Though the Mountains Be Shaken…

A few days ago we finally got our internet service back again after a month without it, so I am finally updating this blog.  We are at least glad it was not the electricity that was out, we only had to go without power for 4 days.   With all that said, the reason for it was the tornado that devastated our community on April 27th.  We had left that afternoon for a WeCare staff event for the weekend.  Four hours after we left is when the tornado came through.  Our neighbors called us informing us of what happened and letting us know everyone on our street was fine.  We stayed the night in Atmore and returned home the next afternoon.  Below are pictures of us just arriving home. A few of the neighbors came to welcome us home.

It was good to see the neighbors were alright and hearing their stories of what happened.  Above, we are taking a walk around the house and checking out the damage. Below is a picture of when we just got home, never so good to be home.

Below are some pictures of the trees that fell around our house. The garbage can you see below, was sitting there before the storm and never got hit.  We were spared, but a block away was a different story.

The tree below was our pecan tree, gave some nice pecans and shade to our back yard. Not any more.  If you look hard enough my truck is in that mess.  But it only had minor damage.

   

           With the good help of family pictured below, we had the debris cleaned up and looking much better.  I call them our first responders, arriving here less than 3 days after the storm hit.  We were so glad to have them here and feel the support from home.  They got a lot of work done in a few days, all our yard mess, some of the neighbors and others in the area.  The support of family and friends back in Pa was overwhelming, we can’t begin to repay.  I will post later of all the support we had. They brought some of C.A.R.E.’s equipment(a disaster relief organization based out of Lancaster, Pa), who are now set up base at the church where we attend.  Mom did a lot of cleaning in our house, yard work outside and of course time well spent with the children.  Thanks mom!   Brothers John, with son Alex, Jadon and bro-in-law Elvin did a lot of cleanup even though it might not have seemed that way.  It was a real encouragement having them be here for a few days.

Below are some pictures of people I was able to help with cleaning out some of their personal belongings. The first picture is friends of ours from church who lost their home.  The house moved toward the street 30 yds while they were in the basement.  Robert broke his femur and his wife her ankle.  Their son had minor scrapes.

Below a young man from CARE (not pictured) and myself were helping gather up some personal belongings of this family before the rain.  An older couple owned this place and they were in the basement when the storm hit.  This place was real close to our home, just a couple blocks away. Below are a few pictures of the Pleasant Grove area, we wish we would have pictures of before. But you never think of taking pictures of your neighborhood.  Google maps is a good way to see how a property looked before the storm. 

 

We have one of those inspirational calendars and this is the verse we had for April 27th, the day of the storm.

Psalm 19:14-16, “Because He loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

So many people’s stories are of being protected and escaping death by a miracle.  When you see the houses destroyed and then you hear how the people survived that were in them is nothing short of a miracle.

Above on left is what you saw a lot of in the days after the storm.  People finding every way possible to serve.  Drinks, food, gas, and any other supplies you could think of.  The picture was taken in front of our house, we were out cleaning our yard and they stopped and made sure we had plenty to drink and eat.  The men on the picture, above right, were walking the street and stopped to make sure everyone was accounted for in our residence. It gave you a weird feeling being asked that question.   Below, the guys in the blue hats were the search and rescue men, only 10 reported deaths in Pleasant Grove.  Hard to believe when you see all the destroyed homes.

 

Above, I couldn’t resist the picture of mom and Ava.  Getting some special attention from Grandma which she doesn’t get as often as she needs being 850 miles away.  And last but not least our children have been a blessing more than ever.  They have been real “troopers” as we had our schedules and lives rearranged in the last few weeks. 

… “yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.  Isaiah 54:10