I come to you this morning asking you to pray for the people of Alabama & other states affected by the massive tornadoes that ripped through the southeast. I am so grateful that our family is safe & fine, thank you for your messages. I can’t bear to turn on the tv to see the devastation, Facebook alone has nearly ripped my heart out with accounts of missing and injured family members, people searching for loved ones and accounts of so many lives lost. Please pray for our precious state as the clean up begins and searches continue.
natalie
April 28, 2011 at 8:52 ami am praying for you all…
sarah ella
April 28, 2011 at 8:54 ampraying, praying ,praying Darby
Trista
April 28, 2011 at 8:58 amI live in north shelby county. We were unaffected, but my sister-in-law lost her house in Pleasant Grove.
Facebook was an amazing resource last night. Cell phone coverage was really touch and go, so Facebook is how I checked on my family and let all their friends know they were okay.
Lexi
April 28, 2011 at 8:59 amThank goodness! I was just coming to see if you had posted any updates to see if your family was okay! I’m praying for your state!
Heather
April 28, 2011 at 8:59 amJoining you in prayer from Georgia. Such heart wrenching loss.
Angela
April 28, 2011 at 9:02 amPraying now. I am glad your family is safe.
amanda
April 28, 2011 at 9:08 ampraying.praying.praying
so thankful you all are safe!
Megan
April 28, 2011 at 9:08 amSo glad to hear that you all are okay!
natalie @ this old southern house
April 28, 2011 at 9:09 amcooper works in birmingham during the week and they haven’t had power for 24+ hours because of the big storm (w/a tornado) that came through TUESDAY night…last night was just the icing on the cake.
praying for all those in alabama (and everywhere in the southeast)!
angela
April 28, 2011 at 9:09 amOh Darby,
I posted on Facebook this morning for people to pray for your state. A loss that is so so far reaching affecting so many people. May God’s power, shown in this storm, remind us of how TRULY great He is. Praying friend.
Melissa
April 28, 2011 at 9:10 amSo horrendous. I will pray.
Beth
April 28, 2011 at 9:18 amYes! I couldn’t stop watching The Weather Channel last night – the footage of the twisters, the devestation. I kept thinking of so many friends that stayed and made Tuscaloosa and Birmingham their home after college. I am praying continuously for them.
Kirsten
April 28, 2011 at 9:18 amDarby, I have shivers running all over my body after reading your post. I can’t imagine…I just can’t. Praying for everyone in Alabama and the Southeast.
Opalm
April 28, 2011 at 9:24 amSending up prayers. We are bracing for a tornado about 35 miles west of us right now. This is not something we’ve ever had to deal with.
Kelly
April 28, 2011 at 9:29 amDarby, So glad to hear your family is safe,you have been in my prayers, and I am continuing to pray for everyone affected by these terrible storms. We have been under tornado warning for most of the last 24 hours, and I feel so incredibly blessed that we have been spared… makes me so heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones and homes. I can’t even imagine!!!
Christie
April 28, 2011 at 9:32 amI was thinking about you and your family this morning, wondering if y’all made it through okay. We are definitely praying. The kids and I were praying on the way to school this morning, and Sanders said “Oh yeah, for the people in Japan?” And I said “No, baby, these are people in our own country.” That hit a lot closer to home for the kids. We haven’t had the bad weather too close to us yet in South Carolina, and I don’t know if we will, but we are praying for everyone who has been affected.
Jacci in Ohio
April 28, 2011 at 9:40 amI was praying for you all right away when I saw the news. Praising God you’re all safe, but definitely praying for those who are suffering.
kristy
April 28, 2011 at 9:46 amsending prayers to you all from lexington, ky!
my husband used to live in cullman (and several of his friends and former co-workers still do), my cousin and her family live in vestavia hills, and some dear family friends live in b-ham … so happy that we’ve heard everyone is okay.
hang in there! *hug*
Sonja
April 28, 2011 at 9:58 amWe have been praying since yesterday morning. We are farther south and our area is relatively untouched. So far all of our family and friends across the state are safe but many have lost property. Praying for the families who were not as fortunate as us.
gilda
April 28, 2011 at 9:59 amMy prayer are going out to everyone affected by this storm.
