Joplin Missouri - A week after

Its unreal, the images that we are seeing on TV. We decide to stay home this time. We had a tornado come through Minneapolis last week, there may be more to do but remember that, we have lots of donations, lets send them with Mike Lynch of Blood & Fire Ministries. He agrees to take whatever will fit. We head down to Minneapolis to meet him and after just a few moments of speaking with him decide, we are going.

We get on Facebook and start asking for more donations and then we realize, there are no hotels to stay in down there right now, we need a place to stay so, I ask for a camper.

Our friends the Engmans quickly respond and a pop up camper is offered up for FREE. The donations start pouring in. Friends and friends of friends have been amazing in their support of complete strangers donations start arriving. When we come home to a porch full of donations my heart fills.

It takes us about eleven hours to get to Joplin with kid potty breaks :-) We are told that we can use the shower and bathroom at a Methodist Church in Joplin and set the pop up, up in the parking lot. Sounds great yet, the neighborhood is a bit sketchy. I told the kids "God wouldnt bring us here to help others to have us die" I believe what I am saying but man, my days of being the tough chick from Brooklyn has hidden somewhere deep within me with age cause, Im scared.

We are up rather early the next day and decide to go and check out some of the damage. We are driving through Joplin loving how much character the homes have here and then WHAM! it hits, the devastation. That is what strikes you about tornadoes. You drive around, all is calm, one house is fine and the next is flattened. We thought we might be a little less effected with the damage as we just got back from, Birmingham. NOPE - we cannot believe what we are seeing. Trees are stripped of its bark and there is so much metal. Where we were in Birmingham, the damage was centered more on neighborhoods of residence. Here there are hospitals, medical buildings, retail stores and it was all in people's yards and on their homes. We get back in the car and there is complete silence. Its had to see the lives of these people just out there for all of the world to see. To see walls gone but clothes hanging in the closet or towels still hanging over shower doors, it just doesnt make sense.

We head to the disaster relief site, Ignite Church. We meet up with our Blood & Fire friends who already have the smokers going (its only 9am) After we all reconnect with hugs(these guys are from all over the country, they come together at disaster sites and just feed people)we talk about the plan for the day - two shift back to back, no break of feeding people. I mean they FEED people (from all of the relief workers, to people like us who donate their time and the newly homeless) The food is unreal, I have said it hundred times and I will say it again, the chicken is the best I have ever tasted in my life (if you know me, thats a true compliment as I am very picky and verbal about food). They arent just handing out hot dogs, they are making BBQ, chicken, burgers, veggies - DE LISH!!

This place (Ignite Church) has an amazing system. You check in, you are handed a form, you write down your basic but immediate needs, hand it to Lizzie, she takes it and hands it off to someone who runs into the Church and finds all of the items on the list. If they have it, you get it. She then tells you to come visit our table where they will recieve a free meal. The victims are very glassy eyed. They are truly shell shocked. I asked a woman how she was doing today as I hand her a plate of food. She says "I am fine" and the tear immediately start to roll down her face and then says "No, Im not fine, I do not know why I said that I am" and continues on down the line. This happens all day long. People just break down. My heart is heavy. The people keep coming, as Lizzie takes their orders for what their basic needs are, I feed them and she calls them when their donations are ready for pick up.

