Shoal Creek Valley Relief

Letter of Gratefulness concerning the Railroad House

2011-07-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

Letter of Gratefulness

Dear friends, July 18, 2011

Bob and I want to thank all of you who have been working so diligently for the past three months on our home in Alabama. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for all of the great outpouring of love, kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity and care that you have given us since the day of the tornado.

I will never forget the terrible feeling that I had when Darby Travers called us around 11:00 p.m. on the evening of April 27 with the report that a terrible tornado had hit the valley. “The Lees are all trapped and we fear Tom is dead,” was the dreadful news.

The pain was so great that I thought I would have a heart attack. An hour later Jordan called and described the ordeal in a supernaturally strong voice. “Mr. Welch,” he said, “My dad is in heaven.”

With broken hearts, Bob and I began packing to make the trip back east. We wanted to be there to pray, to help, and to do whatever we could to support our dear precious friends. Tom, Sherry and their family have been on staff with our ministry for 12 years and we love them very much.

On Saturday morning, April 30, as we arrived at Shoal Creek Valley, I was asking God to give me strength to face the shock of seeing our beautiful valley destroyed and sharing in all the heartache of what had happened to our friends and neighbors. Driving down the valley, I saw home after home totally destroyed. There was tremendous devastation everywhere. The once beautiful, lush valley looked as if a bomb had been dropped upon it. Even the trees were stripped off the mountain leaving a desolate mountainside. It took almost an hour to drive from Highway 26 the 3 miles to our home. I was claiming many Scripture verses, asking God to help me to be strong so that I could encourage Sherry, her family and other dear friends, the Crawfords, the Boyds and the Liveretts, all our neighbors in the valley. Many rode out the storm taking shelter in the Crawford’s basement.

As we drove up our driveway I will never forget what I saw. Our little office and guest house was totally destroyed. The home where the Lees lived was a pile of rubble. On either end of our house, the huge oak trees that had provided shade for many a picnic were down, one having smashed with a direct hit the little office that Jim and Cindy Belyeu helped us to build; and the other, that for years had provided hundreds of exciting rides for young and old alike on the old cable slide, crashed into one end of the railroad house with some limbs poking through into Lucy’s bedroom. The site of so many happy memories with family and friends now reminded us of a battlefield scene out of an old black-and-white war movie.

But I saw something else. Scores of people were in our front yard. Dozens of friends of all ages were already busy trying to remove the debris and make some sense out of all the destruction. Friends were there and former students that we had not seen in 25 years. People we did not even know had come from Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia. It was as if God were saying, “This is what is truly important; relationships with people, new friends and precious old ones.”

God brought the words of a song to my mind as I walked up the steps of the old Railroad House. This world is not my home, I’m just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. Seeing all those friends who had come to help us in our time of need, and sensing the love they have for us, it was as if Jesus was right there with me. Of course, He was. I had a strong sense of His supernatural peace, the peace that passes all understanding.

In the midst of our heartache over Tom Lee’s death, God, through the outpouring of love from so many people, was strengthening our hearts. It was a miracle. I have never known such comfort, care and strength supplied by the body of Christ as I did that day.

For the next week, a local church and others friends brought meals every day. We later learned that they continued to bring meals to feed the work crews that have been there ever since the storm. People came to help sort through the rubble, cut and remove tress, clean up the house and grounds, and begin patching up the old Railroad House, the lone survivor for miles on our side of the road, so that it would be weatherproof until further, more permanent repairs could be made. We looked for structural damage. The chimney was in tact without a crack. The windows were blown out. The doors were gone. Sheet rock and insulation had been sucked off the walls by the tornado. The picnic table from the deck was in the living room and everything had a coating of mud, grass and debris. Surprisingly, when you stood in some places, you couldn’t see any damage at all. It was as if the storm had never happened, but, it was dangerous to walk around inside or out. Praise the Lord, the Railroad House was still standing. We know that it was only the miracle of God’s grace that allowed the old home place to remain as a silent sentinel testifying to the significance of a strong foundation when the devastating storms of life begin to blow.

How our hearts ached that day as we wished Tom’s life could have been saved. In the midst of our heartache we were reminded of the tremendous blessing that God had miraculously spared the rest of his family.

Mike Bailey, an old friend and former student who now is in the construction business, was on the scene with his wife Allison, spreading out a home cooked chicken dinner to fortify us for this wild ride on an emotional roller coaster. Mike had helped to build our home originally including all the interior doors. As we talked over the chicken, we were reminded of many adventures, and times of strengthening and encouragement from the Lord in the old days when our children were the ages of Mike and Allison’s children now.

Sunday afternoon we paid tribute with hundreds of others to our good friend and co-laborer in the Kingdom, Tom Lee, a man of courage, integrity, kindness, and friendliness. Tom and Sherry and their family have made it possible for the many other families and individuals to visit the valley, be refreshed by the Lord and the beauty of His creation, and be accommodated so well during their stay at the Railroad House. It is our hope that the Lees will be back in action in Shoal Creek Valley in the coming days. They are already in action. They just don’t live there yet, but we believe that day will become a reality soon, we hope.

Another miracle was taking shape the following Monday as we listened to the vision God had given to the Schor Family, Mike and Susie, Summer, Michael, Matthew and Susannah Joy. They had a dream of restoring the Bible Teaching Ministries Family Retreat with the resurrection of the Railroad House (so named because it was built out of timber from the Moundville Railroad Station which we took down in 1976). The Schor’s daughter, Summer, said that she felt like the Railroad House should be restored as a “pillar of remembrance” for all of the ministry activities that God allowed to take place there.

