It looks like a war zone. That leveled home is only a few hundred yards fromm ours. Trees, buildings, vehicles, etc... not good. And word is that Sunday will bring similar storms.

Yea OOHRAH,

My mom's home in Walkertown escaped damage, but I think we were lucky...

I saw a waterspout out over the ocean about 11:00 AM this morning. Small one, lasted about two minutes. Stay safe.

So how much damage did it do to your home Oohrah???
Is your family ok???

If you are dumb enough to build your house under sea level (or in a tornado zone)....

But seriously, good luck. And thank God Brownie got fired.

BOAZ-
I'm taking a break from clean up. The storm apparently messed up Advance and Clemmons, then hopped over to Kernersville and onto Greensboro where it really messed with the Sandy Ridge area.

I sensed we were in for a long night when I heard the windows in our garage doors blow out... then heard a major crashing sound - it was our glass sun room being blasted. Got to bed by around 145am.

Last night Jane and I walked throughout the neighborhood. Among the normal things like houses being destroyed, cars with trees stuck in them, etc, was something rather interesting: the wind had lifted and moved a man hole cover about two feet. For anyone who has ever tried to pry one of those out of its spot, that's a very tough thing to budge.

Stay safe OohRah. Hope all is well with You and Yours.

Larry Mohr

Stay safe and hope recovery time is swift, Oohrah. I lived in Raleigh when Fran hit.

You know people bag on Michael Brown but He was spot on with regards to the Levees and the flooding of Hurricane Katrina. I will see if I can locate that video again.

Larry Mohr

Wow...so sorry to hear that. Scary stuff. Glad you folks are all right.
We had some really ,really, high winds too...they took out one of our big oak trees.
They said a small tornado hit east of Statesville, also.
I think we are up in the Brushy's just enough to escape tornados...I hope.

Best wishes to you and your family.

With luck, we'll have you back soon with all the latest right-wing talking points.

John

:-)

I would make a joke about our trailor... or how our black lawn jockey was unscathed... or how my rebel flag still flies proudly from my Chevy.

We were middle of the road on the damages. Some homes are total losses. Some unscathed. If you looked down on our home from the sky, everything you see has damage, though we (fortunately) don't have gaping holes in our roof.

One neighbor had relatively little damage - except for a flying board which pierced their outer wall and nearly impaled them while they crouched in the darkness.

The wind was strong enough to literally twist our basketball backboard about 45 degrees.

Best wishes, Oorah. Be thankful you don't live in Burma.

Yeah, That's it!

My home is damaged by a tornado yet I still have time to Grovel for pity with the Drudge Shut Ins.

Oorah,

Good to know you and your family is safe. Good luck with the repairs.

Where's "Brownie" when you need him?

Duh.

Glad to hear you and the wife are OK Oorah. Sorry to hear about the damage though, that's a bitch.

Itsmean...Oorahs a decent guy...and a daily Dudgie. When I saw where the tornadoes hit...I was wondering about not hearing from him on the DR. Glad he could drop in.
Why do you feel the need to be such a prick ?

Yeah, That's it!

My home is damaged by a tornado yet I still have time to Grovel for pity with the Drudge Shut Ins.

Posted by itsme at 2008-05-09 04:00 PM | Reply | Flag


At the risk of repeating myself from yesterday, they must grow them stupid where you come from. Prick.

At the risk of repeating myself from yesterday, they must grow them stupid where you come from. Prick.

Posted by Reagan58 at 2008-05-09 04:10 PM

Where do I come from. Prick?

"My home is damaged by a tornado yet I still have time to Grovel for pity with the Drudge Shut Ins."

Give the guy a break. Oohrah seems like a decent guy...for a Republican ;).

My priority would be securing my home, not Whining for support.

It must take a lot of balls to kick someone when they are down huh?

I was gonna make an inappropriate political comment, but I'll save it for another day.

Glad to see you can still post here OohRah even after the bad weather.

My thoughts are with you Oorah, thank goodness that you and your wife are unharmed. Houses can be fixed, people not so easily. (Our home flooded in Floyd of 99)

OOHRAH

Glad you and yours are unhurt. When I was a kid a tornado carved a path in the ground 20 feet from the side of our house, turned, picked up the garage from it's foundation, and set it down 400 ft. from our back porch. Took our swing set and left it in a crumpled heap next to the relatively unscathed garage that was far from it's foundation.

