This is Kathy again updating for Kelly.
Thank you all so much for your love, prayers and gifts. Aaron and Kelly are doing OK. Her dad came home from the hospital today to his home that is no longer there. The outpouring of the Body of Christ and the community is simply overwhelming! God is so good.
Here are a few video clips that might help all of you understand the situation better. This first one is of Aaron:
This one is Jordan Lee who lost his father. What a Godly young man he is! He brings glory to God as he carries on his father’s legacy:
This one is of Gary Boyd (father of 9), who is also a dear friend to us:
Our church has a page with updated needs Christ Church Branchcove .
Kelly nursing Jax and answering phone calls.
She has been so very gracious every moment of the day,
(work crews and reporters coming through)
she has been a pillar of strength for her children and a helper to her husband.
When Avi saw her home for the first time in the daylight she cried
and Kelly gently reassured her that it was going to be OK.
By the way…she has not seen these pictures yet,
nor does she know I have posted this, although she has told me to do what I want to. 🙂
Pictures were taken by Olivia. 🙂
39 comments
Thank you so much for posting this! It is so very helpful. We are praying!!! What precious testimonies that bring such glory to the Lord.
I am continuing to pray for all of you Kelly! Your family has been on my heart ever since hearing of your needs.
Thank you Kathy for taking the time to update us all.
Lots of love,
Sommer
Thanks so much for the updates Kathy – Keeping them in our prayers and budget
Kathy,
Thank you so much for keeping us update to what is going on with these families. My husband and I will continue to keep them in our prayers.
Blessings,
-L. Rose
Please know that even on the other side of the world in a country that is well acquainted with natural disasters (especially in recent times)that there are people praying for Kelly and her family and all those that have been affected by these tornadoes. Even though I do not know Kelly personally, Generation Cedar has been such a blessing in my life for a number of years now. As I watched the Royal Wedding on Friday and listened to the passage of Scripture from Romans 12 being read out, it occurred to me that these very verses were being lived out by those affected in this valley and those in the Body of Christ who have gone to help these families who are ‘rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, being given to hospitality.’ (verses 12 and 13)
May God bless you Kathy (and all those alongside you) as you continue to minister to people in the aftermath of this disaster and may God be glorified.
Thank you so much for updating us Kathy. Kelly looks amazingly wonderful in these pictures and they are so reassuring to see.
I pray that the Crawfords and all of the tornado victims in your community will be blessed with all of the resources, emotional, spiritual and physical that they need to restore order to their lives. The reports of how Christ’s body is responding are such a blessing and encouragement.
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. I keep thinking how hard it must be for Kelly going through this after just having a baby. I am glad she is doing so well. I will continue to pray for this precious family who loves the Lord.
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Lee. I sat here this morning before church, checking email by chance, and came across these videos. I wept. To God be the glory. As our hearts ache with you all, we are driven to pray. Please continue to know the Lord’s presence and love.
Amanda from Iowa
Kathy, thank you for keeping us updated! I live in Tulsa, where you would more expect this kind of thing to happen. The Crawford’s, Lee’s & all the other families are in our prayers. What a testimony the eldest son of Tom Lee gave! May God be glorified & these families have peace & be abundantly blessed!
Thank you so much for posting those videos, Kathy. I cannot comprehend the devastation – and seeing that little crib just tore my heart up. I feel so helpless up here in Ohio, but I am praying . . .
Thank you so much, again, for the updates. It is SO good to see Kelly and her family. My heart is yearning to help. Please post any ways that we can.
I, too, that you for the update. It is a privilege to pray for these families. Thank you for upholding them.
Hi, I just wanted to say that my heart goes out to you and that I can empathise to the shock of going through a natural disaster. I am from Christchurch, New Zealand and have experienced two devestating earthquakes in the last 7 months. You are in my prayers as I know you’ll be in a state of shock, unbelief and fear. I’ll keep watching and praying for you and everyone else. America was so kind to our city in our devestation, and I hope we can help, too. God bless.
Thank you so much for updating this blog and for sharing the videos with us. I speak for many in Shelby County who are praying for all of you and are eager to do whatever we can to help you. Your thankfulness and your trust in our Father during this time of great tragedy is encouraging to all of us. We want to share your burden as much as we can. Love from the Smith family in Helena
What happened to the animals you had in your farm?
Because I come from Spain, I cannot really understand why most houses in the USA are made of wood, specially in places where you could expect tornados. In most parts of the world, including all of Europe, houses are made of brick and morter. I know that it takes longer to build them and they are more expensive, but i think it is worth.
