Month: July 2025

Two sisters modeled the art of living well before dying in Texas floods

Posted by Steve Blaising2 Comments

Two sisters, Brooke Harber, 13, and Blair Harber, 11, were swept away in the July Fourth Texas floods.

Rescuers found the girls a day later, with hands clasped together and clutching rosary beads.

“I love you,” texted Blair in her last words to her father and grandparents at 3:30 AM.

RJ Harber, their father, who was staying in a separate cabin, tried a kayak, but he couldn’t get there.

Their school, St. Rita Catholic Community School in Dallas, highlighted how the sisters led vibrant lives.

Did Brooke and Blair leave us clues on how to face tragedy?

Two sisters living well

I think they left three.

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Two sisters modeled the art of living well before dying in Texas floods

Guadalupe River Flood: How to Transform Your Loss into Life-Changing Redemption

Posted by Steve Blaising4 Comments

A natural disaster like the July 4 Guadalupe River flood inflicts painful loss for years.

At least 129 people were killed.

Over 160 remain missing.

The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in less than an hour at dawn on July 4, 2025.

This is worse than a 100-year flood event, according to experts.

Approximately 100 billion gallons of rain fell on Kerr County, more than the daily flow of Niagara Falls.

Guadalupe River loss
The cabin where 20 girls went missing on July 5, 2025, in the Guadalupe River flood/Ronaldo Schemidt/gettyimages

Is it possible to storm-proof the future?

And later, loss?

Some folks say it’s never wise to camp by a river, especially one in the middle of “Flash Flood Alley,” where a historic flood in August 1978 and another in July 1987 caused multiple fatalities.

But I think it’s fair to say there’s no place in the world to camp without risks.

An old Spanish proverb says, “There is no home which does not at some time know its hush.”

Three decisive steps may set a healing course for anyone drowning in tragedy.

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Guadalupe River Flood: How to Transform Your Loss into Life-Changing Redemption

How the Bald Eagle Inspires Liberty to Overcome Adversity

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Riding my jet ski early Monday morning, June 30, I spot a bald eagle flying with liberty over the tree tops.

I notice the distinct wing style turning north up the lake. I hit the gas on my SeaDoo GTI Limited and take off in pursuit. Suddenly, I’m following the USA’s proud emblem of liberty across the most beautiful lake in Texas.

Bald Eagle Lake Athens
Bald eagle leads my jet ski ride at Lake Athens, TX/Steve Blaising/June 30, 2025

I marvel at the stately white head, which is like a beacon against the deepest blue.

The body and wings are cloaked in feathers like a moonless night against the frost-white plumes above the steel-like talons.

The bald eagle flies fearlessly to reach new heights.

Do you?

Here are three fresh thoughts about liberty.

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How the Bald Eagle Inspires Liberty to Overcome Adversity