Praising God in the Storm

It's amazing how awesome God's power is and the ways that He shows that power to His people.

This morning I woke up because the weather was so bad. The fact that I woke up in the middle of the night shows His enormous power in and of itself considering the fact that I sleep like a rock. Anyway... I turned on the television to see if we had any bad weather going through Pike County (because I needed a meteorologist to tell me that thunder and lightening so loud and bright to wake me up was in fact bad weather) but all I saw was updates about Simpson County and Magee. From what I could tell the spotted tornado was on a direct path for my parents' home. Worried that I might wake them up, I contemplated calling. Then I decided it was me or the tornado and they probably would rather hear it from me. So I called and mom told me the power had gone out in the last minute or two. I still didn't really think anything of it because they seemed fine. They didn't say anything about the "freight train" sound all the rednecks from the trailor park talk about when the news reporters interview the small town's finest tornado survivors. The cell phones were working... I mean, as long as that's working, what other problems could there be? I called a few more friends and continued to watch the news. Everyone seemed to be ok and I called mom and dad back after the weather man said the tornado was out of Simpson County. They were fine, as were my other friends. No big deal.

This morning after I got up and tried to begin getting dressed I was swamped with phone calls from friends and family. I hadn't even turned on the television, so I had no clue how wrong I was about this tornado. My aunt called to see if I had heard from mom and dad. She said she heard a church building had been flattened. I looked online to see what I could find about that. There is a huge church with a very nice, seemingly sturdy brick building right down the road, but I thought surely it couldn't be that one. I found an article from the Clarion Ledger said the tornado touched down at the intersection of Riley Road and Highway 28--one half mile from my parents house—another half-mile from that church. I didn't want to believe it, but knew it was probably true. It was just so scary to think such severe damage was done a mile from their home.

Knowing it was a bad situation, I tried calling them several times. I could never get anyone. That is one of the scariest feelings ever experienced. Helplessness. Uncertainty. Fear. I knew I would be good for nothing at work until I knew everyone was ok back home. So I decided to Magee. In my head, I thought things were probably ok since I had talked to them after the tornado had passed, but that was no relief to my heart. I wanted to talk to them and hear it again just to be certain. I threw on some clothes, ran by the school to get some stuff ready for my kids and tell my principal, and I was on my way. While I was driving my mom did call and that was such a relief. I just kept going though since I was already on my way. I wanted to see my daddy.

No one can ever be the least bit prepared to see such damage. The church was flattened. Roofs were ripped off houses. Garages were ripped off houses. Walls were ripped off houses. Houses were ripped from the foundations. Cars were upside down. Cars were gone completely. Mobile homes were unidentifiable. It was worse than I could have ever imagined.

The crazy thing about this tornado was how long it did damage. I've been around for several tornados in my lifetime, but nothing of this magnitude. Usually they hit an isolated area and dissipate. This one stormed from one side of Magee to the other. And Magee isn't a huge town, but I think the news said the path of destruction was around 17 miles. And every mile of that was catastrophic.

The amazing thing about this situation is that there have been no fatalities. Thirty six homes were completely destroyed. Twenty nine homes had severe damage. Around forty had moderate damage. Yet no one was killed or even had critical injuries.

The outpouring of support and concern is amazing. I talked to friends and family all day long--some of whom I hadn't spoken with in months. You never realize how comforting something as simple as hearing an old friend's voice or getting texts that say "thinking of and praying for you" can be. Support from inside the community is awesome. Volunteers already had a shelter open for victims. Crews were already working to get tarps on homes. The phone lines were overloaded with concerned friends and family. These people are doing what they can to help one another out of the kindness and goodness of their hearts. Support from surrounding communities is also arriving. Seeing all the volunteers is inspiring. In a world so focused on negative things--the war, the economy, crime and violence--we are so blessed to be able to see the positive things and good people. I'm thankful for that.

I hate that anyone of these families have experienced such tragedy and I would never wish it upon anyone, but everyone learns from these experiences. We learn never to take anything for granted--you never know when it might be taken from you. We learn to help others, not to get recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do. We learn that a church is not the building, it's the people that fill that building. We learn that God has infinite power and wisdom that completely supersedes our understanding. The hands that made a storm so strong and powerful to rip a home from its foundation, were the same hands that covered and protected those families inside. I can't say that I know why God chose such destruction, but I trust He has a plan far beyond my comprehension. Maybe some soul will come to Him as a result of this. Maybe He wanted to remind people to reach out and not take things for granted. Heck, maybe He saw that the construction business was in a slump in Magee and this was His stimulus plan. My point is, I don't know, and I never will, but I will trust Him and continue to praise him for this day and all the other blessings he has so generously given me.

Thanks to all of you who called, texted, emailed, and prayed. It made the process so much more bearable. Please continue to pray for the people of Magee. They have a long road to recovery.

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This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. -- Psalm 118:24

tales of a road trip...

