my thoughts, sort of.

Yesterday, my best friend, and I loaded up a 16 foot trailer, FULL of water, food, supplies and drove to one of the hardest hit areas of  Alabama.  Just two stay at home moms, a giant trailer, which I lovingly referred to as "THAT THING" and my husbands pickup truck.
God had lead us, we heard him lound and clear. We went to Hackleburg, AL. Before this week, we had never even heard of this town. The night before we left, we didn't really know where it was!!
I can express how it made me feel to load that trailer up, to collect those donations.  I was amazed by peoples kindness, by the strength that God have given us, by the calling and how clear His message was. 
I knew the whole way, that God was guiding that truck. That He had cleared that road. Because, let's face it, I am not the best driver. He helped us not "lose it" when we got to the site of the destruction.We picked up another friend of the family, whom I haven't seen in years.  He knew the area very well. See, God put him in that truck with us. I don't think we would have gone all the way into Hackleburg if he had not pushed us through.  When we found the spot to deliver supplies, I felt so blessed by the people accepting them. When we finished unloading, we didn't want to leave. We would have stayed, organized the whole thing, slept in a tent if we had to!
What I can't put into words is what we saw when we arrived.
7 years ago, my husband and I buried twins. God gave me strength to  get through that, and eventually, talk about it. That happened to ME. This storm, this destruction, didn't harm me, my friends, or family.  I have been crying off and on ever since we returned. I feel like that town is a part of me now. I want to go back. I want to help them clean up, to rebuild.  I pray for them, and all the victims.  I pray for the workers.
I hope soon, that I can talk about how it made me feel to see that,  I hope that I can sort oust exactly what these feelings are.

God is my co-pilot

Today, my best friend and I are taking a trailer to a little town in North West Alabama called Hackleburg. We have prayed all week, we have gathered supplies, we have changed location about 20 times. They were the first to say, 'Oh, thank you, we have nothing, we appreciate it so much'.  I know everyone is giving , and taking supplies, and donating money, etc. Please remember, this is not going to be fixed in a week or a month. These people, all over the state, are going to need help for months, and maybe years to come.
Everyone is doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, not by government mandate. The PEOPLE, the Churches, organizations, NEW groups, are taking care of this! This is how is should be, this is how it used to be.
I don't know if we are prepared for what we are going to see. I thought about taking my camera, but decided against it. We've seen these sad images so much. People are hurting, I don't want to be snapping photos, I want to be healing souls, by the grace of God.
We haven't done this alone, we've had a ton of help. God has done this. He's just using us as His hands and feet.  We've had people praying for us all over the country! We need it.
So today, I'm not driving my B.A. mini van. I'll be behind the wheel of a pickup truck pulling about an 18 ft trailer. I'll be behind the wheel, but God is driving.
Remember, if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you. If you CAN see my mirrors, I probably still can't see you!

Let yourself be blessed....

    
Wednesday, April, 27, 2011, was horrible, there is no way around it. It still feels like a bad nightmare. I cannot believe the images. I keep saying ,that can't be our state. It looks like a movie. Hundreds of deaths, lost homes, displaced families, and businesses.  I don't know anyone who wasn't affected  by these storms in some way or another.
I have heard so many tragic stories, we all have. In the midst of all of it, however, I cannot believe the strength and good nature that so many people have shown. 
People everywhere are loading up, spending as much, or in some cases more, than they can afford to help these victims. No matter what I do, I don't feel like it will ever be enough.
I know nurses, at Children's Hospital who have had to help parents identify their children. I know students, kids, some family at Alabama who have recovered bodies. Images that they will never be able to get out of their heads.  This is not stuff they are seeing on television, these are things that they are experiencing up close and in person.
 I talked to a lady at an arts and crafts festival yesterday, who had lost her business in Tuscaloosa.  She spent Thursday and Friday, making as many crafts as she could so that she could still occupy her booth!! On top of that, she brought a case of water to donate to the victims!!
My niece, who is a senior at the University, lives seconds from where the brunt of the destruction took place. I would have begged my daddy to 'come get me!' But not this remarkable young lady, she borrowed deoderant and a toothbrush, and went to the command center to help. As a matter of fact, she told her dad to stay home!!
I talked to a young man yesterday, who had lost so many of his friends, and still hasn't heard from others, who was going BACK to Tuscaloosa this week to volunteer.
A very good friend of mine, spent over $200, without a thought, buying clothing , diapers, wipes, and toys to help these victims! This wasn't easy for her, financially, but she did it.
And I am sure, most people have heard of the "toomers for tuscaloosa" group. They are doing amazing things.
My family and I are so blessed. This storm, which went for hundreds of miles, without lifting off of the ground, skipped about a 3 mile path, then landed north. This path that is skipped, was the town I live in. We are truley blessed.

The purple line in the middle is the path of the Tuscaloosa tornado.
The break in the line, is the area that my family and I live.

So before you complain about your life, think of these people. Think of how blessed you are just to be alive. Buildings can be rebuilt. Power will eventually be turned back on. But family and friends cannot be replaced. For those of us who made it through unscathed, God has allowed us to be blessed, so let Him. He blessed us, so that we can be there, to help Him bless the others.