Addendum

Tonight I feel the need to write an addendum to yesterday's blog. It accurately describes my feelings, but I failed to mention a few key points. Even though things are so unsettled, time is marching on (for the victims & for those who rescued us). Ready or not, Christmas is coming. Somethings are standing still, like our home, our neighborhood, & our insurance, but life keeps moving forward.

In the midst of our sorrow, loved ones are still suffering with heartbreaking issues. I have one friend whose body is rejecting her chemo. I have another friend undergoing chemo who lost her home. Lastly, I have a dear friend waiting for test results. She suffers daily with pain. I don't know how she lives. I love her dearly. I love each of these women.

Loved ones are having babies. A high school friend lost his life to a massive heart attack. My grandson is learning new things every day. Children are suffering from Post Traumatic Shock caused by the frightful tornado. Mission trips are still in the works. People are still homeless that were homeless long before the tornado.

Sex trafficking is still a problem. People are starving. Their water is unclean. HIV runs rampant in their countries leaving children as orphans every day. Adoption is difficult. It takes time & tenacity. Violence exists. Women are oppressed in many countries & even in our own. People are still prejudice. Bullying is a part of growing up. People are lonely, outcast, sick, impoverished. The list is unending...

Our problem is overwhelming, but it has an end, even if we cannot see it right now. It is temporary, but it will take much patience & perseverance. It requires teamwork. We live in a community where this sort of thing rarely happens. We are not used to seeing such devastation. However, we can drive out of it. Our cars have already been replaced. We have become situated in temporary homes.

What about the people who live in war torn countries that cannot drive out of their problems? What about the people who have only one hope, that is Jesus Christ? What about the people who have only known poverty & chaos their whole life? What about the children that have never had a pillow on which to lie their heads or a bed to call their own? What about those who live in homes made of cardboard?

Yes... our problems are much more than we are accustomed to. But there is a reprieve. There is an end. There is safety around the corner. We are fed & clothed & residing in temporary homes. We have lost our possessions but not our lives. We do not have bombs zooming through the sky. We are not living under bridges & in cardboard boxes. We are okay.