Jadon found a sister who he wanted to sing with. This is a rehearsal recording of the song I wrote for Girls Camp in 2002 called Hold On. This poor gal had only been given the music a couple of days before. Little rough, but grateful.
Author: Denise
Cooking Tips– Pot Holders
Just a friendly cooking tip here:
If you are using a washrag for a pot holder (as we often do) and if you smell something burning, check to see if your wash rag is in the flame.
You can thank me later….just wanted to be helpful today.
New Announcement of Missionaries and Stripling Warriors
As I listened to General Conference this morning and President Monson started speaking, I realized that something big was coming. I was making chips and stopped to watch and listen and told my 12 and 14 year old that they’d better listen up—something big was coming. For some reason, I just started crying at news of the announcement. I immediately started texting my family that was not with me to share the news.
The first thing that popped into my head was that just a few days ago, my 17 year old son said, “I wish I could just go on a mission right now.” He’s been taking missionary prep every week at the church, been reading his scriptures daily, and been reading Jesus The Christ with the Young Men on Sunday mornings. Most mornings as I cook him breakfast, he has his scriptures and the mini Preach My Gospel book out that I recently bought him. He’s really trying to prepare himself, knowing that he’d have a full year to wait after graduation.
My second thought was, “Oh MAN! This means my one son will come home in April, then my next one could leave in June or July. All RIGHT!! Almost 4 full years of uninterrupted blessings!” (It’s kind of a selfish thought.)
Then part of the reality set in….”Oh dear, we only have 8 months to get prepared. I need to schedule wisdom teeth and doctor’s appointments, all the while doing school, scholarships, and Grad Night. Whoa, this is going to be crazy.”
As you can tell, I didn’t hear much of the next few talks because my mind was still reeling. I need to go back and listen to Saturday all over.
As the day went on, I pondered more deeply on what this means and why. I listened to most of the press conference and thought about what they were saying about this important decision.
They mentioned several times the Lord needing more help and such a great work to do. It felt urgent. I pondered the imminent coming of the Savior and how He needs His army to step things up because the adversary is working so hard. I thought of how so many people are needing hope and help and the joyful message of the gospel and how urgently it’s needed.
I thought about how many people would think that 18 year olds are too young and not prepared. Which in some cases may be true, but in so many I see, it would be better for them to be able to leave quickly following graduation—especially for those in foreign countries who are assigned to serve in the military.
I thought of how this is going to change the thinking of young high school boys. Their minds will be more conscious of serving because they know they don’t have time to mess around in high school, then try to get themselves ready to go after they graduate. They will need to be towing the line all during high school. They’re going to have to grow up a little more, work a little harder, clean their rooms, read their scriptures and not put off preparation for a later date. They’ll probably be a little more self-conscious in their dating knowing that they will be leaving and need to keep themselves clean and pure and will probably be more focused on serving than having a girlfriend. =) They may treat people more kindly, step up their reading and preparation. All bonuses in my book.
I have seen some amazing young men in my life. There are many of them that surround me every day. They are strong. They are obedient. They have been prepared. And I wondered about how these young boys will do. Then it hit me. These are the modern day Stripling Warriors. If scripture were being written about our day, it would say that the Lord call these young Stripling Warriors as part of His army to carry out a great work. One that could not be accomplished any other way.
How will they do it? The same way they did in Book of Mormon times—with strength, with faith, with belief. If their mothers have taught them well, they will believe and have faith that surpasses what we currently know. They will be strong and brave and courageous. They will go and do.
