This blog post was shared with me today by a friend.
I don't know the family from this post, altho this town is just a few miles from our home. I could hardly stand reading it...but like my friend told me, "it's hard to read, but this story needs to be told."
God bless this precious family.
http://thehodgepodgedarling.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-cheerleader.html
...finding joy in the UPside of DOWN...
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
"The Aftermath of the Tornado"
I have other posts waiting to be shared...they just need some editing. No big deal, right?
It's just that, with the events of this week, I'm finding it hard to focus.
I spent all day yesterday watching the live coverage of the aftermath of the tornado. I think that's what they are calling it.
I don't recommend doing this.
Jim got home and asked what I did that day...and I straight up told him, "very little." I couldn't break myself away from the TV. I would leave the room and then come right back. I didn't want to watch it, but I just couldn't stop myself.
Many of the stories, most of them, were heartbreaking. A Dad and two of his children...all dead. Two little brothers...dead. A member of the National Guard...died while using his body to protect his 5 year old daughter. She lived.
And more stories like that.
My heart could hardly take it and I was in tears more than once. I stayed in the house all day, and we ordered food because I didn't feel like cooking. This is rare for our family on a random Monday night.
Today, I took Joshua into LR for his Therapeutic Recreation. A trip that normally takes 35 minutes, today took 1 hour 25 minutes. It was worse on the way home this afternoon: 1 hour 40 minutes.
The travel delays were all due to the rubberneckers on the Interstate...I had to explain that term to Joshua. Everyone was wanting to look at "the aftermath of the tornado" in Mayflower, Arkansas. We went approximately 5-10 mph for about 5 miles. It was agonizing. Then, as soon as everyone went past it, they sped up to 70 mph and it was fine the rest of the way.
Jim had gone to Mayflower just a couple of hours after the tornado hit...and he was there yesterday, and again today. He was telling me that I couldn't imagine the damage...and today, two days later, he was right. The whole town is pretty much demolished. Joshua took pictures on his i-PHONE from the window of the car...that's how slow we were going.
My heart just aches for the families who have lost loved ones. I told Joshua that I wasn't prepared to see all of the devastation. I guess I had put my hand over my heart at some point while I was driving. He reached over, patted my shoulder and said, "we need to be very thankful that we were spared."
YES, THIS IS MY DOWNSY BOY TALKING TO ME LIKE THIS.
He continued, "you can replace cars and houses and boats and buildings...but you can't replace a person."
Actually, I think he used the word, "human" instead of "person," and he pronounced it, "HOOman." So funny.
He is such a blessing.
And your prayers would not be wasted on the state of Arkansas. I'm sure this can be said for the other places this storm hit yesterday and today.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
It's just that, with the events of this week, I'm finding it hard to focus.
I spent all day yesterday watching the live coverage of the aftermath of the tornado. I think that's what they are calling it.
I don't recommend doing this.
Jim got home and asked what I did that day...and I straight up told him, "very little." I couldn't break myself away from the TV. I would leave the room and then come right back. I didn't want to watch it, but I just couldn't stop myself.
Many of the stories, most of them, were heartbreaking. A Dad and two of his children...all dead. Two little brothers...dead. A member of the National Guard...died while using his body to protect his 5 year old daughter. She lived.
And more stories like that.
My heart could hardly take it and I was in tears more than once. I stayed in the house all day, and we ordered food because I didn't feel like cooking. This is rare for our family on a random Monday night.
Today, I took Joshua into LR for his Therapeutic Recreation. A trip that normally takes 35 minutes, today took 1 hour 25 minutes. It was worse on the way home this afternoon: 1 hour 40 minutes.
The travel delays were all due to the rubberneckers on the Interstate...I had to explain that term to Joshua. Everyone was wanting to look at "the aftermath of the tornado" in Mayflower, Arkansas. We went approximately 5-10 mph for about 5 miles. It was agonizing. Then, as soon as everyone went past it, they sped up to 70 mph and it was fine the rest of the way.
Jim had gone to Mayflower just a couple of hours after the tornado hit...and he was there yesterday, and again today. He was telling me that I couldn't imagine the damage...and today, two days later, he was right. The whole town is pretty much demolished. Joshua took pictures on his i-PHONE from the window of the car...that's how slow we were going.
My heart just aches for the families who have lost loved ones. I told Joshua that I wasn't prepared to see all of the devastation. I guess I had put my hand over my heart at some point while I was driving. He reached over, patted my shoulder and said, "we need to be very thankful that we were spared."
