The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Nancy]

Dear Friends of Martha and MakeMeThinner Forum ~

Saturday September 2, 2005 at about 7 AM Pacific Time my phone rang and it was Martha! I could hear her in the background talking to Doug and saying, “It might be very early there.” When I answered the phone, she said, “Miss Nancy, it’s Martha!”

I will try to recount as much as I am able and when Martha is up and running again, she’ll be able to give us a more accurate report.

Martha’s family is all alive. God has spared them and they are thankful for your prayers – she said they truly sense His presence and appreciates your prayers and concern for her. Please pray for the people – “we appreciate your prayers but not for us, pray for the others.”

Martha and her Mother are staying at her son and daughter-in-law’s home, several miles from their own home. Her husband Doug was able to drive in from Houston where he was staying when the tugboat was brought to port. What normally is a 5 hour drive from Houston to Wiggins took him a full day. Doug’s pickup is in New Orleans - I am assuming that his typical work routine is to drive his p/u to New Orleans and park it when he goes out on the tug for his work assignment and then when his shift is over, he returns to port and drives home from Houston. Martha said they have no idea if and when they may be able to get his p/u.

There are 15 people staying at her son’s house – Martha’s mother, grandchildren, a niece, son, daughter-in-law, etc.

There is no power.

Doug was able to buy two generators for $700 each. They loaned one of them to others who run them for a while to keep their refers and freezers going.

He also had two 55 gallon drums for gasoline and had to drive over 4 hours to a town in Alabama to buy gasoline. He got 90 gallons of gas. While he was waiting to buy gasoline, a person was shot and killed in line.

Doug brought water and 24 loaves of bread. They shared with their neighbors. There are 16 people staying across the street from them and Martha’s family is sharing with their neighbors.

Her son has a single burner gas grill and they have a lot of food in the freezer. She said they thawed out T bone steaks and she cut them up, cooked onions, green peppers and made barbecue sauce. “Imagine! Making barbecue sandwiches with T-bone steaks!” She was frying potatoes, etc. “There is not a lot of bottled water for me to use for my shakes so after the first few days, I decided we need to use the bottled water for drinking and I’ll just have to eat what we have. When I get back on line in a few weeks, I may have 10 pounds to lose but we are alive and we have food and we are better off than most.”

She said they have a lot of meat in their freezer and she is cooking whatever thaws and shares with others.

The Red Cross is providing MREs and according to her d-i-l the people are so hungry and desperate, they are cramming the food into their mouths.

People had to wait in lone 4 hours to get a case of water.

Martha is washing clothes by hand and they are hanging up all over to dry.

Her d-i-ls are amazed at how resourceful she is and how she knows how to cook on the grill and do the laundry by hand!

One of Martha’s d-i-laws works for the sheriff's office. Te sheriff allowed them 10 gallons of gas for $4.54 per gallon…

Regarding Wiggins – there are blocks of houses that have disappeared. 1/3 of their town is gone.

Her daughter-in-law worked at a hospital – it is gone. It is about a 3 hour drive to the nearest hospital should Martha’s mother require attention.

Regarding their home: their double-wide sustained damage, is livable and their property has considerable damage. I believe she said they have several acres of land with over 100 large oak trees. Approximately 1/3 of their trees are down; some of them on top of vehicles – their camper, ATV, etc. “There are many, many people worse off than we are.”

As there is no power, the ATMs do not work. They were able to go to the bank yesterday as it was open for a few hours.

The garbage truck came by yesterday and Martha flagged it down so they could get rid of some trash. He will return on Monday.

Temps have been 100 degrees with no A/C. Today it was about 70 degrees. Her Mother is being ornery. She complains of being too hot then she is too cold, etc. They got her Mother’s oxygen running – they let it run for 5-10 minutes at a time.

The city water was turned on and they are getting a trickle from the pipes – enough to flush the toidies and they are using the city water for bathing and clothes washing. Doug blew up a children’s play pool and they filled it with water for the kids to splash and play.

Doug is home for two weeks and then he returns to work – this is a blessing – he has a job and he has work to return to – others have nothing.

There are curfews. People are not allowed out after dark. When they went for gasoline in Alabama, they were not allowed to exit from the highway.

Re: financial donations. I told Martha we wanted to send them some $ donations and I wanted to know how to get it to her. She said the postal services are not operating and until we know more, to wait. She said so many people are far worse off than they are. They have food, they have shelter and they have water. Doug has a job. She wanted me to express her love and thanksgiving to you all for caring about them. She has some cards to send and that she is keeping busy. It may be 2-3 weeks before she gets back on the computer.

