Power

Almost three weeks ago, we felt a terrible power.
A power strong enough to knock down double-brick walls.

A power strong enough to mangle cars until they are unrecognizable.
A power strong enough to wrap a truck and trailer completely around a tree.
A power strong enough to pick up cars and place them where buildings used to be.
A power strong enough to tear the bark from trees.

A power strong enough to take our loved ones away from us.

But we've also seen the power of God working in our lives.

A power strong enough to bring the community together like it never has been before.

A power strong enough to bring love and compassion from across the nation.

A power strong enough to rebuild stronger than ever.

It is this power, the power of God, we will hold onto for strength.

Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people.....

Psalm 77:13-15

Stained Glass Theater Joplin

Lost, but NEVER forgotten!

Guilty.....

When I was little, I hated storms.

In my adult life, I came to love storms and could often be found out on my front porch photographing lightning.

In my adult life, I often ran to the window to look out when a tornado siren sounded before heading to safety.

On Sunday, May 22, 2011, at 5:21 in the evening, I texted my husband to say the weatherman on the T.V. was announcing a tornado warning in Galena. Within minutes, the sirens sounded and I headed to the closet.

At 5:30, the sirens had stopped. But the hail began.

At 5:33, the lights flickered. Briefly.

At 5:51, I was out on the front porch. Photographing the lightning. I thought the worst was over.

It wasn't.

I didn't know it at the time, but at the exact moment I was photographing that lightning, an EF-5 tornado was ripping through Joplin. Hundreds have been lost. Thousands have been left homeless.

Not a shingle was torn from my roof. Not a window was broken in my house. Not a dent was left in my car. Not a life was taken from my family.

I am thankful. Yet I feel guilty.

I feel guilty for not knowing what so many others have been through.

I feel guilty for thinking I wish it had happened to me when so many would never wish this on their worst enemy.

I feel guilty for using the excuse that we've still had school for not traveling ten miles across the state border and helping.

I feel guilty for going out to eat.

I feel guilty for being able to hold my husband. Then I feel guilty for being so clingy.

I feel guilty for not having a house clean enough to offer to those who've lost their homes.

I feel guilty for having a warm, dry bed to sleep on and a washer and dryer to wash my clothes and a computer to write this blog.

I feel guilty when I laugh.

I feel guilty when I do anything that seems normal.

I feel guilty when I read stories about the hundreds and thousands who have worked tirelessly for days.

I feel guilty for hiding inside when it rains.

I feel guilty for not praying as much as I should.

I feel guilty when I cry.

I have not seen firsthand the devastation that was once Joplin, and I think a lot of my guilt comes from that fact.

I don't think it will sink in until I have seen it for myself.

I know that Joplin will rebuild. It will take months, years to rebuild, but I know they will.

I do plan on helping.

I must help.

And I hope that when I do, a little of this guilt will go away.

But I don't know if I'll ever be able to photograph lightning again.

Controversial

The Power of Persuasion

This girl knows how to get what she wants!!