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Our heart and prayers go out to everyone and their families in Parkersburg, New Hartford, and Dunkerton, Iowa!!
It's hard to wrap my arms and thoughts around their tornado tragedy, because I've never lived it. Even the pictures seem...........un-thinkable!!!!
I'm praying God's sufficient grace will sustain these victims and their families in their grief; and turn their ashes into beauty through His tender mercies and unfailing love!
THE NEWS SAYS- Iowa Governor Culver says the number of people killed by a tornado in northeast Iowa over the weekend has climbed to seven. Update: now nine!The tornado damage in Parkersburg is absolutely incredible from the EF-3 tornado and 165 mph winds. Update: Experts are now saying it was a EF 5 Tornado with wind speeds of over 205 miles per hour!
It's been a very heartbreaking and emotional 24 hours for so many families in Parkersburg; particularly the Mulder family. The shell of a basement is all that's left of the home of longtime Parkersburg residents, Richard and Ethel Mae Mulder. Family members told us Mr. and Mrs. Mulder died in the tornado.
Their son, Rod, talked about his parents death live Monday during the KWWL News at 6.
"But, they were not found in this home. The tornado literally sucked them out of their home," said Rod Mulder. "Mom and Dad were both found a distance from behind the house, and dad a lot further away, and their van was found in debris on top of their house."
Rod says his parents were retired Parkersburg farmers and had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. At age 80, Rod says they simply were not able to make it to the basement during the tornado.
Three other victims from Parkersburg have been identified: Ray Meyocks, 71; Charles Horan, 72; Shirley Luhring, 71.
The names of the two victims from New Hartford have also been made public: Leasa Bleeker, 71; and Norman Beuthine, 48.
The Iowa Governor announced that federal and state disaster declarations will bring more help to northeast Iowa residents struggling to rebuild their lives.
THE REALITY IS.......
It will take more than money to help to rebuild these lives! Even when you love God and believe in His promises. Even when you know without a doubt that you will see your loved one again. Even when you know hope is still there.
It takes time!
It takes wading through an ocean of tears for all you've lost!
It takes realizing God will comfort you! It takes discovering one day that the sun still shines. It takes prayer. It takes making the decision to stop asking for answers and start asking for perspective.
Then one day you take off the blanket of deep grief. You fold it neatly and tuck it away. You no longer hate it or resist it. For underneath it wondrous things have happened. Things that could have only come about - when Divine hope intersect with a broken world.
PRAYER:
Dear God,
Intercede on behalf of the friends
Dear God,
Intercede on behalf of the friends
and families involved in this tornado.
Help them to repair the damage done to
Help them to repair the damage done to
their property and their hearts!
Replace their fear with hope, dear God,
and turn any possible hate to love.
Amen
Replace their fear with hope, dear God,
and turn any possible hate to love.
Amen
YOUR COMMENTS BELOW-
Many of our Blogger friends are starting to leave comments about others involved in this tragety! Please check back for updated comments and pray for each of their requests................
14 comments:
Our death toll is at 9 now. We found more yesterday. All people have finally been accounted for but there are still many critically injured in the hospitals. It is going to be a very long recovery for us in this area - prayers are greatly needed.
I am keeping busy with my job as well as volunteering in Parkersburg. There are many of us spending our days off up there doing what we can on the LE side to help out. The news does not even begin to fully capture the devastation. It truly is mind-boggling how anyone even survived once you actually are up close and see the devastation.
Thank you for the update and thank you for volunteering to help there! I'm sure it must be shocking to walk amongst the devastion!
Please keep us updated with specific prayer requests for these people!
