In the Birmingham area, there are two places that I can recommend for whole family involvement.
McWane Science Center-They are accepting toiletry donations. In exchange, you get one free admission for that day for the item.
California Pizza Kitchen, both Birmingham locations-100 percent of proceeds goes to disaster relief May 9 and 10. Great time to try the gluten free menu at the Galleria location.
Christian Service Mission-anyone forth grade and older based on location. Carpooling recommended for safety and efficacy.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Disaster Relief and Theological Questions
We have a tremendous outpouring of love for the victims of last week's storms. Neighbors helping neighbors, rival schools helping rival schools, and both in-state and out-of-state groups and individuals sending donations.
Today I got to see firsthand one of the donation sites in action as I went in to serve with them to sort items. I learned firsthand of some of the most needed items. I learned firsthand about things that are unacceptable. I learned that this is a multigenerational, multicultural effort. And I realized firsthand some potentially unmet needs.
The donation center receives loads of items in boxes, bags, suitcases and even pallets on the back of semis. Today I got to see three giant paper towel boxes come through from out-of-state full of those tiny Big G cereals, socks, diapers, facial tissues, toilet paper, Hot Wheels cars, bandages and blankets. It was a touching moment.
In the midst of it, I wondered aloud, what about those on gluten free and allergy free diets?
I thought videotapes were odd since many of the people lost their homes so what would they do with that anyway?
Clothing running small which means larger people might be understands.
Some people just throw things out with no care. Too much trash in the midst-especially with underwear. I shuddered at the thought that someone would actually dare donate used underwear. I mean, even the thrift stores don't take used socks and underwear. If you wouldn't buy it.... Lots of baby clothes but not a lot of maternity clothes.
Very little pet supplies. Families often get separated from their pets and the pets are in foster homes. Between the families who lost their pets and those fostering the pets, pet supplies are needed.
Diabetics, asthmatics, children and adults with ADHD-do any of the victims have their needed medications? Medical devices? Medical braces? Over-the-counter vitamins and minerals? Antihistamines? Inhalers?
What about can openers for cans?
How about a stuffed animal for the child who lost everything? They need something to cuddle that is their very own.
Eyeglasses?
Are they registered in medical alert programs?
What about phone charging?
We have only just begun. We have a long way to go. But I have seen love in action.
Are there any Deaf who can't find their interpreters? Are there any who have weekly shots or infusions?
Blood drives and bone marrow drives are starting. Clothing and food drives.
I learned multiple-item care packages often get sorted. They are great if you can personally deliver them, but not so great to donate. They get sorted.
Clothes clothes clothes. What about more immediate needs other than clothes?
Not just the victims but also the volunteers.
How can I help when I can't do heavy duty physical labor?
I feel helpless and discouraged. Frustrated that I can't do more right now. I want to but this is one time we all see the fragility of life, and not just life but living with immune deficiency.
Last week, I thought I had the answers and understood things. This week, I have no answers. I don't understand anything.
Why did God allow my area to go relatively unscathed but killed my friends and family or those of my friends and family? Why did God spare me and not them?
It could've been me.
Am I ready? How do I prepare?
My cat. My dog. They're my babies. My mom. My friends. How do I keep us all safe? Can we be safe? What if I lose them and everything else?
Why? How?
What can I do?
What can I say?
When will the nightmares go away? Will they ever?
Today I got to see firsthand one of the donation sites in action as I went in to serve with them to sort items. I learned firsthand of some of the most needed items. I learned firsthand about things that are unacceptable. I learned that this is a multigenerational, multicultural effort. And I realized firsthand some potentially unmet needs.
The donation center receives loads of items in boxes, bags, suitcases and even pallets on the back of semis. Today I got to see three giant paper towel boxes come through from out-of-state full of those tiny Big G cereals, socks, diapers, facial tissues, toilet paper, Hot Wheels cars, bandages and blankets. It was a touching moment.
In the midst of it, I wondered aloud, what about those on gluten free and allergy free diets?
I thought videotapes were odd since many of the people lost their homes so what would they do with that anyway?
Clothing running small which means larger people might be understands.
Some people just throw things out with no care. Too much trash in the midst-especially with underwear. I shuddered at the thought that someone would actually dare donate used underwear. I mean, even the thrift stores don't take used socks and underwear. If you wouldn't buy it.... Lots of baby clothes but not a lot of maternity clothes.
Very little pet supplies. Families often get separated from their pets and the pets are in foster homes. Between the families who lost their pets and those fostering the pets, pet supplies are needed.
Diabetics, asthmatics, children and adults with ADHD-do any of the victims have their needed medications? Medical devices? Medical braces? Over-the-counter vitamins and minerals? Antihistamines? Inhalers?
