i don't really have a lot of fears/phobias (you all probably know my biggest one:: someone breaking into my house), but i may add a new one after this week.
so, monday morning i awake to the news that there has been a horrible EF5 tornado that devastated Joplin, MO. obviously, the devastation that i saw in these pictures broke my heart, and i immediately began praying for the people affected by this storm. it became a little more real for me, as i was leaving for Kansas City, MO in just a few hours. i had a face to face meeting with all the other monitors for work in overland park, ks. i thought, i really do not want to go to tornado alley, but i have no choice. as you can imagine, once we arrived, all we heard about was Joplin. It was on every newscast and the threat of more tornadoes was on the way.
fast forward to wednesday, the last day of our meeting. presentations were scheduled to be over at 11am and then we were to be given an exam on the knowledge that we had gained while at the meeting. (really, is this a college class?) around 10:55 am the tornado siren goes off... the monitor who is from the area obviously knew what the sound was, and she said, we need to take cover and head downstairs (we were on the 4th floor). we walk out into the hallway, and all the employees from this office look like they are freaking out (some are even crying). i am thinking, wait, yall are from here, aren't you used to this? I was trying to stay calm, pray, find my cell (to text my mother and friends), and get to the "Safe Zone." we finally get to the first floor and it is total chaos. people are crying and heading to the bathroom, people are trying to call loved ones, and my crazy team leads huddle us up and say, "we really have to have you guys take this exam, as senior management needs to know this meeting was beneficial." i am thinking are they nuts, i am trying to pray, text updates to my mother (who I am pretty sure was beyond freaking out), and not freak out. how am i to focus on this test on heart failure; let's face it, i already have major test anxiety anyway. so, we take the test and we've been down there for about 40 minutes.
at this point, our super shuttle arrives to take us to the airport. i am thinking, i may not know a lot about tornadoes and what not to do, but i do know the car is the worst place you can be. regardless of my thoughts, decisions were made and we piled in. we arrive at the airport only to be delayed for quite a while, but in the end it all worked out.
i was so thankful for God's protection that day. after seeing the destruction in Joplin, you just never know. we did later find out that a tornado did touch down three miles from the Quintiles office building.
So, I get home on Wednesday night and think about how thankful I am to be back in NC where I cannot be affected by tornadoes; however, last night on my way home I get a call from my mother and brother telling me that there is a tornado on the way to my house, no seriously, the meterologists were saying, the tornadic activity, swirling winds, etc are heading to mt. holly-huntersville rd and paw creek, well if someone could put a bullseye on my house, that would be it, literally. i literally have no ever been that scared, as the whole time i am driving they are giving me minute by minute updates. i am pretty sure i was driving right into the path of the storm; cereal boxes, tree limbs, and sideways rain were blocking my view. my car started swaying back and forth and i was terrified. my brother told me to get out of the car and get in a ditch, but i was determined that i was going to outrun a tornado, am i stupid. i finally get to my townhouse, literally i think i pulled into my front yard, and the wind was blowing so hard that i could barely get myself into my house. i run in and get in the hall closet and hold on with all my strength. my mom and i prayed while i was in the closet. i had peace, but i was scared at the same time. ten minutes later, the warning passed and once again, God protected me:) Seriously, PRAISE THE LORD.
what a crazy week of storms, bad weather, and tornado warnings... i am so thankful for His love and protection... also for my mother and brother who were looking out for me. also, i want to throw out there how thankful i am for aaron, jenn's husband, calling me five times while i was in the closet and checking on me.. thanks!
now, here's to a fun memorial day and NO MORE tornado warnings, please:)
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