Mom had my sister and I (we were about 6 then) praying. Gotta believe that helped.

And yes, Oohrah is one of the most decent Republicans I've come across on the 'net, and a seemingly very nice person.

Now, about that rebel flag..... LOL

726 ItsMe has always been the Drizzling Shits. So it's nothing new for Him.

Larry Mohr

My priority would be securing my home, not Whining for support.

Posted by itsme at 2008-05-09 04:16 PM | Reply


GE Refrigerator Box: Check
VCR/Gun Repair Diploma: Check
Atari 2600: Check


Well, looks like you're all set Itsy. I hope your husband is OK.

Don't confuse my ridicule of whining with your SaTuRdaY nIghT laRRy.

I expected better from you Chairpoodle.

Where do I come from. Prick?


Posted by itsme at 2008-05-09 04:13 PM | Reply | Flag:


I've no idea, I just hope that it's somewhere far from me. The point which I imagine you took away despite your snark is that you're a prick for being so hateful. I'd not even wish something like tornado damage on Niceville, Rob the A Hole, Beefalo Boob or even Johnson.

OOHRAH

Just now saw this headline. Glad no one in your family was physically hurt. Do you have homeowners' insurance? Do NOT just sign off on the first check your insurance company hands you -- they will "lowball" the amount of damages. A lot of times you don't realize all the damage you've sustained.

Go back to sleep "Reagan".

"My home is damaged by a tornado yet I still have time to Grovel for pity with the Drudge Shut Ins."

Shut up. Oohrah just needs a break and came on here to get his mind
off of the disaster all around him.

OOHRAH

I was talking to a very wealthy friend who is in the manufacturing industry. He and his wife called to see if we'd been hit by the tornados here in Nashville a couple of days ago. I said no.

Then I jokingly told him about my idea for " 'Nado Decoy ", an inflatable mobile home with an image of a tornado and a hand giving it the finger. You can inflate it and set it a few hundred yards from your house to taunt the tornado into striking the "Mobile Home" they seem to hate so much.

One thing around here that tickles my wife and I is how in spite of the fact Nashville is a pretty wealthy community, every time a tornado hits it's hit a mobile home in the country occupied by a woman with one tooth who of course is the one interviewed on national TV. Funny that.

well, most of us will except the DR heathens and atheists and agnostics

If you were a good Christian rather than a Catholic you'd live by the Judge Not...mandate.

How do you know that the irreligious have no compassion for Oohrah and folks?

*/spank/*

Glad to hear you and your family are safe, Oohrah. Keep us posted on the haps...

No Clity Chris. DooRahh needs to get his shit together, not hang out here for sympathy.

AU,

I'm convinced that's not just local. I think all of the people that are normal and have some degree of dental hygiene run for the hills when they see the camera trucks.

ITSME

You're not being a very good person, son.

OOHRAH has had a calamity hit and you mock him. Not right.

Cool it, EH?

...the wind had lifted and moved a man hole cover about two feet. For anyone who has ever tried to pry one of those out of its spot, that's a very tough thing to budge.

Posted by OohRah at 2008-05-09 03:47 PM

Recently many manhole covers are being stolen here in L.A. by thieves selling them for scrap metal. During the news report about it the reporter mentioned that manhole covers weigh 150 pounds a piece. That's some strong winds you had there, Oohrah!

Thanks for the love, ITSME. I knew I could count on you.

Yes, we are all safe. Our dog freaked a bit and our home alarm went crazy for a while... but I had to wait till the storm passed enough to feel safe enough to walk to the garage to disarm it.

Thanks for the encouragement and kind words. Sorry to disappoint, ITS, but I wasn't trolling for pity. I have a healthy respect for most on the DR even though we disagree. I just thought people would want to know if someone they "know" is involved in something like this... I know I would.

But if anyone wants to send pity money, they can send their generous donation to The George W. Bush Foundation for Literacy.

How do you know that the irreligious have no compassion for Oohrah and folks?

I didn't say the "irreligious" would not have any compassion for Oohrah,
I just said they would not include him or his family in a prayer. There's a difference.

Amen.

Be safe, Oohrah.

See, I just knew this somehow had to be Bush's fault ;-)

OOHRAH

Is there anything you need that would help you or your neighbors out?

For instance, if plastic sheeting is in short supply there I could go to Home Depot here and buy some then ship it to you. It'd be there by Monday or Tuesday latest....

