Joplin

We are on vacation in California. We decided to drive it again this year. We drove right through Joplin, MO and saw some of the devastation that the tornado recently caused. It was a sobering time as we looked around. We took a few photos, but we also felt guilty as we did. These people lost everything! Here is a little of what we saw.

This first photo is from the outskirts of the tornado damage. It shows a mobile home that I don't think belonged in the yard where it currently is. There is a mobile home park a couple of blocks away. I am guessing it belonged there.


This area is a little closer... notice the trees are mangled and the houses are damaged... but look at the playground in the middle of it all, seemingly untouched.


Here we were, a little close to it all... notice the horizon line... this was once a neighborhood full of houses, now it is nothing but a pile of debris.

More debris...

And still more debris...

Neighborhoods and shopping malls are gone. The landscape has changed immensely. This town lost so much!



I can't even fathom what the rebuilding process will be, nor how long it will take. This was complete devastation! So sad!

Emma

This is Emma's first year to go to KFC (Kids for Christ) Camp. It is a week long (Monday-Friday) - away from home camp. She was super excited to go... she started packing a few days ago. We took her to church this morning and watched her get on the "old school" church bus. I am sure she will have a ton of fun this week. I, on the other hand, am not so excited. I miss her horribly! She is a such a joy to have around and I miss her being with us. Our family doesn't feel complete without her. Something is missing...

Emma

Joy is in heart.
It shines through her eyes.
Compassion is in her heart.
It flows through her actions.
Love is in heart.
It shows in her hugs.

When she is not around
I am sad.
She is my helper,
My shopping buddy,
My friend.

Though she is only 10,
She is one of my favorite people.
A week without her is too long.
I can't wait for her to come back home.