We be poppinnnnn!

When you love an adult child who is wayward, you forget to be happy....to feel joy....to be thankful!

I was reminded of this most recently when I met a young man in cyberspace who ROCKED my world!

We couldn't be more different: He's from Queensbridge, NY--I am a suburbanite in MN.

He is COOL.....well, I am menopausal! ;)

He wears shades....I wear prescription sun glasses!

He is YOUNG...and I am MID-LIFE!

Seriously, what COULD we have in common?

The more I read this young man's tweets, the more I realized that geography, age, style, nor color could stop me from risking looking like an idiot and asking Suga Ray if we could Skype. I wanted to talk with this young man.

Several months ago we did just that. It was a God-connection! A God-connection that has blessed my heart to the point of joy!

Suga Ray would say, "We be poppinnnnn!"

I understand now, what drew me to this young man was not his style, not solely his tweets (for seriously, this mid-life, midwestern mama needs a translator for urban-speak!)...but it was his heart. He has a huge honkin' heart for God.

Suga Ray would say, "I'm Down Wit G.O.D., And Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, He Runs My Life, Hallelujah, I'm Reppin Hard, A Christian Brother Preachin Good On The Boulevard........ DEUCES!!!!!!"

Seriously, could you resist knowing this young man?

I felt hope as I spoke with Suga Ray, I felt joy as I read his cyber postings. I felt gratitude for his heart for God--he is a rockin' reminder that God will provide a way. Suga Ray is a voice that cannot be ignored! Moms, Dads: THAT is what we have been praying for isn't it....that if WE are not the voice that draws our prodigals home....that they will HEAR the voice....the voice of one who has been called by God...to call our prodigals home!

Do you see the God-connection? Do you feel how much God blessed me? He introduced me to Suga Ray to remind me that HE IS FAITHFUL. I can trust Him. He's got a whole lotta people who say YES to His call.

Suga Ray would say, "If It is God's Will It Shall Be Done... Do Not Worry..."

So for this day...and every day until we throw that homecoming banquet, let me remind you in the words of Suga Ray:

"God's love 4 me is sooooooo good that b4 I was even born I was already a winner!!!! I AM STEPPING INTO MY DESTINY AS WE SPEAK!!! AND I HAVE SOME AMAZING FRIENDS WALKING BESIDE ME!!! Goodnight & God Bless!!! LOVE UR LIFE!!!!"

Be thankfu! Be happy! Be expecting God's blessing at any moment! Even IN cyberspace!

Soar!

"An eagle doesn't learn to fly... to "soar on the wings of an eagle" until it's practically starved. It isn't just a thrill ride. It isn't just a hobby. It's a necessity, a life or death decision" ~Chet Cromer

To Fly Like An Eagle

Oh the things we can learn from nature.

Read this compelling post by Chet Cromer (citing Frances Hamerstron).

Read it slowly....breathe through it and feel the weight lift from your shoulders as you begin to understand with me....that our desire to let our adult children soar must include "allowing [our] offspring to hunger--to even suffer."

Read it twice...or more until the peace seeps into every pore; "the eaglets first flight is not the same as the full grown eagle. It involves falling out of the nest, trying out the wings before untested, and eventually, a crash landing."

Read it with joy as you discover that while you can NOT SOAR for your adult child, you CAN be the wings beneath his/her wings!

Claiming it a GOOD day!

Dear Son,

Good Morning!

How conflicted I feel about even saying GOOD! Oh, don't get me wrong, I believe and am grateful that life IS good...it's the 'not fair' part that gnaws at my soul.

I wonder if my relentless struggle isn't due to the fact that I do not believe---really believe the universal truth that I have spoken so many times: Life is not fair. Oh, it's good advice for everyone else, but I seem to be pouting when it's happening to me. ;)

I've seen bumper stickers, "Sh*t happens."

If I HAD a bumper sticker...it would say, "Life happens!"

It's a control issue that drives my anxiety. I have learned throughout my life that if I just work hard enough, be good enough and pray hard enough...that....life--GOOD LIFE HAPPENS!

Now in the mid-life years of my life, facing the most important struggle for your life, I am tempted...no, I am compelled to do what I have done all of my life. And yet, I cannot overlook the wisdom of the very real fact: what I have been doing is NOT working for us. I now know the reason, I have been crossing your personal boundaries by controlling every detail of your life. I have been wrong in believing that you must make choices that align with MY choices. You are an adult; you have the right to make decisions that differ from my own. Please forgive me for 'being in your face!' I want, only, to be in your heart!