For instance, if plastic sheeting is in short supply there I could go to Home Depot here and buy some then ship it to you. It'd be there by Monday or Tuesday latest....

Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2008-05-09 04:45 PM

Don't forget the Duct Tape!

"ItsMe...JustSomeJizz...bigges
t asshole on Drudge..."

...and one of the most reviled MohrOns.


Personally I think it's pretty cool that we have a special report from the eye of the storm. We have a fair number of twisters in Missourah. Good reason to build a house out of brick with a basement.

OTOH, watching Niceville hoisted aloft knowing he'd think it was the Rapture only to be flung out of the vortex and freefall to a hard landing would really Make My Day.

OOHRAH

Leave any requests for help on this thread.

Maybe some of us on DR would have have some items (or expertise in something)
that would be of some help to you.

It was a matter of time beforw the InbredOzarkHillbilly checked in.

Quick son, go scout the sky fer twisters!

OOHRAH

Ya, we'd like to help. I posted above that Home Depot is just down the road. I'm sure your local stores will run out of plastic sheeting to cover roofs, etc. I have a couple of extra staple guns and boxes of staples here too I just brought back from my sister's house.

Oohrah,


Sorry to hear about this, bro.

Best wishes and prayers to you and yours.



Itsy,


Go find that magnifying glass that you use to scorch ants with, use it to locate your penis, and jerk-off. You need some release.

Is there anything you need that would help you or your neighbors out?

For instance, if plastic sheeting is in short supply there I could go to Home Depot here and buy some then ship it to you. It'd be there by Monday or Tuesday latest....

Posted by AMERICANUNITY


See ITSME? This is how compassionate people act. From the left and the right. Now do us all a favor and GTF off the internets.

One thing I can say for the local government and the utility companys in NC. They sure can get things going in a hurry. Not back to normal, mind you. But functional.

Where is the troll flag?

See ITSME? This is how compassionate people act. From the left and the right. Now do us all a favor and GTF off the internets.


Posted by ddenton at 2008-05-09 04:55 PM

So what are you doing ddddddenton ?

Hey Jeffy! How's that busted cherry healing?

Stay safe, Oohrah. Having lived through some severe earthquakes, I know that it may seem bad now, but normalcy will come back pretty quickly.

What's that ddddddenton? Nothing?

Just what I thought.

Itsy

Go find that magnifying glass that you use to scorch ants with, use it to locate your penis, and jerk-off. You need some release.

Posted by JeffJ at 2008-05-09 04:54 PM.

ITSME could have Arizona's "Large Binocular Telescope" (world's strongest)
at his disposal and still couldn't find his penis. Nor can he find any compassion for others, it seems.

Clitty Chris is obsessed with my Penis.

By the way Oohrah, best of luck.

Damn I see the Garbage truck failed to do a regular pick up today yet again. Where oh where is a dependable Heil when You need Him.

Larry Mohr

Probably backing up to your front door FatBoy.

Way to lighten the mood there Pirate!

It can always be worse. You could be married to this woman who has vagina dentata.

www.youtube.com

Posted by Pirate at 2008-05-09 05:13 PM

Time to see her dentist and get some teeth pulled!

What's that ddddddenton? Nothing?

Just what I thought.

Posted by itsm


Some of us have full-time jobs during the day that preclude spamming blogs about disaster victims and jerking off to "2 girls - 1 cup".

And are you seriously going to use that teenage "what now?!" attitude with me? Behavior like that is probably what gets you shoved in a locker before algebra class.

stay safe.

Oorah:
Glad you are ok. We're supposed to get some of the bad
weather Sunday but last night was supposed to be rough
but nothing much happened.

Larry:
Write to me when you get a chance.
Please.
YOGF?

What the hell are you babbling about ddddddedddton?

Middle School flashbacks?

By the way, who's "itsm"?

What's that ddddddenton? Nothing?

Just what I thought.

Posted by itsm


Must be nice to not care about how much of a douche you're being. Think I'll leave it at that.

Good comeback ddddddentdddon!

Glad your family is OK, Oohrah. I think I saw some footage from that storm system today and it looked rough. Let us know how we can help you and your neighbors.

this woman who has vagina dentata

It's not the teeth, it's the Overbite that's painful...Ask Bubba!

We had an EF-3 storm. WXII, WGHP should have video. Check their sites.

But if anyone wants to send pity money, they can send their generous donation to The George W. Bush Foundation for Literacy.

Glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor, Oohrah.