Val @ It's Always Sunny in Somerville
April 28, 2011 at 9:59 amYes, yes. Prayers are needed. It’s so heartbreaking to see the footage from Alabama. So thankful your family is safe.
Jennifer
April 28, 2011 at 10:04 amHaving been thinking of you and your sweet family – so glad to know that you are OK. We are praying for the families devastated by the storms . . .
Amanda Wells
April 28, 2011 at 10:07 amHave been praying for our region. So glad you guys are ok. Alabama in particular is in my prayers. It makes me so sad… I posted a link to how people can help here –
https://www.amandadovewells.com/?p=287
Betty Baker
April 28, 2011 at 10:12 amDear Darby – the first thing I did this morning was to check your blog and thanks be to God you are all fine. My prayers go out to everyone that is suffering from this dreadful devastation, property you can replace but lives of loved ones you cannot.
Liz {a happy haven}
April 28, 2011 at 10:13 amthousands + thousands of prayers. So glad you and your family are safe and sound!
HannahJ
April 28, 2011 at 10:27 amI am praying for all of the people affected by this today- so sad, may the survivors find the strength to get through this trying time.
Kaye Taylor
April 28, 2011 at 10:37 amDarby Doll I was so worried about you and children and being there alone.Came right to work to get on line to see if you are OK.Praise God. I have been so upset about all these storms! Wehave had them last week here and Mimi had to spend time in her little powder room /Mitzi and no electricty.I know Justin was worried sick. Love & Miss you allso much.XOXO K.Bird
lori lucas
April 28, 2011 at 10:43 amThe state of Oklahoma is in mourning and more importantly prayer for our good friends in the South. Lori L
kat
April 28, 2011 at 10:48 amIt is all so scary and incredibly sad. One my best friends lives in Birmingham, luckily she and her family are okay. I am definitely praying for all those precious people who lost loved ones and their homes.
Mackie
April 28, 2011 at 10:49 amI was thinking about you and your family this morning. The devastation is horrific. Glad you are safe and I will be praying for those that are experiencing loss.
Shannon
April 28, 2011 at 10:57 amWhen I heard all the terrible news stories, I was thinking of you and your family. Glad to hear you are all OK. I will be sending thoughts and prayers from Boston.
Melanie
April 28, 2011 at 11:16 amI am from North Alabama. Thank goodness my family made it through safely. I am scared to turn on the news to see the devastation. My heart just can’t take it. Glad to hear you guys are safe. It wasn’t exactly pretty in GA last night, but we fared well. Praying for those who did not.
pam
April 28, 2011 at 11:22 amDarby,
Glad to hear that you and the family are safe and sound.Praying for all those in the paths of these storms. God Bless
Deanna
April 28, 2011 at 11:44 amSo glad to hear that you and your family are safe. Will be praying for all of those in your state and others that were affected by the storms.
christy
April 28, 2011 at 12:33 pmwow. I just heard the news and came over here to make sure you & your precious family were ok. Those pictures bring tears to my eyes. Thank God you are all ok, and I’ll be praying for comfort and strength for those families who’ve lost loved ones or are still missing. I can’t even begin to comprehend what that must be like…
huge hugs & prayers coming to Alabama!
Melody Peters
April 28, 2011 at 12:48 pmso glad you are safe ~ praying for those with missing or lost loved ones…
Jen
April 28, 2011 at 12:55 pmDarby, I blogged about this today. Those of us in Kentucky, and across the country, are praying for those who were impacted by the storms.
Bobi Bobbitt
April 28, 2011 at 1:00 pmSo glad to hear y’all are ok! Came to your blog to see if you had posted anything. We experienced devastating tornados in our area last week! It is just unbelievable! I thank God that your sweet family is safe! Take Care!
kristen
April 28, 2011 at 1:00 pmFacebook has made me cry post after post. So heartbreaking. Praying, praying, praying.
cat moore
April 28, 2011 at 1:12 pmPraying! And, feeling so blessed that we weren’t touched by the twisters. Only some wind damage. I just can’t bear to turn on TV either. Thanks for posting.
