Most everyone knows on November 7th 2017 my parents home was destroyed in a storm. We originally thought it was a tornado, but have since learned it was straight line winds and a microburst. My Dad was home at the time and he went through what I know will probably forever be the most scary, devastating moments of his life. The doctors are saying he is a miracle. We know God had his hand on him that day. I would like to tell a little of his story without his permission, but hopefully I wont get in too much trouble. I feel its important so others understand how badly he needs prayers and how we need to be so very fragile with him.
Dad has been in so much pain due to a abscess that recently came up on his lower back. He went to the ER on monday ( November 6th). He was given pain medicine so on Tuesday Morning he was in bed sleeping. He said he woke to the entire house shaking and he knew he needed to get somewhere safe. He tried to get to his feet when he was slammed to the floor. The next thing he knew he said he heard what sounded like a explosion and the walls were falling down on him. He said the walls just kept coming ( we now know that the house likely rolled possibly several times as it was around 15ft from where it originally sat.) The next thing he remembers he was looking at the sky and could see my uncles house next door because the roof and walls were gone. He then knew he needed to get out. He frantically tried to find decent clothing but quickly realized there was no finding anything. His nose would not stop bleeding and so he grabbed something near him ( possibly a shirt) and held it on his nose. He crawled out of the rubble that was once the bedroom he was sleeping so soundly in minutes earlier. He managed to walk to the road to try to get help. Once at the road he remembers a car pulling in and turning around he yelled for help but they turned around and left ( we now know that there were trees across the road and the person likely never saw him and was just turning around because the tree in the road.) Then a truck pulled in and was about to do the same when Dad began yelling to the driver and calling for help. The truck pulled back in and came to his rescue. All we know is the mans name is Jamey. He gave Dad clothes to put on and began trying to contact my mom. Anyone who has been to or near my parents know making a phone call is practically impossible due to no service and horrible reception when you do have service. He finally got ahold of my mom by text message. He meanwhile sent someone who was with him to check on my grandparents. They live the next driveway up. ( They were fine.) Two ambulances came and I believe the rescue squad and my dad was transported to the hospital. I received a voicemail from my mom saying I need you to call me back as soon as you get this, AS SOON AS YOU GET THIS. I knew the moment I had missed a call from mom during our work hours that something was wrong before even listening to the voicemail. I called back and my mom said A tornado hit our house and your dad is in a ambulance on the way to the hospital. I immediately panicked and took off. I prayed the entire way through sobs and reminded myself that I needed to be careful because Connor needs a mama and I am no help to anyone If i wreck ( the roads were soaked and the rain was still coming,) Ill skip alot of the rest but I will say the Doctors and nurses all say my dad is a miracle. No one can explain how he is alive little on with only scrapes and bruises. He should have been dead or at the very least broken to pieces. My dad is whole. My dad is alive. However my dad is traumatized. Though not physically, he is indeed broken.
My Dad was discharged from the hospital and we immediately went to see the house, The storms had cleared and we wanted to see with our own eyes and gather what could be salvaged. When we pulled up to the house friends and family and friends of friends were there digging through to pull out what they could. Nothing could prepare my eyes for what I saw that day.
The guys who helped were able to dig out alot of moms clothes and some photo albums, and a few other little things but when you have nothing they are all big things!!! I could never ever thank them enough. We needed them so desperately when we drove up that driveway for the first time. What meant the most is we had no clue they were coming and we didnt ask. They just stepped up and helped.
Dad has been in so much pain due to a abscess that recently came up on his lower back. He went to the ER on monday ( November 6th). He was given pain medicine so on Tuesday Morning he was in bed sleeping. He said he woke to the entire house shaking and he knew he needed to get somewhere safe. He tried to get to his feet when he was slammed to the floor. The next thing he knew he said he heard what sounded like a explosion and the walls were falling down on him. He said the walls just kept coming ( we now know that the house likely rolled possibly several times as it was around 15ft from where it originally sat.) The next thing he remembers he was looking at the sky and could see my uncles house next door because the roof and walls were gone. He then knew he needed to get out. He frantically tried to find decent clothing but quickly realized there was no finding anything. His nose would not stop bleeding and so he grabbed something near him ( possibly a shirt) and held it on his nose. He crawled out of the rubble that was once the bedroom he was sleeping so soundly in minutes earlier. He managed to walk to the road to try to get help. Once at the road he remembers a car pulling in and turning around he yelled for help but they turned around and left ( we now know that there were trees across the road and the person likely never saw him and was just turning around because the tree in the road.) Then a truck pulled in and was about to do the same when Dad began yelling to the driver and calling for help. The truck pulled back in and came to his rescue. All we know is the mans name is Jamey. He gave Dad clothes to put on and began trying to contact my mom. Anyone who has been to or near my parents know making a phone call is practically impossible due to no service and horrible reception when you do have service. He finally got ahold of my mom by text message. He meanwhile sent someone who was with him to check on my grandparents. They live the next driveway up. ( They were fine.) Two ambulances came and I believe the rescue squad and my dad was transported to the hospital. I received a voicemail from my mom saying I need you to call me back as soon as you get this, AS SOON AS YOU GET THIS. I knew the moment I had missed a call from mom during our work hours that something was wrong before even listening to the voicemail. I called back and my mom said A tornado hit our house and your dad is in a ambulance on the way to the hospital. I immediately panicked and took off. I prayed the entire way through sobs and reminded myself that I needed to be careful because Connor needs a mama and I am no help to anyone If i wreck ( the roads were soaked and the rain was still coming,) Ill skip alot of the rest but I will say the Doctors and nurses all say my dad is a miracle. No one can explain how he is alive little on with only scrapes and bruises. He should have been dead or at the very least broken to pieces. My dad is whole. My dad is alive. However my dad is traumatized. Though not physically, he is indeed broken.
My Dad was discharged from the hospital and we immediately went to see the house, The storms had cleared and we wanted to see with our own eyes and gather what could be salvaged. When we pulled up to the house friends and family and friends of friends were there digging through to pull out what they could. Nothing could prepare my eyes for what I saw that day.
Somewhere in this area is where dad was.
Gods hand was definitely on him no other way to explain him being able to crawl out and find help.
Adrenaline was so high that day that I think we were all in shock and unbelief and didnt really grasp the magnitude of what had happened. However today (the day after)
as we have calmed down we have wept fiercely on and off all day. I cant sleep as my mind is constantly racing. I cannot even seem to form a solid thought. However there is work to be done and we have to pull together and keep moving.
I have been reminded of a sermon that was preached by Pastor Derek this past sunday titled "Never Give Up". How was I to know only two short days later I would cling to those words. While I was racing to my dads side while praying and sobbing I remember crying out to God " Have your glory!" I know that He will. Sometimes we dont know why things happen, but we know God will bring beauty from these ashes. I sobbed and can remember saying "I know your still good" over and over. I have never believed those words so much even in the mist of the darkest time in my life. I know that I havent lived in this house in 9 years but it was still my safe haven. We moved into this house when I was 4 years old and it is literally the only home I remember growing up, and within moments my safe haven was in pieces. I have no idea how to be strong, All I want to do is crumble like my hurting heart is, but I am clinging to those words I heard two days before the worst day of my life and I am promising im Never giving up!!! My entire life my parents have been strong for me and its time that I was strong for them.
From the bottom of our broken hearts we want to thank everyone for the calls, text, messages, helping hands, and most importantly prayers. The love and support were being shown is unexplainable! I literally cannot even answer everyone back. My phone has not stopped ringing and I am so appreciative. So thank you to everyone for everything!!!
