This Sunday marks the 3rd anniversary of the awful day in our lives wherein friends and neighbors were killed, and our world turned upside down, never to be the same, due to a mammoth-sized, record-breaking tornado.
For old readers, you walked with us through those difficult months and I love you for it.
This week, while I am preparing/traveling/speaking at the Christian Heritage Conference and unable to write, I’m preparing, ahead of time, this brief memorial and the links to our story as I chronicled it. I love so much going back and reading the comments on those posts. I love that they are here, forever, for me to read and cherish.
And on this third year, I can say that we are continually so grateful for all the Lord taught us and did for us through that tragedy, and how He continues to grow us. I never knew it would take so long to acclimate to a new life, and even still, I sometimes wonder if we’ll ever feel “normal” again. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t talk about “The Storm”, its memory being so indelibly burned into our minds and experience, and its evidence in the landscape still very much a daily reminder.
I am thankful for the lessons of His sovereignty and how learning those lessons brings so much peace. When we can fall into His arms and know that nothing is outside of His omniscient love for us, we can live in confidence, reminding our fears that He is in control.
Whatever storms you might be going through, do not let your heart forget that nothing surprises the Lord, and that in everything, He is working out His plan for your good. We must only obey and trust His promises, and then embrace the peace that passes all understanding.
For those who wish to read the stories of God’s amazing grace, I’ve provided links to the story, chronologically.
God is Mighty to Save…All is Not Lost
Tornado Update April 30 (from Kathy–videos and pictures)
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 1 (The Story)es for Lees and Crawfords
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 2
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 3
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Conclusion
When Love Looks Like Lumber (First building update)
Update: On Building and Scrap Wood
Update: Six Months After the Storm
26 comments
We didn’t go through the storm, but we still remember it vividly. I can imagine it being remembered daily. I can’t believe it’s been three years! Time flies. Life has been full of devastating storms here too…not so visible but just as devastating. We are not the same and can never go back. But I will sing praises to God for the great things He has done through it all.
Our family will only be able to go to CH on Friday aft/evening. Is there a place where people can find you? I have a small gift for you and I would love to say Hi.
Laura,
You’re coming??!! I would LOVE to meet you. It’s hard to say where I’ll be. Of course you could find my sessions–I’ll be doing 3 on Friday, and I’ll be in those rooms during that time. I’m am so excited about this!
You were a blessing to me before the storm, but twice as much afterwards. Your faithfulness has been a powerful encouragement in my life. Thank you for ‘being you following the Lord’ (if that makes any sense). It’s nice to have a ‘Paul’ (with real life day-to-day modern issues) to reference. It helps my vision stay ‘eternal’ instead of temporary.
Given all you have written about mothers staying at home, how do you feel about leaving your kids to go traveling/speaking thousands of miles away?
Thank you.
LOL! Does traveling for the weekend make one *not* a stay-at-home mom? Certainly not by my book. Since our anniversary was this week, we are chalking this up to a triple whammy: a chance to minister to women (that’s in the Bible), a chance to make some extra money (that’s in the Bible) and a chance to grow our marriage as a couple (with a baby)…also in the Bible. May this trip serve as an example to women everywhere of the *truth* of what I teach, not the twisted version others try to make it.
LOL! We cross-posted. 😉
Dear Troll (your real name!),
Kelly’s readers (who, unlike you and your ilk, are here for noble purposes) are smart enough to figure out Kelly’s point in her encouragement for a mothers’ high calling in the home. It is not that a mother can never leave the home. She has never said such a thing. But then, you already know that, don’t you?
We know why you’re here, and your questions and comments don’t fool us, fool.
I am so thankful that you chose to chronicle your journey through the aftermath of the storm. 2011 brought unexpected trials for me, too, including the deaths of four good friends and two relatives, one by one, over a period of eight months that year. Just when I felt like I’d begun to process the grief somewhat, another death would come. But I saw in your journey how God was faithfully walking with you at your time of great need and dependence on the Lord, and it was a powerful reminder of how He was gently guiding me through the storm, too, and still is today, as always. The storms of life do often leave an indelible imprint on our lives, but God remains ever faithful and true.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
C,
Amen, and amen.
It has been 16 years since a devastating F-5 went through our community killing 6 members of our church and dozens more while it was on the ground. For years in our Sunday School class the tornado was always mentioned usually in noting God’s miracles and blessings.
Amy,
It’s hard for those who haven’t experienced that kind of devastation to understand how much it becomes part of your memory, conversation, reference, etc.
There’s a link in your list to the former vision forum website fyi.
Thanks Ginger.
Sweet Kelly! I no sooner read the title and I had chills and was brought to tears, I cannot fathom what remembering does for you. I remember with you and I also marvel at God and HIs faithfulness. Hugging you from here! Love you, dear sister!!
Aw, Michelle, I remember our sweet telephone conversation and your insightful wisdom. Thank you. I pray to meet you one day!
Dear Kelly You don’t need to publish this comment but I just wanted to encourage you after all the stuff at SSB. Its so hard to know what to say in those kind of situations and I think all that you said was spot on. You are such a blessing to me and your heart for the Lord comes through so much in all you write. Thanks for your balanced perspective! with love
Karyn…that means more than you know. Thank you.
I just wanted to say thank you again for coming to CH. You have long been an encouragement to me, and an inspiration for me to be that to others around me. I am so glad I got to meet you this weekend and listen to you speak. I always feel like it is kinda awkward to meet the moms behind the blogs because I feel like I know some much about you and consider you a friend but you don’t even know who I am. 🙂 Maybe we will meet again in a few years. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for both of us. Praying for you Kelly!
Jennifer,
I LOVED meeting you and being there with all the ladies who so encouraged me. Thank you for stopping in with these sweet words.
To Kelly’s readers:
I invite you to join me in praying for Kelly and her family. Today was the third anniversary of the powerful storms that destroyed their home and changed their lives so profoundly, and tomorrow there are more storms predicted for their area, very potentially severe. Please pray for this precious family’s peace and well-being.
Heavenly Father,
I humbly come before You with praise and thanksgiving that You delight to listen to the pleas of Your people. I ask You, Lord, to graciously extend Your hand of protection over Kelly and her family throughout the storms You allow to rage. Shelter them under the covert of Your wings. Shield them through Your Almighty power. Calm their fearful hearts, and reassure them of Your continuous love, care and mercy through these storms. Bless them with peace beyond measure, knowing that Your peace, O Lord, passes all understanding, and keeps our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
In our dear Savior’s name I pray. Amen.
Yes, 6arrows! I thought of the Crawford family today as we had tornado watches and warnings in our area. (We have moved from SC to KS with my husband’s job just a month ago.) A tornado touched down about an hour from us, taking two lives.
So glad you were not in the path of that tornado, Charity…praise God! Good to hear from you.
Thank you so, so much, 6 arrows. We are headed out now to catch our flight (it’s 3:30 a.m.). Praying we are able to get home today. Thank you for all your prayers! He is faithful.
Indeed He is! Praying for a joyful and blessed reunion of your whole family today.
Reunited with my babies! So glad to be home. But still sitting up, at midnight, with 3 other families, watching and bracing for storms.
So thankful you’re home!