DEVASTATED

Thank you so much to all of you who have sent word checking to see if we were ok.  We are on the north side of OKC in Edmond, and the tornado struck Moore which is on the south side of OKC.  

I watched it all live on tv from the moment the funnel formed.  To hear the newscasters saying, "Oh, this is a deadly tornado" as you watch it blow by and rip up houses and buildings just makes your heart drop.  It's so shocking to watch such power and destruction and know there's not one thing you can do to stop it.  

I've lived in Oklahoma my whole life (except for a few years away after we married), and unfortunately this is an all too common occurrence.  Today was just especially horrific.

  

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I'm sure you have all seen coverage on your news, so I don't need to share too many details.  Just sharing how heart-breaking this devastation is.  

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As I write there are still many missing people and children that were at school.  The death toll is in the 50s and feared to rise higher.  Please join me in praying for those families who have lost a loved one or who still have someone missing.  I can't imagine being separated from my child and not being able to get to them. 

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I just can't write about paint and fabric when disaster is this close to home.  It so brings into perspective those things that are really important.

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My husband is on his way right now with another church member and our church bus to head to the area affected and help shuttle people to safety and shelters.  Everything is just so torn up and unrecognizable that everyone is having a hard time getting around.

If you feel inclined to help, here are two very worthy organizations that I highly recommend.  We have personally donated to the BGCO Disaster Relief Team and I encourage you to do the same.

Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma's Disaster Relief Team-  Donate here

The Red Cross- Donate here

Our pastor is preaching through Psalm 100 right now and has encouraged everyone to memorize the short chapter.  There's no way to make sense out of a situation like this other than knowing that the Lord is in control.  I'm finding comfort in it's verses tonight, and will leave you with it's words...

Shout joyfully to the Lord all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.  

Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  

Give thanks to him, bless His name.

For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and 

His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100 (NASB)