People like ItsMe have a void in that part of themselves where a sense of decency should be. Ignore him, he's not worth the effort of dislike.

Oorah! Glad to hear you are ok. Did the National Weather Service in your area do it's job and give you adequate warning?

Thanks

Thunderdude

DON-
I was indulging in adult beverage while watching the Celtics dismantle the Eastern Conference defending champion Cavs. Game over... what next? So while watching our home boy Chris Paul's Hornets, I keep seeing warnings/watches scrawl across the TV screen.

No big deal at first - just up in Virginia. Then, a little while later, around Pilot Mountain and in counties in NC.

Then, tornado warnings to the west of us moving east. So I go to the local station (WXII) and watch their intense weather people doing their thing. Around 11pm they tell us there's swirling activitly just west of Clemmons and could touch down at any time.

So we go to the basement. Jane, our little old dog Mo (short for Mohawk) and I are in our basement watching the TV. Power goes out and on a couple times.

So by now I've put batteries in a radio and it says a tornado warning is in place for our local area.

As happens when imbibing, I've got to piss like a race horse... but it's really bad outside. I walk from our finished half basement... out thru the garage to see what it's like.

Oddly it was kind of quiet... no driving rain like there had been. So I'm thinking it's safe to piss upstairs - surely nothing could move in that fast. Well, by the time I looked up to see very ominous purple skies via the lightning... the wind kicked up to an unhealthy level. I quickly closed the door and walked back to Jane in the basement... then said it "wasn't that bad" and had to take a leak.

As a typical wife she told me she was worried and wanted me with her and to not go upstairs. As a man I told her to grow a pair - well not exactly - but I told her I'd be right back down.

By the time I could make it halfway up the stairs the SOUND of wind was so loud it scared me to the point I turned around and hustled back down the stairs and we all slid under the computer desk in the basement.

In no more than a handful of seconds there was a very loud sound... glass breaking,etc. And then in a few more seconds it quieted down.

Had I been up on the main floor with dick in hand I might have been a goner. Several houses were destroyed... others mostly demolished. I'm sure there's a pun or joke in here somewhere... but we're just glad to be among the breathing.

It was an experience kind of like when I was a kid and riding some really intense carnival rides. You thought you'd survive, but you still wondered about whether you really would. Quite a rush to say the least.

2FAST4U

That was a kind offer of help you gave to Oohrah.

Oohrah-- I am so sorry to hear about this.

I do insurance claims. If you have any questions--let me know.

A couple of tips--

Take photos of everything before the clean up.

Start making lists of the missing items and damaged items.

You can download an Inventory Sheet that lists the items and the date purchased and how much paid.

Go room to room.

If it's repairable--and worth the repair--get an estimate--this is for personal property items.

Watch out for public adjusters--they will take 4% or more OF YOUR insurance proceeds to do what I just outlined above.

Watch for the snakey contractors--check them out with NC contractors.gov website--their license and that they have insurance. The adjuster can help with referrals--but some carriers won't.

When the check comes--only pay the contractor the amount for materials--then another percentage when they delivered and starting work for a couple of days--then the rest when the job is done.

Now this is for everyone--take your video camera out and tape your entire home. Open the cabinets and drawers--including the garage. In the event of a catastrophic loss--you will have your tape or CD to review. Put it in the safety deposit box.

It will help you in listing the items that are missing, or damaged (fire). And it will document for the carrier what was in the home before the loss. When there is a fire--this will be your best friend in making sure you get paid what you lost from the carrier.

Save your big ticket items receipts when you buy something for the home.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family and neighbors.

Murphy

I remember the aftermath of Hurricain Floyd (1999) the FEMA people were absolutely wonderful, and I mean that most sincerely. We did not have flood insurance cause we are not in a flood zone. I was in a state of shock (as you can imagine) but they came in and started to inventory the house. Typical exchange:

"Mrs. Brit, how much do you think it will cost to replace your sofa"

Me: "Well it cost me $25 at the auction"

"Mrs. Brit, now we know it is not going to cost you $25.00 to replace it now don't we"

We ended up with an SBA loan (cause we were too high income for a grant) to repair and replace. Every single person I dealt with at FEMA was an absolute gem, a star, could not say anything bad about them.

That's because FEMA in 1999 was a Cabinet Level position and did not need the President's Authorization to act during a disaster. That is why LBD.

Larry Mohr

Best of luck with the cleanup and repairs, Oohrah. Glad you and your family are safe.