From that first morning arriving on the scene of such unbelievable wreckage, Bob and I have been humbled, blessed and encouraged as we have watched the restoration of the Railroad House. We want to thank each one of you for all of your prayers, your hard work, for your time, energy, effort and support with resources, materials, supplies and food. When we see the pictures, we are deeply grateful. For those of you who have helped in some way, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Even those of you we do not know, we thank you.

Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

We pray that God will abundantly pour out his blessing upon you.

With grateful hearts,

We love you,

Bob and Yvonne Welch

Bible Teaching Ministries

Sanders Sisters 5K Run/Walk

2011-07-16T23:53:00.000-07:00

Al and Angie Sanders

Just a few doors down from where the Lees lived on Shoal Creek Road was the Sanders family farm; a place where many of us locals enjoyed cool, early mornings picking blueberries from their lush, fruit laden bushes.

On the night of April 27th, the Sanders family suffered unimaginable loss. Al and Angie Sanders died tragically in the tornado's wrath, their home and belongings were completely destroyed. Their three precious daughters, though gravely injured, miraculously survived.

Having lost their parents, their home, and all their belongings in the storm, the Sanders sisters' needs are great. Some of their friends are hosting a benefit for Cecily (20), Cassie (18), and Ciera Sanders (14), a 5K Run and Fun Walk, here in Ashville, on Saturday, August 27th.

You can read more about the Sanders family and the benefit being held in their honor here. The website gives all the race details, registration forms, and ways you can be involved to support and encourage another sweet family in Shoal Creek Valley.

The Encouragement of Beginning...

2011-07-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Crawford family has been blessed with teams of skilled carpenters that have helped them begin the framing of their home. It is so encouraging for all of us to see and smell new wood going up after so much tearing down and hauling off. Though there is oh so much more work to be done, there is encouragement in beginning... Thank you, Lord.

Image From Happy Healthy Home

"Today I went back home. The crisscrossing boards and beams now take shape of a house." - B. Crawford You can read more of their eldest daughter's impressions here.

Image From Happy Healthy Home

Still Waiting....

2011-07-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

Framing Begins on the Crawford's Home in Shoal Creek Valley

Waiting is always difficult, more so for myself than for others, perhaps. I watch my friends in the Valley wait, and they wait so patiently and with such contentment. Their hope is in the Lord and they are continuing to take refuge in Him as they wait.

Some are waiting on the Lord for direction on what He would have them do, where and how He would have them build their lives again. Others are waiting on plans, materials, finances, and help with labor. There are so many important decisions to be made when trying to be a good steward of limited resources. Still others are waiting on insurance companies to come to agreement on payment even as they continue to discover more damage to their homes. What seemed like just a few trees on a roof now reveals devastating structural damage that will require more tearing out, more money needed, more time to wait before beginning.

The Crawfords are so excited. They were able to begin the framing; to finally start the process of rebuilding their home this past week. Their joy over the initial progress was unexpectedly met with the agonizing discovery that at least one of their original foundation walls is cracked and bowing. That foundation wall that so miraculously protected them as they took refuge within their basement the night of the tornado, apparently took more of a beating than they had originally realized. The forces of the EF 5 winds that tore through the valley coupled with the dynamic pressure changes that exploded structures in its wake, not only ripped away the entire ground level floor of the Crawford home leaving behind a barren slab, but also moved or stressed at least one of the foundation walls to the point that it is structurally compromised and must be repaired. So for now, the framing is on hold until the foundation can be secured. More money, more time, more waiting.

Our friends in the Valley are amazing while they wait. They willingly and without hesitation stop work on their own projects to go and help their neighbors. Word spreads that someone needs help putting on a roof, and neighbors arrive forfeiting their own plans to give time and energy to someone else. There are smiles on their faces and the joy of the Lord in their hearts. They are truly grateful for all that the Lord has done and all that He has provided and they willingly sacrifice to honor Him.

The Valley families are enduring trials beyond the obvious losses about which you and I are aware. You rarely hear them mention their struggles because they are more focused on the goodness of the Lord and how they can best serve others rather than thinking too much about their own difficulties.

Certainly they are grieving the tremendous losses they have experienced; the loss of one greatly loved and respected, the loss of home and belongings, the loss of beauty and familiar lush landscapes.

Many live in "camp-like" situations. They are displaced, their belongings are in a myriad of places, and their family routines are lost to the tyranny of the urgent. Each day brings new challenges and requires taking a deep breath and making adjustments to their "new normal". In fact, simply coordinating 11 people to share one bathroom is something which is rather stressful.

Of course there are other things they won't tell you: (because they don't complain), loss of income, emergencies and ER visits, twice flooded basements, horrendously busy schedules, lack of privacy and quiet, eye infections and new glasses, responsibilities to care for ailing, out-of-town parents, automobiles breaking down in route, hospitalizations, doctor and therapy visits, finding places to store gifts given graciously, children nervous during frequent summer storms, paper work required in triple with deadlines of tomorrow, lack of shade in the summer's heat, life altering decisions to be made, headaches from mildew stench, unexpected company, caring for farm animals, traveling to and from the work site to check on things, sharing the stomach virus, and many other struggles.

