Don't get too wrapped up that you don't take a moment to unwrap the gift of presence today. The people present in your life hug them a little longer, the home you might be presently sleeping soundly in - sit in a space of peace within it, the situations you are presented with - may you be guided by the Lord and thank Him for you don't know yet the work He is doing in you and then take a moment, and soak up the greatest present of all - Jesus. Let it sink in whatever you believe how much the Lord loves you and how blessed you are and carefully unwrap it all not just today, but forever.
Trauma defined as an emotional response to a distressing event. I don't believe there is a single person in Southern Louisiana that is not experiencing trauma right now. We are all grieving a loss right now in many different ways. Some are grieving loved ones, homes, businesses and just plain ol' life. I can remember my grandpa saying in the good old days and then would continue with what it was like. So why do the good ol' days not exist. Trauma. Something traumatic happened and caused things to change. Let's just say we as humans don't adjust to change very well. Yet, that is because we are human, not perfect. We are learning everyday; that is if we allow ourselves to be teachable. That is not to say we bend for everything, but we should bend for God's will.
It is difficult letting go of something we might have clung to for many years. We see it as giving up, indecisiveness and failure. Yet in God's eyes He sees it as moving mountains out the way, clearing out the toxins and equipping us with more skills.
Honestly, I am going to be transparent here (I know when am I not ). I am usually a glass overflowing gal. I am usually the one providing positive scriptures and quotes, unicorns, rainbows, milk shakes and cotton candy filled days. Yet lately, I can't say I've been that person. Shamefully, I rutted out, sat in my trench and waited out for the war to be over. In the beginning of all this, I was out sun up to sun down helping others, doing what we could then I began to handle things on my own end. I was in a sea of denial about my own circumstances. I was really trying to avoid what I truly had to face. The end of one thing to be the beginning of something else. So yes, Rise & Gouaux might not exist the way we wanted it to, but I am anxiously awaiting what the Lord has planned next. Thank goodness He still meets us even in the trenches!
In the meantime, we were blessed by friends that we met on a cruise 5 years ago to have a quick vacay in Panama City Beach. Let's just say it was much needed for our hearts, minds and spirits to be refreshed. We ready , tanks are full and we are renewed. So watch out Louisiana - Gautreauxs are coming in hot - heading home!
I am not going to lie the last 17 days have filled me with an array of emotions. From joy & gratefulness to sadness and heartbreak. To watch a town you grew up in fall apart kinda weighs on your heart
I had such a vision from the Lord what Lockport would be and what Rise & Gouaux could do for the community in times like this. I spent pretty much the whole year working out a plan. Seeing it torn to shreds and watching people suffer through some of the toughest times sends my kids and I home crying pretty much every night. I lay my head on my pillow at night worried about everyone and then I remind myself it is out of my hands, I am human and can only do so much. (This changes hourly, so forgive me I am a wreck - but like I always say hold ya horses He ain't done with me yet Phillilipians 1:6)
So we do what we can and I start my day asking for the Lord's purpose and then I get to see what unity and beauty comes out of the rubble. Where we all pull together and help with what little we have left. When people ask why stay, why live here, why start over, why rebuild, why continue - I say do you know my God and do you know His Bayou People! You must not know them, because you would never ask why.
It is easy to get lost in the circumstances right in front of you, caught up in the destruction of what was lost, but if we never see God in the details we really have nothing worth keeping in the rubble of our lives. I might not understand Lord where you are carrying me, but Imma lean on You. Even when nothing else stands, when it's out of my hands Imma lean on You!
Unfortunately, it will be awhile before we open and we will keep you posted. It makes a year that we started this adventure.
We are broken hearted about our community and what they have faced and are facing.
This has given me a lot of time to process what we have endured and are enduring. We prep for these hurricanes and we can't always be sure that our prep work will sustain. But that's because we treat this like our final destination trying to make it perfect. Trying to get it just right when honestly none of this matters. We have to prepare our hearts for the final destination. We have to prepare ourselves for where we spend eternity, not where we spend our dash.
We love our community and parish and will try to help in any way we can. Even if that means you just need to cry or need prayer. We will be there!! So please visit us and come by to say hi, let us pray with you and help.
We will survive! Our God is bigger than any storm! His promises are bigger than anything we ever had before!
Lord come against any fear in our hearts and minds. Let our minds focus on You and know that You are a sovereign God that even a blade of grass doesn't move without your approval. We humbly come before you and thank you for Your promises. That You provide for the sparrows and lilies, so we thank You for our provisions which are plentiful.
Devil, you have no real estate here so exit and leave. We claim this land and ourselves for the Lord. Let the peace of the Holy Spirit fall upon us! Let us see past our circumstances and see You in it!
Let the blood of Jesus protect us and keep us safe. Send all the angels to surround our area and lead us in wisdom and care for our homes and hearts.
We glorify and praise you Lord in it all!
Amen
Love you all!
Keep focused on Him, be prepared & stay aware and alert!
Devil you are a liar!! Stop trying to steal real estate from the Lord! You think you have won, but my God is greater and He will have the victory. This will not stop us from pursuing the Lord and we will overcome.
Job lost it all and though you thought you had the upper hand Job continued to praise the Lord.
Victory Life and Rise & Gouaux do not belong to you and never will despite your tactics. My faith will only grow stronger and we will still help others!
You just wait and see what the Lord can do after this! Watch us and watch the Lord work through us!
This year has been full of many changes - some we didn't like and others that we didn't blink an eye at. Claire is starting a new adventure that I ask all of you to pray for!
She is starting her sophomore year at Liberty University Online Academy. She will no longer be at Central Lafourche. We prayed about our decision and for her we felt this was God led! It is a Christian based program that she is excited to start. Let the filling begin and our cup overflow! #fearfullyandwonderfullymade
