Ella loves to dance, and insist we, and her toys dance with her. She is a fish and would spend hours in her play pool if we would allow her. She recently got to ride "fair rides." We never thought we would get her off of them.
We experienced the first bad storm since moving in our home. Living in Xenia we knew that bad storms were prone to hit near us (see tornado of 1974...EF5 hit Xenia)....but thankfully until this year we hadn't had to deal with anything too bad. On Monday the 23rd Lisa's sister, Lori, came to visit. The first of the storms hit and we spent some time in the basement as the sirens blared. Thankfully there were no tornados and no damage. On the 25th that changed. The tornado's had hit Joplin, MO and we knew what was coming. While at Kroger the first storm came throug, quick siren, then we quickly checked out and got hom. As soon as we hit our door the storm really began. The sirens went off, we flew to the basement and huddle together. As the hail began to hit we held hands, kept Ella happy, and prayed that nothing worse would occur. Thankfully no major tornado hit, but we weren't without damage. We need a new roof, and siding, and our cars need repairs, but we got out safe and sound.
It was during this time I began to think of the people of Joplin, and how many of them had been in their basements, holding hands and praying, and didn't make it. Or lost everything that they owned. I realized I needed to help. I have quickly put together a team to go to Joplin and help. There are no words for the anxiety Im feeling knowing Im leaving Ella for five days to face destruction that will beyond belief. I want to be able to tell her about it, and hope that she has a heart and spirit of helping others.