Some Husbands (and eldest sons) have been able to go back to their jobs. These breadwinners leave early in the morning and return home just before dark, tired after a long, hard day's work. They are greeted by families who are enduring stressful, often cramped, unfamiliar situations who have need of their attention, their leadership, and their encouragment. These men daily face the exhausting pressures of juggling both full time employment and being the full time decisions makers and construction managers of their homes.

Other husbands have lost their source of income due to the tornado's devastation. Tools of the trade are gone, hay fields are full of debris, and the work that once was the source of provision for their family is no more. These men still labor daily, from sun up to sun down, often not even on their own property, but without financial remuneration. They, too, are greeted at the door after a long day's work by families under stress, with needs for encouragement, who hope to see progress, and for them the pressures mount. They are living by faith, helping others, and waiting on the Lord.

I share these challenges our friends so quietly are facing so you can pray more specifically and with better understanding. I can testify that their hopes are in the Lord and they daily take refuge in Him. The grace of the Lord is evident in their lives and in their reactions to their circumstances. But this does not lessen the reality that many of these families face difficulties that neither you nor I know nor can imagine.

Because things always cost twice as much, and take three times as long as originally planned; and because these families are still realizing costly damage they didn't even know existed, let's remind the Lord, through prayer, of their needs for His physical provisions.
Let's continue to pray for their endurance under hardship, for their spirits to be renewed daily with the Word of God and in their experience of God's goodness and faithfulness toward them.
Ask the Lord to multiply the emotional fortitude needed to consider it all joy when encountering trials of various kinds, and where there are losses and disappointments along the way, beseech the Lord to replenish their hearts with the riches of His marvelous grace.

Thank you for your giving spirit and thank you for being willing to pray. Our dear friends in the Valley are still waiting, grateful that the Lord is faithful to meet their needs. Let's encourage them this week that we stand with them and that we are praying for them. We will not forget.

Waiting on the Lord

2011-07-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

Sherry has posted several updates including a sweet post honoring Tom on his birthday in June. The Lees were without Internet for quite a while and are now able to share some of their thoughts on their blog. Be sure to read the three most recent posts on a BarnhouseNews.blogspot.com : Birthday Remembrances, Sunday Hymn: It is Well With My Soul, and Happy 4th of July!

Please continue to pray for them as they patiently wait on the Lord for His direction for their next steps.

Railroad House Update

2011-06-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

While there is still a lot to be done on the Railroad House, the demolition and re-framing are done and new things are being installed! There are several pieces of furniture that were scrambled in the house during the tornado and are going to need some TLC before they can be put in the newly restored house. If anyone is interested in polishing/refinishing any of them it would be greatly appreciated! Contact scvconstruction@gmail.com if you would like to help. Thank you!

Happy Father's Day to Our Dear Friend, Tom Lee

2011-06-19T20:50:00.000-07:00

This will be the first of many Father's Days for the Lee family without their beloved father, Tom. For them, Father's Day will forever be a day of remembrance and an opportunity to honor their father's memory.

The Lee children's lives and their love for the Lord is a lasting testament to their father. We can testify that their hearts are grateful to the Lord as they trust fully in Him, their faces are radiant as they look to Him, and their steps are confident as they walk in obedience to Him. These are lessons they learned from their father and daily observed in his life. He set before them a godly example of a life lived in absolute devotion to the Lord. It has been said that if you know the Lee children and observe their character, you will have seen and known Tom Lee. His legacy of Christ-likeness is lived out in the lives of his thirteen precious children.

Tom Lee was not only a self-sacrificing husband to his wife, Sherry, and an exemplary father to his children, but his life was a demonstration of the Gospel of Christ to many of us who had the privilege of calling him friend. Happy Father's Day, Tom. We miss you but we are grateful to the Lord for your life and for the privilege we had of knowing you and learning from your quiet, humble example. We are blessed and our lives are richer because of time spent with you and your family.

Aerial View of Shoal Creek Valley

2011-06-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

Crawford/Liverett Property

The above picture was posted on Kelly Crawford's blog and is an aerial photo of their home and property after the April 27th tornado. You can see several cement slabs - all that was left - of their family's home, a rental home, her parent's barn, her parent's shop, and her parent's home. You can also see the thousands of trees, mowed over, stripped of their bark, and lying horizontal.

We have heard several eye witness accounts of people who saw entire, enormous, hardwood trees, root ball and all, just sucked right up into the tornado and never seen again. Our friends are still finding their belongings strewn about the Valley. A family in Georgia found a page of pictures from the Lee's photo album as it rained down in their yard hundreds of miles away from where it was sucked up into the vortex.

We continue to be amazed at the power of the tornado and the destruction left in its path. Please continue to pray for these families, our friends, as they adjust to so many changes and losses. Its been two months since the tornado - and there is still so much more to be done. Volunteers are needed as these families prepare to rebuild and start over.

Update on Tiffiny, Emily, and Jacob

2011-06-11T05:07:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord, Tiffiny is walking! She still needs a walker, but what a joyous sight for her to walk into the Railroad House! Emily is now walking with just a cane. Jacob also continues to improve and can now close both his eyes when he is laying down. He's almost able to close them while standing. What incredible answers to prayer, Praise the Lord for His healing and for all of those who have been so faithfully praying!

