Since the tornado in the early morning hours of February 29, it seems I just haven’t had the inclination to think about much of anything else except the ones who were killed, their families, the destruction, the coming together of community, the pouring in of disaster relief workers and monies and food and …

It’s amazing to hear the stories.

Jaylynn, 22, was such a believer that even though her parents couldn’t find her, they knew that no matter where she was, Jaylynn was with God.  Even in her death she glorified the name of Jesus.

carrying the school color

To combat a threat by the church that protests at funerals, can’t bring myself to even acknowledge their name, hundreds of people lined the sidewalks to shield the families.  Thankfully, the threat was an empty one, but the sight of all those people in the community coming together to support the families was powerful.

A man walked into the Methodist Church, the hub in the community for serving disaster teams and volunteers, said he was from Chicago and had driven down to help.  He handed over $1,000.

Another person walked into the clinic to ask where the $7,000 check should go.

Truckloads upon truckloads of necessities.

People from all walks of life, all over the country, working to saw trees away from homes, pick up debris, anything that needs done.

Catholic Church before the Leap Year Tornado

Catholic Church after the tornado

People giving and giving and giving and helping and helping and helping.  This is America.  The true America.  The real America.