This morning I was all geared up to bring you more updates of my dolls quilt 10 project... I spent a large portion of yesterday happily and busily sewing and this morning managed to finish the last of the 4 blocks I require for the top. Sewing was just the therapy I needed. The quilt is looking great, I am close to ticking off another thing off my to do list, and I was feeling fantastic!
...Then my already tender heart took another hit and I am now aching for my homeland...
...About 1 minute after finishing my last quilt block my brother received a text from my parents with the following news...
Today at lunch time New Zealand time another MASSIVE earthquake hit Christchurch, the second largest city of New Zealand. The result is a city in devastation, mass fatalities and Christchurch is now in a serious state of emergency...
This is the second major earthquake to hit Christchurch in the last 6 months.
Measuring 6.3, it was technically smaller than the 7.1 earthquake they experienced last September. However, the difference is that this earthquake was only 5 km deep (as opposed to 30km deep in September), it was only located 10km from the Christchurch City Centre, and the massive difference was that it occurred in the middle of the day, while everyone was out and about.
As I write this NZ is heading into a long night. 65 people have already been confirmed dead. That number is expected to rise as still at least 200 people are said to be trapped in rubble. The total extent of the damage is far from known...
Up until he moved over to Perth last month, my younger brother called Christchurch home for the last 7 years. He was the only member of my immediate family to live in Christchurch, and thankfully my extended family members based in Christchurch have all confirmed they are safe. Currently I am still waiting for confirmation from some close friends.
I have been glued to the t.v most of the day watching in disbelief as my fellow New Zealanders run around in panic and desparation.
It is hard to comprehend....
...and it is making me ache.
Over the last month alone Australia & New Zealand have been totally pummelled by the ugly side of nature!!
We've experienced so many serious natural disasters I've almost lost count...
there has been widespread flooding throughout multiple states in Australia, over various times, affecting thousands; multiple cyclones including the devastating cyclone in Queensland, affecting probably in the hundreds of thousands; only 2 weeks ago over 64 properties were destroyed in serious bush fires in our city; and now this earthquake.
I have to say that it leaves this girl wondering what is in store next....
..... It raises questions of WHY!!??
... But through all this I know...
"...be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go...." Joshua 1:9
&
"For I know the plans I have for you said the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope & a future..." Jeremiah 29:11
... and all of a sudden my anxiety is squashed and things come back into perspective again... Phew!
Unfortunately though it doesn't stop the ache I feel for all of those who are affected...!
Lets hope this is it for 2011!!! No more please God!!!
** all pictures taken from the TV3 website photo gallery
5 comments:
Hope all is well with your family...we are just called to again gather for prayer and put our trust in the Almighty One.
Oh my. Such devastation! I will be thinking of and praying for your homeland and friends. I am so glad your family is all well. And I treasure that your hope is in God and his word. Apart from Him we have no hope. Thank you for sharing. Hugs and love - Vickie
It's just devastating isn't it...my heart weeps. Anthony has family living there and we have had no word as of yet...so it's going to be a very long night for us.
xx
Praying for your family and friends and all those in Christchurch. SO devastating and sad.
It's all a bit much isn't it. Just seems like one thing after another. I'm so glad your friends and family are okay and my heart goes out to those who aren't.
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