My thoughts quickly turned to the mothers. Are they willing to give up their “boy?” I’m wondering if the mothers will have a harder time than the boys. =)
As I did my own self-evaluation, many thoughts raced through my mind, “Can he do his own laundry? Can he clean a bathroom? Can he cook his own meals? Can we have TWO Family Home Evenings a week from here to the end of the school year out of Teach My Gospel so I can feel like I have prepared him spiritually as well as physically?” My mind was racing and I was thinking that a lot of missionary prep should have been going on years before they should leave. Just a week or so ago my 14 year old said, “I’m the only kid my age that has to do his own laundry.” Poor kid. All I could think of was, “one day, you’ll thank me.” He’s also the one that washed his own backpack. You can read that great story here. I think it’s better to learn it at home so they don’t have to worry about that in the field. They can’t call home when they turn a white shirt pink or wash their backpack with all their pens and markers still in it. =) #nothatwe’vedonethat #seeabovestory
On top of all that, playing the piano has been a requirement in our home. I’ve told them that they have to take lessons until they can play the hymns and some primary songs so that when they are on their mission, they can be of service. They’ve whined about that for years, too. But an interesting thing happened right after the announcement. Out of the blue, my 14 year old went to the piano and started playing hymns. Maybe he’s sensing the urgency and need to be prepared, too. And that’s a good thing. Takes a load off of mom. =)
What I like most about this announcement is this: The kids that are ready to go can go. Some won’t be ready and that is okay, too. I think they should go when THEY are ready. I think we’ll lose a lot less boys between 18 and 19, too. Missions are hard. They aren’t a piece of cake. It’s long days, discouraging days, days filled with work, bike riding, people who don’t like you, having to cook and clean for yourself and just some hard stuff. But mixed in there is something powerful. Something life-changing. You learn to love people in a whole new way. You learn you can do hard things. You learn how to take care of yourself while serving others. You learn things you would never learn if you stayed home. When my recent missionary was having a hard time, I told him, “If missions were easy, everyone would go.” It really takes someone special to serve a mission. It takes courage. It takes bravery. It takes hard work. It takes discipline. It takes a sense of humor. It takes commitment. It takes a Stripling Warrior. And I believe that is what the Lord has called.
I look forward to seeing the great things that will come of this. I look forward to throngs of sisters flocking to the work. I think we may see the bigger increase in them.
I’ve pondered the schools and the lack of incoming freshman. I’ve pondered the sports teams and scholarships since I have a boy who’d like to play college ball. How will this affect those who are wanting to play sports? There are a lot of questions and a lot of answers that will come. But this I know. The Lord is coming soon and He needs help. That should be our first priority—serving Him and preparing for Him.
My thoughts keep turning to the Book of Mormon and reading those chapters proceeding Christ’s coming in 3rd Nephi. I look at the state of our country right now. You can see it in the Book of Mormon in those chapters before Christ’s coming. We are living in those very same times. Corruption in government, persecution of church members, having to choose between good and evil to lead us, many being deceived by an “evil king,” secret combinations, and much more. These are the days we live in and it should be an honor for us as mother’s to prepare our sons and daughters to serve our God, to be part of an Army that is watched over by Him, to boldly and nobly raise the standard and gather the lost sheep in.
As a mother of 5 incredible sons and 2 beautiful and amazing daughters , it is an HONOR and a PRIVELEGE to be trusted to be given and raise these valiant young men and women who will usher in the coming of the Savior.
My patriarchal blessing says that I will see events transpire in the church that will be a wonder and a miracle to the people of the earth. I have seen many. And yet here is another.
I have witnessed history. I have witnessed a miracle. I know there are many more to come.
Raise the banner! Here they come!
PS. As I finished this note, and headed to the kitchen to cook breakfast and pondered more, there was a swelling in my heart and an awareness yet again that we are involved in something bigger. For some reason sports, scholarships, work, busy-ness seemed so unimportant. I am raising sons and daughters of God first and foremost. Raising a star ball player or world known singer or doctor or coach seemed so insignificant because I need to raise them to usher in the Savior.
Then I listened to Elder Holland’s talk and it was confirmed to me that I was exactly right. I am a part of something bigger and greater than I or my children can comprehend.
Santa Clara Flood 2012– Nick & Liisa Frei Dutchman’s/Cravings
This has been an absolute miracle to watch unfold as I drive by everyday. First I have to say that Liisa is one of the most pure, kind, compassionate, creative, genuine woman I have ever met. To say I love and adore her would be an understatement. Nick and Liisa are among those who have had to move out of their home and into a rental. The economy has been a bear cat for them. Not many a day has passed where I have looked at some of these families and wondered how much more they could take. I have been literally watching the story of Job in some circumstances.
But amazing Liisa has just taken things to a whole new level. Everytime I have visited with her, she has been positive and had an upbeat attitude. She has looked forward to bigger and better things for their store. They do not have insurance. They do not have income with this place closed and her working day and night with the cleanup effort slows down her Realtor work. With no clue where the money will come from to rebuild, they just keep cleaning up and carrying on.
She told me that she really has to stay away from negative people who think they cannot do this or that because it weighs her down and brings her to tears. As long as she keeps focused on the good, she is fine. She said, “I have to continually stay in a place of gratitude all day everyday. Gratitude for all these things and the blessings we are receiving is helping so much. And there is much to be grateful for.”