As my husband cooks, loads and reloads drinks in the cooler, moves food from location to location, the kids and I get the food line going. An elderly woman named Margie walks up slowly with cane in hand and asks me what is for lunch. I tell her what I have and as we both hold her plate I ask her, how are you today? She starts sobbing. I run around the table and hug her. I walk her to the table and ask her to tell me what she is feeling. She said "I am a faithful woman and I just do not understand what I went through". I told her that God got her through it, he will continue to get you through it and asked, what did happen"? As the tears streamed down her face she said "it was my nephews birthday, I had just brought his cake upstairs and noticed he wasnt behind me when it all came crashing down on me. I was buried alive in seconds, thats how fast it happened. She continued, I thought I would die under there. After what had seemed like forever, my Pastor found me. He didnt forget about me. He tried to get a hold of me and when he couldnt he decided, Im looking for her myself. He said that he saw my nephew just standing there with his little red head just staring at where my place came crashing down on me. The Pastor said "that is how I knew exactly where to find you, his red hair". We hugged and hugged as she cried. She then went on to tell me how sad she was that her son didnt come and check on her for hours and she hasnt heard from him since. I told her my own story of my Granmother on her death bed and my father's lack of caring during that time and that people just do not change and to not take it personally as hard as it is. I said "its his issue not yours" She thanked me for saying that and I then asked her if we could pray? She said "yes" and we did. I felt someone wrap their arms around me during the prayer, I thought it was someone from my team nope, a complete stranger joined in to pray for Margie (makes me tear up to even type that). She said that she didnt have her bible "well Margie, I just happen to bring some with me" I said and I handed her a Bible. She hugged it and thanked me over and over. That my dear friends is exactly why I am called to do this. To personally touch these people. The human touch in all of this is so incredibly important.

I can tell you stories of the devastation, go on and on about the stories we heard but, I will leave you with Margies. A story of a faithful woman who was buried alive, saved and then loved on by a complete stranger. I do not know how she is doing today. I had to jump back in my line to continue feeding people but my hope is that she is just a bit more at peace. She touched my heart and will stay with me forever. Wont you add Margie and the people in Joplin to your prayers?

If you want to help in anyway please feel free to contact Mike or myself personally. Between, Alabama, Minneapolis and Joplin, there are ways you can personally touch someone as well. It will change you, I promise

Nicole & Mike

Minneapolis Tornado

It was such a lazy day, Sunday. We spent the morning with friends and all loved the sound of the pouring rain and thunder. Seems just a normal spring day here in Minnesota. We went home to get cozy, snack and watch movies, our favorite past time when we do not have any of the kids around. We turned on the TV to see that a tornado had hit Northern Minneapolis. What in the world is happening?

We decided that we would throw on our Somebody Cares car magnets, load up more of the donations that were sitting in our garage and head down there firs thing in the morning. I woke this morning doing lots of research, I had no idea where to begin in regards to helping. I wanted to work with the city to help them implement some of what I learned from Alabama. I found a couple of places to start.

We decided that we would head to the Armory and go right to the people who had lost their homes. We walked in, even though it said not to. We saw there was a meeting going on and we just walked right in, no badges, no contact. My husband nudged me - well, pushed me to talk to some guy who looked important. He was busy so I went to the other important looking guy, He ended up being the big wig in charge of city housing and directed me to the guy in charge. Well, Mr. Bundt was too busy for me and told me to just give them my info and if they "needed" me, they would contact me. Then another guy who is in charge of, well, honestly I have no idea what his job was - he told me to bring my donations to the Salvation Army. Really? You have a gymnasium full of people who just lost everything and I should drive around and find a Salvation Army? UGH! We decided to use the restroom - thats what you do when you need a break right and want to scream right? So, hubby went his way, I went mine. I ended up running in to a woman names Sherrie and her children. Single Mom of 5 who was no homeless. She told me her story and cried. I told her that I would keep in touch with her to see how she is doing and if there was any way that I could help, I would. She cried some more. I didnt hug her, I dont know why - maybe I just needed out of the stinky restroom.

I am not sure how we got split up but Mike, ended up chatting with a couple of families in the gymnasium. I went in and he told me their stories, two families. Any and his wife Rosetta and Nakima with her daughter. They were telling us that, they had no electricity otherwise they could go home. That the police would not allow them to go home. They also said "we came here late after trying to get in to our homes and missed the serving of food" I looked at Mike and said "we need to go to McDonalds and get these families some food" He stood up and off we went. We told the manager that we will be buying food for a few families from the tornado disaster, would he be interested in helping with something for some of the other families"? He came back with 15 free meal cards. What a blessing.

