Life of a preacher's wife :): God is good... all the time!

Hello again everyone!

Just a warning... I have a lot to say... for this has been one of the most touching, heart warming weekends I have ever have. I apologize about not being able to keep up with you all over the weekend, but once you read my post and see my pictures you will understand why.

Thursday evening Jake and I (and Chubbs) headed out towards GA. We arrived around 12:00 and went straight to bed. There was something I was kind of holding out from everyone all week because we was not sure if this was going to be able to happen or not. Teresa (Jake's mother) has been struggling with lots of pain through her arm and neck. Awhile back she visited her doctor and he informed her that she has bone spurs on her spine and her discs in her neck were non existant causing her severe pain and numbness in her left arm. Insurance purposes almost kept Mrs. Teresa from getting the help she needed. But after they received approval and what not she was ready for surgery. Friday morning at 5:30 she arrived at the hospital and by 9 she was in her recovering room. Jake and I was there to comfort her as soon as she got out of surgery,the doctor said everything went as planned. Teresa was in a lot of pain with a little bit of nausea but she was still that same sweet Teresa. Teresa is now at home being taking care of from her husband and mother. I ask if you can keep my mother-in-law in your prayers. She is such a sweet lady and she is always there when others are in need, and she deserves to feel normal again!

I'm not sure where to begin to explain the other part of this weekend. Well Friday after we left the hospital we were summoned to the church for the Churches of Christ disaster relief truck was ready to be unloaded and they needed some help. There were maybe 30 volunteers that unloaded a truck with 9 tons of supplies!!! Yes 9 tons! I couldn't believe the supplies we received... everything from bleach, clothes, baby formula, box of food for 4 people that will last a week and so much more!! I was overwhelmed at how this operation went. This disaster relief program is a Church of Christ affiliation that our church gives money to so much a year just in case something like this may happen. After the truck was unloaded, Jake, Tate, Kaylah and I headed back to the hospital to spend a little time with Teresa. We were in bed by 10:00 for we knew we had a long day ahead of us.

The next morning (Saturday) we had to be at the church about 9:00 for clean-up. Jake pretty much stayed outside all morning cleaning and I worked within the annex,with the women, on the goods. I helped loading up a truck with supplies that me , a sweet lady named Millie and another guy (not sure the name) decided to go out and see who needed supplies.

The first house we got to, there was a little girl on the front porch. I walked up to her and asked if she was hungry and needed some food. Quickly she said yes! I said,"Ok,we can help you... is your mother home." She proceeded to run inside and retuned quickly with her mother. Come to find out the mother was a single parent with 5 children. She told me how when the power came back on all her appliances blew and she had just went to the grocery store for their weekly groceries and all of them were ruined when the power went out. It broke my heart, rather this family was hurt from the tornado or maybe was way before this disaster, we helped them tremendously. She cried the entire time we were there with them. She was blessing and blessing us. I couldn't help to say," you're welcome but the Lord is who blesses us to be able to help you." I think it kind of took her back for a minute, her eyes got wide and she just wasn't able to say anything. I could tell she was hurt. Not knowing what from, I just said," were having church service tomorrow evening at 2:00 and you and your family are welcome to come." She said,"we will try."

Wow...the rest of the day was spent in Sonarville, a little city outside of Adairsville. We went door to door checking on familes making sure they had all the supplies they needed. At the same time, I saw people burning their own houses. The destruction was so bad, they just burnt their pile of their house caused from the tornado. Heartbreaking. The tornado that went through this part of town was over 1/2 mile wide. We were able to see the exact path it took.

After the day was over, Jake and I was so overwhelmed. We reminisced on the entire day. To what each other did, to the destruction we saw , and to how lucky Adairsville was to only have one death. You would be amazed if you saw the town as well. The pictures just does not do it justice. I would have to say that Adairsville is also blessed, they had over 1300 registered volunteers for Saturday. And that's just the registered ones. The community really came together and it was a beautiful sight.

Sunday morning Jake and I met my parents in Rome to eat lunch with them. It sure was great to see them, it has been awhile. Following lunch we had church service at 2:00 due to the storm. I looked over my shoulder many times through the service wondering if that family would ever walk through the door. They never did. I'm not sure if I will ever see them again, I just hope they pick up that bible that was in their supplies and start reading.

After this weekend I have had my eyes open to parts of the world I have never experienced. From this disaster, even though it was horrible, I am a stronger, giving, more humble Christian lady than I have ever thought of being. I encourage anyone who has never volunteered your time to helping out another family without expecting to receive anything in return to get started. Make it a weekly chore to do something for someone else, rather they know or do not know. A little something may make someones day or maybe even save them from some hurt.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends. Now its time to rest!