Destruction in Paradise

OK, maybe I don't live in Paradise, but the area that I live in seems pretty close, sometimes.  It's been a few weeks, now, and I just haven't sat down to write about the awful tornadoes that came through at the end of April.  I found myself to be extremely emotional about it all.  It still upsets me to talk about it.  I felt so helpless.  We donated some items, and my mom and I went to volunteer in our town (once they were finally letting people into town), but it doesn't seem like enough.  This has inspired me to get disaster relief training, so that I can be of more help, if this sort of thing happens nearby, again.  Rather than trying to recap it, I am copying a letter that  I wrote to a radio station about the tornadoes (I took out my town....just to practice safe blogging). 

It's one thing to hear about tornadoes in other towns, think that it's sad, and move on with your life.  It's a completely different thing to see the devastation at your own home.  I live in (?) and there was an incredible amount of damage only a few miles from my home.  I am incredibly thankful for the safety of my home and my family.  It brings tears to my eyes when I realize how close I was to being pulled into this disaster.  My parents were out of town and so I went over to check on their home Thursday evening, as they live in (?), as well.  My husband called me and let me know I needed to stay at their house for a bit, because storms were going to be coming through.  I drove home once it looked like I had a safe window.  Only 2 hours later the worst of our the tornadoes came through the path I took to get home.  It leveled homes, destroyed businesses, and took lives.  I don't know how I was blessed enough to make it home in such good timing, but I am so grateful for God's safety in my life.
    My heart breaks for those that weren't as lucky as I was.  They still have our town closed to through traffic, but have been overwhelmed with more volunteers than they can use.  I know it's easy to forget about these things after a few days, but I hope that everyone will remember that there are still people hurting and can use donations and prayers.

Please remember the TN Valley and North GA in your prayers as well as Joplin, MO, which was struck with tornado destruction, yesterday.