Let's take a moment to remember ...

 

 ... where there are people, many people,  still hurting from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, still experiencing loss and deprivation -- yes, right here in the United States.  I was recently reminded of this as I read an Instagram post by Heather Mills Schwartzen -- @to_sow_a_seed on Instagram.  That's her graphic you see above.  You can read her post here: Cold as All Get Out.  

Heather wrote: 

"You haven’t forgotten, have you? The shocking images of homes swept into raging waters, the pleas of family members searching for loved ones? They’re no longer in your news feed but friends, Appalachia is still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Please join us in being part of that recovery. You’ll find a list of current needs in my Linktree, or comment LIST and it will drop in your DMs! The list will be updated regularly, as we receive new requests. We can also accept cash donations via PayPal and VenMo.

Can’t be part of the financial work, but want to help? Share this post. God knows who it needs to reach!

We covet your prayers. There is much still to be done, three months on. Appalachia is strong and resilient and full of resourceful people. Pray for safety, provision, and that all this hurt will ignite a deeper desire to know and serve the Lord. He will be glorified!"

In case you can't get to Instagram to read through the post, here is more:

"Families are still displaced.

People are still missing.

Areas are still largely unreachable.

Cleanup is ongoing."

And more from the IG post:

 

After reading this, my hubby and I determined an amount of money we could spend right now.  We know that Samaritan's Purse is working to help with rebuilding in North Carolina and Tennessee,  so we went to the site and donated to that effort.

Next, we followed the link to Heather's Amazon list and went shopping.  We are on a fixed income so we had a limited amount to spend, but it went far enough to get a warm sleeping bag, a child's jacket, four sets of gloves and a set of twelve hats.  We will check back next month and shop again as I'm pretty sure there will still be needs. 

In a comment, I asked Heather for more ideas on how to pray -- our most powerful way to help, as she noted. Here is what she told me:

 So please pray for this ongoing situation!  Let's remember that while we are enjoying snow, cold temps and a white Christmas from the warmth and safety of our homes, there are those who are living in tents in the cold and snowy mountain areas, often without adequate gear.

And by all means please do give if you can.  It's always a blessing to give!