A note about Hurricane Helene:

As you can tell, I have taken a small break from my blogs. I made this decision because I didn’t want to post another blog without acknowledging Hurricane Helene's impact on so many small Appalachian towns so close to me. I have seen countless TikTok videos and Instagram posts from survivors in these areas, and seeing these beautiful mountain towns I love so much in this state is so tragic.

Helene took homes, lives, pets, electricity, phone service, clean water, and more. Every single day, I see new additions to the missing persons list and fatalities. Those who survived cannot access basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. It is so hard to fathom our mountains hurting like this. The response from a select few has been so disappointing. They didn’t have time to get out. They had no warning. No one deserved this. I never would have imagined witnessing the devastation I have seen this close to home. It’s so different seeing it on a TV screen versus seeing it in towns you know so well.

I was blessed to be able to help out this week by donating with my church’s youth program and delivering donations to surrounding communities who need it the most. Seeing these communities hurting first-hand has truly been eye opening for me. Tomorrow is never promised and we have no idea how blessed we truly are until it’s gone…

Through all of this negativity, there is a positive that I wanted to point out. As soon as this disaster happened, people sprung into action. I have never seen communities come together like I have witnessed this week. I am so grateful to live in an area where our first thought when something happens is, “How can I help?” I would expect nothing less from people in an area where helping your neighbor isn’t just something we preach but something we actively practice without the thought of “What can I gain?” I am truly inspired.

If you feel led to help, I have included a donation page on my website with reputable nonprofit organizations and charities you can donate to! If you have any other local organizations you think I should add, please send them my way.

I am actively and continuously praying for every single person affected by Helene. Lean on God. He will guide you through this.