The LORD Answered in the Day of Trouble...

Today, I am thankful for many things, but thankful to see that the local and national news are keeping Moore out in the public eye. We still need prayer. We still need help. While most Oklahomans do not have to travel SW 148^th or SE 4^th Street in Moore, we travel them daily. The endless destruction is a constant reminder of all that people have lost. It’s painful. It’s daily. I heard a reporter on the national news today as an Oklahoman, “There have been four major tornadoes in Moore in the past 15 years, why would you want to rebuild here?” Their reply was, “It’s home.” Then she went on to describe the heart of the people who unite together to give, to share, to help. Well, it’s not just Moore, it is just as I have heard “the Oklahoma standard”. We have big hearts. In fact, several of our friends have united to help teachers from Plaza Towers Elementary and Briarwood Elementary in Moore, Oklahoma, restore their classrooms to what they were before May 20, 2013. Check them out on FB at Restore Moore: Project Teacher. Donate there and you can be confident that 100% of your donation will go directly to the mission of Project Teacher.

This before and after picture is what was left of our first home after May 20, 2013, 309 SW 148th Street was the first home Darryl and I shared. We don’t live there anymore, but it is where we spent the first seven years of our marriage together, although seven years isn't really that long, we created many memories and celebrated many life events there. While in that home we celebrated the birth of Darya and Jayden, we witnessed 9-11 unfold before our eyes, celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries, it was also Senor Harjo's first home, many Barney songs were sung, many games of basketball played, our first tree planted and the kids learned how to do dishes.

Look at the face of determination on Brandon!

So sad to see it…all gone. Every time I was over in that area, I'd drive by just to check it out, to reflect and remember. Now it is no more. Please remember Moore in your thoughts and prayers, especially those that lost loved ones and all the others who lost property, we’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we will be OK. I like to read a Psalm and a Proverb that corresponds with the date of the month, and Psalm 20^th was perfect for May 20^th 2013.

The Assurance of God’s Saving Work

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

Psalm 20

¹ May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
² May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
³ May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

⁴ May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
⁵ We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

⁶ Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

⁹ Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.