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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Thankful, Thankful, Thankful!

Well, it is good to feel back in civilization again.  We just got power back this afternoon after a full week, wow!  I am NOT complaining, though, so many people lost so much from the tornadoes and please continue to pray for the families who lost their homes and for those who lost family members.  It is heartbreaking and very sobering.  We live in Harvest, Alabama and the last tornado that went through our area was the F5...we were extremely blessed that it skirted our neighborhood, extremely blessed.  

We barely made it out of school and I don't mind saying, we've had our share of duck and cover but last Wednesday was unbelievable.  We had a delayed start of two hours but as I pulled into the parking lot, the sirens were going off.  We went straight into duck and cover and other than a time of about 45 minutes, we remained in duck and cover for over four hours.  Our babies did so well.  No one cried, no one complained.  My class was in the boy's bathroom (I know... but it did feel very safe) with newspaper on the floor to put their little heads down.  It was funny, during the brief moments we were able to let them sit up, they just sat thumbing through the paper looking as if they were waiting for their second cup of coffee at Waffle House.  :)   Precious.

At one point, though, it was serious enough that the teachers were told to duck and cover as well.  I've never had that happen before. I'm thankful there aren't pictures of that...  That was the only time, I truly felt some fear.  It passed though and a peace came knowing that the Lord was in control and we would be alright in a few moments one way or another.  He kept us safe and I am so very thankful.  We were finally able to dismiss between the tornadoes-we had to wait for a window of time long enough to get the buses out.  We have app. 1100 students so dismissal takes awhile on a normal day.  Bless our parents, though, they hustled to pick up their children and we were all out of there before 2:00.  It was already flooding and trees and power lines were down all the way home before the next series of storms hit.  I was glad to get home.  My husband and youngest daughter were already home and we spent the better part of the rest of the day in a very small guest bathroom with our two dogs.  Do you know that I had not charged my cell the night before and it barely had any power but that it held through until the very last tornado passed through so that we could maintain contact with my oldest daughter (away at school) until it was all over?  Thank you, Lord!  

I learned a few things this week...you CAN live a week without electricity (email, internet, blogging, etc!) that having water truly makes all the difference.  You can live with cold showers, you can log an unbelievable amount of time reading, you can sure put those girl scout skills to work with cooking outdoors, that Lean Cuisines don't taste all that great cooked over a campstove (blech!) and that your family really are some pretty cool people to spend time with.  No experience is ever a waste of time, effort or energy.  There is value in every single moment of every single day. It is a gift from God.

We went to a hard hit neighborhood to try and help on Saturday.  I would like to say we actually contributed a great deal but the truth is, we just felt like gawkers.  We wanted to help but most people looked so stunned as if they didn't know where to even begin. We tried to help people collect belongings from the rubble but the truth is there really wasn't much left where we went.  It was very humbling. 

I think the best way anyone can help right now is to donate to the red cross and to give blood.  I think Tide Loads of Hope is a good idea, as well. 

Thank you for letting me have this time, I feel as if I just needed to talk.  I hope this finds you all well and it will be good to get back to the classroom tomorrow.

Love,
Julie

11 comments:

  1. I'm glad you are all safe and that it looks like the worst is over.

    Ms. M
    Ms.M's Blog
    A Teacher's Plan

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  2. I forgot to mention... you must be VERY proud of your students doing such a good job. I would be. :)

    Ms. M
    Ms.M's Blog
    A Teacher's Plan

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow! What an incredible story! I am so glad you shared this. I was just feeling a little stressed because we have common assessments going on mixed in with all the little minutia of our days. Your post puts things into perspective.

    Thank God you were all okay and we send out our prayers to those who have suffered.

    Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

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  4. Wow what an experience, so glad to here you are ok.

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  5. Thank you DeeDee, Sandra and Ms. M. Honestly it has put things in perspective-we were in the midst of DIBELS testing last week and that will have to finished as well as all the end of the year activities. We were out for five days so we will wait to see how we will make them up too. I just feel now that whatever works will work and whatever doesn't is alright. We will all be ok!

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  6. Wow! It really does put everything into perspective. It is amazing what little ones can do when there is trully a need for it. Thank you for sharing your experience. You will continue to be in my prayers.

    Cathy I.
    www.mrsisclass.blogspot.com

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  7. So glad to hear that you and your family are ok. Prayers are with everyone. I live in middle TN and have heard two stories of people finding canceled checks in their yards from Alabama. Our church is taking money up to send to Alabama, hoping we can help in some small way, again prayers sent your way.
    Penny

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  8. You posted this on May 4th which is Mother's birthday - the older I get, the closer I feel to Mom and Dad - can't help but feel they were watching over you too - kind of helping God out some maybe? God has you, Greg, Shanley and Delaney firmly in His hands and I've very thankful for that.
    Love you, Mom

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  9. I didn't realize you all were at school! We were supposed to be delayed, but our system cancelled not long after we got the delayed call because the first wave hit Guntersville. Some of our teachers couldn't get out of their neighborhood.
    I LOVE what you wrote that it would soon be ok - one way or another. Isn't that the truth! The Lord will either take care of us here - or there. Our home is settled in Him! We can face anything knowing He's got it!
    I am SO glad you all were ok - and your students made it home safe and sound. It was such an unbelievable day - AND NIGHT!

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  10. Congrats on being named one of the best Kindergarten blogs!
    http://www.californiateachingcredential.org/kindergarten-teachers
    Donna
    www.kinderglynn.blogspot.com

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  11. Congratulations on being names 1 of the top 50 kindergarten blogs by California Teaching Credentials.

    http://www.californiateachingcredential.org/kindergarten-teachers

    Ms. M
    Ms.M's Blog
    A Teacher's Plan

    ReplyDelete

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