An Uncle, A Flood & Other May/June Highlights

May 1 & 2: Flooding of Historic Proportions

May 4: Dance Recital

May 7: Visit with Friend from Croatia


May 9: Mother's Day with home-made cards & breakfast in bed



In honor of An Uncle: May 16th

(our lives interrupted from May 13-June 2nd)

My husband trekked to & from Minnesota solo with four children for the funeral & visitation of our brother-in-law/uncle. Inspired by the photo boards at the visitation, Assistant Mom suggested imitating the pose of a photo of their uncle with Babe the Big Blue Ox of Paul Bunyan fame.

June 13: Piano Acquisition

Culmination of a Great Baseball Season (late February-mid June):
Sportsmanship & All-star Awards June 19 Award Ceremony


Friends who came to visit. June 19-20

Everyday drama & fun that happens at our house.

Jaeger Cousin Lollapalooza: June 24-30
7 great kids + 6 over-90-degree Tennessee days =
memories of a lifetime


Good readers make good story-tellers


Buddies!

Warriors!

The Aftermath

Here are the pictures of "Lake Target" (taken the Day After the Big Rains & which is only 1.5 miles from our home) and some of the destruction of houses near our church (taken one week after The Flooding on Mother's Day).

The top picture is from the apartments of two families from our church that were only able to get out with the clothing on their backs. The building was condemned so both families had to relocate (instead of go back to a restored unit). They were the recipients of many donations to refurbish their apartments. The generosity and love and support from people that comes out of crisis inspires me. And is one of the good things that comes out of the hard thing.

It reminds me that "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. We wouldn't choose the hard things in our lives. When the hard 'thing' is upon us, it is often difficult to see the good coming out of it. Don't you agree?

Have you been able to see any good come out of a hard time in your life?

During and After Flood Photos

Our Creek in Flood on Sunday May 2nd * Historic Flooding

I can hardly believe that it has been a little over a month since the Historic Flooding in Nashville May 1st and 2nd. I left town a week and a half after the floods and returned in June. I had planned to help with flood relief but God had other plans for me in Minnesota.

The Day After * Monday, May 3rd, 2010
or
What Our Creek Usually Looks Like

We have a water run-off creek that runs alongside our home. And many have asked how we fared...just fine....thankfully. Not because of our own doing.

After 13-18 inches of rain in two days (translate: cooped up!), the younger three had to get out and play in the rain: the air was warm, the water cold! If you notice the stick in the first photo and then the second photo, you'll see how much water was in the front yard. (They're not quite in the same spot in both photos.)


Here they are ready to deliver snacks, water and home-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to people who might need it on The Day After. We brought them to high school where folks from Opryland Hotel had been evacuated. They took our meager donations but it looked like they were well taken care of by Gaylord. It was a little disappointing. It would have been more dramatic to give it to someone just boated out from their home. But, sometimes you do what you can.

Our backyard creek on the day of the flood.

Our backyard creek the Day After the Flood and what it often looks like.
At times the creek bed is totally dry. ( It was just this past Tuesday.)

Although our waters had receded on The Day After, the river had not yet crested and more flooding was headed toward downtown and further downstream as well. It was so sunny the Day After that the impact of the waters from the day before seemed surreal.

I have a few pictures of Lake Target, just 1.5 miles from our house, and some pictures of flood damage that occurred near our church. But, they will have to wait for another post.

Hand Sanitizer, Paper Plates and a Lack of Laundry

Azaleas in our front yard.

What do hand sanitizer, paper plates, and not doing laundry have in common? They are part of what I am doing to conserve water after the weekend's Historic Flooding in Middle Tennessee. At least one water treatment plant has been flooded and so they have asked us to use half our normal water usage. So I figure we can use hand sanitizer a bit to wash our hands and more paper plates for a few less dishes. And I have a great excuse to not do as much laundry! I was trying to get away with not doing any. But that doesn't work in a family of six that includes dancers and ball players and your general-wearers-of-clothes.

But actually it is really good to think about NOT wasting water and using as little as I can. I should do it all of the time. I think of a friend living overseas who has only a certain amount of water all of the time. It gets turned off and on at random times for her. How much precious water I waste on a regular basis! I am thankful to think about conserving.

After two days of solid rain over the weekend, the sun has been out shining ever since. It is beautiful around here (like the pretty flowers above). God has given (the rain) and taken it away (so much sunshine!). The waters are receding, and the mess cleanup continues. Have you seen the Downtown Nashville and Opryland Hotel flooding pictures? Less available water available and less tourism, and we'll be feeling the effects for quite some time. Of course, those with the most damaged homes will feel it even longer.

But it is always inspiring to me how much neighbors help neighbors in times of crisis. People coming together to lend a hand. Most folks I know wish they could help more than they have (including me). It is good to get us out working side-by-side, reminding us that we need each other.

I am so thankful for the sunshine after the storm, a message that storms do end.

"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24