Berry after the storm

I haven't been on campus since the storm tore through on Wednesday morning, but click here for pictures and video.

It's nothing compared to the destruction in Alabama, but for Berry alums and those who love the campus, it is sad. Rachel Stewart was student teaching, and off campus when the storm came through. She told me she cried when she drove back on campus. As of this morning they were still without power.

The students were only connected to the world via their cell phones, and many of those died because they couldn't recharge them. No internet, no class...I can't wait to hear the stories of how they passed their time.

Thanks to my Berry "kids" who called, texted, or emailed to check on the Nobles family. You can't imagine the excitement that my children get when they hear from you.

Our family is fine, not even limbs down in our yard! Unbelievable & such a blessing. I've been calling friends without power to offer them showers, laundry, and connection to the world.

Once again God is in control. I am thankful for His protection & provision through the storms.

Storms 4/27

The weather was dark, windy & wild about 8:30 this morning. I woke Aaron up to tell him we were under a tornado warning. I was supposed to go to Berry to teach my last day of spring semester classes when the power went out. Randy, Carrie & Kate were already at school, where CRCT testing was to take place!

While the power was out, Randy's mom called. She asked if we were alright, and I replied we were. When I asked her the same question, she said no. She had trees down, and a window was broken in her bedroom. She didn't want me to come get her or for Aaron to come over. An hour later a church member, and her neighbor called me. They were checking on her & sent me this picture. Her neighbor's house lost a roof, and part of it was in her yard. She was very fortunate. God spared her and her house, the trees were laying around the house, but not on it. Randy got a call at school and went to check on her. Aaron was already there at that point.

Berry was hit really hard. Here is a picture of the president's house, hidden behind the downed trees.

Berry cancelled classes today because there is no power. They say there are 100's of trees down. Most of the schools in the area let out early, and many were running on generator power. In fact, Redmond Hospital is running on generator power.

Click here for a video of Berry, it's titled Storm Damage at Berry College. Viking Fusion has a photo gallery too.

Dorothy Cottage and Julia Cottage were also heavily damaged on the Berry Campus.

It's storms that remind us that God is indeed in control.

Easter 2011

For the first time in my years we have no picture on Easter. The kids always hated having the picture taken. Aaron especially didn't like having to stay in his Sunday clothes for the picture, he usually changes as soon as he walks in the door. We typically take it in front of the azaleas. With Easter being so late, all the flowers are gone.

So no azaleas is reason #1. Reason #2, Aaron had to work. He left out of church early to be at Olive Garden for a double shift. So, the family wasn't complete, but I had planned a girls picture. Reason #3 nixed the latter.

We had thought we would have just the immediate family & Randy's mom for lunch. On Friday I told Alyssa to invite whoever she wanted for Easter lunch. Reason #3 - today, we had 5 students at the table for lunch. Five new students...never been to the Nobles & none that I knew. None of these students were Winshapers. Alyssa is actually friends with main campus people!

Randy's mom brought her famous deviled eggs (Randy hates them!), potato salad and coconut cake (my favorite!) to go with my ham, mac/cheese, green beans, broccoli, fruit salad, green salad, & rolls. We had quite a feast. The students enjoyed the meal & we got to meet new friends.

The students were from 5 different states: Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina & Ohio. Two were missionary kids. One ate everything & lots of it. One ate very little. One is the oldest of 6 kids. Two freshmen, two sophomore, one junior. One undecided, one animal science, 2 environmental science & one I didn't catch. Two go to Seven Hills Church, three attend Three Rivers Community Church. One will do beach project this summer. One is a SOAR leader. One will work at a boys camp.

No picture, but a great way to spend Easter...feeding & getting to know college students!

News from the Nobles

Spring is busy at the Nobles household. Here a capsule of our lives.

• It's soccer season - Carrie is manager for the Rome High boy's team. This means several games a week, which makes our home life crazy! Randy is assistant coach for the j.v. team. Yes, he was the head varsity coach for 25 years, took a break & is back helping out.
• Randy drives buses for athletic teams and school functions. Today he drove a group of 8th graders to Six Flags. Better him than me!
• Aaron is working at Olive Garden as a host. He really likes it and according to folks who eat there & know him, he is doing a great job. He works about 30 hours a week. He also takes two classes at the community college. I hope he passes the Spanish class!
• Aaron also referees high school soccer, but he can't ref Rome High games due to conflict of interest!
• Aaron has been accepted to Kennesaw State University for the fall. He is still trying to finish his undergraduate degree in geography. I could write a book on my first born!
• Carrie is playing in the pit orchestra for the high school musical next week.
• Carrie is currently at the prom...I'll post pictures another day. I didn't take any of her...yes, I'm a bad mom! She didn't have a date, just going with some friends. She wore a mermaid style red dress and was planning to wear black converse tennis shoes, to which Alyssa & I both said NO!
• Carrie has one college choice - Berry!
• Alyssa is SO busy. She is finishing her junior year at Berry as an ECE major, and will student teach next fall. Last night she did Relay for Life at Berry, she was team captain. They had a bake sale to raise money. She made Oreo balls, I made cupcakes.
• Alyssa is the VBS director at Calvary this year. She will go to Mexico for a month after VBS is over, but our interim pastor would like her stay on & help out with children's ministry through the summer.
• Randy hates 8th graders on many days! He could retire today, but is going to continue to teach until Kate finishes middle school. There are 25 days left in this school year!
• Kate is finishing 6th grade. My last child to complete West End Elementary. Think I'll do a whole post on that! I've been a West End parent since 1993!!!
• Kate is training for her 2nd triathalon. She'll swim 100 yards (no biggie for her, she usually swims 4000+ yards in a practice), bike 4.8 miles and run a mile. It's the latter that is a killer for her...but she's working on it.
• Kate is reading the Twilight series. She is on the 4th book. She doesn't like to read, but this series has her hooked!
• I have 2 more weeks of classes at Berry, then exams. I've played numerous recitals, master classes and few to go before it's over. Lots of practicing for me.
• I have the same number of weeks of Kindermusik, then we start up again in May with a new session. I love working with the families and being a part of their week.
• The last book I read was called Little Princes. It was about a American man who went to Nepal to help at an orphanage. I highly recommend this book!
• Tomorrow is Sunday & that means we'll have students over for lunch. Some things never change.