We go back with the food and as I begin to walk into the gym, I am stopped by the Minneapolis Police - no badge no entry. I said "I have been here all morning with out a badge. I bought some families food and I just want to grab the guy and his family" He looked at me and said "no badge, no entry" I said "are you seriously not going to let me feed these people"? He said "fine go ahead" UGH!!!! RED TAPE As this is going on you can hear the people singing outside - singing old gospel hymn praising Jesus. It was awesome. Then they all joined hands, formed a circle and started praying. AMAZING

We sat with the families, I prayed over them before they ate and Andy reached over the table and hugged me. He then hugged my amazing husband. It was beautiful. You find in these situations there are no racial, denomination or financial lines. We are all a family.

As we were getting to leave, I heard "do you have any towels"? I turn around to see the woman that I met in the bathroom, Sherrie. She was asking a Red Cross worker. She said "no" and kept moving. I looked at Sherrie and said "I have brand new towels in my van" I ran to the van, handed her brand new towels and body wash. She said "I cant believe you had these, they do not even have soap here for us" I said you are welcome and left.

We then went to Urban Houseworks were the command center was set up for volunteers. We walked in and said " we just came from Alabama, we said such fluidity and we want to help" A woman responded "You got here just in time" We are starting our meeting. I told her, "before I go up make sure you log all volunteer hours and FEMA will present a bill to the State/City and you will get the bill knocked down with all hours logged" She said "get the volunteer coordinator on the phone, get the hours documented" YAY I just saved the State, I do not know how many dollars" To the meeting we went.

The meeting didn't go as well as I would have liked cause all they wanted was what they know - The Red Cross. Red Cross is great but, we need to get to the people slipping through the cracks, like those at the shelter today. People whose babies weren't being fed. It was clear at the time, there was just way too much confusion. We decided to leave and just go and help the people.

There were road blocks everywhere but, we got in. We met people at their homes, shook hands and offered help. Thats what people need, to know that someone cares, the human touch. The people in the shelter knew nothing from the people "helping" them today when we were there but, they were loved on and they smiled. For a moment, they felt human, they felt loved. Thats what matters in a crisis. Loving on our sisters and brothers in need.

Coming Home

I couldn't stop crying, I am just not ready to leave. We are so broken hearted to have to leave our new friends from Somebody Cares, America and Point of Grace Church. The idea of not being able to serve the people of Alabama just tears at me. I just feel that there is still so much to do.

The day we are leaving a truck from Tampa Bay Somebody Cares America arrives with donations from Florida. The cutest couple arrives and tell us about their drive. "We are chugging along 65/70 the whole way here when all of a sudden the truck starts to put up a fight a lil, I cannot figure it out" he says. Then the phone all of a sudden rings and its Jody (our leader in all we do in Alabama) who asks me "where are you guys" I say "exit 255" He says "that's our exit, get off" He continues "the truck all of a sudden drives just as smooth as it did the whole way there. It was like Angels were slowing us down to make sure this load made it to you all, its God I tell you" We all say "Amen". That is how this entire week was. I cry again.

Mike, Doug Strinker, Mike May, Jody and I then decide to grab a quick bite to eat before we all head out. We end up at Chili's and ask the manager if he would be so kind to put on CBS us for him and we explain what I worked out with The Talk (television show for those of you who do not watch tv). It comes on and my sister, Leah does the intro in to why we are there and it goes in to the video of the devastation in Alabama. I see people in her audience crying but, get quickly distracted by the people in the bar looking at me, then the tv then back at me. I answer all the questions in the bar about who my sister is and why we are there. We all hug one another as we feel, mission accomplished. The word got out nationally. The show also did an amazing thing and teamed up with a corporate sponsor to donate $10,000 to Somebody Cares America. What a blessing.

People keep telling me that I am an Angel for doing what I did. I am so appreciative but, I feel like, this is what we are supposed to do. We are supposed to come together as the body of Christ and help/serve one another. Our hearts were tugged for the people of Alabama. As much as they feel that we blessed them, Mike and I are the ones who feel blessed to have met, hugged and cried with each and every one of them.

