Ellie called around 9 am to tell us that they were in the hall in tornado position. I immediately started to worry about Tucker as he was supposed to be heading to Lawerenceville, GA for a field trip! Thankfully, about 5 minutes later we got a call from his school telling us that the sixth grade had returned, was safe in the school, and in the hall! Praise the Lord, he was safe!! Then, the worry came for Major! The last threat of tornadoes that had come through Hamilton County both Ellie and Tucker were in the hall in tornado position for almost an hour. Major was never taken into the hall!! So this time, Billy called the school to make sure that they had them in the hall. Thankfully he called because they told him they were not in the hall because they didn't know there was a threat!! WHAT?? Needless to say, that when I later picked up Major they "assured" me they had them in the hall and all of the kids were safe!
This first storm had passed and Billy and I head to church. We were supposed to have our SALT class that morning. I think we went around 7 trees on our 10 minute drive to church! Power was out and the stories were already beginning. We also got a call saying school would be let out at 11 am. As the afternoon goes by, the weather seems to improve. We actually head to the mall to look at prom dresses! While there, however, another storm comes through. We were in Dillards and told to go to a certain area in the store. That was an experience! I was ready to leave and get in a basement! After that storm passed, we grabbed some Chick-fil-A and headed to Janice's house. We knew that we had already lost power at our house. As the night progressed we would periodically go upstairs to check on things. At one point, I stood amazed at the lightening that was just beyond the mountain. I called to the rest of the family to come upstairs if they wanted to see it. I knew that something was happening in the midst of all of that. As I watched the lightening I prayed for what could possibly be taking place underneath. I believe now, that was the storm that hit Apison. The night was one to be remembered. The devastation it caused around the south was monumental.
Personally, we had damage to a car and our deck, and out of power for six days. In light of the devastation, we have nothing to complain about. Our loss was just a few things. During the storms and watching some of it, I was reminded that this too is preparation. There will be storms where we are moving to. How will I/we respond? Do I truly believe in the Sovereignty of God? This is also proof that no matter where I live, God is control. It is so easy to believe that it is "safer" to be at "home" in Chattanooga. Moving to another country that has volcanoes and tsunamis doesn't sound very safe, but the other night proved that Chattanooga can be dangerous too! Our trust, comfort, and peace HAVE to come the Father. He is the only way we can be still during such storms.