YES, THIS IS MY DOWNSY BOY TALKING TO ME LIKE THIS.
He continued, "you can replace cars and houses and boats and buildings...but you can't replace a person."
Actually, I think he used the word, "human" instead of "person," and he pronounced it, "HOOman." So funny.
He is such a blessing.
And your prayers would not be wasted on the state of Arkansas. I'm sure this can be said for the other places this storm hit yesterday and today.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
Monday, April 28, 2014
Tornado-2014
I posted about last night here.
We had gone up to Logan's church for Senior Recognition Sunday. He doesn't really want to walk at his graduation (and I'm trying not to die a thousand deaths over it)...so we were thankful to be a part of the service yesterday. College graduation is a pretty big deal. I just don't think kids realize the sacrifices that parents and grandparents and others make in order for them to have this opportunity.
I didn't.
But now I do.
Jim works for the utility company, so we had our eyes on the storm. We left Logan's place early and raced back home. Clark had stayed here because he teaches a 6th grade boys Sunday School class. We knew he was safe and with his girlfriend's family, but we wanted to get home and get all of our chicks in the nest.
There are certain things I do to prepare for storms. I changed into something comfy that I could wear for a long time. I wore my Muck-type water-proof shoes. I fed my family. I cleaned out the closet under the stairs so there would be room for all of us. I washed the sheets for the bed in Logan's room, in case we had someone who needed a place to stay.
You can prepare and be aware...and sometimes there's just nothing that can prevent loss of property...or loss of life.
We live in the South, and when there's a tornado warning, most normal people would head to their safe place. Typically, around here, the men all want to stand outside and look up in the sky. Not all men. But my man...and my boys. We were under a tornado warning and Jim and Clark were out on the front porch looking up at the sky.
What the what?
Family and friends were texting us, making sure we were staying safe. Some were asking if I was wearing a bra...bc you know, after tornadoes, they always interview the people who look like they were caught in the middle of undressing.
Of course, everyone knows tornadoes are very serious and not a joking situation. They were just teasing with me because we live in Arkansas...and everyone thinks we are all hillbillies here.
Ain't nuthin' e'er been fuh-thah from tha truth.
We never had to get in our closet...but Holly and Aaron were in their bathtub. She said that she heard him running water early in the afternoon, and went to ask what he was doing. He told her he was cleaning the bathtub, because if they had to get in it later...during the storm...he wanted it to be clean for her.
Everybody say "awwwww."
What a sweetie.
After it passed through here, Jim headed in to work. I checked on my friends in Searcy...all who were in various storm shelters and "fraidy holes." All are safe this morning.
The tornado headed up 67 N towards where Logan and Morgan are. Logan lives in a little "Cracker Barrel" house....that's what I call it. Looks like the big, bad wolf could huff and puff and blow it down. I begged him not to stay there and to find a shelter at the college. FINALLY, Morgan texted us a picture of Logan, Morgan, Morgan's sister, Bailee...all taking shelter in the basement of the Library on campus. I was so relieved.
Side note: they also smuggled Bailee's little dog into the Library basement in their coats.
Jim got home around 1 a.m. I had the tv on, watching a line going north towards Logan's area...again. At the time, it looked like it was going to go north of them. Jim got a call at 2:15 or so, and I heard part of that...and I must've dozed off. At that point, I had been awake for nearly 24 hours. Jim was gone early this morning. I just heard from Morgan. That last storm DID hit their town...their sirens went off and the house mom in her sorority house woke everyone up. Morgan called to walk up Logan and called Bailee. The sirens were going off, but everyone was sleeping through them.
So thankful they are all safe this morning.
We are praying for those who are suffering loss of any kid from this storm...and for those still in it's path.
"So she called the LORD who spoke to her: the God Who sees..." Genesis 16:13
We had gone up to Logan's church for Senior Recognition Sunday. He doesn't really want to walk at his graduation (and I'm trying not to die a thousand deaths over it)...so we were thankful to be a part of the service yesterday. College graduation is a pretty big deal. I just don't think kids realize the sacrifices that parents and grandparents and others make in order for them to have this opportunity.
I didn't.
But now I do.
Jim works for the utility company, so we had our eyes on the storm. We left Logan's place early and raced back home. Clark had stayed here because he teaches a 6th grade boys Sunday School class. We knew he was safe and with his girlfriend's family, but we wanted to get home and get all of our chicks in the nest.
