But for the Grace of God

All the recent exposure of Rapture predictions and apocalyptic natural catastrophes really compels you to contemplate mortality and providence.

My sister's boyfriend's family lives in Joplin, MO, site of the deadliest tornado in the U.S. in over 50 years. His family and their home were unscathed, while most of the city was demolished. It is incredible that a disaster of that magnitude can strike so inconsistently, obliterating one home while leaving the one next door untouched. It gives real clarity to the expression 'There, but for the grace of God, go I." [Donate here: http://www.uwheartmo.org/ OR further opportunities following this post]

Another misfortune that struck close to home reminds me of the poignant Autism Speaks ad campaign you may have seen on television: [http://www.autismspeaks.org/about_us.php]
"My friend's uncle's cousin's son has autism...
... My uncle's cousin's son has autism...
... My cousin's son has autism...
My son has autism... "

After all the baby showers that we have celebrated over the past several years of growing families, our friends (that we went to Ireland with last year) baby was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, one in 3200 incidence. It clarifies the most basic blessing of a healthy baby.
(See her website here: http://cureforhannah.com / donate to her CF fundraising team here: http://www.cff.org/great_strides/dsp_donationPage.cfm?registeringwalkid=7524&idUser=495479)

Both these extraordinary odds of these incidences make you grateful for the blessings of health and safety, and serve as a reminder to share the love among those less fortunate by the whim of fate.



HOW YOU CAN HELP THE JOPLIN, MO. TORNADO VICTIMS
(Courtesy OzarksFirst/KOLR10 Fox affiliate news in Springfield, MO, where Nathan's college roommate Jeremy Stevens is evening news anchor)

By Text Message

--Sending "REDCROSS" via text message to 90999 will charge $10 to your next cell phone bill to distribute to the American Red Cross

--Sending "Joplin" via text message to 864833 will charge $10 to your next cell phone bill to distribute to the Heart of Missouri United Way

----Sending "JOPLIN" via text message to 80888 will charge $10 to your next cell phone bill to distribute to The Salvation Army (You will need to reply "yes" when asked.)


On The Web

--The American Red Cross' Greater Ozarks Regional Chapter, which includes Joplin, can be reached here: http://www.redcross-ozarks.org/donate/

--The Salvation Army can be reached here: https://secure20.salvationarmy.org/

--Missouri's State Emergency Management Agency links on its website to a page with non-profits that operate in the state and provides tips to avoid scams here: http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/recover/donations.asp