Day 11 of the Apocalypse, Ground Zero, Gerton, NC pop. 231

I made the decision to put all of my private mentoring with clients on hold until the beginning of November.

This was a tough decision for me, because I love working with my clients, and I’m helping many of them with projects that are time-sensitive.

After several conversations with Jeff, we recognized that our hearts are with our local community right now. Jeff serving as the Supply Coordinator, and me serving as the Trauma Chaplain, is how we want to be spending our time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we want to be boots on the ground here.

To be honest, it’s also hard to think about anything outside of Gerton.

We went to the next town over a few days ago, by borrowing a friend’s car that’s parked down at our fire station. There is power and internet there (no water). We went to a grocery store, checked our PO Box, put gas in the car, and had normal conversations with people.

It completely stressed me out. I can’t be normal right now when people are still missing, and our neighbors have lost their homes.

I think that’s part of my trauma response.

I’ve also lost the ability to multi-task or remember anything. Jeff and I have taken to writing everything down on post-it notes, so we don’t forget.
We call them “Post-It Notes from the Edge.” 😂

We spend a lot of time repeating things to each other because we’re also not able to take in information very easily. It’s wild how our trauma response is manifesting. A lot of people are getting really angry or sad. Jeff and I experience it most when we can’t get our brains to work.

Jeff’s current project is to create a mobile hotspot, for people in remote areas of our community, to be able to use the internet and make phone calls. He’s gotten a Starlink and a small generator donated and is raising funds for a UTV to transport the equipment..