There are certain things I do to prepare for storms. I changed into something comfy that I could wear for a long time. I wore my Muck-type water-proof shoes. I fed my family. I cleaned out the closet under the stairs so there would be room for all of us. I washed the sheets for the bed in Logan's room, in case we had someone who needed a place to stay.
You can prepare and be aware...and sometimes there's just nothing that can prevent loss of property...or loss of life.
We live in the South, and when there's a tornado warning, most normal people would head to their safe place. Typically, around here, the men all want to stand outside and look up in the sky. Not all men. But my man...and my boys. We were under a tornado warning and Jim and Clark were out on the front porch looking up at the sky.
What the what?
Family and friends were texting us, making sure we were staying safe. Some were asking if I was wearing a bra...bc you know, after tornadoes, they always interview the people who look like they were caught in the middle of undressing.
Of course, everyone knows tornadoes are very serious and not a joking situation. They were just teasing with me because we live in Arkansas...and everyone thinks we are all hillbillies here.
Ain't nuthin' e'er been fuh-thah from tha truth.
We never had to get in our closet...but Holly and Aaron were in their bathtub. She said that she heard him running water early in the afternoon, and went to ask what he was doing. He told her he was cleaning the bathtub, because if they had to get in it later...during the storm...he wanted it to be clean for her.
Everybody say "awwwww."
What a sweetie.
After it passed through here, Jim headed in to work. I checked on my friends in Searcy...all who were in various storm shelters and "fraidy holes." All are safe this morning.
The tornado headed up 67 N towards where Logan and Morgan are. Logan lives in a little "Cracker Barrel" house....that's what I call it. Looks like the big, bad wolf could huff and puff and blow it down. I begged him not to stay there and to find a shelter at the college. FINALLY, Morgan texted us a picture of Logan, Morgan, Morgan's sister, Bailee...all taking shelter in the basement of the Library on campus. I was so relieved.
Side note: they also smuggled Bailee's little dog into the Library basement in their coats.
Jim got home around 1 a.m. I had the tv on, watching a line going north towards Logan's area...again. At the time, it looked like it was going to go north of them. Jim got a call at 2:15 or so, and I heard part of that...and I must've dozed off. At that point, I had been awake for nearly 24 hours. Jim was gone early this morning. I just heard from Morgan. That last storm DID hit their town...their sirens went off and the house mom in her sorority house woke everyone up. Morgan called to walk up Logan and called Bailee. The sirens were going off, but everyone was sleeping through them.
So thankful they are all safe this morning.
We are praying for those who are suffering loss of any kid from this storm...and for those still in it's path.
"So she called the LORD who spoke to her: the God Who sees..." Genesis 16:13
Pray for Arkansas
Well, I intended to post something last night but it was just wild here....and I got up this morning, and Kelly had posted this.
We had severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado hit two places VERY CLOSE to where we live. One in Mayflower, Arkansas and one in Vilonia, Arkansas.
The town of Vilonia was hit hard by a tornado just 3 years ago. Late this afternoon, we raced through that exact area...trying to beat the storms and get to our home.
Jim, Joshua and I had gotten up early, and we headed up to where Logan, goes to college. It was Senior recognition day at his church, and we wanted to be there for that. And then they were having a wedding shower for Logan and Morgan after lunch. I ended up not staying for the entire shower because of the incoming weather, and so thankful that we did.
On our way back home...as we passed through Vilonia. We talked about the tornado that hit there 3 years ago, and how you can still see the damage to this day. There's just a certain way trees look after a tornado..if they survive...and there is a large section where it's just obvious.
And then...just two hours later...right where we had driven...a tornado hit. Again.
Jim works for the utility company, so as soon as we got our all-clear here, he headed into his office. And he was in Mayflower, Arkansas minutes after the tornado hit.
He said that pictures and video in no way capture the physical devastation...or the faces of the people. He said people were walking around in shock...dazed.
There was loss of homes, cars, businesses, churches...all can be replaced or rebuilt. Not making light of the enormity of that AT ALL.
But the greatest loss was the loss of lives.
Years ago, I did a Kay Arthur Bible study on the names of God. While He is all those things, this morning I am thankful He is El Roi...the "God who sees."
He sees...He knows...He cares.
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34: 18
We had severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado hit two places VERY CLOSE to where we live. One in Mayflower, Arkansas and one in Vilonia, Arkansas.
The town of Vilonia was hit hard by a tornado just 3 years ago. Late this afternoon, we raced through that exact area...trying to beat the storms and get to our home.
