"Lizzie, we're almost ready to go!" Elizabeth Carol Hampton heard her sister call up the stairs.

"Okay!"

She shut her book and trotted down the stairs. At the bottom she met her sister Terri.

"Mom's got everyone in the van. Are you sure you'll be okay here at home?" she said anxiously. Lizzie smiled at her twin.

"Of course. Have fun at the lake!"

Terri walked to the door and looked back at her sister. She gave a little wave and slipped out. Lizzie got her book out of her room and curled up on the couch to read. Her family was going away to the lake for a few days while the sun lasted. It had been raining for a week now, causing them to postpone their plans, but they were going now to their summer lake home while there was sunshine. After a while she got hungry and popped some mac'n'cheese in the microwave. After her small meal she took her book up to bed and turned on the radio as a backround noise. She tuned it to her favorite station and was about to settle down to read when a strange voice crackled through the speakers.

'*We interupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this important weather bulletin. A large hurricane has been reported in the Jonston Lake area. You are advised to stay inside and away from lakes and other wet areas. The hurricane was reported to be traveling west at about twelve miles an hour and will most likely hit the following counties: Carson county, Camrone county, Darthmount county, Drimbern county, Heathflow county and Yandin county. if you are in any of these counties, we advise you to evacuate immediately. Back to your regularly scheduled program.*

Lizzie switched off the radio. Her face was white, and her hands were shaking. Her book forgotten, she ran downstairs to the phone. At that moment, a loud crack of thunder sounded and there was a bright flash of lightning. The lights flickered and went out. Lizzie picked up the phone and listened. No dial tone. She hung the phone up and went back up to her room. She knelt down beside the bed and closed her eyes. She lifted her face up toward the ceiling and began to pray out loud.

"Heavenly Father, only you know if my family is okay. Only you know if they will make it through. only you can protect them and keep them safe. Please hear the cry of your child. Please protect my family with your strong right hand and surround them with your favor as with a shield. Not my will, but thine be done. Amen."

She opened her eyes and tried to breathe calmly. She took a deep breath and calmed down. thankfully, her hometown had not been mentioned on the radio, so she was safe for the moment. She stayed up half the night listening to the radio for further updates on the hurricane. At 2:35, she heard a song come on that comforted her.

Bring me joy, bring me peace,

Bring the chance to be free,

Bring me anything that brings you glory.

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain,

But if that's what it takes to praise you,

Jesus bring the rain.

She found herself drifting off to sleep, feeling peaceful at last.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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