My husband and I had to go into town yesterday (about an hour’s drive west of us) because I had to get my immunotherapy shots.  We had decided that we would go to the gym on the way back home and swim a while.  Unfortunately, there were storms everywhere and tornadoes were touching down in various locations near us.  So, the pool was closed but we couldn’t go home because it was too dangerous for us to head out on the road with tornadoes so active.  I had seen the path of destruction that a tornado leaves behind a few years ago when a tornado hit Tappahanock, the little town near our church.  Entire neighborhoods were decimated.  From that experience, I have a healthy respect for tornadoes.  But, I know who controls the winds, so I tried to remain calm with tornado alarm warnings going off on phones all around me.  I kept reminding myself about how much God loves me.  I even told the couple next to me that I trusted God to take care of us.  After all, we were in a building with a lot of glass and heavy equipment that would definitely be a death trap if a tornado were to touch down there.  I actually was calmly reading my book by Lisa Harris (Review of A SECRET TO DIE FOR by Lisa Harris) and waiting until the all clear signal to go home.  We stayed in the fitness center for a couple of hours and once the tornadoes seemed to have headed north, we went home.  There were still tornado warnings until after ten last night.  I am sad to report that a tornado did touch down in Chesterfield County, south of Richmond, Virginia, and one woman died in the building that collapsed under the force of the winds.  I pray that she was a Christian and that God will send the Comforter to be with her friends and loved ones.  But I know that God is in Heaven, regardlesss of loss of life and property, and He loves us and will take care of us.  

As I view all of the destruction in North and South Carolina, I have to continue to trust in God’s grace for these people.  We were just on those roads a week and a half ago as we came back from our vacation to Myrtle Beach.  My heart goes out to these people and I pray that they will turn to the only One who can truly help them.  Some of them have lost everything…all of their earthly possessions except for what they took with them when they fled from Hurricane Florence and the flood.  It is one thing to say that we pray for those people, but I hope that you will also consider giveing a donation to help them to one of the many relief organizations that are helping in the recovery.  I can personally testify that Samaritan’s Purse, an organization founded by Franklin Graham, and Christians in Action are both worthy and give the funds to the people who need them, helping rebuild homes and giving food and shelter to those in need.  Here are the links to their sites should you choose to donate.  God bless and be with each of you and with all of the victims of this devastation.  

Samaritan’s Purse

Christ In Action