Though preparations for our journey to Shawnee, OK started last week, we're getting down to the nitty-gritty. This is the point where it gets "real".
For those of you not up to speed, let's do a brief history. A few weeks ago Shawnee, OK and the surrounding areas were impacted by a tornado. The very next day the city of Moore, OK and surrounding areas were hit by an even larger tornado.
This tornado received widespread media coverage due to it's size, and direct impact on a populated area, including two schools. Sadly, the devastation resulted in the loss of life, something that no amount of donations, volunteering or kind words can replace.
It is after hearing the media coverage and seeing the images of those impacted that we all feel the pull to do something, to reach out and help. In this case our 7-year old daughter Laney decided to do just that, reach out and help. Without prompting from Mom, Laney began gathering items that she thought would benefit those in need.
We've all heard the term "faith like a child." Over the past 2 weeks, Paula and I have had the wonderful opportunity to experience this first hand. Laney knew in her heart that helping was the right thing to do. She was called by God to act, and she acted. She didn't consider the logistics. She didn't consider Mom and Dad's schedules. She didn't consider all the things we as adults consider, and in doing so, allow to hinder our call from God. Laney responded to God with absolute faith that her action would bear fruit. That in-turn required Mom and Dad to act in faith and aid Laney's efforts.
Well there's this new thing called Facebook that a few people are tooling around on. It seems that if you post something on there it spreads quickly. Pretty soon a little box of stuff for kids in Oklahoma, has turned into a full case of bottled water from the Texas Ag. Co-Op Board, 800 servings of food from Breedlove and numerous donations from friends, family members and complete strangers.
Now geometry was not my best subject, but just at a glance, all this stuff was not going to fit in our mini-van and my car. It wasn't even going to fit in the back of a pick-up truck. Something more was needed. Thanks to Meredith Hillgartner and KLBK's coverage of Laney, Jeff Winn called immediately following the story on the 6 o'clock news and offered up his enclosed trailer. With a trailer available now we needed a pick-up.
On Sunday, we updated our church on this endeavor, and one of our worship leaders, Taner Teral, who works for Reagor-Dykes decided to help. By Monday, Reagor-Dykes Auto Group had lent us a pick-up to pull the trailer with all the supplies to Oklahoma.
What started with a little girl putting her toys into a box in our living room, has turned into something much more. The simple act of gathering things she thought would help, the response to a call, led to the gathering of all the people and things described here. One little 7-year old acting on faith, a concept she probably doesn't even grasp at this point in time, will directly impact the lives of those affected by a tornado. Her actions will affect or may have affected countless others in ways we may not even know of yet. I know it has affected me.
People have said, "You must be so proud of your daughter." I am. Very Proud. I'm also a proud husband, a proud son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, friend and Lubbockite. Not only did Laney respond to the call, but so did countless others, some named here, some not, but you all know who you are. In a world that seems consumed in negativity, death, sickness, scandals and evil, it is amazing to see how a small amount of light can shine through the darkness. Laney let her little light shine. Now the challenge is for all of us to do so as well.
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