Isn’t that like her? Always thinking of others. May we all learn from Martha to be generous, kind to others, self-sacrificing, gracious and maintain a positive spirit.

In spite of the tragic news, the reports of the terrible devastation, the spirit of the American people must not be dashed – we come together for the common good. May God continue to bless Martha and her dear Doug and all the peoples of our country!

[Emma]

WOW - thank you so much again Nancy for the details on Martha. She is so amazing, and always thinks of others. It's just such an unbelievable situation.

emma

[armeewyf]

I am so happy to read your message...I have been so worried about her and her family. We chat everyday...I sure miss her. I will be her biggest supporter and fan when she is back up and running.

My husband is not going to MS...he is instead en route to a staging area at Belle Chasse AFB in Belle Chasse LA...he must go thru New Orleans to get to this location. It is abt 11 miles SE of New Orleans. Please pray for his safety. I am worried with the gunfire, chaos, etc. Several soldiers have been shot already...

Nancy, thank you for the good news.

Lee Ann

[ladyhawke]

Thank God they are OK and at least have each other and their jobs and Mama Martha is hanging in there.
Thanks Nancy for letting us know.

[Lady Bug]

Thank God Martha and her family are OK. I'm in tears reading your message and so thankful for their safety. Martha is such an inspiration to us all and we all were so worried.

Thank you Nancy for posting this. We all have been so worried.

Evie

[LilMsTexas]

I ran downstairs this morning hoping for some news of Martha. She and her family doesn't leave my mind for a minute all day. I wanted to get on here and then I was afraid of what I might see. I am convinced as always that God protects his angels...........Martha is surely one of those!!

Thank you God for your blessings,
Christi

[want2Bthin]

God is awesome! I am so grateful that Martha & her family are safe.

Angelia

[Mommy2girls]

Oh I'm so glad they are safe! We finally heard word that my in-laws entire family is okay as well.

I still think there are many dark days ahead but for today I'm glad Martha and her gang are okay. She sure is one special lady!!!

[Nancy]

Mommy2girls ~

Oh! We are very thankful to hear about the safety of your in-laws!

Amreewyf ~

You have certainly been through some difficult days with your husband's absence in Iraq and now as he embarks to assist the people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of evacuees need comfort, assistance, medical and financial attention and we will remember to pray for you and for Patrick. I can understand your concern for his safety since some view people in uniforms unfavorably.

There is a tremendous amount of work to be done and it must be so hard on everyone involved. He is doing a good thing to help the people. It is a sacrifice for him but also for you, Leeann - not just the financial hardship but the emotional hardship and sacrifice of separation that come with fulfilling his responsibility.

As you are able, keep us informed of what he is going through, Darlin'. Perhaps begin a new thread.

[mytime]

I am so very grateful to your report - and thank GOD Martha and her family are ok - if her mom is complaining that is a good sign as it means nothing has changed and she is feeling herself. Martha is among the most resourceful people I know and a giver of amazing proportions. I hate to think of her without Doug, but know her strength and that she will do more than sustain her family - she will prosper. Her neighbors are so blessed to have her, as are we and I look forward to the day I can tell her how much I have missed her and how very special she is. Thank you Nancy for the update and please keep us posted. Everyone touched by this tragedy is in our thoughts and prayers and I am glad Martha can feel the protection our prayers are offering her. May they all continue to be safe. Mytime

[sprgrammy]

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!!! I am so happy to hear that Martha and her family are okay. I have missed Martha's wonderful postings on our Medifast family forum. She is a true blessing to all of us. It will be awesome when she is back with us to push us along with her wisdom, caring and kindness. We love you Martha. God's blessings to all, Carol

[LadyBlueSuit]

I will continue to pray for Martha and "the others" as she requests. Thank you Nancy for taking the time to update us.

God Bless.

[tumbleweed]

Thank you Nancy for the update on Martha and her family. God bless her! If we could all be more like her, what a better world this would be. what a great attitude to have!

[Nancy]

Hi, Tumbleweed ~

We've missed you around here. Thanks for thinking about Martha. She is a jewel. She is grateful for her family, for their health and for her ability to make do with what they have.

[tumbleweed]

Thanks Nancy! Its good to be back!

I think I could sure learn allot from Martha!