The weather in Indiana is somewhat ever-changing. I know I've gone on and on about how winter skipped us this year….but I'll take no winter anyday over F4 tornadoes!!
This was the town of Henryville, Indiana. Late Friday afternoon it was ravaged by one of the worst acts of mother nature, a killer tornado. This sweet town is not far from my house. As a matter of fact, I took a picture back at Christmas as we drove through there. The folks of Henryville are my neighbors and my heart aches for the loss and devastation they are experiencing.
I've been glued to the news watching every little detail of rescues, survival stories and the outpouring of Hoosier help. People have gone to great lengths to assist the families who've lost everything. I still cannot believe how powerful these storms can be. I'm a believer, when the weather guy says "Go!" you can bet your sweet biffy…I'll be underground!
This is Henryville High School. It's just a skip away from the corner that I took that nativity scene picture. There will be no school days happening here for a while. I'll remember that when I begrudgingly drag out of bed on school mornings this week. I have much to be thankful for and there are so many that I need to continue to pray for as well. These families would give anything to be going about a normal day again.
Henryville wasn't the only town leveled by these tornadoes. The town we called home for 2 years… Pekin, Indiana was destroyed too. I was able to reach friends immediately after I learned they'd been hit. So many weren't as lucky as our precious friends. It seemed to dance all around them. God's protective hand over them.
I'm not sure how one copes with such a tragic loss. These are people, like you and me. They work, haul kids around and live busy active lives. Today, they're homeless! Many of them are missing family members to this nightmare. Death and destruction are all around them. I've been following a story about a baby girl that was found alone in a field. Her entire family was killed (mother, father & 2 siblings). She passed away on Sunday. Such sad loss.
This was taken near Pekin. As you can see, it's nothing to balk at. This dude means business! My friends, who live further out from town could see the horror from their house. Back in 1974, they lost several family member's to the tornadoes that tore through this same area. They've experienced this heartache before.
If you've ever experienced anything like this, I'm curious to know…how you ever bounced back? I remember when my house burned down (I was 12 years old) and it took everything I owned within a matter of minutes. My family and I had loved ones to take us in but it wasn't home. I can still feel that strange feeling I had as I was put to bed in my cousin's room. I knew right then that my life would never be the same. That's the new reality for these hurting families. As of now, 13 have died in Indiana even more including the other states that were hit.
Want to know how to help?
WTHR channel 13 has set up Hoosier Tornado Relief phone lines. CALL & DONATE (if you can) 1-877-987-1313
Kroger is also taking donations. While doing your own family's shopping you can add a couple dollars to your bill that will go directly to the victim's and their needs.
And of course, Red Cross.
Pray with me for the many who are piecing their lives back together today.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you;he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
