Found a new word today….Tornage…..that would be the damage and the carnage left by a tornado. Devastating, life changing events have occurred in our nation’s south. I was pouring morning coffee when my husband mentioned that over 100 people had perished in Alabama.

I set my cup down quickly. “Are you serious?” was my immediate reaction and probably echoes what many were thinking this morning. Yes, tornadoes do kill people, especially in “tornado alley”, but over 100 people, no way. My mind immediately went to my southern red-headed Alabama college friend who taught me to say “y’all” the proper way.

“This is WAY bad” was my next thought as I hopped onto facebook before turning on the television. My friend was alright, but Tuscaloosa, Alabama and many other states were not. I parked in front of the TV for awhile, my dazed brain trying to take in the devastation while scenes and facts from the Twister movie paraded through my thoughts. I also thought of Dorothy and remembered assuring my nervous kids that it wasn’t real. Only this was reality, and I am certain even children lost their lives. My heart and my prayers go out to those parents and families. Perhaps you feel that same sense of dazed loss that I do this morning, that “Are you serious?” feeling. Will you respond as I did? Will you pray?

Name Them One by One

Another day on the planet to count my blessings. Thank you Lord, for, (in random order):

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Hot coffee

4. Heater in the van

5. Washer and Dryer

6. Chocolate

7. The Bible

8. The ability to read

9. The best husband ON THE PLANET!

10. The smiles of my children

11. The humor of my children

12. The ability to drive

13. The telephone

14. Soft pillows

15. The internet

16. My Lord and savior, Jesus Christ

17. God

18. Life and liberty for all who believe

19. Freedom

20. Food

Here's a piece I wrote about home school spelling. How do you do spelling? Enjoy.

He who Calms the Storm (Sometimes)

Mark, “Mom, why is God doing this to me? Why is God making me sick?”
Mom, “Oh, honey, God isn’t making you sick,” I say as I hold him and rock him, “we live in such a fallen world.” My answer falls flat even to me as I comfort a feverish child and my own storms loom over me. Two days later, the boy is well and yet, his questions linger in my heart. How do I answer? How do I encourage his faith to grow?
God met me again and used our pastor’s message to help answer my son’s questions (and my own). In Luke chapter 8, the disciples wake Jesus because of a terrifying storm and Jesus calms the sea. But why was there a storm in the first place? God uses storms in life to draw us near to Him. Why does He do this? There is a certain truth that we will never know the full knowledge of God. Our childish intellect will always fail us in this area. It brings to mind a certain song, “Sometimes He calms the storm; other times He calms His child.” (Scott Krippayne).
Another thing to remember is that you are not alone in your storm. You are a Christ follower. Jesus is in the boat with you. He sticks closer than a brother. You must turn to him in your hour of need. And, ultimately, He will answer, in your storm and in mine. He went through the worst storm ever at the cross for us. As this truth sinks in, my questioning heart is stilled; there is peace after the storm.
“Come sit next to me, Mark. Mama wants to read to you about Jesus and a storm.”

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April is National Poetry Month

Were that I were a better poet

Could that I could spread a picnic

tablecloth on grass and

invite you all to sit

and share God’s love like

watermelon.

Would that I would

answer all your questions

see souls surrender

and watch His love

light up your eyes.

Were that I were a better poet

Can that I can

act in His walk

talk with His talk,

my own faulty gait

like an arrow

or a signpost.

Could that I could point you the way

were that I were a better poet.