Kathryn
April 28, 2011 at 1:44 pmI have been reading your blog for several months now. I thought of your family when I heard the news. I’m so sorry, and I will pray for the Lord to bring peace and healing to your state.
Alli
April 28, 2011 at 1:54 pmpraying hard for all!
xo
Emily
April 28, 2011 at 2:09 pmPraying!!!
Michelle @ Lifewithacrazypup
April 28, 2011 at 2:14 pmI’m so happy that you all are safe. I will keep your family, friends, and loved ones affected in my prayers. Keep us updated when you get the chance!
Yolanda @ Miss Refashionista
April 28, 2011 at 2:19 pmMy hearts are with you guys!
Carrie
April 28, 2011 at 2:49 pmSo happy you and your family are safe. I’ll continue to pray all affected. It’s an absolute heartache
Amber Lou
April 28, 2011 at 3:10 pmPrayers for those suffering. So glad your family is safe Miss Darby.
amber
April 28, 2011 at 3:18 pmOh Darby – the devastation is just heart-breaking. We are in Nashville, and our home was hit badly last May when it flooded here. My heart was in knots all day yesterday through all the storms and tornado sirens going off. So happy to hear that you all are safe, and praying for all those affected.
Emily
April 28, 2011 at 3:23 pmPraying from South Carolina. Dad’s a meteorologist, so I came intentionally to see if the rovers were okay. Am and will continue to pray ~ such devastation.
Jennifer
April 28, 2011 at 3:23 pmthanks for posting; i’ve been wondering about you all day! very glad to know you are safe; will be praying for a long time…
mrs. may
April 28, 2011 at 3:24 pmDarby, we experienced this storm in Memphis a few hours before it crossed into Alabama. It left a big tree on my car but we are safe. Praying for everyone affected by these storms today. Glad you and your family are safe.
Amanda
April 28, 2011 at 3:34 pmIt’s just horrible. My husband went to Tuscaloosa yesterday morning for work until today. I was an absolute wreck waiting to hear from him. Being 7 months pregnant doesn’t help with my emotions.
Jamie
April 28, 2011 at 3:41 pmPraying for everyone that was touched by this terrible storm! We are in western NC and experienced it also. Certainly not as bad as some states, but it was very scary here!
Leslie
April 28, 2011 at 3:48 pmprayers from Arkansas! ~ Leslie
janet
April 28, 2011 at 4:04 pmSuch heart wrenching devastation. I am so happy to hear you and your family are safe~
Praying for everyone.
Talysa
April 28, 2011 at 4:06 pmSo glad you updated…I don’t have you on FB and I thought of you this morning. As someone that dodged this storm here in TN I have almost felt guilty. You can’t help but feel relief when they say it is moving away from your area…yet that always means it is moving towards someone else. And it is just a crappy feeling as a human being. I have been praying and crying for your state and surrounding areas. Please keep us posted if there is a need other than Red Cross, prayers, etc.
Jessica
April 28, 2011 at 4:22 pmThank you so much for posting. I was just coming by your blog to make sure you & your family were okay. It is just devastating to see all of the damage that has been done, the missing & injured people, and all of the poor, innocent people who have died over the past 24 hours. I will continue to pray for your state as the search continues & clean up begins. (((hugs)))
Amy
April 28, 2011 at 4:24 pmThis really is so heart wrenching. We were hit hard here in Tennessee, and some lost their lives too. The devastation is so wide spread especially in Alabama. My heart aches for all those who have lost their family, friends, homes, everything. They are and will continue to be in my prayers. Bless you Darby.
mary katharine
April 28, 2011 at 5:00 pmMy parents home was in Alberta (in Tuscaloosa). It is unlivable. My mom’s car is destroyed. My brother has driven down from Birmingham to see what he can do and to find my Daddy who left the hospital to walk home to leave a note for some construction workers and no one knows where he is now. Momma has cancer and is very affected by stress (usually hospitalized). I want so much to be there to throw my arms around them and bring them here to GA. But my husband just left for 18 months of training/deployment. So thankful that God is sovereign!!! And your prayers are so much appreciated!! Glad you are all okay!