There is nothing greater than leaving all cares and worries behind to go on a road trip. For the last half of my spring break I went to Nashville to visit Vallery. Thursday morning I left Magee and began my trek. Fortunately the weather was great both days I was driving. I left Magee Thursday morning and tried to get to Nashville as quick as I could since Vallery had arranged to get off work early that day. As fate would have it, I didn't get there quickly and she didn't get off work early. I had several stops and detours that deterred my arrival. At one point I got so sleepy I had to pull over and take a power nap. That was the last stop thankfully. I made my way on into Franklin and finally Vallery was able to leave work long enough to get sushi with me. Can I just tell you that place had the best Philadelphia Roll I have ever put in my mouth. Anyway... Vallery had to go back to work so I went and crashed at her apartment.

The next day we had a late start after sleeping in... We ventured to downtown and went to the Frist Art Museum. It was our bit of culture for the day. Boring for the most part, but they had a few pieces that were very cool and made it worthwhile. That night we went to see Jersey Boys--the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I have to admit before then I had heard of Frankie Valli, but couldn't tell you any of his songs and nothing about him personally. I was skeptical, but it turned out to be so great. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Saturday was such a nice day. We rode to downtown Franklin and other places around Nashville. That night we went to the Grand Ole Opry. Kellie Pickler, Dierks Bentley, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill were there. It was great and oh so entertaining. As I was leaving I heard someone call my name and I was totally surprised to see Mrs. Angela, the secretary from Northeast Jones there. It turns out that the show choir was on a trip up there and had performed during spring break! It doesn't matter where I go, it seems I always run into someone I know! It's so great to see old friends though!

And then Sunday I got up and began my journey back into the real world. The drive was peaceful and beautiful. The flowers are beginning to bloom and the greens are getting brighter. Even so, I must admit, the thought of going back to work after a week off was a little bit depressing. But, even though it's not as desirable as the life of leisure, I am grateful I can work. And that I have a job. I know there are many who are out of work or physically unable to work. God has blessed me and I won't take that for granted!

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." Ralph Waldo Emerson

tales of babies and great friends...

I am so thankful for the beautiful days we have had during this week off! The rain was nice and needed, but I'm glad it's gone for now. I hope the remainder of spring break is just as pleasant. It has been a great week--relaxing and full of blessings. As many of you know, many of my friends had babies recently (Tasha, Jennifer, Michelle, Ginger) or are currently pregnant (Amy, Deb, Audrey). This week I found out two more of my friends are expecting this year--Congrats Nicole and Christi! I am so happy for them. They are already great parents and I know they'll be equally as great with the next kiddo!

I also got to catch up with some old friends this weekend. Saturday I spent the evening and night with Keith and Dana. It's always fun visiting Laurel. I am so thankful that not only do I always have a place to stay at their home, I HAVE MY OWN ROOM! I have such great friends! I swore to myself after the summer of six weddings that I would never become friends with another single person. I broke that vow by befriending Dana. While I was super excited for her when she got married, I wasn't extrememly happy about being a bridesmaid for the 87th time. That move has however proven to be very beneficial and worthwhile in the long run! LOL! I do really love them and thier hospitality! They're like a brother and sister to me now! I went to my old church Sunday morning and got to see Michelle and Taylor--he's getting so big. I can hardly believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was mad at her because she waited for 13 weeks to tell me she was prego! It's crazy how time flies these days! Then, we saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat presented by Laurel Little Theater, starring my boos Lacy and Shane. That was amazing. LLT always does such a great job with their productions... And the talent, especially for such a small area, is phenomenal.

The weekdays have been pretty calm and uneventful... Bo "made" (by made I mean took out of the box and put in the oven) lasagna one night and we hung out and got all caught up on tv shows since I am quite possibly the only one in the modernized world without DVR. Tuesday night Mom, Madelyn, and I went to a MSU/USM baseball game at Trustmark Park in Jackson. We didn't bother with purchasing tickets in advance because we didn't really think it would be too crowded... Wrong. All the seats were sold out so we reluctantly paid our five dollars for the cheap seats--above the outfield... just under the scoreboard... in the grass... Thank goodness we don't have allegies. It actually turned out to be a nice night though. The dawgs unfortunately just couldn't get it going. We left in the sixth and they were down 10-1... Madelyn of course was more than happy to rub it in since she now considers herself an eagle. She won't admit it but she's still a bulldog at heart. I even caught her singing "Go State... Go State" a couple times.

And now I'm packing for my trip to Nashville to visit Vallery. I can't believe the week is half over, but I'm so looking forward to the trip. Friday we are going to the Frist Art Museum and Saturday to the Opry to see Kellie Pickler and the Charlie Daniels Band! And most importantly, Vallery likes sushi and I am SO deprived of that in southwest Mississippi! So sushi is a MUST for this trip.

I hope and pray that everyone is having a safe and happy spring break.


"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:5-6

tales of college...

