Saturday, June 13, 2009

I WILL Praise You In This Storm

Greetings and Holykisses,

Yesterday, storms went through our area and devastated many homes, and businesses. The lightning was horrible, and strong winds exceeded 70 miles per hour. 16,000 people were without power.

As soon as the storm ended we went outside and thankfully our place took the hit without any damage at all. It felt like our roof was going to blow off but everything was okay! My husband and I got in our truck and headed to town but as we drove past our neighbors house, we found that the lightning strike that was so close,.... actually hit their tree. It absolutely exploded this tree. Pieces of it were wayyyy behind the house, and one huge piece of the tree slammed through their roof, and landed in their son's bedroom. ThankGOD they were not home right when it happened, because if they had been, their son Matt would have probably been in his room playing his xbox ... which is right where the tree landed.

We went back to our house and got flashlites and closed our business, to go see if we could help. They'd all made it home by then . It was still raining, and water was still damaging the interior of their home.

This is a little piece of the tree. Strange how "beautiful" it is, yet how deadly it could have been.
This is Matt. His bedroom was destroyed. His belongings ... ruined. We believe with all our hearts God will RESTORE everything to even better than it was before. Please believe WITH us! These are our brothers and sisters in CHRIST, and we need to stand in FAITH with them.
This is our neighbor and brother, Joe: who's up on the ladder. This is his home. He knows HIS GOD can handle this. He knows His God protected them.
A police officer had Amy file a report of all the damages. I imagine she was thinking, "Where do I even start?" The roof was just the beginning but inside, there were so many things lost.
Mike, Trent, Tony, and neighbor Ron brought tarps and concrete blocks to temporarily patch the roof.
I could not believe how much damage one tree made. We've seen this sort of thing on tv before, but never in real life. Insulation was blown everywhere and water damage all over.

The guys got the roof patched in no time, which was top priority because rain was still forecasted and I think still is. Their insurance company is supposed to be out Monday. We are just going to believe that everything... is going to work out and be okay!

We serve OUR BIG GOD! AND WE WILL PRAISE HIM IN THIS STORM!

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I asked Brother Joe what bible verse he has on his heart. This is from him today....
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

14 comments:

Kristi said...

I'm so thankful that all of you are alright. I'm praying for your friends today that God would once again show Himself all sufficient. Ya'll are amazing neighbors and friends. Blessings to you, sweet one!

Leaon Mary said...

We do have wonderful neighbors. I'm so thankful for that. And I take them too for granted! ALL OF THEM!

From the Heart said...

I, too, am so glad you are all right and I know that God will help restore whatever your friends needs are. I loved the song and to be able to sing it during a storm is so precious.

We've had a lot of rain, some thundering and ligthning but nothing like you all have had. Will keep you in my prayers.
May God continue to bless you and keep you safe,
From my heart to yours,
AliceE.

Lelia Chealey said...

Thank God you are alright Lea!!! How neat that you drove around to see if everyone else was okay and then helped them.
You're such a blessing.
Poor Matt,but thankfully he wasn't home as an xbox can be replaced, but his cute little self is one of a kind.

irene said...

Soooo Thankful that you are OK and will be praying for you neighbors.

Denise said...

I praise God for keeping you safe. I will pray for your dear neighbors.

Angela said...

We believe with all our hearts God will RESTORE everything to even better than it was before. Please believe WITH us!

AMEN AMEN AMEN...My heart just broke when I saw Matt's face...praise God for His mercy and salvation in protecting everyone like this....He had that scared look on his face almost like,,'I could have been in the house, I could have...'. Praise God praise God praise God!!!

Artsy Fartsy Junkin Finds said...

I will be saying little prayers for all of you, Many Blessings of Gods graces, Janna

SweetAnnee said...

Oh my goodness..what a storm ...It's a miracle no one was hurt.
I'm glad you are safe too!!

fondly, Deena

Sue said...

Hi Lea,
Thanking the Lord with you that everyone is alright. Also praying and agreeing that Everyone's homes will be restored better than ever, especially Matts room, I was very touched by his expression!.

At times like these God has a way of showing His Love through people like your family and I am sure others as well! Joe's scripture verse is one of my favorites, God gave me that verse and I clung to it at a very trying time in my life. Please let everyone know that they are in our prayers, and please keep us posted.
Blessings,
Sue

Yolanda said...

Lea,

Oh my, I'm in the camper out of tv range, yet have the laptop, am so thankful you and your family are ok, as well as your neighbors with their very lives. Our God is HUGE...and as Jeremiah 32:17 says, NOTHING is too hard for Him.

I love ya and am praying for a speedy cleanup and restoration.

Yolanda

Skoots1moM said...

thankful you're ok
this time of year is hard in the south
you just never know when one of these is going to popup
prayers for quick recovery by your neighbors

Sherry said...

Lea, So glad that you are safe and sound, but so sorry to read about your neighbors. I pray that all WILL be restored and better. I love that song. It brought me so much peace during the difficult time we had when we first started out on our own. I'd sit and let it play and tears would just stream down my face as I'd sing it out loud. Then we got to hear them sing it LIVE - oh, you know I was a mess. Y'all are certainly blessed to have each other there. Take care and God bless you!

Kelly said...

That is one of my favorite songs!! I'm so glad no one was hurt. You have an amazing community to support each other so much.

I was out of town, but I'm back!