An Encouraging Word

2011-06-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

The Bubba Smith Family sent this word of encouragement to the Lees and other dear families in the Valley who are trusting the Lord during this season of difficulty. Thank you, Smith Family, for your timely offering.

"Into every home, at some time, sorrow comes. Then it is that the blessing of religion is specially revealed. We do not see the stars until the sun goes down. The comforts of Christian faith do not reveal themselves to us in their richest light and peace until the darkness of sorrow rests upon our home. But there is light in the darkness when Christ is the guest. Indeed, it is true that when Christ is in a home, even sorrow itself becomes one of the secrets of happiness. Our Lord’s beatitude says – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”.

Homes that have never known grief may be very happy in love, and very bright with sweet gladness; but after sorrow has been a guest within their doors, and has left its messages and blessings, there is a depth of quiet joy never experienced before. The family fellowship is sweeter after there has been a break in the circle. The love is tenderer when tears have come into its gladness. A vacant chair is a new and sacred bond in the household life.

But it is only when Christ is in the home that sorrow sweetens the life. There can be no rainbow without cloud and rain; but neither can there be a rainbow, even with cloud and rain, unless the sun is shining through the falling drops. The rarest splendors of happiness can be known only when sorrow’s clouds have overshadowed the home and the rain of tears is falling; but unless the light of divine love is pouring through the tears there can be no splendor of peace and comfort; nothing but darkness and cloud.

Few things we can do in this world are so well worth doing as the making of a beautiful and happy home. He who does this builds a sanctuary for God and opens a fountain of blessing for men. Far more than we know, do the strength and beauty of our lives depend upon the home in which we dwell. He who goes forth in the morning from a happy, loving, prayerful home, into the world’s strife, temptation, struggle, and duty, is strong – inspired for noble and victorious living. The children who are brought up in a true home go out trained and equipped for life’s battles and tasks, carrying in their hearts a secret of strength which will make them brave and loyal to God, and will keep them pure in the world’s severest temptations.

We may all do loving service, therefore, by helping to make one of the world’s homes, – the one in which we dwell – brighter and happier. No matter how plain it may be, or how old-fashioned, if love is in it, if prayer connects it with heaven, if Christ’s blessing is upon it, it will be a transfigured spot! Poverty is no severe trial if the home is full of bright cheer. The hardest toil is light if love sings its songs amid the clatter.

-- J. R. Miller

31 Years of Loving Commitment - For God's Glory

2011-05-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

Today is Tom and Sherry's wedding anniversary. Read the beautiful tribute Emily posted reflecting on her parents' love and commitment to one another and expressing her gratefulness to the Lord for their thirty-one years of marriage. BarnhouseNews.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday to Jordan and Joshua Lee

2011-05-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

Men of God, Like Their Father

Monday, May 30th, Jordan and Joshua Lee celebrated their birthdays. What a blessing they are to their mom and siblings! What a reflection they are of their dad's love for his Savior! Read more about Sherry's account of the day on the Lee family blog: BarnhouseNews.blogspot.com

Update From the Lee Family

2011-05-29T22:36:00.000-07:00

Posted this evening on Sherry's Blog: BarnhouseNews.blogspot.com

"On mine arm shall they trust." ~ Isaiah 51:5

It's early morning here, and the blanket of dew still rests on the freshly mowed field in front of our temporary home. And dear friends, we want you to know that just as God sends the dew to refresh the earth, He gives peace and rest to his children during seasons of uncertainty and difficulty. Though we cannot explain His peace that is beyond our understanding, we have truly experienced it.

How can we fear or have doubts when underneath us are the everlasting arms? Our full confidence is in Him, and we give glory to Him. "On mine arm shall they trust." Isaiah 51:5. When the world as we know it crumbles about us, we truly find that our God is worth tens of thousands of worlds to us, and our souls are driven to Him and Him alone! I'm paraphrasing some of what I read in a devotional by Charles Spurgeon.

"Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as He built the heavens and the earth, glorify Himself in thy weakness, and magnify His might in the midst of thy distress." by Charles Spurgeon.
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The above was written in the early morning hours, and we just wanted to share some of our thoughts, and we wanted to give you an update. It's now Sunday evening, and this is really the first opportunity we've had, alone as a family, to share our thoughts and memories of the evening of the storm and its aftermath. We hope to record our perspectives of that evening and write a post very soon. I know that many of you might not wish to hear it, but I hope you will be patient with us. This blog will be sort of like a journal for us by the end of the year, and we thought it might be a good thing to put our memories of this time in writing. We do hope to eventually get back to farming, but this is also a part of our past, present, and it influences our future.

Tears were shed tonight, but the tears were not bitter tears. Our memories were of happy times, and we all felt keenly aware of how blessed we are to have had such a faithful and loving husband/father who pointed us to the Savior he loved so dearly. I think the suddenness of it all does leave us wishing we could have said our goodbyes, but someday goodbyes will not be necessary at all! And I'd love to be able to tell him again how much I loved and respected him, but I can't. I guess that's why I'm telling you...maybe you can tell your husband, your child, your parent, your father or mother-in-law, or your friend...again...and again...and again. And he wouldn't want me to portray him as a perfect man; he was very aware of his need of a Savior, of His grace, and of His mercies which are new every morning. And lastly, I realize his life wasn't *cut short*. I believe he lived the exact number of days appointed him, and I rejoice in that. It doesn't make me/us miss him less, but I/we do rejoice for him. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

On a different note, Tiffiny, Emily, and Jacob are improving! Emily is walking some without her walker:) She mainly needs it in case her knees buckle. They are working on strengthening the muscles above her knees. Tiffiny went back to physical therapy on Thursday, and they had her walk around the room twice. Her blood work has also been good each week. Jacob can now lift his eye brows, completely close one eye, and half way close the other eye! Thank you for your continued prayers, acts of kindness, and concern. We appreciate each and every one of you, and many of you we've never even met!

