Brace Yourselves

The tordado that came through Tuscaloosa and then the rest of Central Alabama was devastating.  We are physically fine, our house we live in was not damaged.  We were about 2 miles from the tornado, it was pretty scary nonetheless, but I cannot imagine what many went through.  We did have a house that we were trying to sell in The Downs neighborhood that was hit pretty hard.  We lost some of the roof and had some windows blown out and lost most all the trees.  But all that can be repaired, we are alive and well.  Tuscaloosa will not be the same "normal" for a very long time.  Every activity imaginable, from University classes and graduation to softball games and parties and events has been canceled.  We have even canceled our family Disney World trip that we were supposed to leave for a week from today.  So many have lost everything, even loved ones.  Henderson's preschool was destroyed, but they will meet at an alternate location on Monday and they'll carry on.  Many will not.  As I was running this morning, I was literally weeping over how unfair it all is. Not for me, but for all those who lost it all.  I was listening to my ipod and the song Jesus Saves came on and the line, "Day is breaking, night is quaking, God is making all things new, Jesus Saves" really struck a chord.  I pray all those seeking shelter literally, will also seek shelter in the wings of the Almighty God, the one Who was and is and will always be.  May God soften their hearts to receive the Good News, maybe the only Good News they will hear for a while. May God break my heart and give me a willing servant heart to GO and DO. 

Clothes and houses can be bought and repaired, but the images of children being swept out of parents arms and friends being pulled up into the sky will last forever in the minds of those who experienced it. Pray for these people.  Our church delivered supplies yesterday afternoon and is making sandwiches this morning to deliver to workers and survivors.  Prayer is needed, don't let this fade in a few days....prayer and donations and service will be needed for months and months.

The following images are all from the Tuscaloosa News.  The areas hit in Tuscaloosa were not rural, wooded areas, they were VERY densely populated, with students and families and restaurants and businesses. 

This one is Forest Lake, the neighborhood that surrounds Henderson's preschool, which was destroyed, it was a beautiful old neighborhood on this little lake right in the middle of town, many students lived here as it's only 1/2 a mile from the University. 

 Big Lots was to the left of Hobby Lobby, as you see it's no longer there.

 Milo's restaurant sat to the left of those cars....again, nothing.

 You can see how close it came to the hospital and even bigger apartment coplexes full of students.

 very busy part of town

 total destruction

The community has pulled together like I've never seen, neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping strangers.  God's love through and through.

Read more: http://www.mylivesignature.com/mls_wizard2_1.php?sid=54488-61-AC9EAD64C79E039047528AB0D38C09EC##ixzz0dulADQqZ