More info on Tina

This is from Mike's sister Linda Forrest...being passed and shared. Reading this has lifted my heart, ---brought comfort in knowing the strong faith both Tina and Mike shared with our Lord.
Thank you Dawn Goodwin-Spann for sharing with us all..
Debi Vernon-Eaton

As most of you have seen, horrific tornadoes ripped through northern Alabama Wednesday evening...and you may have, as I usually do, expressed sorrow for lives lost, and then life moves on. But, Thursday morning, my heart was crushed and and my life came to a halt as I learned that my older brother Mike, and his wife of 31 years, Tina, were killed as an F4 tornado crashed into their house as they huddled together with their 2 dogs, in the bathroom. The entire home was ripped from it's foundation and strewn into the lake down the hill behind their property in Ohatchee, Al. Mike and Tina were texting our family to let us know what was going on, and we assumed when we didn't hear from them anymore after Mike's last transmission at 6:56pm Wed., that the power was just out.

I've never known anyone in my life who was always enthusiastically resolved to see Jesus as Mike. At many family gatherings, in the midst of wonderful meals and belly laughs, Mike would say, "Wow, this is how it's going to be in heaven, and we get to do this all the time!" He tailored all of his responses and interactions with people to reflect his love of the Lord, or to give the Lord credit and glory for everything. Tina and Mike were so excited to learn about the deeper things of the Lord and to have known, in the last 5 years the power and giftings available to them through the Holy Spirit. Tina read every book she could get her hands on to learn more and more about her abundant life through Jesus and Holy Spirit.

I am so comforted to learn that Mike and Tina both had smiles on their faces as they crossed over, and that is their daughter's last view of them, on this earth. I can hear Mike chuckling, "Haha, I'm so glad to be out of that shell of a body!" It gives me peace to talk to Jessica, their daughter, (my first, "sweet baby.") and to hear hope in her voice, and to feel the bubble of grace around her as she walks a difficult road for a 28 year old. Her husband, James, and his family have stepped up beautifully these last 24 hours. Their daughter, Ariel, who is 5, was the apple of Mike and Tina's eye, and she will wonder in days to come why she can't see Papa and Nana anymore.

Of utmost importance to me is Mike and Tina's son, Blake. He as been deployed for 9 months, the last 3 being in Afghanistan with the marines. Mike and Tina had bought him a new truck, and were welcoming him home next Friday May 6th, in North Carolina for Mother's Day weekend. We are waiting to hear when he will be flown home, to Birmingham. He will come home to no parents and no belongings. His dog, Cuz, was found wondering around, yesterday, and Jessica's in-laws will keep him for Blake.

My Mom is doing remarkable well, as she trudges through waves of emotion at different moments. My sister, Millie is

flying in from Wisconsin, this afternoon, and all of her children are making their way here in the next couple of days from Colorado, California, and Wisconsin. Uncle Mike loved to tease all of them. My brother Steve is dealing with the new, "man of the family," title, with grace and humility, and much sooner than he ever planned. He and his wife, Kathryn, are in Alabama today, with Jessica, working out details, and meeting with funeral home staff.

Anyone who was a friend to Mike, through Facebook, knew of his amazing sense of humor...unmatched, corny, and hilarious. As they prepared for the impending storms, Mike posted that it looked like they might be going to visit the land of Oz this afternoon...and as the tornado was upon them he mentioned the wind stopping, and in the eye of the storm, two of his last posted comments were of his trust in the Lord: "Thanks. Jesus is callin' the shots-AMEN! ;<) We have angels to protect us, or usher us into heaven. HA! No fear here!"; "If I drop off line...either our power has gone off, or I'm with the ONE who holds all the POWER ;<)" Mike and Tina would want their testimony to be of their total dependence, love, and desire for each of us to know the One who loves more than life itself, and that life is always and only worth living, when we know, trust, and depend on Jesus Christ.

Thank you so much to my awesome beautiful friends and family for the most comforting, unbelievable outpouring of love, and prayers...it's the body of Christ, the way it's supposed to be, and I am undone as a recipient of your heart-felt extensions of God toward me and my family. This is a trauma, but not a devastation. A sadness, but not without comfort because of a love that is unfathomable and immeasurable. Jesus has a good track record with me of His faithfulness, and it won't waiver.



love to all,

Linda

The only fact I have, at this point is Lemley Funeral Home in Onenta, Al, which is the town where the church is: World Outreach Church