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Monday, January 23, 2012

TIRED EYES AND A SAD HEART


UPDATE- ALABAMA DISASTER RELIEF IS DONATING 25.00 TO THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE MISSION FOR EVERY BLOG POST WRITTEN  ABOUT OUR RECENT TORNADOES! THANK YOU FOR GIVING US BLOGGERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING FOR OUR STATE. IF YOU WANT TO BLOG AS WELL YOU CAN FIND THE LINK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS.



It is around 3:45PM and my eyes are stinging I am SO sleepy. I didn't sleep well. My mind was spinning out of control worrying about the approaching bad weather. I trust that the Lord has us in His hands but my flesh has a way of getting the best of me sometimes. I spent all day yesterday cleaning up in the basement making sure we had a safe and secure spot to flee too.  I knew it wasn't like the April  27th storms but when a PDS is issued now, after what we went through last spring, they have my complete attention! I gathered bike helmets, found a solid cherry dining table I was working on in the basement and made a little area for my kiddos underneath the table to ride out the storm. At 3:00 AM we were startled by the sirens and nervously scurried down the stairs to turn on James Spann and see where the storm was.  I was relieved to know it wasn't my neighborhood, but my friends and family 20 minutes north of me were bracing for another monster tornado, an EF3 that was on the ground, shredding everything in it's angry path. About a half a mile away from my family's furniture store, Barnette Furniture Direct, neighborhoods were leveled and lives were lost. The damage is horrific.  My heart goes out to all of you who are dealing with loss today. I am praying for God's supernatural peace to cover you and your family.  I am amazed at the severity of these storms and their frequency. I don't remember this AT ALL growing up here as a child. If this is any indication of what spring is going to be like, I am not ready.

I had plans to show you 1 of 3 projects I have going on downstairs. All three are furniture transformations, but I just think I am done for the day and I am about out of light to photograph anything. I will save them for another day. Please remember these families in your prayers. I know of one 16 year old girl who was killed as well as several others. The link to the Father's heartbreaking account of this event is here.

This is one picture from AL.COM. If you are interested in seeing any other ones, you can follow this link to a slide show........ SLIDE SHOW OF TORNADO DAMAGE.
Below this picture is also a video.


JANUARY 23 2012 STORMS




If you have trouble viewing the video here is the direct LINK.


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16 comments:

  1. Katie @ Wildwood CreekJanuary 23, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Joining you in prayer for the families affected by the storm.

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  2. RoxannaJanuary 23, 2012 at 4:53 PM

    It is just so tragic. Lifting the great folks of AL in prayer.

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  3. THE FARMHOUSE PORCHJanuary 23, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    I have been in the path of several tornadoes in my life, luckily never harmed. It is terrifying. I know it was a rough night, but that you feel lucky to be alright. Those poor people... : (

    Blessings,
    Linsey

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  4. UnknownJanuary 23, 2012 at 5:26 PM

    Oh no... had no idea this was happen as I've been at work all day, but I will pray for the families.

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  5. Restyled VintageJanuary 23, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    OMG that is so frightening, I had no idea about these storms until I read your post! I live in Australia but only moved my family here 6 mths ago from our native New Zealand. We moved away from 'home' to escape the constant earthquakes battering our home city of Christchurch, as my daughter and I were left quite affected by them (mainly the dread and fear of more happening). Of course in Australia it is very rare for damaging earthquakes to happen so it is nice to be on solid ground, but there are always other 'natural' events like your tornadoes that no-one has any control over. On one hand I think at least you can have some warning of a tornado but I don't imagine it makes it any less terrifying when it hits :( I hope that you have been able to have a peaceful and restful sleep tonight!
    xx Karen

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  6. Linda@Coastal CharmJanuary 23, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    As I just read (on AL.com) what the father had to say about their ordeal and his sweet daughter...tears are coming down face...sounds like this young girl had a very bright future...I will be praying for this family and all the people that have been hit by this storm.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  7. Jalon BurtonJanuary 23, 2012 at 8:24 PM

    Keeping you all in our prayers... God's hands are covering you.
    Peace and blessings.

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  8. djjdjdjdjdJanuary 23, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    The storms hit our area around 2:30 this a.m. We are nestled up against a mountain and all of the storms usually hop over our little neighborhood and land just south of us. I was up most of the night though. I had no idea that there were any tornadoes to touch down. Thanks for sharing and bringing it to my attention. Those struck will definitely be in my prayers....and I thought we had it bad with a leak in our master bedroom...all about perspective, huh?

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  9. Deneen@dreaming-n-colorJanuary 23, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    Prayers go out to you all. We were up all night with warnings too in Tennessee. If you have been through one you never get over that fear. All you can do is pray.

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  10. SueannJanuary 24, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    Oh dear! How awful!! My prayers are going up right now for all the families.
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  11. fixitfaerieJanuary 24, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    When I heard about the storms Monday I just started to pray. I am sorry that you have been so affected emotionally, I understand and will pray for you and your family. Blessings to you all, Paula

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  12. Shannon FoxJanuary 24, 2012 at 6:20 PM

    I am so sorry for you! Wishing you safety and serenity.

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  13. fromgentogenJanuary 24, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    We were on our way to Gulf Shores from Indiana six years ago, when we were called home. Our home was destroyed by a tornado. My heart,tears, and prayers go out to the people of your state at this time. Our God is amazingly Gracious and Tender in these times...Blessings, Becky

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  14. AngieJanuary 24, 2012 at 10:20 PM

    I live in Decatur (just north of you) and we were up all night as well. It was horrible! If I even hear thunder I start getting nervous. I've never lived fearful of storms until last year. I'm seriously considering getting a storm shelter. God Bless, Angie

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  15. RachelJanuary 25, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    Thank you for sharing your story. It's so painful that it's happened again! here's to hoping that this is the last time in our lifetimes that we go through storms of this magnitude.

    Btw - I didn't know that Barnett Furniture was in your family! We've bought furniture there and love it.

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  16. dewFebruary 6, 2012 at 2:54 AM

    It was such a heaven the place that we are living now. The worst that we had is the hot weather and sometimes wet.
    Pray that the great Lord and holy angels are guiding u all at all times.

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I appreciate each one of you and love to read your comments. Even though it is impossible to respond to each one, please know that I read them all. You guys are the best! I pray for y'all daily and consider each one of you my friend.