At approximately 5:30pm, I was sitting in my home here in Caldwell County doing some work as the local news station broke into regular broadcasting with the first tornado warning issued for Rutherford County progressing into Burke and parts of Caldwell.

Upon receiving the warning for Caldwell, I immediately began to see flashes of light from the fierce lighting and hear loud rolling thunder along with rain drops pelting against the windows. I then decided to secure myself in a closet where I was very frightened which was immediately taken away by my Twitter community as I had my iPhone with me checking for updates.

In closing, no damage is reported in my immediate community but just a short distance away in Granite Falls area a home was leveled with reports of boats at a Lake Hickory Marina being flipped over.

Photo Courtesy of Brad Panovich of WCNC TV

In the adjacent counties of Burke and Rutherford, total destruction is being reported in hardest hit areas, (Bradshaw RD, Icard and Ellenboro community), with at least 30-50 homes and structures suffering major damage and complete devastation along with many pets wondering around the rubble. I am happy to report that no deaths are being reported and around a dozen individuals with minor injuries.

Photo Courtesy of Burke Weather Inc.

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher

Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher

Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher

Photo Courtesy of News Channel 13

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

After seeing all the major damage and interviews with neighbors, I am very thankful I was spared. Despite many families losing all they have, they are all optimistic and thankful to be alive by saying, “It wasn’t luck nor a miracle. It was the grace of God.”

I ask that you remember all individuals affected by the storm in your prayers including officials and others helping with cleanup. Burke Weather Incorporated is meeting today with Samaritan’s Purse and others to put into action a call for volunteers.

For further updates throughout the day and to see additional images, follow me on Twitter @JasonPromotesU and by following #NCWX

Social Media Love is a community you can visit daily on Facebook to share, inspire and support. In addition, I have created the community for you to share ideas and get your daily dose of LOVE. A community designed for YOU and about YOU. So join us as we make a difference in Social Media. We never know who may be looking for that special phrase, “You are loved” or “You are appreciated.”

• What do you look for in a relationship?
• How would you capture my heart?
• Do you know the value of a date?
• Are you in touch with your inner child?
• Do you have a clear path in life?
• Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
• Are you good at conveying your needs?
• What do you do for fun?
• Do you like surprises?
• What do you consider the most romantic date?

These are just a few of hundreds of questions I can think of to ask in determining the right mate. Now, I want to hear from you. What questions do you ask? Do you even ask a question? Leave your answer in a comment. Have a great day!

I am not a current Verizon customer but hope to be in the near future. The reason of this post is to gain thoughts from current Verizon Wireless customers on why a person should switch if he or she is currently with another provider. Is it the coverage, packages, phone selection, data speed or the new announcement of offering the iPhone 4S?

If so, I invite you to weigh in with your thoughts as a current Verizon customer on why others should make The Verizon Wireless Switch.

All you have to do is tell me in a comment or tweet me at @JasonPromotesU with your reason and I will add your tweet to the post for others to see.

Let the exposure and persuasion of The Verizon Wireless Switch begin.

1. The reason I blog is _____.
2. My top priority in Social Media is _____.
3. The top trait I look for in my audience and followers is _____.
4. I consider ______ to be my biggest fear.
5. When I expand my network, I _____.
6. If I had to brand myself using 3 words they would be _____.
7. My job in Social Media is to _____.
8. My personality is _____.
9. My favorite social online game is _____ because _____.
10. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is _____.

Hope you have enjoyed answering the questions by filling in the blank. The purpose is for me to get to know you better and others as well. At the same time, the purpose of the post is a great way to keep you engaged and connected. In a comment, pick at least 1 question and complete. Until next time, happy blogging.

As time progressed and I went into the 4th grade, I was introduced to advanced technology, the Apple 2 Computer. As a result of the advanced technology, I thought there was nothing greater and never would be. With the toys I had as a child and introduction to the Apple 2, I was always content, happy and very thankful.

Welcome to 2011! Technology and games we played with as a child has advanced and in some cases become non existent. Today, kids that were my age back then are texting, surfing the internet and video conferencing using the latest tech gadgets such as iPads, iPhones and laptops.

As a result of today’s advanced technology, children are being exposed to new learning abilities as well as the way they live their daily life. The way a child lives their daily life can be positive and negative. As parents, by setting limits on how much our children uses technology, we are creating a more positive outcome.

With all this said, I want to hear from you. How much time do you allow your kids to use technology daily? Do your kids teach you things they have learned at school and does the use of technology affect their social life? Love to hear your feedback in a comment.

SurfSweets makes this possible by offering natural and organic candy free of trans fats, artificial flavoring, corn syrup and GMO’s. The candy is sweetened with organic fruit juice and includes Gummy Worms, Gummy Bears, Jelly Beans and Sour Berry Bears. What I also like is that all candies come in 2 different size bags allowing the whole family to enjoy the sweetness.

To get in on the action of enjoying sweetness the healthy way be sure to visit SurfSweets.

Surfs Up!

Have a Great Day!

Jason

If you ever feel this way, I am here to let you know that you are loved, wanted and thought of daily. With that said, I have decided to launch a new project, Social Media Love. With a recent death due to depression and seeing others tweet about how others are putting them down in Social Media, I felt led to start a social media project that entailed love, support and value for anyone that needs it.

My mission at Social Media Love is that we come together, welcome everyone with open arms to let them know that we do care, they do matter and there is reason to push forward and move on. There are 1000′s of people daily across the world who are dying a silent death and hurting deep down inside and we will never know until the unthinkable may happen. That is why it is important that we approach others on social media with simple phrases such as “I Love You”, “How is your day”, “You are appreciated” and “Thinking of you today.” Remember it’s the little things we say in life that give us great joy and others a resource.

By coming together and creating a place with an uplifting and positive atmosphere at Social Media Love, we are giving others hope, inspiration and feeding a silent hunger. So please join me at Social Media Love on Facebook and on Twitter. Together, we can make a difference in social media.

Enjoy your Monday and God bless.