I'm back

Hi, everybody! I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. The town of Stockton looks so much worse in life than it does in pictures. The town square is just gone... you see houses with walls and roof gone. The trees have just been stripped of leaves, and in many cases, branches. The post office, gone.
The D.M.V., drug store, bank, just gone. It's really weird, like you just got dropped in a war zone. Even though I've been in town so often, if I didn't know it was Stockton, I wouldn't recognize it!
The blessing is, with all this distruction, only three lives were lost. It is just a miracle. So thankful that it was a Sunday evening. Most businesses were closed, and most people were in their homes. The storm sirein was sounded, and people were able to take shelter. Although many lost their homes, and some lost all their belongings, we are so greatful for all the lives spared.
The town is already recovering, businesses setting up in mobile units until all is ready to begin rebuilding.
God is so good!
Thanks again for the prayers. Love you all, Eileen

Glad to see you back Eileen, I just can't picture your town looking worse than we all saw on TV!!!!

I don't ever remember so many storm's hitting so many state's at the same time and for so many day's in a row. It sure was terrible to watch! I can't even imagine being in the middle of one!!!!

Thank goodness you are all safe and that there was enough warning for everyone to take shelter!!!!

sue

Eileen, I am very sorry about the three people whose lives were lost, and that your town has seen such devastation. At the same time, I join you in thanksgiving that so many lives were spared, and I'm thrilled that you and your family and loved ones are all right.

My goodness!...

As I've said before, we've experienced a tornado messing with us and our place in the past...it makes me feel so in touch with others that go thru it. (It also makes me one nervous person when the weather is weird.)

Sky...you suppose there is anything some of us could do or offer to help the situation? Anything that people may need in particular they're not getting? Cards/letters, tangible goods? I'd do my best to chip in!

It's so good to hear from you and know that you and your family are ok. My heart aches for those who have lost so much. These are the times when we realize how little possesions really mean to us(for the most part anyway) and how important relationships are to us. Most things can be replaced, people can't. Things can't hug you and cry with you like people and our pets can and do. May GOD bless, comfort, and guide you and the people living in those storm torn areas across the nation and around the world.

Eileen, It is good to hear from you, your town has been hit with a devastation that I have never experienced. It is indeed very sad that so many people have lost their homes, that half your town has vanished. Thank God only 3 people lost their lives, it could have been so much worse, of course that is little comfort to the families of the 3.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your town as they begin the process of re-building.

What a testimonial to the people of Stockton! The damage appears to be enough to defeat the strongest heart, but they just picked themselves up, brushed themselves off and started all over again. It makes me proud to live in the same country as those folks! Now, those are survivors!

I am so glad you are back with us, you gave us quite a scare. Welcome back :-)

Thanks, all. It does warm my heart to see how quickly the people of Stockton were up on their feet. We had a group of Mennonites come in from a neighboring area. They just pitched in and started picking up the mess. A friend of ours talked to them, and learned that they have a group of about 40 who go out to where ever there has been a tornado ( or any other disaster) and help. They are usually some of the first ones there.
Shoe. Thanks for the offer. I think there are people who pretty much need everything. The insurance companies are really hustling to get money to folks, though, and all the area churches are taking donations of goods and money, and helping to distribute them, so maybe check with your church. Of course the Red Cro$$ is taking donation$, but I'm not sure how much of THAT actually gets to the people who really need the help (I don't know they have actually been in Stockton).
A lot of local people have been volounteering their time, and resources to help with the clean-up. We have really been blessed too, with a lot of good people from all over coming in to help.

Good to see you back here with us Skye!! Time to rebuild and go for a bright future.

"eyes"

Yes. The plan, I think, is to make the town square larger and with some greenspace (trees etc.) It will be really nice. The clean up continues, and " we will survive" is seen posted in various business and yards.