Yesterday, we had cloud cover, a nice breeze and some trees where we worked. And today, not a cloud in the sky until later on in the afternoon, minimal breeze until later on in the afternoon and no trees to rest under.
Yesterday, we were in area where the damage was more sparse. There were houses in the same area that were untouched or nearly untouched by the tornados and then there were houses that were demolished in the same area. Today we worked in a neighborhood where all the houses directly around us were completely gone. And for the most part even those still standing were severely damaged.
But the most challenging difference was what we were moving and sorting through. Yesterday, we were moving lots of limbs, trees, stumps and branches all into piles, very little trash or personal items. Today we moved a house and what was left of its content to the road so it could be hauled off to the dump. So we came across many personal items - a teddy bear, a trophy from little league, forks, spoons, pieces of dining room chairs, Christmas ornaments and decorations, a letterman jacket and a picture of one of the children with Santa Claus just to name a few things.
Today, it became much more difficult and much more real. Today, we were sorting through people's lives that had been totally destroyed and everything taken away from them.
Tomorrow we move further north from Ft. Payne and will experience and see even more devastation and destruction.
Back home, we continue to pray. Thank you for taking the risk of doing a task that has got to produce such great emotion. There is a lot of time to think and process as you silently work through out the hot summer day.
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