (you can take one look at me and throw that out the window) or spiritually, or emotionally or in any other sense but God's perfection. He created us with the specific strengths and weaknesses we have so that we can best glorify Him. Everything God has done to me physically gives me a chance to glorify Him and to help make Him known to others. God created me with Cerebral Palsy so that I could glorify Him in the midst of my physical disability! It was perfectly planned and perfectly designed...I don't know if my relationship with Him would be as strong were it not for my CP fact that I don't walk like everyone else and what He has taught me about Himself because of it! It's all about His glory.
People ask me all the time..."What is it about Patrick Dempsey...?"...And it's an incredible chance for me to tell how God is using Patrick in my life, and in sharing that, Christ is glorified! I do not for one second think that *I* was the sole reason God created Patrick with dyslexia which, in turn, gave him what I can only imagine is one heck of a challenge at times (if that's the case, Patrick will probably not like me very much ;) ). BUT I do think that *I* was at least on God's mind WHILE He was writing Patrick's story and creating Patrick the way He did because God KNEW that He was going to use Patrick and his story to save my life. Had Patrick's story been different, mine would have been too.
God created each of us in unique, perfect way so that we could best glorify Him using the abilities and even inabilities He gave us. None of our imperfections are a surprise to God...He had it planned long before we were born. We see our imperfections (whatever they may be) while God sees His perfect design!
All of this revealed BECAUSE of a short shower time. :) Thank God He made us perfectly imperfect!
I was thinking about this tonight while missing my bathroom, wishing things could be different and that I could do it on my own. God spoke to me (no, not outloud) and just told me, "Natalie, I created you in such a way that you would best be able to glorify Me." I stood in the shower for a second trying to process this and then I got it...
God created all of us perfectly! I don't mean physically (you can take one look at me and throw that out the window) or spiritually, or emotionally or in any other sense but God's perfection. He created us with the specific strengths and weaknesses we have so that we can best glorify Him. Everything God has done to me physically gives me a chance to glorify Him and to help make Him known to others. God created me with Cerebral Palsy so that I could glorify Him in the midst of my physical disability! It was perfectly planned and perfectly designed...I don't know if my relationship with Him would be as strong were it not for my CP fact that I don't walk like everyone else and what He has taught me about Himself because of it! It's all about His glory.
People ask me all the time..."What is it about Patrick Dempsey...?"...And it's an incredible chance for me to tell how God is using Patrick in my life, and in sharing that, Christ is glorified! I do not for one second think that *I* was the sole reason God created Patrick with dyslexia which, in turn, gave him what I can only imagine is one heck of a challenge at times (if that's the case, Patrick will probably not like me very much ;) ). BUT I do think that *I* was at least on God's mind WHILE He was writing Patrick's story and creating Patrick the way He did because God KNEW that He was going to use Patrick and his story to save my life. Had Patrick's story been different, mine would have been too.
God created each of us in unique, perfect way so that we could best glorify Him using the abilities and even inabilities He gave us. None of our imperfections are a surprise to God...He had it planned long before we were born. We see our imperfections (whatever they may be) while God sees His perfect design!
All of this revealed BECAUSE of a short shower time. :) Thank God He made us perfectly imperfect!
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