Kimberly Dial
April 28, 2011 at 5:36 pmI have family & friends in TN & Georgia who were thankfully spared. Praying for you & the people of Alabama. So glad you’re family is safe.
Donna
April 28, 2011 at 6:16 pmKnow all of us here in St. Louis affected by the tornado on Good Friday are praying for all those affected by the latest round of tornadoes in the south.
Prayers and Hugs to you and your beautiful family.
JulieJ
April 28, 2011 at 7:04 pmDarby, thanks so much for posting this. My hometown is Tuscaloosa, and most of my family is still there. My brother lives just a block from where the worst damage is. It took us almost 3 hours to get in touch with him, but praise God, he is fine. Shaken up, but fine. This is just absolutely unreal. Yall please keep praying as hard as you can.
Kate
April 28, 2011 at 7:05 pmSo glad you’re all OK. We’ve been praying for everyone affected by the storms.
Melissab74
April 28, 2011 at 7:14 pmThe devastation is just heartbreaking! Praying for all those affected!
Missy
April 28, 2011 at 8:05 pmSo tragic…and will surely be praying. I live in Raleigh, NC where the tornadoes hit a few weeks ago. Seeing all this devastation is just heartbreaking. So glad you and your family are safe.
Mindee
April 28, 2011 at 8:08 pmPraying for y’all! Glad u are safe.
Cheryl
April 28, 2011 at 8:29 pmPraying…
Michele
April 28, 2011 at 9:09 pmThinking of you and yours yesterday and all day today…so sorry for the incredible loss in your home state. I will continue to pray.
wendy, NJ
April 28, 2011 at 9:29 pmDarby, I will praise HIM for sparing you the devistation that has occurred, and I will pray for all the people in your area that weren’t so blessed.
Cat
April 28, 2011 at 10:25 pmThank you for your prayers! University of Alabama student and admires you so much! Thank you so much!
Ivonne Loving
April 28, 2011 at 11:10 pmI have been thinking about you all day. Such a tragedy! Virginia was hit also but not at the magnitude as Alabama. You and your family, as well as all those affected by this are in my thoughts and prayers. May our Lord console those who have lost love ones.
Amber
April 28, 2011 at 11:22 pmDarby, thank you for calling on all the prayer warriors to make petitions to our Mighty and Sovereign God on our behalf here in Tuscaloosa. I am a student at the University of Alabama and was feet away from being swept up by the tornado. I am beyond grateful, relieved, and blessed that my apartment was left unscathed as buildings were leveled and destroyed all around us. Please continue to pray for our friends and professors who are injured, dead, and missing. Equally as important are all of the voiceless and homeless Alabamians without food, shelter, or family. We are in desperate need of God’s strength and are urging the body of Christ to be His hands and feet during this disaster. Thank you for your earnest and heartfelt prayers!!
Jennifer
April 29, 2011 at 7:32 amI had the privilege to drive through Alabama and stay overnight in Birmingham last week on our way to vacation in Destin. We could not stop talking about what a beautiful state AL is. I have never been and we joked about one day retiring there when we get old! We are praying for all of the families affected by this devastation, our hearts go out to all of you. ~Jennifer
Snekcip
May 3, 2011 at 10:29 amMy comment is late, but my prayers have been on time. From the moment I heard of the devastation, I have been in prayer for the families. Our state was hit by Hurricane Rita and we lost our home. Family and friends took us in, until we managed to find a hotel that housed us for 3months. My husband and our (2) kids stayed in a hotel for 3mos before we managed to find a place that was deemed “liveable”. I can identify with the complete hopelessness that one feels. Please know that it does get better? Their is hope among the rubble….God is good! From someone who had nothing left but the clothes we escaped with to return to neighborhood much like the one above and a home completely destroyed…..to have FAITH! God is a restorer, a nurterer and a ALMIGHTY comforter. He will return it all in abundance.
michele
May 3, 2011 at 6:36 pmhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharing-His-Story/213255688693648?sk=wall#!/pages/Sharing-His-Story/213255688693648?sk=info Darby, My daughter and some young Moms in Birmingham are doing this for the children impacted by the tornados