She is right. There has not been a day that I have passed by that I have not seen people working there– inside and out. Lightfoot’s across the street brought dumpsters in for them the first few days and had them rotated so often that the place stayed clean as it could be under the circumstances. One day I stopped, several subcontractors had stopped in and were measuring and donating many things to help them rebuild. I cannot even imagine how many thousands of dollars will be donated to help them (as well as the other families).
Something struck me in listening to Liisa. Since I teach and understand the “Universal Laws” like the law of Attraction (it’s all over my blog here), I could see clearly how they were all working in Liisa’s behalf. The gratitude and positive thinking were literally drawing people to her, bringing the very things she needed at the moment. I know they have a long way to go, but I can guarantee that the very things they need will keep showing up at “just the right time.” It is not by coincidence. The Lord orchestrates perfectly when we live His laws perfectly. He wants us to be abundant and joyful. Gratitude is the key to bringing it all to you while still remaining humble. And Liisa does this to perfection.
I cannot wait to see the “new and improved” Dutchman’s/Cravings. I know a vast amount of good is headed their way. I know they are people I will always want to be around because they lift me to a higher plain.
In every place I visited wishing to give help or hope or comfort, I came away with far more. They have been lifting me, giving me hope, showing me what endurance, courage, and true Christ-like love is all about. From the homeowners to the volunteers, my life has been flooded with love!
From the distant cousin of Liisa’s that just “shows up” at exactly the right time with the abilities needed at that moment, to the Latino Club that held a fundraiser right at their place to raise money to rebuild Dutchman’s, to the hundreds of volunteers, family, and friends that have labored, this has been one big miracle to watch evolve.
As if Liisa’s not amazing enough, she took the time to put together this unbeliveable video that speaks much more than I can put into words. The music itself bespeaks the emotion of it all– the joy, the sorrow, the laughter, the blessings.
Click HERE to watch this work of art and love.
Santa Clara Flood 2012– Lee & Karen Frei
Lee & Karen Frei live across the street from Dutchman’s on the main road. Their’s was the first house to take on water and mud. I was worried as I was video taping that the water would wash the dirt away their house was standing on. It looked like it may have been taking chunks off the side. Fortunately, it did not lose it’s foundation. It did, however, fill up their basement, too.
I ran into their daughter, Lauri, at Lin’s several days after the flood. Lauri lives in Northern Nevada and had traveled down to help out. It turns out Karen’s health is not so good right now and the flood wasn’t helping.
One of the most tender stories I heard about Lee & Karen’s house was that among losing some of their pictures and scrapbooks, the hardest part, Jerry said, was cleaning out Patti’s room. Patti was murdered in the Playhouse Bar murders in Cedar City on Feb 14, 1984. I remember the day clearly. I grew up hanging out with Jayne and Patti. I worked with them at the old Drive-In. They taught me to love football, teaching me all about the Cowboys and Steelers back in the days of Fran Tarkenton. I hated who they hated and loved who they loved— that’s what happens when someone teaches you about football. ;o) I spent a lot of time in their home and with them. Patti’s death was hard for me. It was coupled with the fact that my brother-in-law was killed the next day (Feb 15) in a construction accident. It was my husband’s birthday. He and I were married 3 days later on Feb 18. I went to Patti’s funeral on Thursday, set up for my reception on Friday, got married on Saturday, went to a viewing for Paul’s brother on Sunday and had the funeral on Monday. THEN we went on a honeymoon. It is a week I’ll never forget. Emotional rollercoaster is an exaggeration.
So I remember Patti. What I didn’t know is that her room had been left in tact since the day she died. Jerry said that was the hardest part. Going through things and bringing back all those memories. And knowing that now some of it is all gone.
To say this flood hasn’t been hard emotionally is just a royal misconception.
Lee & Karen’s Home from the backside:
I’m guessing that field on the right gained 2-3 feet of extra mud dirt.
Santa Clara Flood 2012– Arrowhead Trail and Arrowhead Circle
It was Day 3 before I made it to Arrowhead Trail and Circle. I didn’t know many of the people in this area, so Robbin helped me out as we were delivering. These homes were in the first line of fire when the masses of water came through. What I know about the homes in this area are that at least 3 of them were homes of single moms.
Here’s one of the first homes heading down Arrowhead from Lava Flow Drive.
Tori Wangsgaard’s house. Notice the bent garage door.
These two photos show Bostwick’s house that was condemned. It is on the north side of Arrowhead Trail right behind the business complex.