We will not stop taking donations and working for the people there until it is finished. Until we know there is stability and the rebuilding is happening. They have become part of our family. They are in our hearts forever. We will never be the same

We thank each and every one of you who have supported us and donated items, money and your time. There is lots more to do so, stay tuned.

Mike & Nicole

Day Three - Alabama

WOW! It was a hot one. 96 degrees and glaring sun yet, there is still lots of work to be done.

Mike was assigned to the "chainsaw crew" We went to our first stop, Laila's house. I havent been on this side of Pleasant Grove yet and its worse than I could have ever of imagined. I thought I had seen it all. Nope, this chick has a riding lawnmower in her family room and guess what, its not hers. Apparently, this is not the first lawnmower found inside someones home. I introduce myself to Laila and she gives me a hug. I said "you people are all so nice" She said "the fact that you guys are here is a God thing. I had tried to handle this all on my own and yesterday decided to suck it up and ask the Church to help me. Laila tells me, I asked Leslie (the Church coordinator)if she knew of a crew that could help me" she said "no". I said "Leslie, "I cannot do this by myself" The phone rang as we were talking and Leslie just looked at me and said "I have a crew for you" It was our team leader Jody from Somebody Cares America saying that we had a crew that needed an assignment. To her this was a miracle. I mean how crazy that we called at that very moment? We were there by 8:00am the very next day. So where this sweet single Mom was at a point of despair with no where to turn, here we are getting tons of trees and garbage removed from her yard within 24 hours.

Mike jumped in the moment we arrived. They cleared and cut her trees in no time. A guy with a front loader drove by, these guys flagged him down, asked him to help, he committed to be with the team as long as they needed him. I was walking around taking photos while the guys were hard at work and came across a book that tells you what to do in case of a natural emergency. I pick it up, flip through it and there amongst the recipes and pages were old photos. I asked Laila if they were hers and she shouted out with Joy and said "that is my Mom as a baby and a family Thanksgiving dinner" She gave me the biggest hug. After learning more about her and her situation, once again our amazing friends at Somebody Cares America wrote her a check on the spot for $500.00. She was amazed at how we just loved on her. How could we not?

Mike went on to another spot where a father and son who needed help cutting down branches. We get to the spot where this house once stood and seriously once stood - there is no house. Just a foundation. It was so weird to stand in their loving room and look at to where their front door would have or should have been. I was able to watch Mike work from a bedroom whose walls lay flat on the ground at my feet. I cant move as I am just deep in thought as to what my thoughts would be as the homeowner coming back here to see my holiday ornaments and my purses all over the front yard. Yet, I see all of the people who are here working, all volunteers from all over the country and a rush of peace falls over me and snaps me out of my moment of sadness. Off to lunch.

We head over Park Dr. where Blood & Fire Ministries set up in a market parking lot. They had quite the smokers set up. Their smokers running non stop making hot dogs and burgers. Chips, water, beef sticks, candy and drinks are everywhere. Big tree trucks are stopping and these guys have people on the corners just chucking food in windows, or jumping up on the running boards to get these guys food and drink. Its awesome to watch. Th truckers were loving it. Thy even gave extra and asked them to pass it on. Blood & Fire are also feeding us, the volunteers along with the displaced families. Just an amazing set up and I love how these guys are serving. They love feeding people in need and people who serve others. Great group of guys. One of them knowing that I am on a serous protein only diet brought me a full tray of burger patties, very cute.

Our next stop was Pratt City - we were hoping that Mike could get in there and start working. No work has begun here as of yet. Today is officially week two and this area is a ghost town. Maybe tomorrow we can get back there. All of these home are condemned. I am not sure if they will rebuild this part of town. I will follow their progress.

Tonight was the first real meal I have had all week. I have been living on hot dogs and burgers today so to get some veggies in me was GREAT!