Good night, and God bless you all:)

"On mine arm shall they trust." Isaiah 51:5 --- May it be so. Amen.

Blessings,

Sherry
for the family

2011-05-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night, May 24th, in Brentwood, TN at Fellowship Bible Church, a benefit concert was held by artists Brandon Heath, Christ August, Kari Jobe, and Jason Ingram. It was a wonderful concert, very honoring to the Lord and to the Lee family. David Nassar spoke and was very gracious as he told the Lee's story. The title of the concert was '"Love Your Neighbor" and each year Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram do a "Love Your Neighbor" concert to benefit those involved in a disaster. They said that they wait for the Lord's timing on what the concert is to be for and this year when the tornadoes came, they felt that was it. Another part of the body of Christ came together in prayer and support.

The Railroad House - A Place to Meet with the Lord

2011-05-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

A Place of Retreat

retreat

RETRE'AT, n. [L. retractus, retraho; re and traho.]

1. The act of retiring; a withdrawing of one's self from any place.

2. Retirement; state of privacy or seclusion from noise, bustle or company.

3. Place of retirement or privacy.

4. Place of safety or security.

5. In military affairs, the retiring of an army or body of men from the face of an enemy or from any ground occupied to a greater distance from the enemy, or from an advanced position. A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight.

- Noah Webster's Dictionary 1828

Many of us over the years have had opportunity to spend time in the Railroad House; or as we always affectionately refer to it, the Welch Family Retreat Center. It is known by many as a special place where we have been able to "get away" and meet with the Lord. You know if you stayed there for even one night that this home holds very special memories. It is a hallowed place of retreat, respite, refreshment, and renewal.

Thank you, Welch family and Bible Teaching Ministries, for keeping this special place available to all who are seeking a place to pray, study God's Word, listen to His still small voice, or meet with His people. Thank you to the Lee family for your years of service in welcoming and blessing those who stayed within its walls. Thank you to the Lord for His Faithfulness and Grace to use these families and this facility to minister to so many of us.

Shoal Creek Valley Sunset

2011-05-21T22:11:00.000-07:00

June 2009

The view from the Lee's front porch was awe inspiring; sometimes even breathtaking. But the opportunity to watch the summer sun sliding behind the shadowed mountains beyond the fertile fields was simply priceless. As the Lord painted the sky with His Glory, we were blessed to settle back in our rocking chairs, smell the fresh country air, feel the gentle evening breezes brush our faces, and to once again behold God's magnificent Creation. "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same; the Lord's name is to be praised!" Psalm 113:3

Debris Field - Alpha Ranch

2011-05-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

This is some of what is left of the Alpha Ranch Machine shop after the Shoal Creek Valley tornado wreaked havoc. Notice the debris spread across the field, hardly recognizable, and the sheet metal wrapped around the naked tree in the background. Years of acquiring tools and machinery used in ministry is gone in a matter of seconds. The clean up continues....

Aerial View Before Tornado

2011-05-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

View Larger Map

All the structures and all the trees you see in this satellite photo (with the exception of the Railroad House) are gone - flattened, destroyed. The long driveway in the center of the picture leads to the Railroad House (between the two large Oak trees) and then on down to the Lee's home. If you click on the blue link in the bottom left corner, you can view a larger map and even add special overlays provided by google indicating the tornadoes path and severity. The red marker with the A on it will remain and mark the Lee's mailbox on CR. 22.

Stopping By To Encourage and Pray

2011-05-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

Alabama Governor, Robert Bentley, Poses with Volunteers Working at the Lee's

Thursday, May 5th, an entourage of Sheriff's and SUV's came tooling up the driveway on their way to meet with the Lee family. It was quite an impressive sight and caused everyone to stop what they were doing to investigate what was happening. Out stepped many government officials from Montgomery, including our honorable governor. Governor Bentley stopped by just to meet the Lee family. He spent unhurried time hearing their story. He was obviously moved with compassion as he expressed his concern and offered his prayers for the Lees during this difficult time. Thank you, Governor Bentley, for your testimony of sincere faith in Christ and for your prayers and ministry to many families in need.

New Post and Prayer Request - Lee's Blog

2011-05-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

Update as of Sunday 5/15/11 - Praise the Lord! Tiffiny was released from the hospital this afternoon!

From the Lee's Blog, posted Saturday morning, May 14th: http://barnhousenews.blogspot.com/

Dear Friends,

The phone company provided internet service for us today, and I wanted to post a quick update. I haven't had time or access in recent days, but I have a few minutes to post before doing the next thing!

Tiffiny was admitted to the hospital again this past Tuesday. I took her to her physical therapy session that afternoon, and they immediately suspected that things weren't as they should be. Her leg was very swollen. They contacted her doctor at the hospital, and he ordered an x-ray. A broken bone or blood clot was suspected, and they were right. She has a very large blood clot and is still in the hospital. She might come home tomorrow, and she will be on medication for six months. She is receiving excellent care, is in very good spirits, and wishes to thank everyone for their prayers.

