Devastation to Glory

This past week has been a week full of news, both good and bad. My heart continues to go out to all the victims of April 27 tornadoes. I have not stopped praying and daily I hear new stories from people I know who survived or from friends who had loved ones that survived or did not survive. I am also in awe of the sense of community the great state of Alabama has right now. Football rivalrise aside, everyone is doing what they can to help the people affected by these deadly storms. My sister's friend lived in Pleasant Grove and her house was completely destroyed. Here is Haley's remarkable story:

Haley and her family were huddled together in a bathroom because their house did not have a basement. With their arms around eachother, her dad was praying when the tornadoe hit. The next thing she remembers is the feeling of floating as she was being thrown from her house. The rest of her family was also thrown from the house. Her mother remembers looking up to see her son floating above her. Haley and her mother were taken to separate hospitals because they sustained serious injuries. However, because her dad and brother had minor injuries, they were taken to city hall. They had no idea where eachother was. My parents went to visit Haley in the hospital where they found out that by God's miraculous blessing Haley's family had all been accounted for and no one suffered very serious injuries.

This story along with many other similar stories demonstrate God's protection and mercy. I am convinced her dad's prayer shielded her family from the destructive power of the tornado. Although Haley's story is a story of survival, many people have stories with a much different outcome. People are still missing; children have been orphaned; and families have been broken. In the midst of these trials, it is comforting to remember Psalm 46:1.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

In other news.... the Royal Wedding allowed me to take my mind off of the tragedy that kept replaying on my TV. I thought Kate's was absolutely beautiful and William looked ravishing :) Ps, I'm a little obsessed with Kate's dress, as is everyone in the world!

Ok, so finally, the last piece of big news was the death of Osama Bin Laden. Even though I am pretty happy he will no longer kill any more innocent lives, I do have a problem with the celebration our country exhibited. Now, I'm as proud as the next person to be an American but we should celebrate the fact that the world is safer; we should not celebrate a man's death.

Ezekiel 18:23 - Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not please when they turn from their ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:32 - For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!