Thursday, a semi of donations will arrive at Point of Grace Church. We will help unload and meet to see what the next phase will be. I do not want to leave here this week and forget about these people. An example of how they are, we went to a kid our reach tonight and we were leaning on the tailgate of some guys pick up - he comes running over saying "dont move dont move, I just need some bbq sauce out of the back" We said "we are sorry should we move"? He said "nope, stay where you are and please help yourself to some cold drinks in the cooler in the back of the truck" Mike and I looked at each other and for probably the 100th time this week said "these are the nicest people"

Thats what we find the most amazing about the people of Birmingham, they are the kindest, loving, most grateful people that we have ever met. We were here 45 minutes when a woman we met heard we drove 17 hours to get here and came straight to work, she immediately hugged us and said "here is one for now, I will hug you when you leave and give you each 4 more when we meet again in heaven" Who says that? The people of Alabama, thats who!

We will never forget these people nor will we ever forget how blessed we feel to be here helping.

Blessings to You
Mike & Nic

Day Two - Alabama

It seems like we have been here for weeks. The days start early and they go late. We arrived on Monday - three hours sleep and right to work upon arrival. Our first stop was a neighborhood that just opened to the residents and the public, Pleasant Grove. We drove in and I am thinking, this isnt so bad and then wham it hits. It literally looks as if a bomb exploded. What the tornado hit and missed makes no sense when your brain tries to process what the eye is seeing. There are just broken sharp trunks just standing everywhere. Cars on top of each others, children's toys and clothes all over lawns and homes without walls yet, clothes are hanging in the closet. Every Church in this neighborhood but one, is standing. The interesting thing, all of the homes behind this particular Church are untouched.

The Church is a command center for the needs of people in this neighborhood and let me tell you, these ladies are working non stop for hours. They are so generous and force food and drink on you. Same in the street, cars just stop along all of the streets and they insist that in this heat you stay hydrated.

We stumble across James, Randy and Lisa. They are neighbors. James lost everything. He tells us his story and tells us that all he is really worried about are his toys in his garage. We look over and there is no garage. The roof collapsed on top of it.

We say goodbye after praying with our new friends.

The day is long getting acclimated to the area. Pastor Jody from Point of Grace Church is just amazing and incredibly dialed in to the need in Birmingham. We had a block over which is even worse than the block before, it looks just bare. For some reason if there was smoke, this would look like it made sense but it doesnt. There are butterflies flying, birds playing and chirping with the back drop of large tree trucks coming in and out. I see a house that has walls missing but, the bedroom remained untouched. Bed was just sitting there, still made. The room next door to that one was obviously a little boys. His clothes still hang in the closet and his spider man sheets remain intact. His little toys along with a babies lay all over the front yard. I go around the house and the owners car is in what appears to be the garage, the concrete floor is there, the car is there but has a huge branch crushing it. Brand new car, only the dealers plate showing. Just devastation.

We leave with heavy hearts and head to Pratt City. A low income area. We head to the only remaining building, Scott School. Here the National Guard has check in stations. We are waved on, we are with Somebody Cares America and they know we are here to help. I am introduced to the guys from Blood and Fire Ministries. One of the guys Mike Lynch is from Minneapolis. He gives me a hug as he is our home Church contact and we have never met in person. He is incredibly busy, he has served over 1000 meals today and its only lunch time. Here the local CBS station meets us. My sister and The Talk have arranged for them to follow me so we can document my journey and share it on The Talk. I want to get the word out nationally. I want you and others like you to hear it from someone like me. The need is real and I get to share it with you. I run into Lass Bass who approaches me and asks if I am Leah's sister? How funny is that? Small world.

We meet a young single mother of three, Deatrice. She tells us her story. Which goes like this:

"I was with two of my children and noticed that the sky literally cut in to two colors in the sky. We were told that a tornado was coming so my kids and I took shelter in the bathroom. I held the door tight as my daughters blanket got caught in the door and I could feel the door trying to be sucked it. I looked at my kids and immediately started saying the Lords prayer. Then the glass starting breaking and the walls started to crumble. Then as fast as it started, it ended. I then heard my 14 year old screaming for me (at this point in the story she started to cry) He was at a friends and was worried we were gone. The fire dept had to get us out"

