As I'm sure most of you know, we had some severe weather last Friday in TN. Unfortunately, my hometown has been plastered all over the national news because a tornado roared through town killing 2 people, levelling over 100 homes and damaging even more. We've all seen pictures of tornado-ravaged cities before but it takes on new meaning when you actually recognize the places in the pictures. When you realize that the path came literally blocks from the house you grew up in, the house where your mom was taking cover in the bathroom. The tornado that everyone saw pictures and video of on the tv and Internet, my sister-in-law saw right out her window in the house where she was hiding in the pantry with her 6 children. You can read her story here. To see the pictures it is absolutely amazing that only 2 people were killed. Absolutely amazing. I still can't believe it. One of the church members homes was completely levelled. Several more have damage. Kierstyn asked us, "How come Jesus lets that happen to people? Were the people who died bad? Is that why they died?" Hard questions. We tried to explain that no, of course, those people weren't bad (they were a 30-year old mother and her 9 week old baby). And then tried to help her understand all the good that will/can come out of this: neighbors helping each other rebuild, people will be better prepared next time, etc. Not to mention all the miracles that God allowed to happen during the storm, all the lives saved. No, thankful doesn't even come close to how I feel about the fact that not only were my family members lives spared but their houses weren't even damaged.
Those same winds headed toward Chattanooga hours after they came through Murfreesboro. We had been at the movies about 20 minutes away from home when we got the calls from our family about what had happened and realized that it was coming this way. We debated about what to do....we ended up going to Target for awhile and then decided to come home. It sounded like we were going to be driving right into the storm but somehow we missed the storm completely. By the time we got home the winds had already come through where we live. The road behind our house had trees all over the road, HUGE trees uprooted and sliced in half. We were without electricity until late Friday night and the road was closed for 2 days while they cleaned it up. Here are some pictures we took after they cleaned up:
Monday, April 13, 2009
"Thankful" doesn't even come close
at 9:37 AM
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6 comments:
We're so glad you all were okay and that your Mom was as well. It is an understatement to say that it was a MIRACLE that more people didn't die. Still seems unreal, until you drive through town and see the destruction. Silver lining: watching neighbors/friends come together to support each other.
I am truly glad that you are alright as well as your family. It makes me realize how our lifes can be changed so quickly.
So true. Blessings are hidden everywhere. Our gratitude is an important part of our faith. There is so much to be grateful for after the storms that have passed through for each of those who survived. Such good and important words, Jennifer. Thanks.
That's amazing. I'm glad y'all were safe and suffered no immediate damage.
Glad that all is well both there with ya'll and with your exended family. Scary stuff! Your family was in my thoughts when I heard where the tornado had hit. Saddened that the loss of life what it was but also happy that it wasn't worse!
We were watching the news closely and SO HAPPY to find out that your mom was okay and that Jason and Carrie were out of harm's way. I had no idea that you guys were affected by the same storm, but are glad to hear that you were unaffected as well! Please tell Kyler happy birthday from his Iowa cousins! (I can't believe how grown up he is looking!)
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