UPDATE: The worst is over and it really wasn't too bad. But ferries were cancelled due to 7 metre swell. A little snow but wind was not too fierce.
ORIGINAL: We have a storm coming. A real storm. All schools are closed. The snow has just begun but its actually a little quiet and subdued, compared to what's coming this afternoon.
My wife typed "F11 gale force" into Google and our little island of Orkney came up first. Not many places in the world get storms this wicked. But the storm predicted later on today and tomorrow is expected to be a blizzard with "up to F11" gale force winds. A wind classification guide says that F11 is a "storm", which means anything less is just bad weather. Wind speeds for a F11 storm are between 103 and 117 miles an hour. Thats pretty quick. Not a good day to be out and about. Think on us today in your prayers.
Back in 2004 I was inspired by the account of Jesus stilling a storm to write something more poetic. Its based on the storm that affected a number of people at the same time, all of them experiencing the power of God in bringing peace. Its based on the Luke 8 account and its called sTorm. Hope you like it.
A Celtic Blessing:
"May you have -
Walls for the wind
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks bedside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire"
