We saw at least one person pull out this morning in the midst of the storm, but it seemed like most people stayed, and many of them came to the Activity Center.  Everyone had a story to tell from last night, from those that slept through the whole thing to those who took the time to meet and visit with those who were in shelter with them.

Before the siren went off last night, I had been working on a list for a couple teen aged girls I had met in the Activity Center yesterday.  They were feeling single and lonely, and I told them a little about my two marriages and told them to find someone who treats them well.  One of them had told me she was out of a relationship she’d had with a “jerk”, so I made a list of warning signs for girls.  This morning I slipped it to the girls while I was running around taking care of our customers.  It was gratifying to see them reading through it carefully.  Mark says I should start a column for the lovelorn!

These girls, Henley and Hannah, are really sweet kids.  For two days they have come in and painted rainbows for everyone they know (free crafts because they’re broke).  They keep plying me with questions about how Mark and I met, our first date, the way he proposed, etc.  And they ooo and ahh over everything I tell them.  Both days they’ve asked if there was anything they could do to help.  I really like them.  Turns out they’re with a group from the First Baptist Church in Fort Smith.  I met someone else from their group and had a nice conversation with him too.  Call that my Christian fellowship for this week.

Mark and I are both exhausted.  I can barely walk, so we went out to dinner after work.  While we were out, I called my older sister.  I was talking with her on my cell phone and sliding out of our booth at the restaurant and I fell on the floor in front of everyone in the restaurant.  I had to call my sister back and we had a good laugh about it.  We had a long conversation where she told me that her husband has lost nearly 30 lbs. of water he had gained after his open heart surgery.  He’s still weak and tired, but he’s got a therapist working with him at home, and soon they hope he’ll be able to go do some supervised physical therapy.  Please continue to keep Sherill and Fred in your prayers.

Thank you to those of you who responded to my blog this morning and said you’d been thinking of us as you watched the news last night.  Here’s what we’ve learned.  Tornado season in Oklahoma lasts from April to June, with May being the peak.  That means that while there may still be the possibility of tornadoes in June, the possibility is waning.  Your prayers have covered us thus far.  Keep up the good work!