God Bless YOU-
Pam Riley
The tornado went just 3miles north of my daughters home in Cedar Falls. Her best friend & gal she teaches with, their house was lost. They live near New Hartford, have 3 small children. A neighbor with 4 small children lost everything also. So one way that our daughter & husband helped was to open their home as a Daycare for all the kids while the parents assessed the damage. The outpouring of help & prayers is amazing! We know so many other families also effected, please keep them all in your prayers. Also, checkout ways to contribute through the Red Cross or Salvation Army or local Churchs. Thank You, Jeanne
Dear Father in Heaven, I am so hurting for all who are hurting. I stand against the enemy that he'd be able to use any of this for his benefit. I thank You Father God for being in every detail, holding each and every tear, blessing each and every person affected by this devistation. Lord, we are so grateful that we have You to turn to, that You are our refuge and our comfort. Lord, calm those who are still so full of fear. I pray recovery happens quicker than ever could have been imagined. I pray joy, wisdom, strength and peace to everyone. Thank You for being with them all. Thank You for the support going there. I ask Your blessings on those helping too!! In Jesus' holy and mighty Name,AMEN! \o/\o/\o/ Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
I stand against the enemy that he'd NOT be able to use any of this for his benefit!!! So sorry for the forgotten word...
My heart goes with all the people there. My parents live in Parkersburg and are very luck they are okay, just a block away from them homes were distroyed. My parents didn't go to the basement, because my Mom is unable to go down stairs, so they saw everything. I thank God they called me Sunday to let me know they were okay, shooken up, but okay. They are staying with us until they get electricity and water. We will go there this weekend to clean up. They have a few windows broke and trees uprooted.My husband's aunt and uncle live just a few blocks away from my parents and lost their home.Thank God they are okay and are staying in a hotel for the moment. My mom's cousin lost his home, they got him out safely, but died of a heart attack after seeing the distruction. I have heard and read about incredible stories of how people survived. It really hits close to home when you know these people who are dealing with all of this. Also, walking the streets after all this is very hard. Places you can't reconize. Please keep them all in your prayers. I know it is a wake up call for me on how important family and friends. Also, how great are God is.
Thanks,
Sharon
Our daughter and son-in-law both survived the tornado but they lost everything. They are staying with her sister in Waverly, and they do have a vehicle for now that they are borrowing. We are washing some clothes we thought was theirs but we don't really know for sure because everyone was just putting what ever clothes we could find on a pile and getting some washed for anybody. My heart and prayers go out to all who have been touched in anyway shape or form with this devastation.
Thanks and may God give all of us the strength to move forward.
my heart aches for all those who have posted with family and friends who have suffered in any way from this devastation. my prayers are coming your way!
i hope in this troubling time God will pull together all those able to help, allowing those who lost so much to regain their life very soon.
15 minutes ago the Tornado Sirens just went off in our City. The moment I heard them, my heart sank thinking of what those Sirens meant to the Tornado Victims of last week-end. Thinking how much anguish will come to them; the NEXT time they ever HEAR a Siren go off!!!
I calmly took our dogs and waited in our basement for the Siren to stop, less than 10 minutes. In just 10 minutes my life returned to normal, I wish the victums of last week-end could have had it so simple!
Tears are running down my cheeks as I once again am reminded to pray for those precious people!!!!!
Love in Christ-
Pam Riley
A husband and wife who were traveling through Parkersburg after attending a graduation reception in Grundy Center saw what looked like a tornado. They stopped their car and ran inside a restaurant hoping to find shelter. They went inside a cooler with others seeking shelter and came out less than a minute later, finding their car completely demolished and most of the buildings around them completely gone. They were unhurt, however and family drove to Parkersburg to bring them home to North Central Iowa. There were families outside the restaurant watching the storm as the couple ran inside. They can only wonder if any of those people with their children were inside the cooler with them when the storm actually hit. They may never know.
What a tragic storm. My prayers are with all who are touched with this tragedy and with those who are trying to help with the rescue efforts.
Thank God they knew to get out of their car! Wow, getting into a "cooler" is a tip I would have NEVER thought of! As much as we travel, I will remember that recommendation!
God Bless you for sharing-
Pam
Early this morning the Sirens went off in our town. We were all sleeping soundly, but luckly heard them. The tornado cloud went on by with out damaging anything, but it was hard to get back to sleep. My parents are still staying with us since the torndo in Parkersburg. I think we are all on edge since all this happened. I continue to pray for Gods protection.
God Bless
Sharon
Parkersburg is now taking outside volunteers. However, if you do show up to volunteer, you must be wearing boots (preferrably steel toed), have work gloves, and be wearing suitable clothes (jeans & t-shirt). And you can pre-register by calling 800-447-1985.
Thanks a bunch! Great informative update, keep them coming!
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