Heavy Heart...

First off, everything is OK in the Hamilton House and Ethan is doing MUCH better.  I hate to jinx myself but today is 4/30 and if we can manage to get through the day without an overnight hospital stay than this will be the first April since Ethan was born that we haven't spent in the hospital :)

Now, on to my "heavy heart".  Most of you by now have seen the horrible destruction left by the tornadoes in Alabama. 

My heart has been heavy and I have been praying for all of those who lost homes and family members.  My "Mom" (ya'll know, the woman who "raised" me) grew up in Alabama and has cousins who lost their homes.  Thankfully, our family all survived and we are so thankful.  I have been trying to figure out a way to help -  through one my favorite webpages that I check everyday in an effort to find the best deals - Living on Love and Cents,  she posted a link to a site Saving toward a better life (very cool site that I will be following with great ideas on saving money) who posted another great link to another really cool site that I will sooo be following now (don't you just love the blog world :)) Couponing to Disney. Here is a an excerpt from her site:

Wednesday my town was hit by a tornado. We suffered loss of homes, businesses, vehicles, etc. Praise the Lord we did not suffer many losses of life. Unfortunately, it wasn’t over. Later in the day, more tornadoes touched the ground in Alabama killing at least 194 people. This line of storms spanning 7 states took a total of 298 lives and more than 163 tornadoes reportedly ransacked the south.

Southerners are in dire need of some of the most basic necessities and I am working with my local church to start an online donation drive to help the victims of these storms. If you have any items that you would love to mail to us, we will gladly take them. Here are a few things that we are in need of:

toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer, clothing in all sizes, shoes in all sizes, blankets, small toys for displaced children, ziploc bags, bandaids and other first aid products, femine products, baby formula, diapers, baby food, toilet paper, Kleenex, food, individual juices, pet food and treats etc

We will gladly take anything that you are willing to send.

You can mail your donations to my church. We will ensure they get into the right hands. You have my personal guarantee that all donations will be distributed:

 

Disaster Relief

c/o First Baptist Church of Moody

902 Church Street

Moody, AL 35004

I prayed and asked God to show me how I could help and as always he answered my prayers. I wish I had big bank account with lots of extra money to donate but since I don't, I can use my sewing skills to help!  I am currently working on a University of Alabama Tutu Dress and during the month of May I will be donating 100% of the profit from any College Tutu Dresses that I sell to the Disaster Relief Fund at First Church of Moody. I will have pictures posted on my Etsy Shop - Made in the 'Ville and on my Facebook Page by the end of the weekend.  In the meantime here is a picture of a UVA Tutu Dress that I made for a customer.  Don't worry if you don't "Roll Tide", I will customize a college Tutu Dress of your college choice :) 

Please pray for strength and guidance for all of those affected by the tornadoes last week.