Tornado

What a week we have had in our small town! Wednesday morning started with a run at 6:00 AM. While running, I heard the tornado sirens go off. I've heard them before--several times this week--& nothing came. In fact, it was only lightly raining while I was running. I didn't feel a need to run any faster than I was going. And that's usually the story: sirens go off & nothing happens...until this Wednesday.

Fast forward to 5:15 PM-I'm at my desk working when I'm told, "We're on a tornado watch until 5:45 PM." Everyone carries on with work as usual. No big deal. To be honest, I don't even understand the implication of the terminology "tornado watch."

5:30 PM - A tornado is spotted north of Kirksville & is heading towards us. Still not a big deal.

Not a big deal unless I saw this, that is.

5:40 PM - I get a call from my boss making sure everyone knows about the tornado watch. I assure him we are all aware. A co-worker tells me, "You should go home. You don't want to be here when a tornado hits." "Sweet!" I said, excited to see Brendon a little earlier than usual. Still not too worried about the tornado.

5:45 PM - On my drive home, it was very dark. Headlights beamed like they do during late-night driving. As I get closer to home, it starts down-pouring & the tornado sirens go off. The radio stations are saying everyone needs to go in a basement or secure area. I run inside & meet Brendon in the kitchen. We casually decide to go in our basements (I must admit I felt a sense of urgency during my 5 minute drive from work to home, knowing I didn't want to be in a car if a tornado came near).

5:55 PM - Brendon & I chill in the basement with blankets while listening to the radio. I feel safe now & vent about my day. I almost forgot about my annoyances during my day while driving home worrying about a tornado. But now I feel safe & like there aren't any bigger things to worry about. So I vent. Brendon listens.

6:05 PM - We walk upstairs, make dinner together, & eat. Several ambulance sirens are near & we recognize that something must have happened. I received a text saying the tornado hit Bobwhite, a street where several friends & students live. Bobwhite is 2 miles away from our house. We walk outside to talk with our neighbors.

It was surreal watching our friend talk to his wife over the phone who was looking at their house...

the roof...gone,
belongings...demolished,
the house...unrecognizable.

The streets were blocked off & several of the men walked through a field to get to the houses to help salvage all they could. The following day, they went back and were busy all day packing & cleaning. Three of our nursery kids' families were affected by the tornado.

It's amazing what a tornado can do in just a few short minutes. There were 30-40 homes in the area reported as damaged, many of which will need to be demolished. Three people died. Pictures can only do so much. It was unbelievable to see something like this in person.

This experience has been really amazing. What appears to be a bad thing can do (& has done) so much good for individuals & groups of people. It's been a really humbling experience this week to see countless tender mercies & so many people grouping together to help. So many people wanted to help. So many people have shared their stories.

We are grateful for our safety more than ever before. We are grateful for our "things," even though they are just "things." Electricity...boy, have I been grateful for that this week. And most importantly, we are grateful for each other, friends, family, & our faith.