I was so touched by her story. She was told to come and sign a release form so that she can be released from the remainder of her lease. The next day looters came and stole every appliance form every unit in the apartments. The landlord called her and asked how she plans on paying him back for the appliances? Mike made me giggle he said "tell her to tell them, I rented this place with four walls and you cannot provide me with that so I think we are good" Deatrice cannot find a place to live as of today and is seperated from her kids. They are with multiple family members, for now. She need glasses and I am hoping that the eye Dr. trailer that was there today will be able to help. She needs the basics like detergent. She drove us to her building to see the damage. This was a low income area so the homes were smaller which means they were tight and on top of one another and lots of apartments so the devastation looks worse. Goes on for miles and miles. With our hearts in our throats - I decided to bless her with a $100.00 visa card and Doug Stringer from Somebody Cares gave her $500.00. We cried together and as she thanked me she said "God has had such favor on my life" I will add her to my prayers tonight. Will you?

Well to end on another good note. Mike was able to tear about that roof of James this morning and saved the big toys. This big ol Southern man was so happy to get his driving lawn mower back.

The stories are many, the hearts are amazing. I cannot tell you how incredibly humble and loving these people are. Everyone we meet is someone that will remain in my heart for a lifetime. This State has come together as one big family. Tonight we had dinner with people from all over the Country who like us, was pulled to come here.

Tomorrow, back to Pratt City and Pleasant Grove.

Thank you God for these people and their hearts

Driving Thru Missouri

Well we are running a litte behinde schedule. We stopped to take a nap for a couple of hours.
Our first stop, the nicest Mcdonads I have ever been in. hubby loves their coffee. They have water cascading down stone walls and small little intimate leather chairs with low tables kinda like something you would see at a starbucks. Then my favorite touch, fox news on flat screen TVs.

As we continue on our drive down South we read flooding signs along the way. Yeah the water looks high but nothing crazy. Well then we see what they mean. Farmers fields ompletely under water. Tractors with pumps all along the fwy.  Sandbags all along the freeway.  Memphis is in big trouble with water. There are evacuations takng place as I type. I am not sure what kinds of detours we may have to take.

Man, tornados and water. Its a tough time for so many people. Makes m feel like we need a team.

On the Road Again

It feels like we just did this very drive heading down to Nashville where I swore I would never do a road trip again and here we are again. This time for a good cause though so, i am doing my very best to not complain. We have only driven 250 miles and my hubby is already threatening to hand me the wheel so that I stop complaining LOL

The van is full of so many of your donations. We are scheduled to arrive sometime between 8am or 10. We have our first meeting with Jody at noon to plan the week then, we are off o our first shelter to start working with the tornado victims. I am so excited to share your donations with them. Knowing that people are loving on them from minnesota will mean so much.

I am scheduled to do an interview with the mayor to share his story and many others with you.

Til tomorrow.....

We Leave Tomorrow

It has been quite the whirlwind to get us to this point.  I didnt think we would be able to pull it off in a week but, we did.

Thursday started out a bit rough, I have to say. There were few phone calls coming in, in regards to organizing the help that were expecting from CBS and just friends in general.  Then, I was surprised with the arrival of my parents from LA for my Birthday.  Who could ask for more?  Well, now I had to try and tone down Alabama Central as we call it and  be with them.  All day I was incredibly worried about a much needed storage space. I had two thoughts - 1. Why am I worrying, the minute I let it go, I will get a space and 2. I feel someone I know is going to come through. The minute I let it go, wham an old co worker friend of mine sent me a note "I have warehouse space for you to store your larger donations".  See, a truck was scheduled to pull out on Sunday and I had this urgency to get all of these big ticket items on it.  Well, as soon as the space was secured, I was told by the trucker that he is going every week and will take it for me next week when we return - God is so good.

Come Friday, I am more relaxed and at peace with where we are at.  We run some errands, come back, a ton of diapers and baby goods are on our front porch, I have no idea who left them and then today WOW, a friend Nicole came through big time.  It was like Christmas landed on our front door step. 