Oh the wisdom of the ages: If you live long enough (and are lucky enough) you WILL discover that we CAN "Take control of our consistent emotions and begin to consciously and deliberately reshape our daily experience of life. (Tony Robbins)

I'm reining them in today and claiming it a GOOD day!

Yes, the future is uncertain.

Yes, I have no control over the decisions you will make.

But, I can reshape my interactions with you--so we can restore our relationship.

I can challenge my carved-in-stone-belief system to make room your rights to be an adult.

I can shift my need to control and hand it over to One who created and loves you and me!

I can lift my laser-beam focus on those maddening things I cannot control, and see the delight in all of my daily experiences of life!

It IS a very GOOD day!

So on this very GOOD day, I am sending you blessings of love, promise, and a prayer of one of my all-time favorite verses:

"I pray above all things that you may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. ...I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil to give you hope in your final outcome" (Jer.29:11)

Make it a GOOD day Son!

In Progress

Dear Son,

As I awake to another day of hope-filled anticipation, I drag my weary body out of bed and will myself to wake up. The emotions of the last few weeks are taking their toll.

Turning the lights on would be an offense to my burning eyes. The early morning newscasters are reading their teleprompters, giving me a weird sense of comfort--yes, the world continues on even though I've been left behind.

My waking thoughts were of you my son; how are you doing today, what are you thinking, what are you feeling? Today is a day 'off' from your intensive schedule and I pray you will be rejuvenated by the break.

These breaks cause fear in my "I'm-making-progress-on-NOT-controlling-every-detail-of-your-life" heart! I fear the scheduled break will tempt a more permanent unscheduled break. I fear the day off will tempt the commitment you have made. How can there be a break in an intensive program. There are no breaks in the all-consuming need....that THIS! MUST! WORK! Whether awake or asleep, the desire for this life-changing process to work never takes a break!

Someone has said, we must control our fears--they must not control us; was it Dr. Phil? Maybe Oprah! I think the real quagmire with fear is that while we should address it, it must not direct us.

So as I stumble through these first moments of this challenging day, I am reminded of the words of someone I DO know: "FEAR NOT!"

Psalm 91:4-6

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

I Peter 3: 13-15

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." ¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

Dear Abba Father...hear my prayer. Let me walk through this day, where I am tempted to fear, by trusting in YOU. Be my strength. Thank you for loving me enough to know me...really know me...and provide a way to peace and confidence when I am surrounded by the terror of my own thoughts. Thank you that I can find refuge in the shelter of your faithfulness. Thank you that I can find your strength each time I am weak. May others see my weakness and see your strength...for then, I will surely "boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" YOUR grace is sufficient for me! (2 Corinthians 12:9)

My son, God's got our backs! He knows our frailties and has provided a way through every fear we (maybe just me!) may have! He loves you! He loves me! "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" (I John 4:18 a); ahhhhh, do you feel the confidence and peace son?

I have nothing to fear for this day! May it be a day of rest and relaxation, a day of confidence and peace, knowing that you are in the process of a miracle! My Miracle In Progress....I love you!

"There Is Always a Place at the Table"

Dedicated to every parent who loves an adult child who is struggling to find their way 'home.'

"There Is Always A Place at The Table

There's a feast that's now waiting all your own

Your place is set each time the family gathers

It will never be the same til you're home."

I pray with you as our Heavenly Father calls them home, "Come home, come home. My child, come home."

There Is Always a Place at the Table by Wes Hampton

We're in the same boat Son

Dear Son,

What an exhaustive day. Was it as difficult for you as it was for me?

I realized yesterday, that one can become exhausted by gratitude! The gratitude I felt as I listened to you tell the truth was all consuming. Thank you for being honest; thank you for fighting through the temptation to do what comes naturally-to hide the truth.

You are advocating for yourself son; how that makes my heart skip (several) beats!

As I heard you share from the bottom of your heart while painting a picture of what you are going through, I could hardly believe my ears. It is what I had prayed for--oh...me of little faith!

And yet, (there's that three letter word again), my hope was dashed as I heard the intake Doctors recommend an intensive, outpatient 5 Day a week Day Program and NOT INpatient treatment. There I go again, trying to micro-manage the outcome. This yielding is a multi-layered onion! Instead of feeling joy for the peace in which you delivered your story, I was fighting the temptation to stand up and yell--WHAT ARE YOU THINKING! HE NEEDS IN-patient treatment!

But (another important three letter word), I will choose to follow your lead as you follow the recommendation of the Psychiatrist and Psychologist. You have aligned yourself with an empowering team of professionals; you have committed to do the work. I will choose to set aside the micro-managing tendencies and FEEL the joy of your decision.

