"We Are Alabama"

What I'm about to write is simply so I don't forget. So I don't forget the tragedy that happened and so I don't forget the outpouring of love and help that has come from it. I know many of you that will read this know what happened and were possibly directly affected by it. We've all seen the news and the pictures and possibly even been in the places it hit. My post isn't to tell everyone what happened. It's to make sure I don't forget.

On Wednesday (April 27, 2011) I got up to go to the gym early in the morning. As I was about to walk out the door, the tornado alarms sounded. I thought twice about it, turned back around, and turned the tv on to see what was happening. I don't remember James Spann saying anything specific about Cahaba Heights and so I went back to bed. About 30 minutes later, our power went out and we awoke to a deathly wind blowing right outside our window. It was a moment where you freeze and just listen. It wasn't an ordinary wind. It scared both of us. But thankfully it passed. Our power remained off, but the storm had passed and we got up and went to work.

The skies cleared up but all day the forecasters were preparing us for what was ahead - a massive line of potential tornadoes coming in. And they came. Even today (a week later) they don't have all the details and are still performing search and rescues on hundreds missing, but numerous tornadoes entered our state and completely devastated our towns, killing and injuring hundreds of people and destroying people's homes and possessions.

Hogan and I were safe from these storms in Cahaba Heights. The EF5 (I think it was upgraded to this) tornado that came from Tuscaloosa went just west of downtown Birmingham as it continued through our state. Our area was destroyed pretty badly but it was actually from the storm that came through in the morning (which they have now deemed an EF2 tornado). Thankfully I didn't know anyone close to me that lost their home or life, but I've heard so many stories from friends and family that know people that did. Everything was and still is overwhelming. My heart hurts everytime I hear a story. I tear up at stories of people I don't even know.  And the stories are still coming. Search and rescues are still taking place. People all over the top half of our state are without homes and food and family and possessions. Power is being restored where it can be. My mom just got hers back Monday morning. We got ours back late Friday night. I am so thankful for those power employees that have been working relentlessly.

 

I keep thanking Jesus for sparing me and my family and my friends and my home. The thing that is hard to comprehend is that we didn't even take cover. We layed in bed thinking it wasn't coming for us. And the big one wasn't but still. Thousands of others took cover. Many were saved by doing this but many weren't. If you were in the direct path of that tornado, most didn't make it. I hope this helps me to take cover next time. To take it more seriously. I'd like to think it will, but as time passes, unfortunately I think we'll forget just how serious those warnings and storms are.

When things like this happen, you feel burdened yourself. At least I feel like I have to save everyone. I have to get out and help 24/7. Unfortunately because I work I can't do that, but I want to. Fortunately, Hogan and I were able to take off on Friday and go serve in Pratt City (west of downtown Birmingham). We served at a school there that is acting as a distribution hub for the residents. I was able to actually interact with some residents that had lost everything except their lives. I was able to pray with many of them. They all wanted prayer. I was able to hug them. I was able to encourage one young teenage girl. Her mom said she had blacked out when the tornado hit their home and she has been just walking around like a zombie every since. Heartbreaking.  One lady that I got to pray with actually came back to me and another girl and prayed for us. That was powerful. She prayed Psalm 20 over us. Incredible that she wanted to pray for me! I was fine. I hadn't lost anything!

It amazes me to see so many people helping our state. People from all over the nation and state are raising money, driving trucks down with supplies, donating supplies, etc. Twitter and Facebook are being updated at an incredible pace by people who want to help, are helping, and need help. It's honestly a little overwhelming. I feel like I'm on media overload. I need to keep off it but I can't. I'm a deer in a headlight to it.

Out of all of this devastation though has come love and hope. Friends and strangers are doing whatever it takes to help out those affected. I feel like this devastation has "bonded" our state. The slogan "We Are Alabama" has come about. I absolutely love where I live - my city and my state. The local churches are stepping up and shining. It is our finest hour. This is the time to make Jesus' name high. It's a time to remind yourself and others that God is good all the time. We live in a fallen world and things like this will happen. But out of the ashes beauty is rising.

 I found this picture which was taken in the midst of all the destruction in Tuscaloosa.

The cross remained.