Tuesday, July 29, 2008

My Very First

Earthquake!

It's hard to believe, but I've been here 5 years and today's 5.4 quake was my very first! First off, don't worry, we are absolutely, completely fine. The epicenter (in Chino Hills) is about 40 miles away, so we really felt the least of it, but even so, Bren said this was a pretty strong one. Well not so much strong, as loooong.

It's hard to describe. At first, since we live right by the highway, we just thought yet another big truck was driving by the house. But when the vibrations kept going, we both went quiet and Bren's eyes widened, followed by the smallest, slightly cautious smile.

"Earthquake!"

There was a very low rumble. Everything rattled on the shelves and some of our little figurines (Gorillaz!) toppled onto the floor.



It kept going after the first few seconds, so Bren beckoned me over to the pole in the middle of the room and I wrapped my arms around him in a mixture of fear and... exhilaration! I never felt in danger, so I don't feel like I'm tempting fate saying that. I did start to "consider" saying a prayer when the softer shakes persisted for a good 10 seconds after the initial rattling. But it was soon over, and that's when I made this face...



...realising that, holy crap! That was a real earthquake! It is an unnerving feeling looking out the door and seeing the horizon moving visibly from side to side. It's also unnerving given how much I take for granted that the earth beneath my feet will always be there to support me... I mean that is the wonder of savasana because it forces you to surrender and allow the earth to support you for a few minutes. It's such a comforting feeling. Today reminded me that even the earth gets restless.

Afterwards, I looked around the apartment to try to find evidence of what had happened, and this was the most I could find to show you: the hanging basket was still swinging only a few seconds after the earth rested.


Post Earthquake from aarti on Vimeo.

-x-
aarti

3 comments:

Patte said...

Oh my goodness, I am so thankful that you are alright & that no one was killed.

This earthquake has a sermon in it!

The Lord upholds all things by the power of His might. It is a wonder that God has, by His grace, allowed us, fallen creatures, & this fallen world to continue considering the way we dismiss Him & remain rebellious, disobedient to His commandments & generally ungrateful for His kindness for everything breath. There will come a day when everything is destroyed for real. For now, I am grateful for His longsuffering & patience.

"Therefore, everyone who listens to these messages of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not collapse because its foundation was on the rock. Everyone who keeps on hearing these messages of mine and never puts them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and battered that house, and it collapsed, and its collapse was total." Matthew 7:24-27

Moral of the story:
Let go of the world & it's empty promises of pleasure & sin. Hold onto Christ ... He is the Rock! This world of sin is built on shifting, sinking sand, but if we build our spiritual house upon the Rock of Jesus, we will have a hope both in this life & the life to come.

See you soon, lovies!

KooolOut said...

i have been here 10 years and this is the first one i felt. What can I say I am not too sensitive... but i gotta say it wasn't so bad...luckily...mmmuuwwwahhhaaa

Rosesq said...

Dearest Aarth and Bren,

We Thank and Praise God that you are both safe and in His care.
Is there a message in this earthquake for LA??? Let us not be oblivious to God's impending wrath and fail to respond to his warnings.

Let us not fail to make the connection between events and God's judgment.

2 Chronicles 7:14 My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

So be prepared for the thief comes without warning.

Love Mum

 
all text and photographs on aartilla the fun © 2005-2009 Aarti Sequeira unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved.