Friday, April 29, 2011

Devastation

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 many people's lives changed forever. Tornadoes and storms raged through the south starting in Texas and going up into North Carolina. There have been so many people affected by these storms. Our state of Alabama is in a state of emergency declared by President Obama.

People have lost their lives, their homes, everything. Hundreds have died, thousands have been injured and even more houses have been destroyed. The devastation is everywhere.

Thankfully, my home and my family are all safe. We lost power Wednesday morning and it's still out, but that is a minor inconvenience compared to what others have suffered.

My sister, her fiance and their 3 week old baby girl lost their home. Thank God that they were not at home at the time. They had debated and decided just a short time before the storm hit to leave and go to my mother's house in their basement. When they were able to get back to their house yesterday and see the damage - it's so scary to think what could have happened if they had been there.

A good friend of mine also lost her home. Her, her husband and their 3 children are all safe, but their house is no more. It is now a pile of rubble. Pieces of their life scattered everywhere. They lost everything.

I can't imagine the feeling of knowing everything you own or had is gone and you have to basically start your life over. I have prayed constantly for those that lost loved ones in this tragedy and for those who have to start over. I know God is strong and will answer those prayers. I have already seen it in my fellow citizens. People in other states, who don't know my sister, offering to send a package of supplies. A neighbor, who doesn't know my sister, offering to bring formula for my niece. Friends putting together a drive to get supplies to my friend that lost everything. People on tv helping neighbors and strangers alike. My husband and the crew he works with has been out from 6:30 in the morning until 8 at night working to get all the trees off of people's houses so they can begin to rebuild.

These things make me so proud to live in the community that I do. It's amazing and wonderful to see people getting together and doing what needs to be done to help others. It is such a beautiful thing. I ask that each one of you pray for those affected in the storm. Not just here in Alabama, but those in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Pray that these people can make some sense of what happened and can see through the rubble and the destruction and know that everything will be ok. Know that there are people that care about them and that God is always with them, no matter how bad it seems right now.

Please just pray.


My sister's house


What used to be the back porch.




What is left of my friend's house.

Amanda

3 comments:

  1. So so sad. My heart goes out to everyone affected by these storms.

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  2. Amanda, glad to hear you all are well, but so sorry for your family and friends who have lost so much. I have had all those affected by these storms in my prayers. These storms have ripped through Kentucky for the last week... we had tornadoes south of where I live, but the rain is what got most here in my community. We've had massive flooding, not me personally- but my dad and aunt have had to move out of their homes because the water was coming up so high. A friend, who is expecting in about 4 weeks, had a home right on the river and it's completely under water, along with most of their possessions... It's just been awful. I will certainly keep Alabama, and the rest of those feeling the devastation, in my prayers, especially your family and friends. God bless you.

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  3. Wow. Those pictures are so sad!! It's really hard to comprehend how many people are hurting right now.

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