Wednesday, November 20, 2013

A different thank you list



from cnn.com

I grew up in Washington, Illinois. It's a small town of about 10,000 people, and until November 17, 2013 not many people had heard of it. It was around 11am that Sunday morning when an EF4 tornado tore through the center of my hometown, destroying around 1,000 homes and causing one fatality. My parents, sister, brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and niece were all safe (the tornado missed my parent's house by less than a mile), but many others were not as fortunate.

What was amazing to me, especially in a culture that today is overly cynical and seems dependent on the federal government to meet their every need, was the speed in which those in and around my hometown rallied together to take care of their neighbors. Facebook pages popped up within minutes (or so it seemed) as people rushed to both get and supply information about what was going on. Offers from strangers willing to provide shelter, clothing, food, medicine, transportation, etc. were communicated almost immediately, to the point that people were being told to wait until relief efforts could be organized; search and rescue operations were the priority, along with making sure that downed power lines, ruptured gas pipes, and broken water mains were secured and that property was protected.

In the midst of the devastation though were these offers from local businesses, churches, and others that I've seen on Facebook in the last few days (and apologies if I've missed any, this isn't meant to be an all-inclusive list):

  • Peoria Home Depot open overnight providing water, garbage bags, and help with cleanup efforts
  • Montgomery's Cafe offering free meals
  • A hotel room has been donated by David
  • Riverview Senior Living in East Peoria offering 2 guest apartments
  • Crossroads church offering meals
  • Walmart in Washington set up a shelter and handed out free water, blankets, pillows, baby formula, etc.
  • Duracell and Verizon dispatched mobile charging stations to help people charge their cell phones etc and contact family and friends
  • Multiple donations sites set up in surrounding areas
  • Countryside Banquet serving hot lunch
  • Glad Tidings Assembly of God offering chili meal provided by Alexander's Steakhouse
  • Titan Fitness is open for hot showers. Towels and toiletries available as well
  • Proctor & Gamble's "Loads of Hope" on the way
  • Cross Fit Extreme Warrior has hot showers available
  • Schnuck's grocery stores offered the use of their coolers for perishable food
  • Red Cross shelters set up at Crossroads United Methodist Church, Evangelical Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Avanti's Dome, and Community Heath Rehab Building.
  • Highview Church of God distributing relief supplies
  • Uftring Automall offering free tire repairs and waving disposal fees if new tires need to be purchased
  • Central Illinois Herpetological Society offering to take in pet reptiles and amphibians temporarily, providing all necessary care
  • Kroger in Washington has clean up supplies and hygiene items donated by Proctor & Gamble at no charge
  • First Baptist Church offering free lunch
  • Five Points recreation center offering hot showers and cell phone charging
  • HOI Technologies helping with data recovery from damaged computers and hard drives
And this great story: Washington High School Playoff Opponents

And this: Chicago Bears to wear Washington logo on shirts

I posted this thought on Facebook on Monday, but it bears repeating:

"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other."-Spencer W. Kimball

How grateful I am for the countless people who have and will be the answer to prayers and the means of serving and meeting the needs of those affected by this disaster.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34-40)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Master, the Tempest is Raging

As most everyone is (or should be) aware of by now, the Philippines was recently hit by Typhoon Haiyan, which was one of the largest storms in recorded history. The devastation and loss of life is overwhelming, and my heart is aching as the reports and pictures and descriptions of this tragic event are making the news.

Credit: RAUL BANIAS/AFP/Getty Images

I was looking at the pictures on cbsnews.com this morning (link here) and a couple thoughts came to mind.

The first was this account given in Matthew 8:23-27
 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Then came the words of the hymn:

Master, the Tempest Is Raging

Hymns, Master, the Tempest Is Raging, no. 105
1. Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threat'ning
A grave in the angry deep?
[Chorus]
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.
2. Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o'er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control!
3. Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven's within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore.
Text: Mary Ann Baker, ca. 1874
Music: H. R. Palmer, 1834-1907
Now, I don't know the exact reasons why the Lord allows such things to happen. He has the power to prevent the storms, to protect us from the calamities, and to preserve our lives, but often allows these events to take place for purposes known only to Him. It requires not only faith to "be still and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10), but also hope that "all these things shall give (us) experience, and shall be for (our) good." (Doctrine & Covenants 122:7).

I do know, however, that disasters, tragedies, and calamities often give the rest of us great opportunities to serve. We need to remember the Savior's words in Matthew 25:34-40
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Just some food for thought this Sabbath Day.

(and be sure to listen to the Tabernacle Choir as they sing "Master, the Tempest is Raging" from the October 2013 General Conference)