>> WHETHEN DESTROY -- THE TORNADO DESTROYED THE SMITH FAMILY HOME, IT WAS CLEAR AT THE HOLIDAYS WOULD BE DIFFERT.EN EON TRADITION WILL LIVE ON IN A DIFFERENT PLACE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS. >>EN THIS. LYNN SMITH IS STILL GETTING A GRASP ON THAT INSTRUCTION FMRO THE TORNADO WEDNESDAY NIGHT. HE, HIS WIFE, AND MOTHER-IN-LAW SURVIVED BY SHELTERING INHE T BASEMENT. BUT THE HOME THAT HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS IS DESTROYED. >> WE EMPTIED THE HOUSE ANDAV HE TWO ENCLOSED TRAILERS FULL OF TOES -- CLOES AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND MOVED IN WITH AN UNCLE. ONE TRADITION WILL BE DIFFERENT. AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EEV SERVICE, ETH SMITHS USED TO INVITE PEOPLE TO THEIR HOME FOR A SOUP SUPP.ER THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAD A PLACETO GO. >> USED TO COME IN OVER HERE WHERE THE ISLAND IS SMASHED AND WE WOULD HAVE A LOT OF SOUP ON THE ISLAND AND COUNTER. OUR FURNITURE OVER HERE. WE WOULD MOVE STUFF IN HAVE TABLES AND CHAIRS. >> ABOUT 25 PEOPLE TYPICALLY SHOWED UP. THE CONVERSATIONS LASTED WELL INTO THE EVENING. >> 6, 7 DIFFERENT NDKI OF SOUPS, STEWS. EVERYTHING. >> SOUP AT THE SMITH HOME WAS THE PLAN AGAIN THIS YEAR. EVEN AFTER THE HOME SWA DESTROYED, THE MENU ON THE COMPANY WILL REMAIN. THE ONLY CHANGE IS THAT THE SMHSIT WILL HOLD THEIR SOUP SUPPER IN THE CHURCH BASEMENT. >> TRADITIONS ALWAYS CHANGE. SOME END, YOU STAR AT NEW ONE. MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE WILL HAVE A SOUP SUPPER IN A NEW HOUSE. >> A RAY OF HOPE EVEN WHILEHE T PRESENT MAY BE HARD. IN BAYARDANDREW, MOLLENBECK. vlog- LAURA: vlog PARTNERED WITH THE RED CROSS TO BENET TORNADO VICTIMS. YOU CAN HELP OUT BY
Tornado changes Iowa couple's Christmas tradition
The couple used to invite people to their home for a soup supper following a Christmas Eve service. Their home was destroyed Wednesday night.
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Updated: 5:54 PM CST Dec 19, 2021
Lynn and Deb Smith have a longstanding tradition. After the Christmas Eve service at their church in Bayard, they invite people over to their home for a soup supper.Such were the plans again this year, but those literally came crashing down Wednesday night when a tornado destroyed the couple's home on the east side of town."We used to come in over here where the island's all smashed down. We'd have a whole bunch of soup on the island and the counter," Lynn said while giving a tour of the damage Sunday."If you left hungry it was your fault," he said with a laugh. Over the past few days, dozens of volunteers -- including strangers -- have shown up to help the Smiths clear debris and look for valuables. The couple is scheduled to meet with their insurance provider Monday to figure out what to do next.But the soup supper at their house is off the table.Still, the couple plans to keep up the tradition in a different way by serving soup in the church basement after the service Friday night. "Traditions always change," Lynn said. "You got to start new ones. Some end. Then you start a new one. Maybe next year we'll have a soup supper in a new house."
BAYARD, Iowa — Lynn and Deb Smith have a longstanding tradition. After the Christmas Eve service at their church in Bayard, they invite people over to their home for a soup supper.
Such were the plans again this year, but those literally came crashing down Wednesday night when a tornado destroyed the couple's home on the east side of town.
"We used to come in over here where the island's all smashed down. We'd have a whole bunch of soup on the island and the counter," Lynn said while giving a tour of the damage Sunday.
"If you left hungry it was your fault," he said with a laugh.
Over the past few days, dozens of volunteers -- including strangers -- have shown up to help the Smiths clear debris and look for valuables. The couple is scheduled to meet with their insurance provider Monday to figure out what to do next.
But the soup supper at their house is off the table.
Still, the couple plans to keep up the tradition in a different way by serving soup in the church basement after the service Friday night.
"Traditions always change," Lynn said. "You got to start new ones. Some end. Then you start a new one. Maybe next year we'll have a soup supper in a new house."