Thank you for bringing me along on this journey of restoration. Thank you for not giving up on your mid-life mama who finds it difficult to change her ways--even when I realize my ways have not worked. It seems we are both in the same boat--we are both beginning the process of changing what has NOT worked.

As you begin to understand the why of what you do, I will begin to uncover the issues that drive me to NOT let you discover your own path. Oh--I know what those issues are...for they are screaming at me--DO SOMETHING!

Resistance to change can be our friend and I choose to hear the message and reframe it. Yes, it's easier to do the familiar things. For they have provided a short-term sense of relief. Still, when we continue to do the quick fix things that only cause more damage--it is time to STOP.

For you--the quick fix coping mechanisms cause risk to your health and well-being--to your very life. For me--the quick fix coping mechanisms cause further confusion and increased chaos. How much more clear can it be....we both have work to do!

After wanting a common bond with you for such a long time, I am stunned to find THIS common bond. Isn't it ironic! Isn't it amazing! Whatever IT is, I am so thankful to be in the same boat with you my son...let's power up stream together!

It's the DOING that's hard...

Dear Son,

As I wait for your 1:30 pm appt today the anxiety I feel is growing. Growing--it's about to implode.

Every nerve ending is raw...every breath I take...shallow. Who knew those child birth breathing classes I took so long ago would be revisited this day.

The urgency I feel is desperate. Every thought is filtered through a lens of panic.

How do I do what I have committed to do?

Oh--I've made my solemn promise, for it's what a mother does. Still, the promise must have some strength behind it--I'm searching for that strength.

This appointment is monumental--thank you for making it.

As I prepare to support you and not micr0-manage you, I don't even know what to wear! It seems I have no doubts when I am in charge--when I am not--I flounder.

I want to dress appropriately--I want to dress to represent the desperate need for this to work.

Where will I sit? Is there a corner where I can sit invisibly until the time is right to say JUST the right thing to support...not demand.

There's that control thing again son....I have more yielding to do.

I want to speak words that will be heard clearly--cannot be misunderstood or manipulated. But even that desire is a need to control the outcome. It feels so strange to DO the work of yielding...for the risk is so great.

I have more yielding to do son.

My heart aches as I lose a connection with you--an unhealthy one for sure--but a heartstring connection. As the years have gone by, we have settled into a unhealthy rhythym of interactions. Interactions that kept us connected--even though unhealthy. Today, I must DO things differently and experience yet another loss. But I now understand that those unhealthy connections are not lasting connections--for they only cause further collateral damage. You resent me, I try harder. The harder I try to control, the more resentment. I just want to be your Mom...not your jailer. I just want to be your Mom, not your Dictator. I just want to be your Mom.

So I will DO what I've committed to DO. No matter how hard or unfamiliar it will feel. I have lived long enough to understand--resistance to change is not reason enough to NOT change.

I'll be taking my anxiety to my watchtower....the greatest of my anxiety? That this appointment will not bring about what I so desire. Yes, son, your Mom is struggling to let you go....it's what a Mom does. And yet, I will do this so that you can return to me as the young man I know you can be. I will do this because I know that God is in control...and desires that you will one day discover His purpose for your life.....for all of the pain....for all of the struggle....for all of His glory.

If I am struggling this morning, I can only imagine what you are feeling. You are at the precipice of a major shift son and you are no doubt feeling greater anxiety than even your Mom. I will pray for you as I go to my watchtower this morning--I will pray for us both--for the strength to DO what is so hard.

I love you.

It's What A Mom Does!

Dear Son,

You are my gift; you are my son.

Yet (how that three letter word speaks volumes), you are an adult--you are responsible for your own decisions, behaviors, actions--your own life.

For many years, I couldn't separate where a Mother's responsibilities ended and yours began.

For many years, I struggled to change....what was only yours to change.

Today, as we face yet another firey explosion of shock and awe...I remind myself of my role in your life. I don't want to get in the way as I once did--micro-managing your life to the point of resentment, advocating to the point of mutual exhaustion and softening the blow of the consequences that prevented you the opportunity to learn from the pain.

It's not easy son; it's nearly impossible. Your recent actions have stunned us; they are violations of the heart that your Dad and I never imagined possible. The details are not important--that you have done them is what matters. The reasons don't matter for they are part of the problem. It is a cycle of justification that will take us nowhere. I will not ask.

Because you are my son, I will walk behind you as you choose to seek help. I will no longer lead the way and drag you with me--thinking you are making progress.

Because I love you, I will pray for you as you choose which direction you will take for your future. I will no longer define your future--thinking that moves you towards it.