OOHRAH

I've been on the business end of hurricanes Andrew and Wilma so I understand that sinking feeling when you finally looked at the damage.

I hope your community is like mine. There was no time to let the shock wear off. There was too much work to do. Friends showed up from miles away with gasoline, pickups, trailers, generators and chainsaws.

The damage was enormous but not as big as the community spirit that made us whole again.

In spite of the damage, watching neighbors help neighbors is a wonderful thing to behold. I don't think I've ever felt so bad and so good at the same time.

All the best to you and your family, friends and neighbors.

But if anyone wants to send pity money, they can send their generous donation to The George W. Bush Foundation for Literacy.



I'll just send some comic books for the entrance display case.

Oohrah -

Best of luck from Tornado Alley. Nasty stuff.

George Bush's cure for literacy -

"If everybody would just bend over and pick up a couple pieces of trash every day there wouldn't be any literacy."

Just goes to show you the power of prayer.

"

I'll just send some comic books for the entrance display case.

"

Posted by midiman

Ironman's a big hit with the idiots.

"We'd been considering some outside upgrades eventually."

And then Mother Nature lent a helping hand.

Oprahs* home

Oohrah - what a freakish, scarey headline, and I'm relieved to know your family is alright. Your wife wasn't sodomizing you was she? Pat Robertson might have been praying a little too hard.:]

But seriously, stay safe, bro.

Ironman's a big hit with the idiots.
Posted by Zatoichi at 2008-05-10 09:14 AM

Normally I do not download first-run's, but my nephew want's to see it, so I needed to check it out first. It's not terrible, although Tony Stark is by far the most evil "hero" ever, he does "learn" his lesson. I'm not going to spoil it, but the payoff is entirely based around explosions and violence. That said, I'm not too happy about little kids being exposed to those "ideals" whatsoever. Guns are not toys, and this is nothing more than more government sponsored violence worship, imo. Then again, mint tea with Putin might also prove explosive, or toxic at mininum..

Made major headway on yard clean up. The adjusters showed up today. Cops continue to patrol for looters and other potential problems. They've blocked the TV crews from going house to house.

WTF???

What did this good christian ass-kisser do to god for his home to get hit by a tornado? What kind of sin did you and your family commit to offened your god that he would hit your house, but skip over your neighbor's?

According to that paragon of Republican Virtues, the most Right-Reverand Pastor Hagee, you have obviously pissed off God and he has punished you.

Your house getting hit by a tornado is an 'Act of God' according to your Insurance Policy, yes?

Dude, Sue God! What a pig He is; his porky wonders to perform.

Ass-biting criticism aside:

Even though you suffer from severe delusions of god-hood, Oohrah, I am glad that you and your family are okay.

...I really mean that.

DUMP-
God told me he had to take a smoke break for a few minutes and I'd be on my own. So stuff happens.

God told me he had to take a smoke break for a few minutes and I'd be on my own. So stuff happens.


LOL

I'm glad you're ok, as well that you have a sense of humor and perhaps eventually, a sense of reality.

"I'm glad you're ok, as well that you have a sense of humor and perhaps eventually, a sense of reality."

Posted by Zap

Reality is a crutch.
A sense of humor, OTOH ...

"God told me he had to take a smoke break"

Don Juan's "little smoke" no doubt.
-Carlos Castaneda

I sense some want this thread to move toward the "if God is real, why didn't he protect such a Christian as Oohrah" or "is Oohrah not a strong enough Christian if such things happen to him."

Bad things happen to people (Christians or not) everyday. Being a Christian doesn't make us immune to freak accidents, bad health, death, grief, etc. Faith helps comfort those who grieve... giving them hope for eternal peace. Often times, blessings arise from what had seemed like the gloomiest times. Our situation (no injuries) is really just a case of material property being messed with. Our insurance can replace these losses.

For what it's worth, there have been several standing neighborhood homes condemned (or others simply destroyed) along the F-3 tornado's path. We were smack dab in the path, yet the tornado apparently skipped off the ground just as it approached our home - the homes just before and just after us were either destroyed or condemned. So in that sense you could say were were spared not only our lives but also our property.

That's not to say our neighbors were heathens. That's not how it all works. I suspect they'd praise God that their lives were spared and that others had been spared.