Emily is also receiving physical therapy, and she's progressing VERY nicely. She uses a walker now instead of the wheelchair! She also thanks you for your prayers.

A friend who is a doctor and his family brought us a meal the other night, and God used him to provide me with some very important information concerning my son Jacob. Jacob was pinned face down between the piano and a large beam for hours after the storm. He was carried to the triage center and the hospital that night and received excellent care, but we noticed days after his release that he only smiles with one half of his mouth. I asked our doctor friend what he thought and he asked if Jacob could close his eyes. I never would have even thought of that. He checked Jacob and found that he could not close both eyes completely. He recommended that I take him back to see the neurologist, and I am so grateful. My step brother is also a medical professional and recommended the same thing. The neurologist saw him immediately and gave him a prescription and eye drops. My prayer request is that Jacob's nerve damage will heal nicely and that his eyes will be protected. Because he can't completely close them, his eyes might be very dry as he sleeps, and dust particles or whatever might scratch and damage the cornea. He will also need to wear protective glasses while working because the natural reflexive response to particles approaching his eyes will not work to completely shut the eye lids. We appreciate your prayers for him, and we thank God for all the caring people, friends, and professionals who are ministering to them and to our entire family!

Again, we truly thank you all for the outpouring of love and prayers directed our way. The Lord is meeting our needs and blessing us in ways we never imagined. People are SO creative in how they show love and concern. His grace and peace is sufficient AND amazing.

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God.
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.

We enjoyed reading from the book of Psalms this morning. His mercies are new every morning....

Blessings,

Sherry         

Community Gathering at Alpha Ranch

2011-05-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

The Lees Visit with other Storm Victims at a Community Gathering

Saturday night, the Liverett family, neighbors and close friends of the Lees, hosted a community gathering in Shoal Creek Valley to allow residents and tornado victims the opportunity to come together and grieve those loved ones lost, to obtain needed information for clean-up and rebuilding, and to help one another through this difficult time.

The evening began with an encouraging message from the Pastor of Hardin's Chapel, pointing everyone to the Lord for their refuge and strength. Many government officials discussed what services were available and answered questions about debris removal and the restoration of the infrastructure. The evening concluded with prayer and everyone singing Amazing Grace.

The Cattlemen's Association grilled delicious hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner, there was Bluegrass music in the air, and most importantly, everyone had the opportunity to visit with their neighbors and share stories of survival and loss.

An interesting display of what little could be salvaged from the Alpha Ranch's Three Bay Shop
(Wood Shop, Automotive Shop, Metal/Machine Shop)

Residents of Shoal Creek Valley Gather Under a Tent to Hear From
St. Clair County Commissioner, Stan Batemon

State Representative, Blaine Galliher Drops by to Offer His Support and Prayers,
Notice the Ominous Sky

Shoal Creek Valley Friends Come Together to Support One Another

Benefit Concerts and Silent Auction

2011-05-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

www.helpthelees.com has information about two benefit concerts and a silent auction that are taking place in Texas this week.

Interview

2011-05-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to the interview that recently aired on ABC 33/40.

http://www.abc3340.com/video?clipId=5828508&autostart=true

A Heart of Gratefulness - A Channel of Grace

2011-05-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows the Lees or has bumped into them lately can attest that they are overwhelmed with gratefulness; gratefulness to their Lord, and gratefulness to all of you. It is such a testimony to God's sustaining grace in their lives - and we all see Jesus in their hearts as they respond to their tremendous loss.

All we hear them saying, each time we checked on them in the hospital or when we visit with them among the devastation in the valley is "thank you, thank you". Graciousness is a character quality that just oozes from each Lee's pores. From the youngest to the oldest, you will notice that they seem to be much more concerned with thanking you and pointing you to their Savior's Grace than they are of considering themselves and their own needs.

You may be praying for them, serving them, giving to them, seeking to meet one of their needs - but what is most evident to anyone who seeks to bless them in some way is that we, the givers, become the receivers. We are more than blessed by their lives and testimony. It is the love, grace, peace and joy of Jesus that flows from the Lord through the Lee family to each of us. They are truly channels of God's amazing grace to each of us.

Below is a recent post from Sherry's blog: http://barnhousenews.blogspot.com/ Another testimony of God's grace in her thankful heart....

Dear Friends,

Words simply cannot express how full of gratitude our hearts are right now. We have been sustained by our loving Heavenly Father's mighty hand and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, prayers, and acts of kindness directed our way.

Yes, I have lost my dear husband and best friend of over thirty years, but I know where he is, and I thank God for the wonderful life we had together. I miss him terribly, but I know I will see him again.

Yes, my children have lost their father, but he died as he lived....putting the needs of his wife and children ahead of those of his own and interceding for us.

I want you all to know that we feel our loss, and we grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Tom reminded us often that we all eventually meet our Maker and not at the time of our own choosing. We are at peace, and we trust in God's sovereign and merciful plan for our lives. Our lips shall praise HIM!

Our son and daughters are out of the hospital now and are healing nicely. Two daughters require physical therapy and are using a wheelchair and a walker, but full recovery is expected.

