Joplin tornado damage

On May 22 of this year, a monster tornado tore through Joplin, MO, killing at least 116. It ripped the roof off a hospital and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. We drive through Joplin when we visit our kids in Arkansas and since we were on our way there, we decided to survey the damage.


Our daughter used to work in Joplin at the other hospital. She knew some of those who were injured or killed.






Out of the rubble...
The Howard family used to live in our town and were part of our church family. We were so sad to see them move to Joplin a few years ago. Kyle took a job as a fire fighter in Joplin and was at work the day of the tornado. Jill and the boys hid in a closet and although their house was destroyed, they made it out alive.

Extreme Makeover decided to come to Joplin and do a makeover of 7 houses in 7 days and the Howards were one of the families to receive a new home! And they were the first family to see the reveal!
I would have loved to have rung the doorbell, but there were lots of cars going up and down the road, checking out the new homes. Jill may not have answered the door with all the traffic snooping around! And we knew if we stopped we would be late for dinner in Arkansas. Next time!

Out of the chaos, the new. God does that too, doesn't He? Takes the mess we have and as we give him our lives, He does a work on us. I am so happy for Kyle, Jill and the boys!