Deep in the Heart of Texas, We Pray!

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

This is the view from my best friend’s house. Her property is very close to the Guadalupe River, thankfully her family only saw minor damage to their home after the July 4 storm.

The horrible flooding that affected so many on the evening of July 4 hit very close to home. I have dear friends that live in Hunt and have so many memories of this beautiful area. It really has been touched by God in so many ways. There are no words to make this any better, so I thought I would share some thoughts that other people shared and some things that Texans, and people around the country are doing to help.

*Amity Gillespie leads the best* online Bible study! Influenced by Grace can be found on YouTube and Instagram. I highly recommend her study. She knows the Bible better than most preachers. I always come away with so much, I highly recommend this study! Did I say that twice? She’s just that good!

*Natalie Chang has such a calm servant’s heart.*

The United Cajun Navy has come to Texas several times during natural disasters. The first time I saw them was after hurricane Harvey when they were the only ones with small boats that were able to rescue people from their flooded homes in Houston. This is truly a group that loves our country and knows how to help without being asked. May God bless you all!

Samaritans Purse sent volunteers to help with the disaster. They helped clean our flooded buildings and ministered to the people from the Hill Country. We are so thankful for the hard work the Samaritans Purse put into helping Texas after the flood.

So many businesses joined in to help with flood relief. While so many people volunteered to help out, these businesses helped where they could. I love all of these businesses, thank you for stepping up when times are tough! This is only a tiny portion of the businesses that have come to help.

*HEB is probably the best grocery store in the nation. As soon as they heard that disaster had struck, they loaded up their trucks and headed to Hunt!* *Thank you HEB for always supporting Texas!*

Jon Hart is a Texas company that has a history of supporting Texans when they can. They have been a proud sponsor of the Valero Open golf tournament helping children in need and they stepped up to the plate for this disaster by making this wonderful green Grande pouch. The proceeds are going to help with the Hill Country flood relief. I purchased one of these bags and it is such high quality. *My Jo*n *Hart bags last forever! Thank you Pamela S. for making my beautiful Grande!*

A stationery company made yard signs with John 1:5 on them to honor the flood victims. They had more requests for the signs than they could imagine! People are looking for hope in these troubling times!

My favorite Roundtop shop, the Junk Gypsies along with Miranda Lambert, printed T-shirt’s with this beautiful picture, depicting so many of our Texas symbols; bluebonnets, yellow roses, and a heart right over central Texas. Proceeds from the shirt will go to Texas Flood Relief.

James Avery has very close ties to the Hill Country. That is where they are located! If you have heard about the charm bracelets that the girls from Camp Mystic cherished so much, James Avery is where they came from. James Avery made special charms each year for the campers, some were awards and some were gifts at the end of camp from mom and dad. I had so many friends that loved their charm bracelets and talked about the fun they had at Mystic every summer. After the flood, they pulled out their bracelets and wore them in support and remembrance of the camp and the summers that they loved so much!

*Here is one of the well loved Mystic charm bracelets from James Avery. It is easy to see why the girls cherished them.*

*ENewton, a popular bracelet company, has made these beautiful beaded bracelets in honor of the children that were lost at Camp Mystic.*

Lele Sadoughi made the most adorable headband to honor Lulu, Eloise Peck. Eloise was loved by so many, what a sweet way for her friend Byrdie to honor her.

*Evelyn Henson painted this beautiful bluebonnet cross to help with the flood victims.*

Thomas Ard, owner of Tom Tom and Co, painted this gorgeous pair of cowboy boots and a Bible verse. Psalm 34:18-19

This is one of the most thoughtful fundraisers. Bunny Bradley has a lovely line of cosmetic bags and duffel bags and she donated a duffel bag and a cosmetic bag to each counselor from the Heart of the Hills camp. These counselors came from all over the world and they lost everything in the flood. These bags allowed the counselors to go home in style and not have to carry their belongings in a plastic trash bag. Thank you Bunny for knowing what the immediate needs were and taking care of these precious counselors.

Tying ribbons around trees became popular when Tony Orlando and Dawn released their hit song in 1973. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree was a song about love and remembering the good times. Since 1973 ribbons have been tied to trees for many different reasons. You can find green ribbons tied on trees all over Texas to show love and support for the lost campers at Camp Mystic, and the other people that thought they were going to have a great Fourth of July holiday camping along the Guadalupe River and were caught in the flood. Here are some of the ribbons that I have seen.

It has been almost four weeks since the terrible flood. People are starting to go about life in a normal way again. I would ask that you say a prayer for the lost lives at Camp Mystic and all along the Guadalupe River. I hear that one of the little campers has still not been found and at least one adult is still missing. Camp Mystic has been around for 100 years. Girls from all over the country have come to this historic camp to learn, make friends, grow in their faith, and have a wonderful summer. I hope that this can continue for another 100 years!

*Cile Steward is the only camper from Camp Mystic that has not been found. Please pray for her family and pray for the rescue workers that they will bring Cile home.*

A Mystic song shared by a former camper:

A bell is not a bell

Until you ring it.

A song is not a song

Until you sing it.

The love in your heart

Was not put there to stay

Love is not love until

You give it away.

*These beautiful lights still stand at Camp Mystic’s campground.*

Do you see the dot of light in the distance? That is the Camp Mystic sign from my friend’s porch last night. It is only a tiny light, but it is making a big impact around the country. Please join Texas in praying for all of the campers that traveled to the Hill Country this summer.

Bible verse shared by a Camp Mystic survivor:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

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