The Eggs

Yesterday, which seems like fives days ago, I was standing in the middle of the road on top of some downed power lines staring at a carton of eggs.

A carton of eggs was laying in the middle of the road. And all the eggs inside were unbroken . They came from a refrigerator about 50 yards away that came from a house about 3 yards away that had been lifted off its foundation and deposited a couple of yards away. And the concrete foundation slab was moved 20 feet off its original spot. My friend and I stared in utter disbelief. We were out in Alberta looking for our students trying to find out about their safety and their needs. The devastation was not contained to one house or one street but as far as we could see. A little further down the street was a white baby crib broken in half. To keep from weeping I shut my eyes tight and pictured Noah and Miller and Adam laughing. And I thanked God. A few houses from that I saw a china cabinet leaning against the remaining wall in the structure. It was still proudly displaying its beautiful white china with pink roses. Teapot to plates were all intact. Pictures on the news and videos on YouTube simply can not tell the whole story.

All around me was the wake of a powerful tornado. But my God is greater. And I have been so encouraged by the outpouring of support of all the people who like me could not sit still and needed to be doing and serving. Tuscaloosa has been flooded with volunteers and water and supplies. And we are grateful . In the coming weeks and months I hope people don't forget the 13,000 people estimated to be touched by this storm. And I pray that like those eggs our city will remain unbroken.

If you are looking for ways to help:

1. Pray. For endurance, wisdom, compassion, and comfort, healing. For our leaders, first responders, the National Guard and the countless volunteers.

2. There were two schools in my district that were severely damaged. One was completely destroyed. There was also a county school that was damaged. these schools need school supplies.

3. Some churches and groups are still accepting personal care items and baby items. Sports drinks and non perishable food items.

4. You can volunteer for physical labor through St. Mathias Church on Skyland Blvd.

5. More help will be needed in the coming months.

The Devastation and Blessings

This is a picture from The Tuscaloosa News website. It shows a major intersection and neighborhood that is completely flattened. I am safe and sound. Laying on my couch watching cable in the safety of my untouched house. And I feel unworthy. Blessed and humbled. The boys and I were about six miles or so from this photo during the storm. We were deep and safe inside Adam's office in downtown Tuscaloosa. I cannot believe the devastation or the grace of God who kept my family safe. And my neighborhood....
All night as I saw the images of Tuscaloosa's devastation I picture these pictures taken last week on our sweet street with our sweet neighbors. As we were watching these darlings running in the sprinkler and eating watermelon, we kept saying..."this is the American Dream." I thank God for the ability to make more memories like these. And it breaks my heart for the neighborhoods and lives lost. I will be hugging everyone a little tighter. Laughing a little louder. Helping a little more. Reaching out farther. Living more abundantly.

I will be posting more info as I get it about relief efforts. Please say prayers for Tuscaloosa. Sections of my school district have been demolished. I will be finding out over the next few days about the extent of damage to my students' lives. I am absolutely praising God in this storm!

The Easter Weekend

They say pictures are worth a thousand words. So what are a thousand pictures worth?? I never was good at math. Here are Easter weekend pictures and the stories that go with them in no particular order. Simply because I didn't feel like fighting with Blogger today.

Noah after being bribed with a cupcake to smile and look at the camera. Not even for a cupcake???

Miller had a major blowout in the church nursery. Thus the hoodie for Easter pictures. Boys! (He even got it all over the nursery worker's dress!)

Best picture I got of Noah is Easter suit. This three year old might just be testing his momma.

Front porch pictures before church!

Adam took some pictures while I was getting ready of Noah in his first tie!

My sweet boys!

Miller's first Easter basket. Filled with bath toys and new bibs!

Noah's Easter basket. The Easter Bunny thought he had enough candy so he got Cars water blasters (not water guns ;) ) and Lighting McQueen Pez and books!

Miller Biller watching the family Easter Egg Hunt.

Xander tasting some candy. Yum.

Dusti and Sela at the Calvary's Preschool Easter Picnic!

Easter Egg Yoga. He is so close to taking off!

Nana and Puddin watching the fun.

"You see Miller ...that is why buckets go on your head."

Do I get candy too mom? Noah says it is yummy.

Precious!

Even Charlie took part in the fun!

Love these two!

Xander had the egg stuff down!

Mimi took lots of pictures too!

Noah and Sela at Calvary's Picnic!

Miller hung out in the stroller.

Those white things on the ground are giant Pixie Stix. Yes. Giant Pixie Stix. Noah was ecstatic.

Simple Easter decorations.

Lots of dyed eggs. Maybe one of my favorite Easter Weekend moments... Xander thought the eggs were balls and he threw some. It was so funny!

Miller loves to share with Charlie.

There isn't any candy in your egg Cuz...

Happy first Easter Precious. My prayer is that one day that you too will Celebrate your Savior's sacrifice and triumph over death!

The Easter Preview

This Easter post is hard to write. First because I took about 720 pictures this weekend. Literally. And about 200 of them are winners. It is hard to narrow it all down. And secondly because I am having a hard time writing a post about poop and Easter outfits, egg hunts, bunnies and the glory and grace of God. I am still humbled from what Easter truly means to me. I am in awe of my Savior and His Great Name. He has been working on my heart and He really met me in worship

this morning. He whispered my name and told me He died for me. FOR ME. And for you. And my heart is just still overwhelemed by this and how much He loves me despite how many times I deny Him, that I simply cannot post about all the other fun and abundant life lived this weekend. And I hope and pray that one day Easter is so real to Noah and Miller that they too are speechless. Until later here are just a few pictures from the weekend....