April 27, 2011

I've sat here for two days now wondering if I'll ever forget that date? Part of me wishes I could block it out of my mind and just pretend it never happened when the other part of my brain wants me to remember it every day and make sure I am thankful daily for everything and everyone in my life. All too quickly I learned what it could have been like to not have the store. Not have my family, my home, my vehicles, my life here on earth. What would it have been like to be in Heaven with the Father now? Amazing! But then I wouldn't get to see Taylor's graduation next month, anymore of Trey's ballgames, either of their weddings...so many other things. I am thankful it was my God's plan for me to leave this earth on April 27, 2011 and my heart break for the ones who were involved in God's plan.

A town I have spent the majority of my life in, is forever changed. Landmarks are gone. Businesses are gone. Schools and churches are gone. Homes are gone, and people are gone. All I have been able to think of is, "Lord, I will Praise You in This Storm!"

The decision to reopen the store today was not to make sales, it was to act as a drop-off center for needed supplies. People in our community, and others throughout our amazing state of Alabama, need the basic necessities of life: toilet paper, paper towels, liquid soap, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, diapers, underwear, clothes, toothpaste/toothbrushes, pet food, hairbrushes, Tylenol, etc. The things we don't even THINK about that we have, they need. They have nothing! A friend of mine, her father's home was blown away but his front porch and the clothes on his back. He was trapped for hours waiting on emergency crews to get to him. So he sat on his porch steps, all he had left, and waited. Can you imagine?

Please give of your time, your money, donate supplies to our town, our neighborhoods, and our people. We will keep this going until the last person is taken care of. Let's "Praise Him in This Storm" and not let the Evil-One win!!!