Saving family history, journals during Hurricane Irene

The apartment was dry. My journals were safe in a plastic tub sitting on my kitchen table.

A feeling of gratitude filled my heart that a miracle, at least to me, had occurred. My car, which is easy to replace, was flooded and lost. It was parked on higher ground, but my irreplaceable journals on lower ground and closer to the raging stream were safe and dry. I learned that life and proper stewardship is critical but eternally, we cannot control everything. God’s intervention may occur if we do our best and have faith. Most importantly, we must follow the Spirit.

Sherman L. Fleek is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. He serves as the command historian of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He is also a Sunday School teacher in the West Point Branch of the Newburgh New York Stake.