Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Blessing of a Garden

I've been counting my blessings this past week.  So many of our friends were affected by the tornado and our hearts are heavy for them and the families that have lost loved ones,
 especially children.  


The sadness and stress of such loss is hard to imagine.  Over twenty families from our church have lost their homes. 
After a shift of volunteering to help feed those affected by the storm, I came home and took a walk through my garden.  It is my place to retreat from the world to relax and meditate.  We are so grateful that our family is safe and we had no damage to our home or property, but for 1200 families that is not the case.  


This is what is left of the house we lived in when we first moved to Oklahoma 30 years ago!  We rented it for about a year and then purchased a home.  Hard to believe we once lived there!



This area was completely devastated.  

I sat in my garden and prayed and thought about all I had seen and heard that morning.   Spending time in my garden is therapy for me and  I took a few photographs to share.  




























Samaritan's Purse is partnering with our church and has organized teams to go into the devastated neighborhoods  to assist homeowners with the cleanup.  I am so amazed at the people who have come from all over the country to help.  What a great organization! 




Our entire church went out after services on Sunday to help with the cleanup.  Nobody wore Sunday best clothes..but work clothes instead so we could all go out and help our community.



We picked up pieces of people's homes and belongings  outside an apartment complex.    Tiny fragments mixed in with nails, boards and sheet metal littered the landscape as far as we could see.


Then there are houses that are completely demolished...just piles that were once homes.
Please continue to pray for those who have 
suffered losses and count your many blessings!


I'm linking with Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday

12 comments:

  1. Sonia,we here so far away,are thinking of you all
    Our hearts go out to so many people who have suffered such tragic losses this year. Lets hope this is the last for a long time to come.
    So pleased you haven't lost your beautiful home and garden. xx

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  2. I too feel so lucky that I have my little home and yard all in one piece when others don't. I lived through a tornado once when I was about 12 and I was amazed at all the people that came to help. How wonderful that your church is doing all this.

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  3. Hi Sonia...I'm glad you are okay. All of these families have been in my prayers. I can't even imagine what they're going through. I'm glad you can go to you garden (which is lovely) and find some solace.

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  4. So sad. I am glad you are okay. Your garden is beautiful and looks like a peaceful place to rest and pray.

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  5. Thank God that you are okay Sonia... and God bless all those who are suffering. Keep reminding us! I'll keep praying!

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  6. Sonia, your garden is a sanctuary and I wish everyone had a place like that. My heart hurts for the people in Oklahoma. The weather has been particularly vicious this year...soon it will pass hopefully. My family is praying too.

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  7. So sad, but wonderful that there are volunteers like yourself.

    If you'd like a bit of a break I host a weekly link party called "Seasonal Sundays". This week, in honor of my fourth blog-a-versary, I'm having a giveaway of a $100.00 gift certificate to HomeGoods/TJ Maxx. I'd love to have you join the fun!

    - The Tablescaper

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  8. Wow that's so sad to see all that devastation! I am new from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and hopefully follow me back! Nicole

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  9. So glad you are ok and your home suffered no damage. I am praying for all the affected people.

    Your garden is lovely and I am glad you have a place to retreat and relax. We are indeed very thankful and blessed.

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  10. Sonia, your respite is a gorgeous place to count your blessings!!God's beauty everywhere. Our church here in Kansas City has sent down 3 vans full of supplies and today they were going to take home baked cookies for everyone too. We will be praying for your fellow church members who lost their homes.
    Ann

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  11. Your garden is, as always, so beautiful. I'm so glad you and your family are well and able to be so helpful to others. We've kept everyone effected by this tragedy in our prayers and have donated through our church to help in your area. Praying this insane weather stops and gives everyone a chance to recover.
    Hugs,
    Robin

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  12. Thank you for calling everyone to prayer for those who have lost so much. Your garden is truly a sanctuary. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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