Here’s a look into Arrowhead Circle. The Biven’s house is on the left. The Biven’s are and older couple. He sleeps downstairs with a C-PAP machine so he doesn’t keep his wife awake at night. Their entire basement was flooded. I know this because it was my privilege to take dinner into them on Saturday night. My daughter and I dropped dinner off to them on our way to a ball game. They were so excited to show us their basement, too. It was down to studs and had fans going. Fortunately, their upstairs was still in tact for the most part. They seemed comfortable, but said their dogs were very stressed with all of this. I found out at my Flood Relief meeting that when the “block captains” went in to their home, they found out there was still some mud and water in the basement. Being a little quieter, they were not out asking people for help, so it went undetected for a big long. The good news is that they are cleaned up, dried out and have sheet rock now, I believe.
In the bottom of the circle are two other single moms that are sisters. Here is one of their homes:
The Westbrook’s also live in the circle. She has a preschool in her basement. Friends and families of her students have been helping her get things cleaned up so she could start preschool in her garage until they can get their basement repaired. Here’s some photos of their house:
Here’s some shots of the water levels of their home. Thanks to Martsi Strong for these two pictures! Sandbagging didn’t help so much.
Here’s a photo on the big Saturday clean up. So many people helping clean her papers and preschool stuff.
Driving down the remainder of Arrowhead shows the damage to the homes in the direct water line that came off Dutchman’s and through the field by Lee & Karen Frei’s.
These houses were a total mess.
There was some extensive damage to these homes and some of them still have stuff out in the front.
The Phillip’s have been amazing. I have no idea how they pulled it all off, but they cleaned up and redid things so quickly. They have had some awesome helpers along the way!
Santa Clara Flood 2012– Tim & Tammy Apple and Jones’
Tim and Tammy were living next door to the Taylor’s in her father’s rental. Like the Taylor’s, they had recently lost their home. As I pulled up in front of their house on day 2 to let Tim know that my husband would be by to pull their counter’s off so they could try and save them, I saw Tammy walk into a place of shade on the only empty spot on a sidewalk next to her house and lay down on her back. I could see exhaustion and emotion in her face.
I needed to find Tim and was told that he was in his father-in-law’s house next door. So I headed there first. Here is Tammy’s parents house when I came up:
Kids from the high school had been there to start unloading their basement. Just before I got there, a few women who had stopped to help had realized that the smell was really bad and that the sewer had either backed up or broke in the basement, so they had the kids leave to keep them from getting any bugs of any kind. It was a mess in the front yard, which was still wet and full of mud.
This kind man was power washing some of the stuff coming up from the basement. Eventually this yard would be filled to the brim with more muddy items from the basement.
(This photo was the next day– Day 3 and there was still a ton of stuff in the yard and it smelled so bad just driving by. I wondered if they’d EVER get rid of that smell.)
I walked into their house to see if I could see Tim. What I found was just as sad as the outside. Trying to find places to put things or even to try and keep your food and dishes was a stretch, but the muddy carpet and floor left me just sad to see all the inside damage. I hadn’t really been in any houses besides the Dunkley’s at that point.
As I walked out that doorway, I saw Tammy laying on her back on the sidewalk. I sat next to her. She sat up and I just hugged her and held her as she cried. All I could tell her was that I knew things would get better and good was coming her way. She was exhausted and overwhelmed. Her house was cleaned out except for the cabinets and counters that my hubby was coming to remove. Fortunately, their house was one of the ones that was helped first, so they were cleaned out pretty quickly compared to the others.
She cried as she told me she was sad to lose her grandmothers suitcase and some treasures that belonged to her. Those were the cherished things. She said she shouldn’t be sad because it was stuff, but it was sentimental stuff. After talking for a bit and her telling me of some of the things she lost, her daughter came walking up and asked what she was supposed to wear to school tomorrow. That shot an arrow straight to my heart. I hadn’t even thought about that. Most of the kids that lived in these homes did not have a stitch of clothing to wear to school. They only that the clothes and shoes they had on the day before. Tammy was lucky because so many friends from their old ward came down and helped them. They had taken all their clothing to wash and it was scattered among so many houses. She didn’t even know where it all was or when it would come back. (I did hear that some of those ward members went out and bought new garments and some clothes for them all.)
A few minutes later my husband came walking up. Tammy took me on a tour of the house to see the damage. My hubby and his employee, Randy, started pulling their new counters out that they had just installed a few weeks before. When they unscrewed the cabinets and moved them, I was stunned to see a inch of wet, watery mud underneath them. (I did not get a picture because my battery was dead. Still makes me mad.) I was just surprised at how the mud had seeped into every crevice of these homes– literally between the studs in the wall. The concern Tim and Tammy had was if they were going to have to pull out the brick wall and floor where the wood stove stood. They were worried about mud being backed up in the walls behind it.
