Well in our neck of the woods we have a lot of smoke, still.  The particulates are causing lots of distress for people.

From what I understand it is the small particulates you can’t see that due the most damage to us – itching eyes, running noses, sinus problems, breathing problems, etc.

Some people are recommending a high end face mask.  Evidently the ones you would use for painting, mowing lawns, etc. can’t stop the smaller particulates.

However, the higher end should be positioned on the face by trained personnel, it isn’t just putting it on, it is making sure it seals correctly; beards are out as well as some other things.  Good luck getting them anyway, everybody is sold out around here from what I understand.

Had a 0800 appointment today and saw a lot of kids walking several blocks to school.  Not sure that is wise, but not their fault, not sure what the answer is, parents can’t take them all, there aren’t enough busses so the only answer might be to cancel school, not advocating, just speculating.

Even Carla, who handles all airborne problems, has to stay inside today, it is just too smoky.  So, the plan today is canning more peaches, good winter eating.

I-84 is still closed.  The fire has jumped the Columbia River and Washington now has fires from our side – homes there too are now being evacuated. 

The fire is now well over 32,000 acres and still growing with no containment, and is only one of several.  Still not the worse in Oregon – the Brookings fire has over 176,700 acres.

And that is just Oregon.  Washington, Idaho, Montana and California are also experiencing serious fires. 

Then of course the Gulf States are being flooded and destroyed by hurricanes. 

Not a good way to end a summer – and with all the destruction of protective vegetation on hillsides, not real sure what is going to happen this winter.  

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Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

When we go through challenges like are happening all over the United States, weather, fires and discord we can often feel that not only has reason abandoned us, but so has God.

We don’t know why God is allowing these things to happen.  But we do know that He does love His children and we will never be forsaken by Him.

Even in our worse days, we can find Him there for us.  If we look to Him He is easily found.  His Holy Spirit is there to comfort us and to guide us.

It is like pulling a shirt out of the dryer, the warmth enveloping you from that shirt just feels nice and makes you feel better, at least for a few minutes.

But, when the Holy Spirit puts His arms around you, it isn’t for just a few minutes it is for as long as you need Him to be covering you.

Later, Art (-: