It has been nearly two years since the awful flooding we had here in Nashville: over a dozen people lost their lives; it was really bad.  I lost my home, but have since moved back in; I live with my sister Megin and my brother Willie, who watch out over me.  I also have my personal Guardian Angel in Joe C. Reed, who has been instrumental in saving my life and making sure I have all I need.  He takes very good care of me.

We recently had some bad weather come through here a few days ago, but thank the Lord the flooding wasn't anything like we had back in May of 2009.  Less than an inch of water in the basement; just enough to wet the floor a little, but in a few hours, it dried and it was back to business as usual.   We remained in our shelters (basements, although some have built in safe rooms) until the weather cleared later that day.  

Turns out the storms were more vicious than we realized: 33 people were killed in Tennessee (several here in Nashville), and overall, over 300 were killed as a result of the violent weather that traversed across the South.

While my heart sings for joy that I didn't lose anybody, my heart grieves for those who did lose loved ones (or friends).  The weather has been really terrible this year, and we still have at least one or two more months to go before severe weather is officially over.

We can get severe weather any time of the year here, but spring is the worst time of all.

I'm just glad our church home (I go to Christ Community Assembly of God here in Nashville) wasn't damaged like it was nearly two years ago.  Huge answer to prayer!  For a while, we had to meet in an old abandoned warehouse until repairs could be made to the church building.  

Speaking of church, we recently had our Easter Cantata.  It was a success: over 50 people gave their hearts to the Lord.  And the expansion to the main building is coming along nicely.  They are also investing more time into reaching women (or singles), the teenagers, and the little nursery-aged kids/infants.  They will have a Memorial Day lunch for all who served and that's not even including feeding all the moms or grandmothers for Mother's Day or the dads/grandfathers for Father's Day!

We have a new pastor in residence.  He is orginally from Africa; he is the prayer pastor.  His name is Zebediah Ochingwa.  He's in charge of praying for all the prayer requests that come in; he has the rest of the pastoral staff join him.  Maybe this is why the prayers keep on getting answered because they have always been so faithful and earnest in their prayer time.  (Some prayers don't get answered, as it is God's will, but most do.)

In the summer, there will be a special Fourth of July program, as well as Bible camps for the children and youth of our church, our annual summer revival outreach for the community, and community projects where we will reach out to the elderly/the homebound, the homeless or destitute, and to those who are currently serving time in prison.

Fall brings on our first "Vritual Hell" for the youth/teens, our annual Fall Festival (held on Hallowe'en night, as an alternative to the holiday), our annual presentation of "Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames", and feeding the Veterans/service men (and women) for Veteran's Day, and feeding the poor/homeless for Thanksgiving (and again on Christmas).  In addition to that will be our annual Angel Tree/Toy Drive, our Christmas Cantata, and our monthly Angel Food program.

As you can see, church keeps me (and all of the other members) busy.  I don't mind it, though; I love helping out!  (I am involved with the Special Needs Ministry, where we reach out to those who are like myself: disabled or unable to get out because of health problems.  Both disabled and nondisabled people help out with the ministry.

Well, I am going to go.  Joe C. Reed is taking me out to eat.  Olive Garden.  One of my very favorite places to eat!  He says he has a "surprise" for me.  I wonder what it is; he's been acting mighty secretive lately, and it is beginning to drive me flat.  Out.  CRAZY!!  I will write in here again; until later, this is Mia Denise Cranston saying so long! May God bless you always!

~To be continued.~