My heart was heavy that day. So much mess. So much smell. So much to do. I was overwhelmed and it wasn’t mine. I wondered if they’d find some clothes. They were all staying in different places. The kids with their friends and Tim and Tammy with some other family that lived in town.
When I was making salsa rounds with Robbin the next week, Tim and Tammy happened to be in the garage at their house. We had heard some news about them just before we got there and were able to confirm the miracle. Evidently a family in Country Lane had a home for their son to live in. He was going through an ugly divorce and was having to live back East because of it. The house was sitting empty and they were hoping to find someone to keep the yards up. They offered this house to Tim and Tammy rent free for a few months. I looked at Tammy and said, “SEE!! I TOLD you there was something good coming your way!!” She said, “you know this actually happened the next day after you talked to me.”
I still tear up thinking about this whole exchange and the miracle.
There have been many miracles among the mud. I am so thankful that as I sat on the sidewalk that day that I KNEW something good was coming. I had no idea what. But sometimes hope is all one needs to believe.
Santa Clara Flood 2012– Roger & Jennifer Taylor
Roger and Jennifer Taylor lived in our ward up until a year ago when the lost their home due to economic difficulties. They had moved into this rental home about a year ago. They’ve had some pretty difficult trials over the last few years. They are dear friends. The flood washing through their house was just another hard blow!
They’ve tried to keep a smile on their face in spite of the fact that now most everything they’ve lost is gone. It is heartbreaking. They don’t even have the resources to do much to recover. The most difficult part of the loss is the journals and scrapbooks. Jennifer said that Roger was so sad about his missionary journal. He said it was the only time he kept a consistent journal and it meant a lot to him.
I was happy to know that my 17 year old son was one of the ones helping the Taylor’s pull stuff out of their home on the first night. I think they were able to salvage some of their beds as they were a little off the ground.
I found this really nice article that the owner of the rental home wrote for the spectrum. Click HERE to read it.
Here’s the Taylor’s rental home on the second day:
You can see the amount of mud in the front yard and driveway still. Some kind friends have allowed them to stay in their basement. They’ve found another home to rent. Rebuilding their lives is still going to be some work.
Santa Clara Flood 2012– Tears
I’d like to take you on a visual journey through your own home. Start in your living room and imagine everything you own below the 5 feet level. Couch? Chairs? TV? Heirlooms? Pictures on the wall? Lamps? Video console? DVD player? Books?
Now walk into your kitchen and dining room. You probably have some big stuff like a fridge, stove, table and chairs. Maybe you have a hutch with special dishes in it. Think about what is in your cupboards: pots and pans, dishes, utensils, cookbooks, food, spices, towels and wash rags.
Do you have a laundry room? Then you probably have a washer and dryer with a bunch of clothes in that area. Do you have an office on your main floor? If so maybe it contains files of important papers. Maybe your office doubles as a craft or scrapbook area. Do you have a sewing machine? A computer and printer? Scrapbook supplies? Pens and paper? Where are your scrapbooks and pictures?
Do you have a front living room with a piano? How many bathrooms are in your house? What is in them? Toothpaste, deodorant, hair supplies, towels?
How many bedrooms do you have? What lies within them? Beds, nightstands, laptops? Journals? How about your closet? Obviously there are clothes, but do you have a change jar? A gun safe? Shoes?
Just picture ALL the stuff that is in your house. Now imagine it’s all gone. Buried in mud. Washed away. Gone. If you can grasp that, then you will begin to understand what these families are going through.
On Day 6– Monday, I decided to deliver some chips and salsa to the families. As a confession, up to this point I really had not done much by the way of service. I hadn’t shoveled any mud or hauled anything out of a house. I had been taking pictures. And I was overwhelmed. You see, even cleaning my own house overwhelms me at times. I think it’s something in my personality, but I really have to be in the mood to deep clean a specific area like my garage or pantry. I get anxiety thinking about those places that have become out of control. So for me to walk down into this mess of mud and muck really did overwhelm me. I would look around and not even have a clue where to begin. I became VERY appreciative for those who could just see what to do and do it instead of freezing in bewilderment and taking pictures.
I realized that I was not alone. As I visited with different friends, they, too, had felt the same way that night. They were so grateful for those who could just take a shovel and start somewhere.
