Page 26 - Clearwater Christian College 2005

katie, rachelle, faith, sarah

his Hurricane season has

greatly affected many of the students. Needless to say, the

campus family did not suffer much loss. However, one

student, senior Bryan McLaughlin, who lives in Stuart, was

greatly affected by two of the four hurricanes. His family

owns a horse boarding stable that offers trail rides and riding

lessons and is home to over 60 horses. For his family, this is

a large investment and is a family business. The safety of the

horses was a high priority for them because of the business it

brings them each year.

here are several “little’’ surprises
In the beginning of the hurricane season, the west

about which Mrs. Holly Stratton was not properly warned

coast of Florida was rocked by hurricane Charley. Not long

before moving to Florida. Surprises such as fire ants, no-see-

after, Frances came rolling through Stuart. In the path of

ums, lizards.. .and hurricanes! However, the latter has

the storm was Bryan’s family’s home and business. By God’s

wrought enough excitement to remove any bitterness, and

grace, the McLaughlin’s house came through unscathed, but

she has forgiven her fellow laborers for their oversight.

there were extensive damages to the barns. Bryan later went

It started with the anticipation of Hurricane Charley.

home to help rebuild the barns with his family. After two

She never knew she had such an amazing attention span until
weeks of rebuilding, his family learned, only two days after

a natural phenomenon sustained her riveted focus on the

the barns were completed, that Jeanne was heading their

televison for forty-eight hours straight. “It was an invaluable

way. Once again, the eye of the storm passed over Stuart

experience to face the sharp reality that life as I know it may be

and destroyed the barns again. “Through it all, it has been

suddenly torn away, and I learned that I desired to grab only

rough for my family, but God’s been good, and we trust

those things that are most precious to me...my kids and my

Him to get us through all of life’s storms.”

Bible.” She added, “Okay, I confess. My husband’s 'go down

with the ship' mentality also compelled me to grab his life

insurance policy.”

Hurricane Frances came on the heels of arriving students-

college kids add a unique dimension to the experience. The

Strattons had four girls stay in their home during the five-day

duration. “We had a great time together, and they taught me

things that should keep me in style for years. I learned all that

is needed for a pedicure party is one bucket per person and ten

beauty products per foot!” The most important thing she

learned from them is that students present a particularly beau­

tiful picture of Christ’s love as they give of themselves to meet

the needs of others. “They were so helpful to our family, and

on their own, they organized the cleanup of debris from our

street and neighboring yards.” Other students exhibited the

same kind of unsolicited giving. One group of students in­

vited the neighbors of their host family to a Sunday worship

service. The storms gave the students an opportunity to “grow.”

“We praise the Lord for giving all of us invaluable, real-life

education through these storms,” said Mrs. Stratton.