SPRING BREAK! In college it was all about the wildest vacation spot with parties going on from dusk 'til dawn, hanging out with friends, napping at the beach by day and staying out all night. Now, only five years later, the differences are astonishing. It's about a week to relax, stay in my pj's all day if I want, trips to the spa, taking relaxing walks, and reading a good book--something I would have never, ever done in college. Boy, how a few years can change things. Every now and then I think I can do all I did in college, and sometimes I try, yet the next day I'm quickly reminded what a bad idea that was. Then... I must reminisce about the good ole days.

In college I didn't party as much as some, but I had my taste of it. I miss a lot of things about the college life, but honestly, partying isn't one of them. I miss hanging out with my friends until 2 am, sitting around, talking about nothing and watching the same movies over and over. I miss mom and dad paying my bills. I miss going to the Sanderson Center to work out in between classes. I miss the atosphere of Starkvegas and the memories made there. I even occasionally miss that nasty trailor park where I lived. Don't get me wrong, I never want to go there again. I never want to live next to a prostitute or across from a man who drinks so much he passes out in the driveway at 11am, but that place had character! LOL! I miss going to football games at Davis-Wade Stadium, and basketball at the Hump. I miss meeting people my age. I miss being carefree.

Though it seems like college was the best time in my life, since then I have experienced great things and know even better things await me. Things are pretty good now. I like having a job and making money. Mom and dad don't send it anymore(that's a bit of a bummer), but my budget isn't quite as tight as it was back then. I can afford to do the things I want to do. I like not living in a trailor park. I like having a decent car. I actually like having to run outside because I don't have a state of the art gym at my fingertips. I like making new friends of all ages and seeing and accepting new perspectives... I like being challenged now in ways that college just couldn't offer. Finding jobs, making lifelong friends, working hard just because I should, studying things to better myself rather than studying to get a grade. I didn't always have time for all of those things in college. I know that even better things are to come, God willing... My wedding day, the birth of my first child, and my second, and maybe more... his/her first day of school... and graduation... Retirement! LOL!... The list of amazing things can go on and on. While these times are much more challenging than college, the reward has to be multitudes more!

So, college was great, and I do miss it. I worked hard in my classes and the reward was good grades. It was huge at the time, but who remembers what my GPA was now? Being young and carefree was fun, but it wasn't so rewarding. And in the end, isn't that what we long for? With that being said, I know I must wait patiently and work diligently, looking ahead, not behind, for what's in store. The most fun time of my life might be over, but the most rewarding is yet to come. And no matter what, I know it's gonna be great in the end!

"...Forgetting the things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:13-14

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tales of civic duties and exercise...

I am really LOVING having more daylight in the evening time. Yesterday I was actually able to go home, rest a few minutes, and then get in my walk/run. I'm convinced God inspired man to create daylight savings time for people like me who make excuses for not going out too much in the winter time. I love it! I'm so excited because I'm really hoping to get back into my running (jogging really, but running to me!) routine. I hope that I can run a 5k in May. And, I'm hoping to recruit some people to do it with me since my only friend that ever showed serious interest is now prego! For completely selfish reasons, I wish she could still run with me, but I couldn't think of a better excuse for her not to do so.

On a completely different note, I had to report to my very first jury duty this week. I went to my parents' house Friday night for a weekend visit and had a stack of mail. Imagine my suprise when I found a letter from the Simpson County Courthouse. In the few seconds it took me to open the envelope I racked my brain trying to remember if I had any unpaid taxes or tickets. Since I knew I hadn't gotten a ticket lately and had just purchased my tag in December, I'm not sure why those were the first thoughts. I finally got to the letter and saw that it was a jury summons... FOR MONDAY, MARCH 9! I had no sub plans at work and didn't bring any of that home with me. And, this week is nine weeks exams! After a few minutes of panic, I knew there was nothing I could do and I had to pull it together the best I could. I got some stuff together and reported to the courthouse at 8:45 (secretly happy that I got to sleep a little later). It was quite interesting... They did the roll call and seated us randomly. They called out a series of questions that would excuse us if anyone answered no... Can you read and write... Are you a resident of this county... Are you registered to vote in this county... There were several more. They then called row by row for the candidates to talk to the judge if there was a plausible reason they couldn't serve. Authority figures always make me so nervous, so I know I sounded like an idiot when I tried to plead my case. He either felt bad for me or thought I was sincere though, because after telling him that I was a teacher, scheduled to give exams this week in a district so hurt by budget cuts that it doesn't hire subs, he excused me. And I was out. I'll admit, I'm intrigued by court cases, and was a little disappointed that my first jury experience was so short. But, I know I did the right thing. There's no where I'd rather be than right here with my babies while they take their nine weeks test... Or maybe thats a stretch... There's no where I need to be more than here... And I don't mind.

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Final selections...

These were the faves...




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Birth Announcements...

I'm in the process of designing birth announcements for Ginger... Here's what I've come up with so far. What do you think?









The quality of the first one isn't as good as I was using a different program. I have got to work on it a bit.

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