April 27th 2011

One of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in Alabama history. It all started at 5:30 that morning with a EF-2 that hit about 20 miles from me. One of my friend’s houses was hit really bad. They are all ok but had to move to a new house. Then at 5:15 pm I was watching LIVE a tornado form to the west of Tuscaloosa. It has been reported as an EF-4. As I am watching this on TV about to hit the college town of the University of Alabama and where my sister goes, I begin to pray that the Lord keeps her safe. I have never in my life seen anything like it. As it barreled down on the city it continued on its path to Birmingham. By the time it reached downtown it was a mile and a half wide. It is very hard for me to fathom seeing something this large. It was eerie seeing it on TV and the city skyline in the background.

Waking up the next morning and turning on the TV to find the Royal Wedding made my heart heavy. I had a hard time watching it knowing there were hundreds of people suffering and had lost everything. I was a part of the disaster recovery team at work on Thursday and Friday to help get supplies to our branches and then to the employees that were affected. Friday morning we packed a van and headed to Tuscaloosa. I got to see a glimpse of the devastation. There are no words to explain what I saw.

After returning Friday I knew I wanted to continue to help in some way. Me and 3 of my friends signed up to help with a church on Saturday. When we get down to Tuscaloosa to sign in they proceed to tell us there is nothing for us to do at this time. Really? Have you seen the area? So we just started walking towards the area that was hit. Once we reached the area it just took my breath away. Before when you could only see trees and buildings you could now see for miles! Everything was flattened. All you heard were chainsaws going non stop.

As we walked through a hard hit neighborhood we saw an older man working in what used to be his yard. We stopped and asked if we would be able to help him in anyway. He immediately said yes! We soon met his mom, Jean (83), her niece and nephew, Lee and Jimmy. Bill was his name. Bill and Jean were not able to get into their basement in time and were holding onto the stair railing as it was pulling them back up. As she was telling us this I just had tears rolling down my face. To see that indeed God was holding on to them the entire time was amazing.

We spent 4 hours with this amazing family helping clean up their house. I was shocked to see what the storm dropped in their yard. When I went home Saturday I read Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, through the earth will give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

There are still hundreds that are missing. At the same time I have heard so many amazing survival stories and you can really see that God had his hand in this even though it is hard to understand!

It is wonderful to see the state of Alabama and 2 of the biggest football rivals (Alabama and Auburn) come together and help everyone that is in need. There are tons of facebook groups and twitter groups that are getting volunteers coordinated and raising money.

This is my sister's apartment complex!

3 Years

October 14th, 2007 we all lost a wonderful wife, mother and friend. It is crazy to think that it has been 3 years. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about my mom. In the past 3 years a lot has happened that I wish she was here for. I went through a lay off at work, I am a cryer so this is one of those moments you need your mom, my older sister had her first child and the first grandbaby of the family. My brother and his wife had a baby. So many wonderful things that have brought joy to our family but at the same time heartache because she is not here to celebrate it with us. I hope and pray one day I will be half the wife and mother she was! I know she is so proud of each and every one us, and that brings a smile to my face. I miss her everyday and it never gets easier not matter what anyone says!

So today I will celebrate her life and what a wonderful women she was!

Bristol, England

I recently went to Bristol, England on a mission trip. I know, the first thing people think when I tell them that is why England? England is a very dark place spiritually.

A group from my church went to help Headley Park Church with their Vacation Bible School for the week. This was my second time to go and help. I worked with the younger group which the ages where 6-9.

The trip was wonderful! After arriving on Sunday and getting all settled in we began Vacation Bible School on Monday. We had a total of about 35 kids in the younger group. I had 6 year olds in my group who were all great. We studied Philippians throughout the week. We had a time where they would but a leader on the spot and the kids had a chance to ask any questions they wanted. The questions that they asked blew me away. One question was "Who created God, I know He created the world but who created him?" another, "Why was Jesus nailed to the cross and not killed somewhere else so people wouldn't see him?". It amazed me that children this young are thinking of these questions.

The Group


All the leaders


My Team- The Parrots


Junior Leaders


We were able to spend Saturday in London. Here are a few pictures from that day.




We landed in Birmingham on Monday night at 9:00. The bad news was our luggage didn't make it home with us. I was reunited with it yesterday only to hear that the sides of it had been ripped open. So now I will be getting new luggage thanks to Delta! :)

Everyone was so gracious and so welcoming. We had a church service the Sunday we left. We prayed for several of the kids and their family's to come. It is very typical for the dads not to come to church. The church was full with children and families. God answered so many prayers while we were there.

This trip has put a fire under me to focus more on my faith and challenge and be more disciplined about getting in the word everyday. I know for me I sometimes become stuck and don't grow. I am so glad God allowed me and provide me with the funds to go on this trip.

Please continue to pray for Headley Park Church and all the children who attended the camp. Pray that they will get involved in the church and that their parents will as well.

4th of July

Since we are finished with the lake house we have been down there every weekend. I love being at the lake. You don't get any phone service so it is a good time just to relax and we did this weekend. My sister, brother-in-law, nephew, brother and sister-in-law all came for the weekend so we had a packed house. The weather was beautiful!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Lake House Renovations

My dad bought a lake house on Logan Martin lake in January. I have always loved the lake. We have had a boat for about 4 years but no house. So we found a diamond in the rough to say the least. The house was rough. Every room had dark wood paneling with UGLY blue carpet. The windows were so old they looked like if you touched them they would fall out. In the master bath there were red sinks with white and red speckle coutertops. I can tell you how bad it was. We did a lot to it as you can see below in the before and afters. I don't have every room but trust me it looks so much better!! FYI it is not easy to paint a brick fireplace or talking your dad into mounting the TV over the fireplace...you can see who won below.

Living Room Before


Living Room After


Dining Room Before


Dining Room After


Kitchen Before


Kitchen After


Here are a few more of the house and the new pier.





We are ready for the summer!!!

Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your Kingdom.

I started a new bible study at my church. I am doing Crown Financial at Briarwood. This study teaches you to be a better steward of your finances and teaches you how to spend according to the bible. We are on week 2. Each week we have to memorize scripture. If you know me I do not like to speak in front of a group so this is very hard for me because you have to say the verse in front of the class. I mean they are all staring at you! Talk about freezing up! I got through last weeks just fine. This week is 1 Chronicles 29: 11,12 "Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the Ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. Wow! Please pray I will be able to say all that on Wednesday.

We have been slow at work lately as I am sure so is everyone else. I sent an email asking the girls in my bible study just to pray about the situation. Last night I went home to work on my homework for Crown. One of the verses I had to read was Matthew 6:31-33 "So don't worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

He knows what we all need and we will supply us with our every need. So when I read that last night it reassured me God has his hand in everything and no matter what happens with work, he will provide! So this morning I got an email from Nicole saying she was reading her bible last night and came across this verse and wanted to share it with me. Guess what verse it was…yes Matthew 6:31-33. Ummm hello! He is amazing and has his hand in every situation! Thanks Nicole for the email.

Just thought I would share that with you!

Updates

Sorry I have been MIA. My dad bought a lake house a few months ago and we have been renovating that. My older sister also had her baby on December 2, 2009. Nolan Jeffery Bridges. He was 3 weeks early and weighed 7lbs 6ozs and 20 inches long. I have been trying to get over there as much as I can to see him. He is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Here are a few pictures. I will do before and afters of the lake house once it is done.



I bought him this outfit for Christmas. It was a little big.


He is like a little man in this outfit. He always makes the funniest faces.