{Alabama Tornadoes}
This afternoon, the central and northern parts of Alabama were devastated by 23 tornadoes that swept across the state. Some were reported to be as wide as a mile across. In all, 250 people lost their lives in Alabama alone. The hardest hit was the city of Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama. This picture is an aerial shot that I pulled off the AP website. What drew me to this picture was not only the devastation, but the people walking along the streets. I can only imagine what they must have been thinking and feeling. Many probably lost friends and loved ones. All of them probably lost property. All of them have had their lives changed, having lived through something that they will never forget and from which they may never fully recover.
As with most natural disasters worldwide, the LDS church sent in some of the first responders to help with relief and aid. Some of my own family and friends who live in areas not so hard-hit have joined relief parties and will be travelling to all affected areas to provide service for the next several weekends... as long as they are needed. Oh, how I wish that we could help in that way. For our part, we will continue to pray for the peace of mind and temporal welfare of these good people in Alabama. We will also continue to donate our money and time to the Humanitarian Aid programs of our Church.
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