I drove through the most devestated areas of the tornado’s path today. It was the first time I experienced the devestation through my own eyes and not just through the lens of someone’s camera. It is even more real and more devestating when looking at it face to face. It would be easy to look at the miles of wreckage and become overwhelemed. When we were driving through, the song line from Finding Nemo “just keep swimming, just keep swimming” hummed in my head. Cleanup will take months. However, the outpouring support from the community, the state, and the nation is OUTSTANDING. At every church, on every corner, beside every store front, on every sidewalk, and in every park there are PEOPLE serving other PEOPLE. I have never in my entire life seen such a spirit of unity and a heart to help. I pray that this spirit and heart continues even after the last piece of rubble is hauled off. What a powerful force mankind would be if they would stand united under the Godly principles of unity and service. I am so honored to get to be a part of this great state and this great community.

Out of all the destruction, Judah actually noticed that our bank is NO LONGER where it should be. It was located directly behind the Moore Medical Plaza and was also leveled in the storm’s path. Judah asked from his car seat, “Mommy, where are we going to put our money at now?” Thankfully, my son’s only concern is the bank and he is not having to ask questions about his home, his bedroom, or his toys. His surroundings, for the most part, are still intact.

As I wrap up this day, I have thought a lot about the lesson we discussed in KidMotion yesterday. “Even though bad things happen, God is good…like ice cream!” God is good. And, He is faithful. Joseph said it perfectly in Genesis 50: 20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” Joseph suffered many bad things, things that he didn’t deserve. However, God turned it all around for His good. In the midst of tragedy, I have already seen so much good. I am excited to see the good even a year from now, aren’t you?

My 28 Thanks:

1. God turns bad things into good.

2. God is good.

3. Ice Cream is good.

4. The kids loved having an ice cream party in KidMotion and Training Wheels yesterday.

5. I have already seen so much good in our community since last Monday’s devestating storm.

6. People are serving other people.

7. The beds of every pickup truck I have passed have piles of people in the back of them headed out to work.

8. Gary and Bob were able to cover Mary’s roof yesterday so the inside doesn’t get anymore rain damage.

9. Disaster Relief teams continue to pour out of Crossroads Church parking lot every morning.

10. Convoy of Hope and Christ in Action are working great at Crossroads.

11. We played in the water with Judah today. It was so cold, but he didn’t care. He loved it.

12. We setup his little inflatable swimming pool. He kept saying over and over and over again, “Mommy, this is so exciting!”

13. Judah is safe and doesn’t have a reason to fear storms.

14. I saw a picture tonight of Serge Ibaka, a Thunder BB player, surprising my friends who lost their home in the Tornado. Not only did he pay them a visit, but he also gave them a Wal-Mart giftcard. They looked so happy.

15. Donations keep pouring in to help those affected by the Tornado.

16. So many of my friends who were affected by the storm are doing remarkably well.

17. The Fields family’s home was leveled and they were in the home. But, they were unharmed.

18. I am thankful for helmets that protected several of my kids who were in the tornado. I am so getting Judah a helmet!

19. I watched Despicable Me with Judah. He loved it and laughed so much!

20. The heart of giving has sky rocketed since the storm.

21. My friend, Danielle, is starting her 10,000 Reasons blog tonight. I know great things will come from her writings. She is so creative.

22. Danielle always sends me the sweetest personally made cards in the most fun of all envelopes.

23. Hand written notes can’t be beaten by any text or email…EVER.

24. Judah is playing with his Manger scene right now. He told us he wanted to play with his Angels. I love that He loves the things of God.

25. I am so thankful for the teachers who prayed over their kids in the storm. Last night, I heard the account of the teacher from Briarwood. She was precious and made me miss being in a classroom!

26. The Govenor of Oklahoma loves God and serves God.

27. John Stimson found my computer charger. I thought it was lost and my computer was dead! But, he found it today and my computer is alive once again.

28. I serve with an awesome group of people who love God and love others.