The other thing that was difficult for me was to know WHO to help. For some reason, it always felt like if I helped one friend, then I was letting another down. Bear in mind many of these people that were hit were not only friends, but family, too….cousins of mine. I wished I could do something to help the masses. As I rode around helping deliver laundry with Robbin, I became aware of a couple of things. First, I realized that most of these people had not even left their homes for days. If their upstairs was ok, then they slept there. If they couldn’t stay in their home, they slept with family or friends, but were right back early. Those first few days you could hardly get a car in and out because of all the people, trucks, tractors, dumpsters and mud. There were a few of families– the Cloward’s, Aikens, and Gubler’s who had set up tables and a food area for volunteers. Food was being brought in for everyone. But the homeowners really couldn’t leave. They were having to tell people what to keep and what to throw away. Trying to salvage anything they could. Eating would only happen if someone BROUGHT it to them. And many did. Food and cases of water bottles were left at every home.
The other thing I realized was that all the help was going to die off and there was still going to be a lot to do. I didn’t want them to think they were forgotten. And since I have a salsa business, I thought I’d drop off some chips and salsa to them for lunch or a snack. Truth is….I felt guilty AGAIN…. I should be dropping by to wash stuff off or help put something away or clean their upstairs which were loaded with stuff that was being cleaned. It’s hard when you have to go to work and can’t devote all the days and hours you’d like. So I took the easy way out and delivered chips and salsa to those who were home.
But this day was a day of tears. As I went into the homes to hand them chips and salsa and give them a hug, a similar theme seemed to happen. Most every home had one or two people there helping them with the little stuff. Most of them said, ‘here look at my basement.” Most every one just randomly began to tear up.
It’s interesting when a crisis happens how you can just dig in and do what you have to do. You go into an automatic mode of working and solving the problem at hand. But when all the people leave and there is still much to do and you have time to reflect on what was lost– the memories, the work, the life you had–then you just begin to tear up a little. Randomly. Out of the blue. Tears just start to come. And that is what I experienced on Monday. I don’t know if they were tears of sadness per se. There were tears of gratitude, too. The more I have thought about it, I have realized that it is a combination of both. It’s like the emotion has filled your body and when it gets to your eyeballs, like a flood ;o), it just comes oozing out…randomly.
I’d like to share with you a few of the stories that I experienced that day and some during the week. I still stand all amazed.
Tears flow freely and easily for me now. I hope you’ll enjoy the stories of these amazing, wonderful people and those hundreds who came to help– those angels here that have come to rescue and aid their fellowmen.
Imagine my gratitude when I was asked to serve on the board to help with rebuilding. No, you’re not done hearing from me yet. ;o)
And if you feel so inclined to donate or help these families financially so they can get back on their feet, please click here.
Santa Clara Flood 2012– Andy & Andrea Schmutz
As I went to the Schmutz’s house, there were some nice people on their carport cleaning items. Inside, Andrea was with her mom in the kitchen. For Andrea, too, the tears came easily. The magnitude of what had happened, pondering on what was lost, wondering how to rebuild and bring her kids rooms back and collect her food storage that was damaged was on her mind. We talked about that. I told her that I felt pain for her as I stood there that first night and washed volunteers standing in mud, unloading stuff from her basement.
They were covered in mud and slipping and sliding in the thick goo.
They had an assembly line going. Small items being placed in buckets and then dumped on a big pile of muddy stuff. As I stared at the back yard and saw the beds and mattresses, I sloshed around and nearly got stuck just trying to get a picture.
As I moved to a spot to get a picture of this huge pile of muddy mess, I was trying to find a place to stand where I wouldn’t get stuck. The grass was saturated and soggy and the mud came up and around the grass. As I glanced down at the pile while walking away, I saw sleeping backs, back packs, games, toys….and my heart broke. So much stuff. A whole life. The kid’s life and treasures, it appeared. I wondered if they would throw it all away or if it could even be saved.
As the days wore on, so many people were gathered in their yard and driveway helping clean. I know it was so appreciated.
Here are people on Day 2, just starting to pull stuff from the back yard and start the cleaning process.
They had so kindly put up tarps on the car port to shade those who were cleaning the items that had been stacked there.
A few days after the flood, Andrea’s dad had brought their 5th wheel camper and parked in their driveway for her kids to have somewhere to sleep. They had been farmed all over the first few nights as they had no bedrooms. The camper gave them their own little space– and somewhere to sleep. One of those things we all take for granted.