How He Love Us

             This week has been interesting to say the least. It has been a heartbreaking one here in Alabama. It all started with a tornado warning on Wednesday morning. I know that many of us here in Alabama don't always take the sirens seriously because they go off ALL THE TIME. I was getting ready for clinical when reports of 100mph winds came on the news. I was prepared to get in the closet, but then it quickly passed. There was not any damage here in Highland Park,  but there was damage not too far from here. Clinical was cancelled and I headed back to bed. Later in the afternoon I turned on the news and the weather was beginning to get bad again. First I watched a tornado form over Cullman on TV and then less than an hour later I watch the huge tornado form over Tuscaloosa in complete fear. It was just ripping apart downtown Tuscaloosa and there was nothing that anyone could do to stop it. Nature is crazy. I then watched as the storm headed toward Birmingham. I grabbed a few things and the weather radio and headed toward the back wall of my basement apartment. All I heard on the new was "Take cover Samford University and Red Mountain." I did not know what to expect, but I knew it was going to be bad. All of a sudden the storm headed more north and the only evidence of the storm here was insulation and debris falling from the sky. As I watched the St.Vincent's sky cam I cringed in fear for the neighborhoods it was ripping apart, but was thankful that it had not come my direction. Over the last couple days horrendous pictures and huge numbers of fatalities began to come out. Hearts became more heavy, and people began to come together.
          Today I headed down to Tuscaloosa with some of my fellow Samford Nursing Students. We went to the Belk Activity Center. There were people EVERYWHERE. They told us that they were just going to have to send the supplies out and that they had more than enough volunteers at the moment, so they asked us to go to the Leland Shopping center. We headed over there, driving through streets that were totally destroyed and passing through national guard check points. People were walking the streets, passing out food and water, cleaning up trees, gathering personal belongings, and  some just sitting there in  complete shock. We made it to the first aid area at Leland and began to organize things and triage the people that were there. Then we realized that many of the people were still at there homes, not at the center. So we headed out on foot. Many people just wanted cold water or sunscreen. Others needed their blood pressure meds or insulin. And others were simply happy to see people offering aid. As I walked up and down the streets with nurses from all over I saw things I had never dreamed of seeing. I mean you can watch TV all you want and see all the pictures, but nothing even begins to show what it is like to see it in real life. Cars upside down and in houses, trees everywhere, houses demolished, powerlines everywhere, places where the house is missing and only front steps remain. There were some houses where only the closet where the people hid remained, and other houses I am not even sure how the people survived. The national guard was surveying the area and watching for any looters that may be present. Everyone seemed to greatly appreciate the help and they were saying "God Bless Ya'll." Some even had a smile on their face. I can't even imagine. I just wanted to help everyone. Later in the afternoon a few of us hopped on the back of a truck and headed out with supplies. We took baby food, diapers, water, food, and medical supplies out into the community of Alberta City. It was surreal. It felt like a dream and I really wanted to just wake up, but it was real life. Street after street, I reached a point of disorientation and didn't really know where I had started or where I was going as we passed out the supplies. Everything began to look the same... demolished. Thanks to all of the people who volunteer and thanks to all of the national guard and fire and rescue and police who are giving their all to helping with this disaster. After what I saw today I feel greatly blessed, and realize that this disaster will take months to recover from. I keep reminding myself that there is a plan for everything. God is in control and he is a sovereign God. Please continue to pray for the southeast and all of the victims of this storm. I don't think I will ever forget what I saw today. I have posted some pictures on the previous post. Here is a video as well. Sorry for the noise. We were on the back of a truck.

"How He Loves Us"

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, 
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. 
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, 
And I realize just how beautiful You are, 
And how great Your affections are for me. 

And oh, how He loves us oh 
Oh how He loves us, 
How He loves us all 

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, 
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. 
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, 
And I realize just how beautiful You are, 
And how great Your affections are for me. 

And oh, how He loves us oh, 
Oh how He loves us, 
How He loves us all 

He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves. 

And we are His portion and He is our prize, 
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, 
If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. 
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss, 
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, 
I don't have time to maintain these regrets, 
When I think about, the way… 

That He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves. 
Yeah, He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves. 

Yeah, He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves.

Pictures

IN CHRIST ALONE

Not sure who is winning...

