Random Tornado Thoughts

Just some random things I don't want to forget about April 27, 2011 and the days following the devastation.

• We were without power for 30 hours which was a very short time compared with our family and church family and friends who were without for up to 6 days or more. We live on the same grid as a mental hospital - hospitals/nursing homes were the first to get power back. Only 5 houses on our street are on that grid, we are blessed to be one of them!
• Our neighbors across the street didn't get power back for 4 days. We let them borrow our generator and they came over for hot showers.

• Many family members and church family who came for showers, to do laundry and cook. It was such a neat opportunity to open our home to those in need. We also stored lots of food in our deep freezer for those who's food would otherwise go to waste.
• Since schools were out and Jacob was off, he took a whole day to smoke a ton of meat that had been thawing in people's freezers. We had a big cookout and fed a bunch of people who still were without power. . . or whose power had just come back on. 

• We kept Levi's pre-op appointment in Birmingham because we needed to get gas and food and most of the stores in North Alabama were sold out or you had to wait in mile long (or several mile long) lines.
• Our cell phones had very sketchy service for 3 days. When we got close to Birmingham, we got service and I called my parents land line. I cannot tell you what relief and joy I felt to hear their voices and know that they were ok. 

This line for gas was for the gas station in the distance, the one up close didn't have power to run the pumps.

• It was eerie at night not having power - no street lights, no traffic lights, just pitch blackness. We were under a sun down to sun up curfew to help prevent looting. Anyone who was out without a good reason was arrested.
• We grew very close to our neighbors - one night 4 different families stood outside in the darkness with flashlights glowing, just talking for an hour. 
• So much time was spent outside because no one could watch tv or play video games or be on the internet. That was not a bad thing! :-)

• Our church is helping many families who lost everything in the tornadoes. If you would like to send money, gift cards, or non perishable items (food, clothes, baby items, etc) please email me at kmoon584@gmail.com and I'll give you the church's address. 

All items will be distributed to victims in North Alabama - although North Alabama has gotten very little media coverage, the devastation is incredible. Entire towns were wiped off the map by the EF5 tornado that came through. Our church is thankful for this opportunity to help victims materially, but also for the awesome opportunity to share the Gospel with them.
         

All donations are greatly appreciated!