Priase You in this Storm

Rebecca and I rode out the storm almost wondering why it was so calm at our house. As we ate dinner and watched the live stream of a Tornado, it was like watching a movie, yet going through areas just miles from our house. Relative to other areas we were never really in danger. It barely rained, the wind was not bad, and we never lost power. As we watched we knew so many people were hurting, yet what could we do? As the pictures and videos rolled in, the destruction we knew would be there was now evident on our TV. "Warzone," "bomb exploded," "destroyed," were as common phrases as "what's for dinner?" These type of images and phrases are pretty frequent on a global scale, but to realize how close it is to you and how it easily could have been you, puts it in a whole new perspective.

Why were there lives thrown into an uproar and mine spared is such an easy question to conclude. I have to remind myself that we all deserve this and much more, and we will all face this in one way or another. Our sinful nature will ultimately lead to eternal destruction and turmoil if not for the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The destruction from the storms paints such a clear picture to me of how putting our hope in anything else can be taken away in a minute. Houses, cars, and other possessions that people spend their whole lives working for can instantly become worthless. Having these things is fine, but how much more valuable to invest time in loving God and loving people.

I woke up this morning planning on going to work like any other day. I am behind on my yards from the bad weather so I was anxious to get caught up. While I was eating breakfast, I scrolled through the news photos and each one striking at my heart. I continued on to my parents house, but felt so weird about taking care of mostly cosmetic needs from my customers, when there were so many who had real needs that were much more pressing. My dad is on the chainsaw team of the Birmingham Baptist Association Disaster Relief Team and was meeting up with them this morning. I debated in my mind for just a minute more, and then decided to tag along with them for the day.  My yards were such that they can wait another day, so I made myself available to help. One of the benefits of being self-employed is the ability to be able to do this. I'm so glad I was able to help even if it only was to a few people.

Here's a map to show how close the houses with massive destruction were to my parents

The really bad areas of town that are constantly on the news are not open to volunteer relief yet because they are still in first responder search and rescue mode. So we went to four houses over the course of the day that are so close to my parents house, yet by the destruction felt like a different world. All of them had numerous trees down in their yard and on their house. As volunteers we aren't allowed to work on trees that are affecting the house for insurance purposes, but everything else is fair game. The association has a trailer full of chainsaws and we got to work. All the houses we went to were extremely grateful. You can sense their sheer overwhelmed feeling from the destruction and the relief to see somebody come to help. Again it points you to the gospel of being overwhelmed by your sin, and there is a perfect Savior willing to help you.

Pines, oaks, sweetgums, tulip poplars, it didn't matter the type of tree, they were possible victims. Here are just a few photos from our days activities and other houses around. There is still so much more work to be done.

A good reminder to move my car away from trees during a storm

This guy told me he was asleep when this happened

Tim Herrington showed up at the last house with a food trailer to feed the neighborhood. A great time of fellowship to lots of people hurting.

The Transition of an Era

We're now in Birmingham, but it doesn't feel like home, even though I grew up here. It took me nearly 6 years living in Starkville and gaining a wife to finally call it home.

We finished packing up with little room to spare in the uhaul. Dad and I cleaned out my office on campus. It would have been such a nicer feeling if I was actually completely done with my thesis. I went with Megan to transfer our utilities over to her name. We then went to our final meal at La Terraza with my parents, Rebecca's mom, Megan, and the Franci.

We said our goodbyes. The girls shed some tears. It was a sad moment in the parking lot of that Mexican restaurant. We knew this day was coming for many months, but it didn't make it any easier. It makes you wonder why you are moving. Our standard response about being back often is as much of a reassurance to ourselves as it is to everyone else.

Starkville has been great. I never thought I would have grown as attached to it as I have. As much as I like Starkville, Rebecca and I both feel its not the best place to base our respective businesses out of. To me Starkville has always felt like a holding pattern on life. Its a city of people in transition, so the things you grow to love are also in transition. The biggest of those being friends. Most of my friends have long since moved away. The one set of friends who have made the college and married transition with us is the largest reason it has been so hard to leave. Living in the same apartment complex gave the true feeling of community that let a friendship bloom unlike any other. It was rare for a day to pass without one of us going to the others house to catch up on the days events. Boredom was not an option with friends just 100 yards away. So David and Emily, since you two are some of the few who actually read my blog, Rebecca and I just wanted to say we will truly miss you guys. The Lord has provided us with so much already in Birmingham we know he will take care of the friend department too, however it is hard to ask for replacements, because we wouldn't want to replace you. So where ever we may be, its never 'goodbye', just 'see you later'.