5 months.

Five months ago today seemed like any other day. It was the beginning of my long-awaited vacation in Joplin. Then something so terrible and seemingly unheard of hit one of my most beloved towns. May 22, 2011 Joplin Missouri was hit by one of the most destructive tornados on record. It was the most shocking, heart-breaking thing I'd ever witnessed.

Five months later at 8pm, I found myself on the set of a TV show that I grew up watching. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was a staple TV show in my house since it first aired. Every Sunday night was a Baker Family Night where we'd watch the show, so excited to see the gorgeous and elaborate homes built for very deserving families. My Dad would always end up in tears because that's just who my Dad is! I love him.

This opportunity of working on the set of EMHE was a unique and rewarding experience and I'm very grateful for it. Not only am I so thankful that seven VERY deserving families are getting a home but I'm also filled with thanksgiving for one of those deserving families because I have the pleasure of knowing them. Tonight I got to see their house. Wow! I even got to carry tiles to their gorgeous new deck. I found out it has 4 bedrooms and the builder is so excited to meet the family. What an amazing guy! So generous and kind! I’m filled with joy for my friends!

As I was on the set of Extreme Makeover: Seven Houses in Seven Days, I thought of the only other time I'd seen this many volunteers in one place and that was after the tornado. The day after the tornado hit Joplin, my best friend and I went out into the city to help out. Everywhere you went and looked, there were volunteers who had poured in from all over the country. Now here we are 5 months later, people are still pouring in from everywhere to lend a hand to Joplin. One of the coolest things I saw on set--minus the houses-- was a huge map with pinpoints of where people had come from to volunteer for this build. People from all over the country and even all around the world! It was amazing!

Yes, the jobs we were assigned weren't always very fun. In the time span of my six hour shift, I found myself raking rocks, cleaning up the build sites, moving extremely heavy boxes of flooring, sweeping dust off of one of the house floors and other random tasks as well. I may have only got to step inside a couple of the houses and none of the celebrities were around but it was such a rewarding experience and I thank God that I was able to take part in it. I'm so thankful for His provision and guidance in the rebuilding of this city. I'm so hopeful that Joplin will be rebuilt and together the people will overcome the horrors of this tornado.

On May 22, it seemed like nothing would ever be the same in Joplin and yes that actually is true...nothing will be the same. This city will always remember the tornado. I believe that Joplin is still just as strong as it was the day before the tornado and I believe it's actually stronger because of it. We mourn the loss of the hundreds of people that died and we are heartbroken for the family members left behind. I know that they'll never fully recover from this but I know that there is hope. I saw hope the day after the tornado in the form of volunteers. I saw hope last night again in the same form of volunteers. I see hope daily in God's provision and love for each person in the city. I hear stories all the time that are a testament to His goodness through provision. I believe in a good God and I know He's good because I believe that He sent His son Jesus to redeem us. I know He sent His son for the people of Joplin and that He's continuing to reveal His goodness through the recovery of this city. He certainly is a good God who is taking care of His children in Joplin. Thank you, Lord! We ask for more! You are the God of this city.