I started to sort through what I can bring with us. I am overwhelmed.  Just so happy to have all of this to bring. So many people will be blessed. 

My sister has graciously paid for all of our gas in pre paid gift cards!  Load of new hygiene and baby products, baby clothes, towels, food, Target and gas cards - we are going with most of your hearts with us.

Be blessed my friends and we will continue to update you while on our journey.

Day Three and a day closer to leaving

Yesterday didnt start off with as much of a bang as the day before.  I was getting a little nervous. 

I received a call from Mike Lynch who said that a semi will be rolling through Minneapolis on Friday and that they have two pallets for me if I want to send stuff down now.  Heck yes, I do.  Now I have to find a place to store everything that people here in Minnesota want to donate.  Full bedroom sets, dining room table and clothes clothes and even more clothes.  I was hoping that a warehouse and or storage facility would come through yesterday but, it didn't.  Praying that today a miracle happens. I do not want to lose out on these items for the people down there.

Jody from Point of Grace Church called after wards to say that  a new area that hit was by an E5 and no one knew.  A new command center and group of people had to be deployed to the area.  I wish we could have been there for this.  I just have this need for us to be there today, to help.

4000 meals were served yesterday.  The numbers are growing.  My biggest upset is how people are not responding.  If you watch the news, national and local, its all about Osama Bin Laden and where you can purchase the Royal look a like wedding dress.  How is the fact that there are three hundred missing people in Tuscaloosa falling under the radar?  People are down to concrete slabs in their homes and are dragging their children to shelters every night.  We run to other Countries the moment there is need yet, I just do need see that sense of urgency when it happens in our back yard.  Nashville was under water, I didnt even know until we went there and were told the stories. Honestly my reaction was "oh, I think I heard something".  I know that people have different things fall on their hearts but, the devastation is so catastrophic that I am  blown away at the lack of reaction to my Face Book posts and so forth. 

The people who have helped have been amazing. A friend of mine said "money is tight but, I can get the word out" Her getting the word out resulted in five bags being dropped off at Church last night.  That was amazing and a GIFT! 

I just feel that if we cannot "serve" and help one another - I tend to lose hope in humanity and then.... I am humbled when I remember that HE has my back....

More to come later today...

Nic & Mike 

Day Two of Making it Happen

Wow, what an amazing start.  A couple of days ago we decided to head to Alabama.  After hearing and seeing the devestation we couldnt just sit here. Its funny, God knows when its just the right time to move you.  You see things on the news daily and you want to help but, do you get moving?  Well, we decided with one look that it was time to get moving.

On Sunday, it all started with a run in with our Missions Pastor at Church, Tim Hatt. I asked him if had been approached by anyone or if a team was planning a trip to Alabama to help in the relief efforts.  "Well, there is one guy going down there but, nothing official"  I said " We want to be that official team"

Yesterday, I sent a note to my amazing sister Leah about what we were planning on doing.  Just said "hey, if anything moves you in a way to help on this list, great. If not, no worries"  Well, Leah moved. She called the Producers on her show and they got on it.  They called me first thing this morning saying that they want to partner with us on this journey.  AMAZING.

I posted this same message on our facebook pages and lots of people are sending gift cards or reaching out to friends to help.  Krissy my closest friend here reached out to an entire dance ministry and organized a table for item drop offs. My friend Belinda handed me her weekly Church tithing!  AMAZING.

Pastor Tim reached out to me today - got me in touch with Jody at Point of Grace Church.  Who then got me in touch with Doug Stringer with Somebody Cares America who got me in touch with Mike at Blook & Fire Ministries.  Its been a whirlwind but, we are making things happen as a team.  CBS called me today and said that they are reaching out to their sposors for donations, like brand new beds!  Are you kidding me? How much will that bless a family who lost everything? 

We are gearing up to head there on Sunday. We will arrive on Monday and keep you posted on what we encounter every step of the way. 

One of our biggest worries today was securing a warehouse to put all of the donations in and low and behold at the last hour of the day - one has been secured.  Man, God is good. 

Til Tomorrow

Mike & Nicole