Info on Helping Joplin

Many people have been contacting me to see how to help the people of Joplin who have lost so much in the tornado.  I have been working with several groups and here are the things that I can tell you.

DONATIONS OF "STUFF"
With the exception of plus size clothing for men and women, there is SO much!  Churches and other help groups are currently struggling to manage/organize all the generous gifts.  Please wait to bring furniture or send a list with photos first and let it be matched with a need so the items can go directly to the persons new temporary home.  Send items like hand soap, diapers, BABY WIPES, big trash bags, plastic tubs with lids (to put found items like photos in, especially since it keeps raining) and work gloves.  There are several places to take these including the following:

• Missouri Southern State University,
• Forest Park Baptist Church/Samaritan's Purse,  
• College Heights Church,
• Mystery Church on 5th and Main (call them for specific needs list), and
• New Creation Church on 19th and Conner (needs volunteers to help organize donations).   

DONATIONS OF TIME
There are two main areas of need: clean-up and organizing/sorting donations.  College Heights & Forest Park/Samaritan's Purse sends out groups all day.  MSSU can only send out groups at 8am each morning.  MSSU and New Creation Church needs help sorting, but there are numerous others.  If you know when you want to come to the area, let me know and I can probably link you to a specific project.  For example, today our pediatrician's office needed help painting their new temporary location so they could move in faster.

DONATIONS OF MONEY
 Everyone is collecting funds and lots of funds will be needed.  However I recommend "Angels Over Joplin".  100% of the proceeds will go directly and quickly to storm victims.  It has been set up by volunteers and there is no administration fees.  Right now, the Schroeder family will match all donations up to $50,000. Their companies lost their headquarters & 300 apartments, BUT they are still giving generously during this time of need. I'm really impressed by their actions. I've worked for them on projects since 1996 and I've always liked what I see and hear at their low income housing properties. HOWEVER, their own loss is TREMENDOUS so this matching gift really makes me proud to be affiliated with their companies!



Senior Apartment residents of this property on
Rex Street will benefit from "Angels Over Joplin".

If you would like to be an Angel over Joplin, please send your donation to Arvest Bank of Joplin at 701 S. Main St., Joplin, MO 64801, Attn: Jackie Schell. Please make checks payable to "Angels Over Joplin", a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation, making your donation tax deductible. At least 50% of the funds will go to those who lost their apartments, of which most are low income and many are seniors.  It is my understanding that FEMA provides very little for those who lived in rented apartments. 

And do not forget to do good and to share

 with others, for with such sacrifices

God is pleased.--Hebrews 13:16

Jon & Blogging



Our Pediatrician's office (top floor) in Joplin.  They will have
a temporary office next week.  I cannot find a picture of
my doctor's office as there doesn't seem to be anything
left.  Our eye doctor's office is gone too.



Jon's hip surgery on Monday went well and he has only had one set back.  Today they had to give him a blood transfusion due to his blood count falling and his heart racing.  Originally Jon was expected to be in the hospital until Monday, but yesterday the doctors in St. Louis wanted him to come home and be monitored by our pediatrician. However, with the tornado damage in Joplin, we advocated for them to keep him and get him in a more stable condition.  We explained that our doctor's office doesn't exist anymore; she is working out of the Memorial Hall (a civic center) and the only hospital has enough to handle.  Daddy is with him this week and I'm ready for Jon and Daddy to be home, but I want Jon's pain to be controlled and for it to be safe for him to be here.

I have a general policy, not to blog unless I'm "basically" caught up on my "real" jobs....of course, I NEVER really feel caught up, but this month has been exceptionally bad.  I have overdue post-placement reports, invites to the family reunion that are still being returned to me, and more new work pouring in than I have time for AND then there was a tornado in Joplin....you may have heard about it :) We did not have any storm damage other than some water that got into the basement so we are very thankful.  However, just 11 miles north, there are so many needs, so much saddness and so much hope.....SO...I apologize for my blog absence this month, but maybe this weekend will help me "get on top of all my many irons sitting in the fire".  Please keep our family & our community in your prayers.  Pray that the Lord will guide us and allow us to be a real help to those in need around us.  

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom:

She and her daughters were arrogant,

overfed and unconcerned;

they did not help the poor and needy."

~Ezekiel 16:49

Busy Week Ahead

This week is going to be a busy one and based on the price of gas, an expensive one!

Today, Nate has a check-up this afternoon and then I head to Branson to teach.  Before, I get to Branson, I have to grade some student  research papers and make final correction on the test that I'm giving them.  I'll get home around midnight, and at 7am I'll be on the road to St. Louis Children's for Jon.  My mom is coming to stay so Corrine can get to violin this evening and tomorrow.  Plus the boys can get their therapies.



A cute picture of the twins hugging taken by Anita at
In His Image Photography



Wednesday, I go see the attorney on adoption stuff and hopefully get a good nap.  I need to get three survey reports written as soon as possible.  Then Thursday is Grace's orthodontist appt in Springfield, but so far that is ALL that day.  Friday is the BIG day....4 eye doctor appointments, followed by a meeting for Hannah and a check-up for Corrine.

This weekend Mr. Workman has a debate tounament so it will seem like a long weekend for me.  Then next Monday is 3 eye doctor appointments and teaching in Branson again; followed by an early morning departure for Nate and I to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.  Nate has an audiology and ENT appointment to see about getting a sleep study done.  THEN life settles down to its usual pace of teaching, a couple appointments per week, 3 therapists here on 4 days a week until May 23rd which is Jon's hip surgery.  Please keep Jon in your thoughts and prayers as this will be a tough surgery.

Many are emailing & asking:  Ecomom is working on the judging so no news there.  There were so many compeling entries that I expect it might take the judges a while to decide.  We appreciate your thought and prayers of support!