What about can openers for cans?
How about a stuffed animal for the child who lost everything? They need something to cuddle that is their very own.
Eyeglasses?
Are they registered in medical alert programs?
What about phone charging?
We have only just begun. We have a long way to go. But I have seen love in action.
Are there any Deaf who can't find their interpreters? Are there any who have weekly shots or infusions?
Blood drives and bone marrow drives are starting. Clothing and food drives.
I learned multiple-item care packages often get sorted. They are great if you can personally deliver them, but not so great to donate. They get sorted.
Clothes clothes clothes. What about more immediate needs other than clothes?
Not just the victims but also the volunteers.
How can I help when I can't do heavy duty physical labor?
I feel helpless and discouraged. Frustrated that I can't do more right now. I want to but this is one time we all see the fragility of life, and not just life but living with immune deficiency.
Last week, I thought I had the answers and understood things. This week, I have no answers. I don't understand anything.
Why did God allow my area to go relatively unscathed but killed my friends and family or those of my friends and family? Why did God spare me and not them?
It could've been me.
Am I ready? How do I prepare?
My cat. My dog. They're my babies. My mom. My friends. How do I keep us all safe? Can we be safe? What if I lose them and everything else?
Why? How?
What can I do?
What can I say?
When will the nightmares go away? Will they ever?
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Monster Swept Through
A monster swept through.
It left havoc in its wake.
It left destruction and pain.
It left fear and anxiety.
It left tears and brokenness.
But then something else happened.
Those left in its destruction,
Its havoc and brokenness,
They arose with a shout,
A cry of unity and love.
They said, "Monster!
You knocked us down,
But you can't keep us down!
We are strong!
We are proud!
We are united!
We are brave!
What you meant for harm,
We will turn to good!
We are mighty!
We are one!
We are Alabama!"
That monster is now gone,
And we will be restored!
And THAT is what happened
After a monster swept through.
It left havoc in its wake.
It left destruction and pain.
It left fear and anxiety.
It left tears and brokenness.
But then something else happened.
Those left in its destruction,
Its havoc and brokenness,
They arose with a shout,
A cry of unity and love.
They said, "Monster!
You knocked us down,
But you can't keep us down!
We are strong!
We are proud!
We are united!
We are brave!
What you meant for harm,
We will turn to good!
We are mighty!
We are one!
We are Alabama!"
That monster is now gone,
And we will be restored!
And THAT is what happened
After a monster swept through.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Ways You Can Help in the Wake of the Alabama Disaster
As many of you already know by now thanks to the power of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, Alabama has been devastated by storms that swept through April 27, 2011. The number of fatalities is staggering. Many of you may want to help. I have been in contact with several companies myself and will post as I can about the ways they have responded periodically. There is an outpouring coming from all over the country via various Facebook pages with people wanting to donate items and volunteer.
This storm has disrupted many lives in Cullman County, the Birmingham metro area, and the city of Tuscaloosa and several smaller communities along the way. There are a lot of pictures at http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/04/tornadoes_kill_over_200.html. ABC 33/40 has a lot of aerial videos at their weather blog: http://www.alabamawx.com/.
An announcement from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa stated yesterday that the semester was ending and students could take the grades they had as of April 27, 2011 or schedule their finals at a later date, but their graduation has been moved to August.
Radio stations in Birmingham have been working fervently to compile lists of ways people can help as have television stations. And my list is not complete, but it will be updated as I can.
1. Pray.
2. Contact the American Red Cross.
3. Contact area churches and missions agencies for ways you can donate financially or donate items or volunteer.
4. The church I attend has set up a disaster relief Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oak-Mountain-Church-Disaster-Relief/182244861826158. They also have a page on their website: http://www.oakmountainchurch.org/tornado-disaster-relief.
This storm has disrupted many lives in Cullman County, the Birmingham metro area, and the city of Tuscaloosa and several smaller communities along the way. There are a lot of pictures at http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/04/tornadoes_kill_over_200.html. ABC 33/40 has a lot of aerial videos at their weather blog: http://www.alabamawx.com/.
An announcement from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa stated yesterday that the semester was ending and students could take the grades they had as of April 27, 2011 or schedule their finals at a later date, but their graduation has been moved to August.
Radio stations in Birmingham have been working fervently to compile lists of ways people can help as have television stations. And my list is not complete, but it will be updated as I can.