              Wow, lots of stuff has been going on this week. First off it is Easter! I would not be the same person if it weren't for Jesus dying on the cross for my sins and rising from the grave. He took the ultimate penalty for me and you. Why not share it with people? Tomorrow is probably one of the biggest days of the year to really show the world what Jesus is truly about as people flock to church out of tradition. I finished IMPACT at the Church at Brook Hills. It was really awesome learning about how to truly make disciples of ALL nations in today's world, and I am excited about all of the opportunities that God has put before my new faith community.
               On Monday night I cooked dinner for an awesome group of people. I have really been blessed with the great fellowship and prayer experienced when I am around my new faith fam. Everyone is encouraging. I can really say God is doing great things in my life, and 3 weeks ago I probably would not have even thought about having a dozen people over to my place for dinner. It was totally a God thing.
             I have been able to spend a lot of time at home this week. It has been really good to be home. The first thing to do when I got here was get my travel shots. It wasn't too bad. After yellow fever, typhoid, and a polio vaccine it felt really good to know that I would not have to do that again for a good long time. I also put in my tshirt order! Thanks everyone who purchased a tshirt. I am really excited to see how they really turn out. As some of you know I have been going to a cardiologist for some problems that I have been having with palpitations over the past few months. I am so happy to say that I got an all clear from the doctor this week and that my heart is perfectly healthy. It is definitely an answer to many prayers. God is so good.
                I leave you with one of my favorite songs of all times.....
IN CHRIST ALONE

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone! who took on flesh Fulness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones he came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave he rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Old Memories Mixed With New Beginnings

            Yesterday was my grandpa's birthday. Oh how I miss his stories. Even though sometimes they were pretty crazy, he was never short of stories. I am glad that he seemed to have a good birthday according to reports from grandma.
            On another note yesterday I turned 12 in my personal walk with Jesus. I am so thankful for that day 12 years ago and how it has transformed my life to this day. Although I might not have understood what i understand about Jesus today, it was the beginning of this awesome journey.
            Amidst old memories I found myself in a time of worship with some awesome new friends that I have met over the past week or so. I am really seeing what prayer and seeking can lead to as not too long ago I was asking God to lead me to a group of people who I could fellowship with. Although first steps were uncomfortable and out of my comfort zone I would not change it for the world.
            Although we can focus on our past or way into our future, I have been trying really hard to focus on the now. What does God have in store for me now? Where does He want me now? What is He doing in my life now? In a time when people are talking about graduation and jobs it is hard to keep my head grounded. I just want to plan everything the way I want them, and often I find myself getting carried away and ignoring God's plans for me. So for the moment, I keep bringing my focus back to the now and trusting that God is going to reveal to me what to do after graduation on His time, not mine.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
           I am making the appointment to get my shots for Liberia next week. It's really becoming a reality and I can't wait! Tshirt orders are being made this weekend. So don't miss out if you haven't ordered one!

new to blogging

Hey Guys! I thought I would start a blog to keep people updated on things going on in my life and to share what God is teaching me on a daily basis. So here it goes. First off I can't wait until this summer. I will be going to Monrovia, Liberia to join a group of people from Orphan Relief and Rescue for 5 weeks. I will be doing some medical missions involving teaching workshops and screenings and some things of similar sorts. I will also just be helping in any way I can with their ministry that involves many orphanages throughout Liberia. I am really excited to serve with the skills that God has given me because without Him none of this would be possible. I am currently raising funds for my trip by selling tshirts, talking to friends and family, and working. God is blessing me throughout this experience.

Here are just a few prayer requests:

-Wisdom as God leads me through the preparation process.

-A peace that everything will work through God’s plan.

-For the children and orphan directors that will be impacted.

-For the ORR staff that are working here in the US and over in Liberia to help these children every day.

On another note, back in January I was praying about how I could plug into a community of believers here in Birmingham who would provide support and accountability. God has been awesome in providing different outlets for me to meet new people. It has been a bit out of my comfort zone, but once I took that step I have enjoyed every minute of the process. I am currently taking the new members class at The Church At Brook Hills and am learning a lot about a community of believers that I have only partially been involved with in the past. It is a time of growth in my life in which I am treasuring every moment as I am approaching a time of change in the very near future once I graduate. I continue to thank God for everything that He has done for me.