If you are one of the many who have helped us, left a kind comment, or prayed for us....we THANK YOU. We've never in our entire lives seen so many expressions of love and concern for those in our community, our state, and other states affected by the storm. Your continued prayers for our family and the many others affected by the storm are deeply appreciated.

Our lives are forever changed , but our Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Our trust is in Him. May His name be glorified.

Blessings,

Sherry
for the entire Tom Lee family

Clean Up and Recovery - Serving in Ashville

2011-05-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday Workday - View of the Railroad House in Progress

Good Friends, Good Fellowship

2011-05-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

Ashville Neighbors Enjoying Fellowship Outside the Railroad House 10/08

Saturday, May 7

2011-05-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of glass in and around the Railroad House so children should be extra careful and everyone working in the area should be aware. Saturday (5-7) is a big workday! Everyone’s help is so appreciated!

For inside the house cleaning:

The kitchen and laundry room have been cleaned. The bathrooms do not need to be cleaned as they are being taken out. The upstairs needs to be cleaned. The cedar walls and ceilings in the house have collected a lot of dust and need to be vacuumed and brushed with a heavy brush.

There is a dry erase board with a list of tasks that need to be accomplished. Anyone who needs a job should just check the board!

Projects-Volunteers Needed

Needed at the Welch Retreat/Railroad House:

Volunteers:

Competent men with chainsaws and ample safety equipment.
Men with carpenter type skill sets and hand tools.
Ladies with supplies to clean the interior of the house. This will be going on Friday and Saturday.
Anyone to sweep the fields and pick up trash.

Equipment:

A large construction storage container with shelving is needed for the job site at the Welch Retreat/Railroad House to store tools, materials, and other supplies. This has been provided
Wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels from anyone coming to help.
Skid Steer/Bobcat This need has been met
There is an immediate need for up to 8 sections of scaffolding. This had been provided.
2 Pneumatic nailers, hose, and compressor Need Saturday morning
1 box galvanized siding nails, to accompany nailer

Housing materials:

25 sheets of 4′x8′x1/2″ drywall

2 rolls of R-13 compressed batt insulation

2-100 ft. rolls of Tyvek housing wrap

Tyvek fasteners

1 AC Unit

If you are willing to volunteer in any of these areas please email Project Manager at scvconstruction@gmail.com. Thank you!

Bluegrass Gospel in the Railroad House

2011-05-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

Friday Night Hymn Sing (Bluegrass Style) at the Family Life Class Camp Out

Every year the Family Life Class gathers at the end of October for a family camp out. Many years we congregated at the Lees, camping right in their front yard, hiking up the mountain, sharing about God's working in our hearts while warming our hands around the campfire, and gathering for hymn sings in the Railroad House. This particular year we enjoyed special guests from Ireland.

Friday May 6th, 2nd Work Crew Needed at the Baileys

2011-05-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

The Baileys need help at their house on Friday morning. They need 10 or so strong men to help load the Lee's and the Welch's furniture and belongings onto a tractor trailer for safer storage. They need several women to wipe down furniture before it is loaded onto the truck. If you are going to Ashville Friday and are able to help, please contact the Travers for directions and so we can determine how many men we can count on. They want everyone to meet at 9:00 a.m.

Work continues at the Railroad House tomorrow. See the construction website for the latest updates and all the needs at that location. scvconstruction.wordpress.com

Looking Up the Hill to the Railroad House

2011-05-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ashville Family Fellowship in the Railroad House

2011-05-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

Wonderful memories of Ashville families gathered for
Sunday night Bible Studies in the Railroad House....

For years the Lee family served our families and weekly welcomed us to the Railroad House. We gathered for time spent studying God's Word, rich fellowship as families, and wonderful music!

What you can't see in this panorama are others in our fellowship, seated in the dining room, in the foyer, and lining the stairway upstairs.

To God be the glory.

Thursday, May 5th

2011-05-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

Schedule
Priorities:
Cleaning the interior of the house.
Cleaning up trash in the field.
Removing damaged siding from the Railroad House.
Cutting and Clearing fallen trees from the property.
Schedules:

Right now, work is going on all up and down Shoal Creek Valley. There is still much do to with chainsaws, but if you are going to use one it is important that you are outfitted in proper safety equipment (glasses, chaps, gloves, etc.). Anyone going out to help should have heavy shoes, gloves, and safety glasses.

Projects-Volunteers Needed

May 4, 2011

Needed at the Welch Retreat/Railroad House:

Competent men with chainsaws and ample safety equipment.
Men with carpenter type skill sets and hand tools to remove siding and windows.
Ladies with supplies to clean the interior of the house.

Bring broom/dust pan/shop vac
We need to finish cleaning off, wrap, and pack items in kitchen cabinets
Please bring bubble wrap, wrapping paper, packing tape to complete the job
Wear gloves and thick soled shoes because of broken glass hazards

Anyone to sweep the fields and pick up trash.

Materials:

A large construction storage container is needed for the job site at the Welch Retreat/Railroad House to store tools, materials, and other supplies.
Wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels from anyone coming to help.
Skid Steer/Bobcat

If you are willing to volunteer in any of these areas please email Project Manager at scvconstruction@gmail.com. Thank you!

Wednesday, May 4th

2011-05-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

The rain didn't deter our work yesterday. Friends transported belongings to the Bailey's Barn nearby where many hands worked to clean, sort, and store their things in labeled boxes.