1. Pray.
2. Contact the American Red Cross.
3. Contact area churches and missions agencies for ways you can donate financially or donate items or volunteer.
4. The church I attend has set up a disaster relief Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oak-Mountain-Church-Disaster-Relief/182244861826158. They also have a page on their website: http://www.oakmountainchurch.org/tornado-disaster-relief.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Oh Alabama. Can We Be Like a City on Our Knees?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlaKYbG5Bq0
I love how certain songs ring louder during certain times. TobyMac's "City on Our Knees" wrenched me.
We have been physically and emotionally devastated, some more than others. May this song be one of encouragement and hope.
I Saw Jesus in the Clouds
This month has been a hairy scary one.
Trees crashing. Lights flashing.
Thunder rumbling. Cars squealing
Tornadoes. Wind.
I was in my car and looked up at the sky.
I saw a face.
I saw Jesus in the clouds.
Was He there to offer peace?
Was He there to offer comfort?
Did He know what was going to happen?
Was He there to offer love and hope?
I saw Jesus in the clouds.
Trees crashing. Lights flashing.
Thunder rumbling. Cars squealing
Tornadoes. Wind.
I was in my car and looked up at the sky.
I saw a face.
I saw Jesus in the clouds.
Was He there to offer peace?
Was He there to offer comfort?
Did He know what was going to happen?
Was He there to offer love and hope?
I saw Jesus in the clouds.
Tornadoes, Uprooted Trees, Mass Devastation, Social Media, Royal Weddings and Providence
We here in Alabama are going through a gamut of emotions this morning as the reality of yesterday's brutal weather starts to sink in. This month has been storm after storm after storm. In my own backyard, I see providence. April 15 brought two tornadoes to Alabaster and because of forethought, my miracle dog was uninjured when a tree crashed in her area because she was inside. Last night, providence was clear as the dog's house was moved two feet and an entire tree was uprooted missing the house by about five feet. Again, the miracle dog was inside.
But the damage in Alabaster and Pelham pales in comparison to Tuscaloosa and Cullman. We who live in Alabama who only have downed trees and no structural damage or injuries are fortunate. Yes, it is ugly, but we are fortunate.
I have friends in Cullman who I have not heard from yet. I have friends in Tuscaloosa who are fine but in shock. And to be frank, I am with them. Most of Alabama is with them. Our hearts are torn over this.
Growing up, I lived in tornado alley in Oklahoma. My parents shielded me from "The Wizard of Oz" until high school. I saw "Twister" and "Tornado." But the footage from Tuscaloosa was exactly like what was in those films. Only real.
I heard McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, Hobby Lobby, and the shopping center off McFarland Avenue were flattened. And I wanted to cry. These are familiar places for any of us who have attended the University of Alabama. I want to go there and gather all my friends in hugs and cry with them.
Ten years ago, we relied on television, radio, newspapers and telephone for news about loved ones. Today, Facebook and Twitter. News of this tornado spread internationally via Facebook from the international students.
Yet, a royal wedding has been half of the focus on morning news shows. In the wake of mass destruction, we Alabamians do not care about the royal wedding. A wedding is joyful but lots of people get married and do not get such media attention. In the wake of the destruction in Alabama, the news media need to wake up and reset their priorities.
Providence got us through. Our death toll in Alabama is staggering. Providence will get us through. Our churches need to step in now and help their members and other residents. Show everyone that "Aslan is on the move."
But the damage in Alabaster and Pelham pales in comparison to Tuscaloosa and Cullman. We who live in Alabama who only have downed trees and no structural damage or injuries are fortunate. Yes, it is ugly, but we are fortunate.
I have friends in Cullman who I have not heard from yet. I have friends in Tuscaloosa who are fine but in shock. And to be frank, I am with them. Most of Alabama is with them. Our hearts are torn over this.
Growing up, I lived in tornado alley in Oklahoma. My parents shielded me from "The Wizard of Oz" until high school. I saw "Twister" and "Tornado." But the footage from Tuscaloosa was exactly like what was in those films. Only real.
I heard McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, Hobby Lobby, and the shopping center off McFarland Avenue were flattened. And I wanted to cry. These are familiar places for any of us who have attended the University of Alabama. I want to go there and gather all my friends in hugs and cry with them.
Ten years ago, we relied on television, radio, newspapers and telephone for news about loved ones. Today, Facebook and Twitter. News of this tornado spread internationally via Facebook from the international students.
Yet, a royal wedding has been half of the focus on morning news shows. In the wake of mass destruction, we Alabamians do not care about the royal wedding. A wedding is joyful but lots of people get married and do not get such media attention. In the wake of the destruction in Alabama, the news media need to wake up and reset their priorities.
Providence got us through. Our death toll in Alabama is staggering. Providence will get us through. Our churches need to step in now and help their members and other residents. Show everyone that "Aslan is on the move."
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