How can I put in words

      What I have seen and heard since last Wednesday? Unbelievable, destructive, deadly, amazing, powerful.... there is no end to describe it. I know that in the midst of it all, God is sustaining people and giving them hope for their future. For many, their future may be a place to lay down and rest for the night. Others may be fortunate enough to have family members or friends to stay with. I pray for all those who've lost their homes and/or loved ones that they might find peace and direction for their lives. I pray that many will be turned to You Father, instead of turning away from You and blaming You for this destruction.

       My home and my family was spared, although we had straight line winds or a mini twister that came through our backyard, turning over huge trees. I was in bed when I heard the loud whistling that lasted only a few seconds. When I got up and looked out, I couldn't believe my eyes! Such huge trees in so little time! Later that night is when the tornado came through, just over the mountain across the street. If the tornado had come across the mountain, I might not be here to write this. The path of the storm was so wide! It came all the way from Tuscaloosa and was no less destructive. It's just that this area is not as populated as Tuscaloosa, thank God! Many towns in this state were wiped out or severely damaged, such as my friends' restaurant, Katie's Catfish in Rainsville. I'm so sorry, Karen, for your loss. I hope you and your family are OK.

      I know that people don't like onlookers driving by and gazing at their loss, but we did and I'm glad because I don't ever want to forget what I saw. Here are some pictures. The first ones are our trees in the backyard.

Nice home in Silver Lakes with no roof.

Cows wandering in Silver Lakes since pasture fence is gone.

What do you want, what do you want from me?

      Joyce Meyer was talking today about  running away from what God originally called us to do or what we learned from God during our early years of Christianity. She gave examples of Elijah the prophet and how, after he had killed and chopped up 400 prophets of Baal, He found out Jezebel was after him so he ran into the desert! Wow! The power of one woman! God got after him so he went back and did what he was originally told to do. Another example she gave was about Jonah. God told him to go to Ninevah, but Jonah thought he knew what was best, so he disobeyed God and went in the opposite direction. He was eventually thrown into the sea where he was swallowed by a whale. Where are you? Have you been swallowed by a whale?Are you doing what you want to do  your own way even though you know in your heart God has told you something else to do? God told the whale to vomit Jonah out and he landed on the beach in Ninevah and did what God originally told him to do. It's never to late to obey God. He is very merciful and kind. We may have to suffer for our disobedience, but God will reward us when we submit to His ways. He knows what's best for us even when we can't see it or understand it. She somehow, tied that in to loving your enemies. If you have been treated unfairly or an injustice has been done to you, cast it on the Lord. He will recompense you in ways you could never recompense yourself. He will even help you to forgive those who have hurt you or done you wrong. You will experience a release you never could on your own.
      Have you ever said "I know this is wrong, but....." If you are saying it now,  whatever the wrong thing is: STOP IT! SPIT IT OUT! THROUGH IT DOWN! POUR IT OUT! TURN IT OFF! RUN, AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM IT , NEVER TO RETURN TO IT!  You may suffer for awhile until you allow God to heal you, but it will be worth it, I promise!
      I was blessed with some money plants and irises yesterday from a new friend, so I've been busy finding them a new home. While I was outside, I also took more pics.

The mountain across the street has been burning lately! But God has kept it from doing damage to everyone's property.This may actually be a sunset! Need new camera.

Mrs. Becky, I hope these  money plants make it!

These are the irises.

Old fashioned rose bush provides shelter for chickens and duck.

Wild violets.

Can you believe dogwood trees are blooming?

I don't know what these are called.

Can you believe figs on the fig tree?

Keria  and rosemary.

Clematis about to bloom!

I'm so Happy!

      I am still rejoicing at what God has done for us! It's a miracle because houses just aren't selling. Not only did we sell our house, but we sold an SUV on the same day! Now tell me that wasn't God! I have been trusting God for the last three years to sell our house and He finally brought the right buyer at just the right time. We were about to have to start mowing, which I absolutely dreaded, so the timing was perfect for that. Sometimes we have to wait on God for what seems like a long time before our prayers get answered, but when He answers them, it is shouting time. I didn't doubt that God would sell our house I just wondered if that was His will. Obviously it was. The car was just spur of the moment to see what would happen and bam! it sold! Spring is a great time of year to sell your stuff so if you have something you want to sell, try it today. Don't forget to ask God to bring the right buyers, though.
      This weekend we had our great niece, Winterlyn. Here are some pics:

Winterlyn drinking a kefir smoothie

Loving tha kefir smoothie!