Thanks for you good testimony.
I *think* the Crawford animals and her dad’s animals survived. Many other animals in the valley made it, but some did die. I know the Lee’s milk cow died, yet their 2 draft horses were picked up and set back down safely during the tornado.
There were MANY brick homes left shredded by this tornado, it really didn’t matter what the home was built of.
Thanks, Kathy …. I was wondering about the animals too. Of course that is nothing compared to the loss of humans, but I know that is hard too.
Thanks so much for the update. We are praying continuously for the Crawfords, Lees, and others affected. My husband is from B’ham and his family still lives there. They are safe and we are very grateful, but our hearts and prayers are with all those who have lost so much. Praise the Lord for their testimony and the way they are leaning on Him during these trying times.
Thank you for posting updates and especially the pictures. They are very reassuring; a visual confirmation that God is answering prayer through the ministry of His people. I live near Ringgold and Trenton, GA and those towns were devasted as well. I don’t have cable and most of the local news coverage is focusing on the nearby disaster, but we don’t forget that many people in several states are suffering. We will continue to pray for all those who are suffering. Recovery will not be easy or quick, but God’s comfort will not fail.
Thank you for the update and the videos. You all have been on my heart, in my thougts, and in my prayers. The picture of Kelly with her daughter is just priceless.
Thank you so much for keeping us posted. Praying for you all!!!
Thankyou for the update Kathy. My hubby & I watched Aarons video & we are so touched. We are praying about what the Lord would have us do from this side of the world. I’ll watch the other videos as I feel emotionally able – the first one has me in tears. Please pass onto Kelly & family & the Lees & others that we are praying for them- we have been praying for them in family devotions & I have regularly.
Blessings
Renata (Australia)
Thank you for the update. We are remembering the families concerned in our prayers. The children have been concerned to hear about this especially as they have met Bria.
I have blogged about this.
Sarah
Thank you so much for posting this! It was heart-wrenching to watch the video clips and so sobering to see Kelly sitting there nursing her baby with no house to sit in. Even with all she has been through, I was struck by how beautiful Kelly looked!! I am so grateful that the Crawford family’s lives were all spared, and my heart breaks for the Lee Family! In all of this, God’s name is being lifted up and these families are shining brightly for Him, obviously ready at the worst of times to share a reason for the hope that lies within them! May His Name continue to be praised and may He fill these families with His peace that passes all understanding!!
Blessings,
Elizabeth in Georgia
We are praying fervently for God’s strength and peace and that His name will be glorified.
I appreciate you updating us on behalf of the Crawfords, Kathy. The interviews you’ve included here are so moving; I find myself wanting to listen and re-listen to them…they’re awesome reminders of the faith and gratitude displayed among the Body of Christ.
And thank you so much for posting the pictures (and Olivia for taking them)! The one of Kelly embracing Avi is so sweet! Avi looks a lot like one of my daughters, so that pic is especially touching to me. They’re all so well done, though, and really capture the love and devotion Kelly has for her family.
Send Kelly my love, and let her know I am continuing to pray for them all, and seeking God’s wisdom on how and when I can contribute financially in His perfect timing. (Thank you for the link to Christ Church Branchcove. That helps tremendously!)
Peace and blessings to you all in the name of our Lord.
Thank you so much for the update and for sharing the video clips. We will be praying for the families and that God will be glorified in all that has happened. Thank you also for the link and a contribution has been made.
Beautiful… such beauty (inner strength, etc.) in the middle of such destruction. Praying for these families daily! Love you! ~Michelle
It is amazing to see such a strong family!!
We were curious if food and supplies are still needed
If food and supplies are needed, I would like to donate what I can. Also, I’d like to allow others to purchase Thrive/Shelf Reliance products through my site and have them shipped to the families or the Church. I could donate my profits from the sale of the products for Tornado Relief to the relief fund. This would enable my self to help, others to help, and the profits from helping to be donated to help furtherer.
If food and supplies are still needed, I would love to help.
We continue to pray.
I’m so sorry this has happened to the Crawford and Lee families. We are praying for you.
It is good to see smiles and to know that they are so well cared for. What a beautiful testimony of their faith and God’s faithfulness. On the long road ahead, God WILL continue to be their STRONG TOWER and FORTRESS..comforter.. healer and He has ALREADY made provision for their every need. He is just waiting for the vessels through which to deliver them! Thank you.. She is blessed to have a friend like you.. as well. Bless you and them. We continue to pray.
Love in Christ..
Tamara
I am praying for you!
Thank you for the updates!
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