This past Tuesday, February 28th, marked exactly 6 months since Hurricane Irene. There was lots of sharing and remembering in person and Face Book, and there was a gathering on Main Street with speakers and music. The main message was that our community has worked together to help each other, is indebted to all the volunteers, and that there is still much to be done. There was also talk of the emotional toll and the counseling and support available for all.
There were lots green ribbons around the trees and light poles, and people distributing them for us to wear. This link is to the website of SALT, the organizers of the Green Ribbon campaign. This website is full of photos, past TV news clips, and archives all of the printed press coverage.
http://www.saltrecovery.org/index.html
The link below is to a TV news report from that day. The home in this video clip is right across the street from our house. In it you will see Josh, one of the heroes who showed up with a work crew right after the flood. He has spent every day since the flood helping all of us recover and rebuild.We really can’t say “Thank you” enough to him and all the others who have helped in countless ways. Like pieces of a puzzle, many have contributed and God has fit them all together. We are trusting Him to provide the pieces that are still missing. Today, Josh checked in with us, and later brought a few of the crew that helped gut the house six months ago. They were back with some others who are electricians. They were very happy to see the progress and we were happy to be able to say “thank you”.
This past Thursday, March 1st, was the first snowstorm in our area for the winter, and we had no school. I was able to prime all the wood trim that has been installed so far, and the gas range was hooked up! I’m very excited to be able to cook on the stove and bake again. I have lots of Tupperware and Pampered Chef things that have been donated by colleagues at school and my mother-in-law, so I can cook dinner again! I hope to be using my new baking sheets very soon.
Frank installed the new light fixture in the living room. It is a combination overhead light and ceiling fan. It is the only one we’ve seen that has the fan contained so the blades are not exposed. You can see it in two of the photos I have included. One is a wide view of the living room with our two new-to-us couches, and the other is a closer view of the light fixture. I’ve also included a shot of the kitchen that is becoming more functional and used every day. Finally, I have included a view of one of the seven wall hangings that JJ and Kate made from the keys to the flooded piano, displayed in my parents’ home. (See post from January 11th.)
I would like to close with a quick story about my father, which really has nothing to do with the flood, but everything to do with the God we serve. After a routine colonoscopy in December, Dad was told that there were two small cancerous tumors that needed to be removed. The surgery was scheduled for Thursday, February 23rd, but there needed to be another colonoscopy the day before. As preparations were being made for surgery, the surgeon interrupted and and asked to see Dad. He was told that now he could not see anything that needed to be removed and he would not be undergoing surgery. We are so thankful! So many people were praying for him, and God answered in a powerful way. I am reminded of these Bible verses (Ephesians 3:20-21):
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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