Brandon and Teresa Graves

In the early hours of Tuesday, Brandon and Teresa were awakened by their dog, Rocksea, who is afraid of storms. Brandon decided to check the news about the storm on the tv in their bonus room  above the garage. It showed a large tornado heading toward Mt Juliet. He went downstairs to look out the back windows and all was eerily calm, no wind, just an uneasy stillness. 

Then, the ferociousness of the wind was like nothing he had seen before and deafening. He yelled for his family to take cover. Teresa and their youngest son, Caleb, jumped into the interior closet while Brandon and their oldest, Nathan, hunkered in the hallway holding pillows on their heads. They only had less than a minute to get to their safe place before “BOOM!” The house was hit. In what felt like 30 seconds, Nathan could see glass and bricks flying around. One of those bricks hit Nathan’s leg. Brandon then put Rocksea in the dryer so she would be safer and not get hit or carried off.  As the tornado moved on, debris and glass dropped on them.They praised God for their life.

In mere seconds, their home had sustained severe damage with the roof being ripped off the majority of the home except for in the untouched interior hall and closet where this family huddled. Windows were shattered throughout with a huge tree limb through the master bedroom sending glass and debris onto the bed they slept on minutes before. The wall and roof in the upstairs bonus room where Brandon had stood checking the weather was ripped off and thrown down. 

We are so thankful they walked away with only scratches. They are so thankful for the outpouring of love and support that they have received. Many have rallied to their aide at this scary time. Many have come to help them salvage, pack, and move their belongings.  We are starting this fundraiser to ease any financial burden they will have as they transition to a temporary home (Teresa’s aunt Libby has offered her home)and while they figure out what to do next regarding cleanup and rebuilding. This will help with monthly expenses as they miss work for moving, clean up, and helping their boys adjust. 

They feel so blessed to be alive and have been so blessed by many of you already. If you would like to give, please help this loving, Christian family. They covet your prayers during this transition time and ask for your prayers of peace for them and the boys as the sound of a tornado and destruction is not soon forgotten.