Because you are my son, I will respect your right to make a decision different from my own. I will no longer cross your personal boundaries and demand that you choose my way.

Because I love you, I will support you when you asked. I will no longer press up against you and nudge you each step of the way...I will joyfully follow your lead towards restoration.

Because you are my son, I will always be here for you when you need me. I am your mother son--it's what mother's do! But I will no longer wait for that little boy of my Kodak moments, I will wait for the man you will one day become.

Because I love you, I will be your loudest cheerleader! I will no longer do for you, those things you can do for yourself. For I have discovered when I have done this in the past, I have subconsciously told you, I didn't think you could do it. I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS MY SON, YES! I KNOW!

Because you are my son, I promise to do what seems impossible. You deserve this son...you deserve to discover your path and share it with whomever you invite. I want an invite--oh yes I do--but I now understand it is your choice--not a familial obligation.

This is my solemn promise to you my son--one that is at risk of being broken--by my mother's heart. I may need more time to convince my heart what my head already knows--this is your life..not mine. I will be joyful for your successes and will grieve for your losses, but I will no longer swoop in and try to fix or enhance or advocate or.....or.....or.....or!

While you are navigating your journey towards restoration, I will be charting my own path that will prepare me for your return. I will become stronger and I will remove the remnants of those stumbling blocks that have gotten in our way before. It's what Mom's do son! You are my gift, my beloved son, I want to cherish that gift--not tarnish it.

I will yield you to your Creator...the Giver of all blessings. In His wisdom, my son, he brought you to me; I want to follow His will for the plans He has for all the days of your life--not my will. For He created you, He chose you for me. It will be my unending prayer as I await--all the days of my life if I must--that you will chose His will for your life and walk towards the purpose He has designed for this moment...and each moment of your life. May you discover what I have discovered, when we give our pain to God...He is faithful to bring glory!

You will not be alone my son; look for me, I will be nearby cheering you on as I stand on the watchtower of prayer....surrendering you again and again. It's what a Mom does!

Mama T is in the House!

Just a quick reminder to mark your calendars....TOMORROW, 8/20/10 is a RED letter day! Mama T is in the house. Thelma Wells will be our featured guest on Setting Boundaries and Finding SANITY Blog Talk Radio program at NOON Central Time.

Join us from the comfort of your own computer--grab a cup of coffee and have a personal chat with Thelma! If you have registered with Blog Talk Radio, you can interact with Thelma via the chat box. If you would like to phone in during the interview, the call in number is: 917-932-1963

Thelma is a dynamic speaker and author and will be discussing how we CAN BE READY TO WIN Over Worry and Anxiety! Join us to discover how we CAN fight the discouraging, time-wasting problem of worry!

No worries here....join us as we learn how to put our faith into action as we battle against worry and anxiety: family problems, financial concerns, chronic illness.....LIFE! We CAN BE READY TO WIN Over Worry and Anxiety! Hope to see you there!

To learn more about Thelma, please read my previous Book Blog Post: Ready To Win Over Depression and Don't Give In...God Wants YOU to Win!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. "

I have a new name: GRANDMA!

On Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 4:39 a.m., our daughter gave birth to her first child, a daughter.

Lenora Marie Iacono weighed 6 lbs 8 oz and was 20 inches long of PERFECTION!

Can you say JOY!? WONDER!? AWE!?

Can you say GRATITUDE?

CAN I HEAR A WOO-HOO!

She is a gift from God!

After enduring two years of infertility, Katie and Eric are now holding (in their arms AND their hearts) this precious little girl.

The tears are now tears of JOY; and our hearts have expanded (to almost the point of HURTING) to make room for the overwhelming love we feel for this little sweetie!

She has brought to life a Scripture we have all read and heard numerous times:

Luke 2:19 "...and Mary treasured these things in her heart and pondered them"

I will be pondering for a lifetime!!!!

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. -- Author Unknown

Can you say, PRE-ORDER NOW?

I can't tell you how excited I am to read Carol Kent's next book, Between A Rock And A GRACE PLACE.

If you haven't read Carol's previous books, When I Lay My Isaac Down and A New Kind of Normal, please...get them both now! Read them while you await the arrival of her most recent book, set to be released on 9/17/10 (according to Amazon).

You can pre-order OR order ALL of her books by going to:

http://astore.amazon.com/settinbounda-20

You will never be the same!

Set the Timer

Have you ever been paralyzed by news so desperate, that you can hardly breathe? A phone call so shocking that it hurts to blink? An email so disturbing that you can feel you stomach flip?

When you love a prodigal, you may think you're having a great day....until the phone rings. This is true for anyone who loves anyone....life happens.

Yesterday was a day like that.

