Joplin, MO Tornado

I am completely in shock about the Joplin, MO tornado.  I've grown up in a tiny town very close to Joplin my entire life and it was always the "go-to" place when someone wanted to shop, eat, or do anything entertaining.

  

If you haven't heard about it yet, there was an EF-4 tornado that hit Joplin on Sunday (May 22nd).  70 percent of the town is completely gone. It was the nations deadliest tornado in 65 years and at this point, the death toll is 117.  

That being said, I am so thankful to tell you that all of my loved ones are okay, but I'm so sorry I can't say that about all of the people of Joplin.

Me, Brenna, Tamara

I had a very close friend, Brenna, (who was already scared of storms to begin with) that had to endure the terrible tornado.  She lost everything she owns.  Everything.  And then had to spend 4 hours searching for her mom and brothers because they were missing and the place they were staying was completely leveled.  Can you imagine?  It brings me to tears just writing this because I can't imagine.  It's a miracle that they survived and I thank God for it.  They did come out with injuries, though.  Please, please pray for her family.  Here's an excerpt from an interview she did:

"Brenna took cover from the tornado in the laundry room of her second floor apartment with a boyfriend.
Everything was being torn apart around us,” Burzinski said. “It was terrifying. We were sure we were going to die.”
Burzinski said she later saw bodies being pulled from her apartment building.
“I don’t know how we lived,” she said. “I don’t know how any of us lived.”
She dreads that next dark sky.
“I’ll be scared that every storm will be a tornado,” she said.

My sister was also in the Target at Joplin when it happened and she said it was absolutely terrible.  I hadn't heard anything about the tornado until I got this text from my sister:

Start praying.  Covered with clothes and pillows.  Crying People.  Tornado Coming.  In target at back of store.  No electricity.  In Joplin. Tried to help a guy on fire. 

It just makes me sick to think about.  My heart and prayers goes out to those who are struggling right now.

I'm telling you guys because the blogging community is so strong and I know when I ever need any help, this is where I go.  You guys are awesome.  If you would like to donate, go to the Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery Facebook page to find out ways how.