We are OK

Thank you for all of the Facebook messages, wall posts, emails, texts, phone calls, etc. asking how we are doing after the storms. We are extremely grateful for how protected we were during the tornadoes that ripped through sections of the state Wednesday. After seeing the extent of the damage, we know without a doubt that God was taking care of us.

The news coverage is heartbreaking, and each story is more unbelievable than the next. I have been especially touched and broken by the coverage of the small towns, much like the towns we grew up in. They are burying friends, relatives... the storm took their entire town, everything they knew. It is truly unreal.

Please give as you feel appropriate to the various organizaitons that are collecting funds and items for the storm surviviors.
If you need a list of places to get involved, check here or here). These people literally have nothing... I wouldn't even know where to begin. You can give your time, your money, your prayers... anything you can offer is meaningful and important. Even if you can't give anything, give a little extra love to the people that mean the most to you today. Hug your family a little closer, be a little kinder to the people you encounter, be grateful for the home you have (even if it is not perfect).

The video below is from the worship service that was held on Samford's campus. It is a guide to prayer for the victims. I feel a burden for the poor and vulnerable, so that part of the prayer stands out to me. Please pray for what sticks with you after watching it.



I want to mention how proud I am of our state. This is not something any state, let alone Alabama where tornadoes of this magnitude don't ever happen, could have been prepared to handle. The people of Alabama have shown that they care about one another; people are working to rebuild and faith-based organizations and churches have stepped up to do the work Christ calls us to do. FEMA is here, but many people and organizations were working long before those trucks rolled in. Alabama's people are resilient, and I have been so proud to see the character of her people shine through this dark and uncertain time. Here is a link to Gov. Bentley's address. It is long, but read it if you have time.

Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and concern.