News so shocking that I didn't remember to set the timer....until I had wasted four hours of pouting!

Set the timer?

Setting the timer is an effective tool that I have used for years. Ever feel like you just can't face another moment of the day--aimlessly wandering from room to room--feeling guilty about the things you should be doing....but no longer have the energy to do--shoot, to even think about?

I set the timer. I give myself a designated amount of time....to just do nothing.

Well, that's not exactly true: I might cry, I might pray. I might argue with God, I might journal.

What does the timer do? It allows me an official amount of time to sit in my paralysis of thought, action or deed.

It works!

There are only two rules:

While the timer is on....you must do nothing until it rings

When the timer goes off...you must return to functioning.

"Setting the timer" is not just for the overwhelming times in our lives--it works effectively for 4 year old tantrums OR 54 year old tantrums! Putting value on your emotions is never a waste of time. When you set the timer, you are on notice--it is time to feel....so you will begin to heal.

Expect the Storm! LOOK for the MIRACLE!

I awoke on this Sunday morning as I do any other Sunday morning; ready to honor the Sabbath. It had been a joyful week, early August birthdays had been celebrated as we simultaneously anticipate the birth of our daughter’s firstborn daughter very soon.

The joy I felt about our home coming back together after the May 5th and May 12th floods--was only superseded by the complete JOY I felt that the ministry work that God has gifted me is on FIRE in spite of recent bumps in the road. I nearly skipped with joy to the laundry room to find the blue socks my husband needed for his business trip to Dallas. Worshiping with a heart filled with gratitude in front of the dryer--I folded the blue socks and was on my way to his suitcase...when the phone rang; an eerie ring, a ring of caution. The storm had begun.

For thirty minutes I listened to the straight winds blowing as they brought the crushing waves of despair. Waves crashing so quickly, my boat was filling with water and I would soon be drowning. I have faced storms before, but this storm, THIS storm may be the one to kill me.

As I was tossed about in shock, I tried to think of ways to start bailing; for certainly, my boat would soon be swamped. God—how can this be true? Where are you? Why did you let this one sneak up on us? Mere seconds remained before I, myself, would bail—when, like a bolt of lightening, I heard the rumblings of a teaching on Matthew 8: 24-34 cross my mind.

"Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men."

Earlier in Matthew 8, Jesus and His disciples had been ministering to and healing great numbers of people. They were all astonished by His doctrine and we are told great multitudes followed him down the mountain. Christ was manifesting himself to those He spoke with and they wanted to know more! He was controversial—He was compassionate and merciful: He cleansed the lepor and healed a Gentile’s servant. The King had come to be a servant; a servant-King who could heal at a distance…with just a word. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. At the end of a very long day, he drove out the spirits with a word and healed the sick (v 16).

HIS ministry work was on FIRE!

THEN, Jesus got into the boat to cross to the other side of the lake. His disciples joined him and Jesus went to sleep. He must have known that He was crossing to do a powerful Kingdom work…His time on earth was growing short and He would be showing Satan His power on the other side. His greatest miracle to date would happen in the morning—just on the other side of the lake.

He slept.

The furious storm raged. It seemed the Enemy was trying to destroy.

Fearful, and oh how I understand, the Disciples woke Jesus up screaming, “Lord, Save us! We’re going to drown!”

Astonished? After spending a full day with the Servant King—seeing miracle after miracle after miracle—the Disciples were afraid? I wonder if Jesus was more than a little perplexed Himself—“You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”

And yet, he stood up and with a simple command, “Rebuked the wind” and calmed the storm.

Is it any wonder that Satan would try to prevent the arrival of such a man…a man who has power over sickness, death, demons AND the elements. And on the other side of that lake, in the morning, Jesus would enter Satan’s domain with a mighty force—demonstrating yet again that He is Lord over all.

As I remembered this passage in all of it’s context, I stopped thinking of bailing and began holding tightly to God's Word. While the storm still rages, my fear has calmed. I am no longer praying for a way to bail out, I am at peace knowing that God will use this storm for His purpose if I only yield to Him. Yield? I’m hanging on so tightly, I can feel Him breath! Breathing words of promise into my soul, “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:10)

“No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm - I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

“That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:28 Msg)

Are you in the boat today with Jesus…crossing over to perhaps the greatest Kingdom work yet? Expect the Storm! Hold tightly to our LORD’s righteous right hand….fear not….have faith….for we know, how we know that, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 (NIV) STOP BAILING! BEGIN ANTICIPATING THE MIRACLE! HEAR THE BREATH OF GOD in the midst of your storm! He is there and He's got a plan for this storm....and for YOU!