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The calm before the storm
Bracing for Milton: insights from within the cone of uncertainty. A metaphor for the country as the countdown to November 5th is well underway.
Praying Mantis reaches readers in all 50 states and over 40 countries. So I thought you’d appreciate the perspective of a seasoned insider who has weathered many “storms of the century.” Having experienced countless hurricanes, Floridians like myself dispense with the formality of “Hurricane” and are on a first-name basis with all of them—Andrew, Irma, Wilma, Jeanne, and more recently, Helene. We've also learned to sift through the media’s overblown theatrics and distinguish when there’s a true call to action.
Personal circumstances differ. I’ve never evacuated: my home is fortified and on high ground. Plus, these storms are so erratic that people have been known to escape one area to find themselves trapped in another far away from home. If you live in a Zone A, which is the closest to the beach, storm surge is a definite consideration.
Our hurricane supplies are traditionally prepped in June, usually before the season's first storm is even named. Now, we wait as Milton creeps closer and hunker down. Most would turn on the TV but I tuned out the media years ago—my friends know when to give me a heads-up, and they’ve done just that (so, yes, I’m paying attention). I do check the “cone of uncertainty” every few hours to track its path.
Even if we’re beyond the edges of the danger zone, we know tornadoes will spin off, and we’ll see fallen trees. The ground is already soaked from Helene’s relentless rain, and I expect the flooding and uprooted trees to follow. If you’ve experienced a Floridian summer, you know that unmistakable shift when cool, dry air rolls in. Today’s one of those days—cloudy, cool, and calm. In a few days, we might be without power, but for now, I’m savoring the calm before the storm.
As Milton approaches, I can’t help but reflect on how this all began for me personally. Four years ago, after the summer of Rage, I knew the election would be volatile and we had to pray for America like never before. After combing through Facebook, I identified 15 kindred souls who supported Trump. Back then, it took courage to stand up for him. We were few, but I remembered: "where two or three gather in His name..." So, I created a private Facebook group, Prayers for America, with just 18 members. Within three weeks, it mushroomed to 750. You couldn’t just join—you had to be invited.
I committed to compose a daily prayer for the 40 days leading up to November 3rd, 2020. I covered everything: Amy Coney Barrett’s SCOTUS nomination, the massive Trump rallies and boat parades, the media's naked bias, Hunter’s laptop, and even Trump’s COVID scare. I was censored and shadowbanned for prayers very early on.
Just before Election Day, I went to Trump's final rally in Florida with a few close friends. We arrived late, had to park miles away, and rode a bus to the airport in Opalaka. Despite the last-minute nature of the event, it was well-organized and packed. As I stood there, waiting for Air Force One to land, I saw the crowd—people from every background. It was America in its truest form, and I was certain Trump would win. When the counting mysteriously stopped in the dead of night, I knew something was very wrong.
After Election Day, my inbox was flooded with reports from all over the country from members of the Facebook group. By November 8th, it was clear to me: the election had been stolen. I devoured videos showing what had happened in key states and counties—Maricopa, Antrim, Fulton, Clark, Wisconsin. Most of those videos have since vanished.
The Facebook group urged me to continue writing prayers well into January. A few felt compelled to go to D.C. on the 6th to pray. What we saw with our own eyes was starkly different from what the media would report and construe. Imagine my shock, upon returning, when my neighbor asked if the FBI had knocked on my door.
Read here about J6:
We prayed for Trump’s attorneys and for the fighters—Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Patrick Byrne, Lin Wood, Mike Lindell, General Flynn, Maria Zack . . . and so many more who were trying to expose the truth: Trump won in 2020. Little could I ever imagine that some of these names would end up on my phone and I’d work side by side with some of these patriots.
After January 6th, I became paranoid, but my journey as a citizen journalist was already well underway. After writing 100+ daily prayers, I decided it was time to take a hiatus. Eventually, I discovered Substack, and under the pseudonym "Praying Mantis," I began to publish. My initial audience migrated from our Facebook group, but soon, new readers started joining as my work was shared within their trusted circles. I stayed cautiously anonymous, and I still chuckle at the thought that some in my growing audience assumed I was a man.
In parallel, Election Security became my cause and some would say, my passion. You see, I grew up in Venezuela so my fears are well founded and existential. Back in 2021, Florida was the first state to canvass the electorate, finding the dead and the ghosts. In 2022, Defend Florida was instrumental in propelling SB524. What began as ghost writing articles for friendly media, evolved into red-lining and crafting legislation, organizing press conferences, running grassroots efforts, and even managing a brutal political campaign. These past four years have been like earning a degree in political science, with plenty of "on-the-job training." I’ve been to Tallahassee more times than I care to count, battled through legislative red tape, and stood on the frontlines of political warfare.
We now are on the cusp of a moment fraught with peril—literally as Milton barrels towards us; figuratively as America is at a crossroad. If Trump prevails, we can look to the future with hope. If the other side decides to hold on to power, this 200+ year old experiment in governance will be lost to the annals of history. The path towards perdition is already laid out as evidenced by the mandated experimental gene therapy and the collusion of intelligence agencies with the media, all serving the interests of the military-industrial complex. Climate change, weaponized as a tool for population control. Maui, DEWs, strange weather patterns, chemtrails, and unknown aerial phenomena—all rabbit holes I’ve explored. In fact, some are noting the rarity of a Cat 5+ forming in the gulf of Mexico. I’m not ready to go there yet but I am smoothing my hair under my tinfoil hat. If I feel compelled to share, know it’s because we’re on this journey together.
For those new to Praying Mantis, that’s a glimpse into my past and my interests. I am glad you’ve joined as we march towards the future.
Heavenly Father,
Our hearts are humbled and spirits lifted as You guide and protect us in these uncertain times. You are our refuge and strength. Thank you for the wisdom to discern truth from falsehood and the courage to stand firm in our convictions. We pray for our nation, for its leaders, and for every citizen, that we may seek unity, righteousness, and justice in all that we do.
Lord, Jesus, we ask that you abate this storm as you once did over troubled waters. Calm the winds and still the waves. We pray for Your shield of protection over our homes, our families, and our communities. Grant peace to those who are anxious and strength to those who feel weary. May Your hand guide us through every trial.
In Your holy name, we pray.
Amen.
Ignorance is bliss, knowledge is power, withholding it is control
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