Jim, Joshua and I had gotten up early, and we headed up to where Logan, goes to college. It was Senior recognition day at his church, and we wanted to be there for that. And then they were having a wedding shower for Logan and Morgan after lunch. I ended up not staying for the entire shower because of the incoming weather, and so thankful that we did.
On our way back home...as we passed through Vilonia. We talked about the tornado that hit there 3 years ago, and how you can still see the damage to this day. There's just a certain way trees look after a tornado..if they survive...and there is a large section where it's just obvious.
And then...just two hours later...right where we had driven...a tornado hit. Again.
Jim works for the utility company, so as soon as we got our all-clear here, he headed into his office. And he was in Mayflower, Arkansas minutes after the tornado hit.
He said that pictures and video in no way capture the physical devastation...or the faces of the people. He said people were walking around in shock...dazed.
There was loss of homes, cars, businesses, churches...all can be replaced or rebuilt. Not making light of the enormity of that AT ALL.
But the greatest loss was the loss of lives.
Years ago, I did a Kay Arthur Bible study on the names of God. While He is all those things, this morning I am thankful He is El Roi...the "God who sees."
He sees...He knows...He cares.
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34: 18
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Can I Get a Witness?
I've written before about how I grew up...here.
I grew up in a Christian home...where both of my parents were Christians and they raised us in church and taught us the precepts of our faith that I hold dear to this day.
My Dad was in the Air Force and my Mom worked outside the home. We traveled a LOT. It was a great life, but it was hard. There was a lot of instability, as far as what was going on outside of our home. I never felt...secure. Just as I was making friends and the new-kid knot in my stomach was starting to loosen just a little...we would move again.
Now that I'm a parent, I just feel for my Mom and all that she had to go through and deal with every time we made a move.
Pretty much my whole life...I've been the new-kid. All through school...ugh. It's just so awful to walk into a new school, classes already in progress...and be given a schedule and books and a desk. Friends have already been made and established. The "teams" were already chosen and full. The clubs were already formed..dues were paid...t-shirts ordered...and I didn't have one. I knew no one. Maybe I didn't even bring a lunch that day. Makes me feel sick just thinking about it. From the time I was born until I graduated high school, I moved 16 times. I went to two different schools in the 1st grade. I went to THREE different schools in the 4th grade.
(sigh)
I moved from an island that was 90 miles from mainland China...to middle Oklahoma. I went from a place where we wore sandals and tropical colors year-round, where the biggest outing was taking the military shuttle to the base to watch Disney movies...to being dropped into a place of cowboys and jeans and boots and music I had never heard before. The southern accent wasn't as hard to understand as Taiwanese...but it did take some getting used to.
After 3 months living in a guest hotel while our belongings were shipped to the states, I was tan as tan could be from spending every day at the pool. The first day of HIGH SCHOOL, I wore orange pants and an orange flowered shirt that our "sewing lady" in Taiwan had made us.
I was a real treat.
Everyone else in my very large school was wearing jeans...and I didn't even own one pair. Yeah. I stood out...and not in a good way.
My whole life, I guess I had been looking for significance and security. I didn't know that at the time, but if I look back on some of the choices I've made and how I've chosen to live my life and raise my children...it's clear. And when I look back on my life, the biggest thing I see?
God's hand...leading, guiding, protecting...ME.
When I was 10 years old, I gave my life to Christ. At that time, I didn't know all that I know today...and that's okay. Jesus meets us where we are. He doesn't leave us there, or let us stay there...but He meets us where we are...and where I was was...that I was a kid. A "good" kid. A kid who was always the new kid. A kid who always wanted to belong...to feel safe, secure and settled.
And Jesus came into my heart and He filled all the empty places and spaces. He filled my loneliness with His constant presence. He took away the insecurities that came with always being the new kid...the odd-man-out. His "team" is never filled, never complete...there's always room for one more. Or ten thousand more.
Now, being a Christian does not mean you will live a life of ease...or a life with no stress or difficulties or trials. There are the big things I've experienced: having a child born with Down Syndrome...a premature baby...a toddler diagnosed with cancer...the death of a parent. HARD THINGS IN LIFE.
But there are also those every day trials as well...the attitudes, stubbornness, and disobedience in my home.
And that's not even counting what goes on with the kids!
Hahahaha...see what I did there?
I've said it before...for me, the best part of being a Christian is not the promise of Heaven when I die...altho, pretty great, huh?
No, the best part for me is that He is with me every day...leading, guiding, disciplining when necessary, prompting, comforting, protecting. Knowing this gives me such peace. I need Him every.single.day.
Do you know Him? Do you have this peace?