It is comforting that our church members came out in force to help the few Pinedale families in the neighborhood. And we had two volunteers (a father and his high school son) who spent the whole day with a chain saw... they were from a local church. Their home had been out of the storm's path - yet they wanted to help their fellow man - we didn't know them prior. Non-Christians are also apt to do similar acts of kindness, though in this case none did - at least none did at any of the four or five homes closest to us. Those helping were either paid crews or relatives.

You and your family will make it through these tough times. And your neighborhood will come together and provide each other with comfort and joy. That I have no doubt.

But...Please OohRah, don't make excuses for God's absence in times of disaster. Everytime one prays to god to help avert disaster, he/she/it doesn't. Then afterwards, everyone prays to god for a speedy recovery...which only happens when Men and Women come together to help each other. God does NOT figure in the equation at all - spiritually or materially. So please don't continue to pretend he/she/it does.

If one cannot see how ridiculous it is to pray to a God (who had no problem appearing 2000 years ago and providing On-The-Spot miracles) and our modern excuses for his absence today, then there is no hope for your irrational mind.

That said, once again; You will be strong, and you will rebuild with the help from other humans despite god's lack of interest in your plight.

DUMP-
We'll have to disagree regarding matters of faith. To witness this disaster area - homes destroyed, hundreds of large trees down, etc.- and to have had no fatalities or major injuries... that's quite a blessing.

God most certainly figures in the equation - not only in times of distress - but in good times as well. For those who walk daily with God, events like this strengthen our bond with Him.

Being a follower doesn't immunize us from bad things. I don't feel as though God let me down or that I'm being punished. Stuff happens - this is a sinful world full of heartache.

Had a severe thunderstorm roll thru here an hour or so ago. Before that we'd spent the afternoon cutting down/hauling trees... and I spoke with the local FOX channel. The interview was on the 6pm news and likely will appear on their 10pm news. A local Masonic lodge set up a big cookout right in front of our house. Good stuff. Plus we've gotten to talk with some neighbors we hardly ever see.

At least if we get another bad storm there aren't any more trees (except two) that can really mess up our property. Every other tree is no taller than 5 feet now. The adjusters were here yesterday. A local church had everyone for a spaghetti dinner yesterday. So it's been an overall good thing in terms of community.

Oohrah-
First, I'm glad you're OK. You seem like an asshole much of the time, but I kinda feel that I know you in some little way, and so I don't want you to die or suffer (the wiles of empathy...go figure)

I have a question involving faith. It's not a trick question, but an earnest one:

If God had allowed everyone to die, would it be the fault of this sinful world of heartache?

BET-
An asshole most of the time? Me thinks you don't know me werry well! I'm probably the most civil hard core rightie you find here. I don't resort to name calling, etc. I always try to keep serious dialogue on the issues and never personal. I like to make jokes - often very self deprocating humor.

As to your hypothetical - here's my take on it as I, in my human way, try to make sense of God's actions in this world.

Firstly, sin is not from God but from satan. God has given over domain of earth to satan - it's full of sin, death, destruction, etc. God allows things to occur - things which, often, we don't understand. Things like "why do innocent children die" or "why would all of Oohrah's neighborhood die" or "why do bad things happen to Christians when good things happen to vile people..."

God never promised us a utopia on earth (after Adam/Eve). Bad things, whether individual suffering or mass suffering (9/11, earthquakes) will occur. So I don't make the hard link between sinful nature and hurricane Katrina.

I don't make the leap that God is necessarily punishing our sin by wiping out large groups or even by allowing the death of our loved one. We have ALL sinned and fallen short of His glory.

So to answer your question, my take is that God allows bad things to happen in our lives for reasons we may never fully fathom. Maybe with things like 9/11 it's a call for the nation to return to Him. With indivduals in my case, it's a situation where we give thanks to him for what DIDN'T happen to us.

If our community had been wiped out, it would have given others the teaching opportunity to understand that we all need to be ready to meet our maker... that no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

It would have given rescue workers as real sense of the devastation possible... and perhaps lead some of them to turn toward Christ. For those who'd survived, perhaps their spared life would take on new meaning.

Yes, the sinful world of heartache would be to "blame," though I wouldn't necessarily assign that to the specific sins of those who died or their lack of sufficent prayer. All humans are sinful. All of them.

All humans are sinful. All of them.

Of that, there is no doubt. It's true, even without your type of faith.

I'm glad to hear you're okay. Sorry to hear about the damage. You and your neighbors have my best wishes as you try to work through the mess.

Take care.