~~This brings up an immediate need.~~ We have run out of plastic storage containers. If anyone can donate some more medium to large sized plastic (rubbermaid or generic) storage boxes, they are needed right away. You can contact the Travers or the Baileys if you need more information on this project. Praise the Lord, word has been received that our church's mercy ministry and some members of our SS class are providing the containers, and that they should arrive sometime today!

In the valley, work will continue today to completely clear and then clean debris out of the Retreat Center. If anyone is going to the Valley, you may want to be prepared with brooms, dust pans, and shop vacs to help in cleaning debris from the walls and floor. It is generally a good idea to be prepared with work gloves, and you may want to consider a mask and eye protection too.

A second project that can be "tackled" tomorrow is to cut up the trees around the perimeter of the property (with chain saws) into lengths which can then be bull dozed into burn piles. Please, it has been requested that only those who have adequate experience and proper safety equipment (goggles, gloves, chaps) should help in this project. It is our prayer to avoid any potential accidents.

Construction Contact

2011-05-03T10:05:00.000-07:00

Any questions or comments related to construction at the Welch Retreat/Railroad House should go to scvconstruction@gmail.com.

Also, scvconstruction.wordpress.com is updated with schedules of construction events as well as materials and supplies needed.

Monday, May 2nd

2011-05-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

The weather man says we are expecting some rain/storms this afternoon in our area, sometime after 3:00.

Please pray for those still sifting through the rubble to find other "treasures" that will be meaningful or helpful to Sherry and the children - before the storms hit again. We are still finding things and have not stopped looking. Pray for the Lord to direct the treasure hunters to those things He desires for the Lees to have. There is so much rubble it can be a daunting task.

A crew is working to board up the Retreat Center and trying to continue to get it in a condition where it is protected from the coming rains. I think all efforts today are directed toward this purpose.

Also, someone has contacted me to tell me that a lady in Cedar Bluff found some of the Lee's photos in her yard after the storm . She posted them on Facebook and now that the connection has been made, will hopefully send them on to Sherry. By the way, Cedar Bluff is Northeast of us - about an hour and a half drive by car, almost to the Georgia border.

Homegoing for Tom Lee

2011-04-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

The funeral will be tomorrow, Sunday, May 1st at Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea.

11050 Chelsea Road Chelsea, AL.
follow HWY 280 to Chelsea and turn right on Chelsea Road. Go 1.7 miles and the church is on the left.
http://www.lbcchelsea.org/

2:00 - Visitation
3:00 - Funeral

Following the funeral there will be a graveside service in Harpersville. Directions will be given following the funeral.

How to Contribute Financially

2011-04-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked how they can financially contribute to the relief efforts in Shoal Creek Valley.

There are several ways in our area in which to contribute to these families.

1. Alabama Relief Fund - Mail checks payable to Fredericksburg Christian Fellowship (Bob and Yvonne Welch's Church) and include a note indicating that it is for the "Alabama Relief Fund". You can also mention that you would like for your money to go directly to the Lee Family. Your entire contribution is tax deductible.

Fredericksburg Christian Fellowship

157 Schmidtzinsky Road

Fredericksburg, TX 78624

2. Chalcedon Presbyterian Church, 302 Pilgrim Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Include a note that says: "Tornado Victims Relief Fund"

This fund is going directly to the families in Shoal Creek Valley

3. Christ Church http://www.christchurchbranchcove.org/tornado-relief

This website has some good information about each of the families needs as well as a link and an address to make contributions.

If you would like for your contributions to go to a specific family (i.e. Lees, Crawfords, Boyds) there is a way to designate it.

4. Another option is to give a love gift or gift card directly to any of these families.

Food and clothes are covered for now, so this is a great way to help these families.

Briarwood is helping in many ways and has given a donation to the Lee family. However, for tax reasons they are not able to take specified donations from individuals so, if you would like for your donation to go to a specific family, Briarwood is not the best place to send it.

Thanks to everyone who has been so eager and willing to help in any way they can; I know the families appreciate that and your prayers so much!

Out of the Hospital!

2011-04-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Thank You

2011-04-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

I can't say how grateful I am for the outpouring of love from the body of Christ over the past several days. It's been incredible hearing of all the people who are praying for our family. Thanks so, so much to everyone for their prayers, help out in Shoal Creek, visits to Tiffiny and I in the hospital, cards, gifts, and love. God has blessed us so much. I can never repay you or thank you enough for all you've done for us, but please know that y'all mean so much to my family and I.

God's mercy and power is amazing. This morning I remembered Lamentations 3:22-24 "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!'" God has been so merciful, gracious, and amazing to our family. Praise His name. And may He be glorified.

In Christ,
Emily Lee
for Tiffiny and I

Emily and Tiffiny Released...Praise the Lord!

2011-04-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

It is noon and as I type this the nurses are pulling together the last bit of paperwork before releasing Emily and Tiffiny from the hospital. Praise the Lord for answering our prayers. We will soon be in route to the Schultzs, where they will be staying. Thank you for all your prayers, calls, visits, love, and gifts. Seeing the Body of Christ at work has been overwhelming! We will keep you posted of further needs as they come.

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34

In Him alone,
~Mandy Liu

Welcome

2011-04-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

This blog will hopefully provide some information as to how you can help the families affected by the tragic tornado in the Shoal Creek Valley, as well as updates as to their current condition. Thank you all for your continued prayers, and please continue to pray for safety and wisdom in the days ahead.