You are so important to God that He sent His only Son to die on a cross for your sins...and for mine. The sinless Lamb of God paid a debt that we never could...our debt. THAT'S how much He values you...how much He loves you.
But He didn't stay in that grave. He rose again on the 3rd day and He is alive and well...and He is waiting for you.
If you don't know where to start, start by praying. He will hear you. Tell Him all of your fears...acknowledge your sins and confess them to Him...every single one you can think of...and ask Him to forgive you. He will. Just like that. You can make a change and start your new life today. Begin reading in the book of John in the Bible. I just know it will bless you so much.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
I grew up in a Christian home...where both of my parents were Christians and they raised us in church and taught us the precepts of our faith that I hold dear to this day.
My Dad was in the Air Force and my Mom worked outside the home. We traveled a LOT. It was a great life, but it was hard. There was a lot of instability, as far as what was going on outside of our home. I never felt...secure. Just as I was making friends and the new-kid knot in my stomach was starting to loosen just a little...we would move again.
Now that I'm a parent, I just feel for my Mom and all that she had to go through and deal with every time we made a move.
Pretty much my whole life...I've been the new-kid. All through school...ugh. It's just so awful to walk into a new school, classes already in progress...and be given a schedule and books and a desk. Friends have already been made and established. The "teams" were already chosen and full. The clubs were already formed..dues were paid...t-shirts ordered...and I didn't have one. I knew no one. Maybe I didn't even bring a lunch that day. Makes me feel sick just thinking about it. From the time I was born until I graduated high school, I moved 16 times. I went to two different schools in the 1st grade. I went to THREE different schools in the 4th grade.
(sigh)
I moved from an island that was 90 miles from mainland China...to middle Oklahoma. I went from a place where we wore sandals and tropical colors year-round, where the biggest outing was taking the military shuttle to the base to watch Disney movies...to being dropped into a place of cowboys and jeans and boots and music I had never heard before. The southern accent wasn't as hard to understand as Taiwanese...but it did take some getting used to.
After 3 months living in a guest hotel while our belongings were shipped to the states, I was tan as tan could be from spending every day at the pool. The first day of HIGH SCHOOL, I wore orange pants and an orange flowered shirt that our "sewing lady" in Taiwan had made us.
I was a real treat.
Everyone else in my very large school was wearing jeans...and I didn't even own one pair. Yeah. I stood out...and not in a good way.
My whole life, I guess I had been looking for significance and security. I didn't know that at the time, but if I look back on some of the choices I've made and how I've chosen to live my life and raise my children...it's clear. And when I look back on my life, the biggest thing I see?
God's hand...leading, guiding, protecting...ME.
When I was 10 years old, I gave my life to Christ. At that time, I didn't know all that I know today...and that's okay. Jesus meets us where we are. He doesn't leave us there, or let us stay there...but He meets us where we are...and where I was was...that I was a kid. A "good" kid. A kid who was always the new kid. A kid who always wanted to belong...to feel safe, secure and settled.
And Jesus came into my heart and He filled all the empty places and spaces. He filled my loneliness with His constant presence. He took away the insecurities that came with always being the new kid...the odd-man-out. His "team" is never filled, never complete...there's always room for one more. Or ten thousand more.
Now, being a Christian does not mean you will live a life of ease...or a life with no stress or difficulties or trials. There are the big things I've experienced: having a child born with Down Syndrome...a premature baby...a toddler diagnosed with cancer...the death of a parent. HARD THINGS IN LIFE.
But there are also those every day trials as well...the attitudes, stubbornness, and disobedience in my home.
And that's not even counting what goes on with the kids!
Hahahaha...see what I did there?
I've said it before...for me, the best part of being a Christian is not the promise of Heaven when I die...altho, pretty great, huh?
No, the best part for me is that He is with me every day...leading, guiding, disciplining when necessary, prompting, comforting, protecting. Knowing this gives me such peace. I need Him every.single.day.
Do you know Him? Do you have this peace?
You are so important to God that He sent His only Son to die on a cross for your sins...and for mine. The sinless Lamb of God paid a debt that we never could...our debt. THAT'S how much He values you...how much He loves you.
But He didn't stay in that grave. He rose again on the 3rd day and He is alive and well...and He is waiting for you.
If you don't know where to start, start by praying. He will hear you. Tell Him all of your fears...acknowledge your sins and confess them to Him...every single one you can think of...and ask Him to forgive you. He will. Just like that. You can make a change and start your new life today. Begin reading in the book of John in the Bible. I just know it will bless you so much.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
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