H2010 - The Nashville Flood

It's been heartbreaking to see the damage caused by 2 days of record setting rain, yet at the same time, beyond heartwarming to watch the city of Nashville and it's people come together to bring order out of the chaos. Our Downtown Riverfront, Opryland Hotel, Grand Old Opry, Oprymills Mall, Schermerhorn Symphony, Titans Stadium, Countless homes and business all took on water and damage beyond belief.

Our home stayed high and dry during the weekend of May 1, 2010. We were so fortunate. Yet so many lost their homes and belongings to the flood waters. Nathan's grandfather was among the unlucky. We have been able to help clean up, salvage and tear down at their townhome in Bellevue, Tennessee. Here are a few pictures of our experience. Just one home, on one street, in one neighborhood, in a town where many homes, on many streets, in many neighborhoods have been destroyed.

This picture is taken standing on their front porch, facing towards the "creek" that quickly rose and infiltrated their home.

From the front door to the bank is about 20 feet, the bank to the bottom of the creek is about 15 feet. Today there was not even a trickle of water down there. I can't imagine how much water was rushing through that day!

The force of the water uprooted this tree in their side yard and forced numerous lawn chairs and garden items from neighbors into it's branches.

The front door. The water line is about a foot and a half above the doorknob. 6' above ground!

Close up of the water line on front door.

Water soaked 7 steps up. Complete strangers came on Thursday and ripped out all of their flooring. Caring community angels.

More community angels ripped out all the dry (well, not so dry) wall and trim on Friday and Saturday. We helped sweep up and haul debris on Saturday. I think this shot shows their unit clear through to the neighbors! Bye, bye firewalls.

Through it all, people are maintaining a sense of humor and spirit of joy in the sorrow.

Piles upon piles upon piles of debris waiting to be hauled off. I can't describe the beehive of activity in this neighborhood. People coming in round the clock, asking if you need help, asking if you need water, asking if you need snacks, asking if you're ok, asking if you want a smoked bologna sandwich. It's awesome. Church groups passing out water, church groups wielding crowbars, church groups with mops, squeegees and brooms. God is working in this place.

Lives out on the lawns, waiting for the dumpster.

I still can't find the words to express feelings about what I've seen this past week in Nashville. It's just so unbelievable. But I'm proud to call Tennessee, the Volunteer state, my home. We have lived up to our name. If you want to volunteer, check out Hands on Nashville to find a way to plug in and help. If you can give, visit Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to donate to flood relief.

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

A Very Happy Easter

What a beautiful day! Worshipping our RISEN Lord, celebrating with family, eating great food, enjoying the sunshine, rocking on the porch, napping with the windows open. Who can ask for more? I had to include a few snaps from Easter dinner at my parents house today of my niece Addison, my dad and of course, you can't miss Nana in her Easter bonnet.

We sang "Mighty to Save" at church this morning and the lyrics have been on my heart all day.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

If you have time, check out Hillsong's version below.

On another note, Mo and I spent a little time today checking out my 100 Days of Flowers just blooming away. I think we are up to day 20? The tulips opened yesterday. Daffodils appeared a few days before and something that may or may not be a weed has popped up as well. Sadly, they are still mulchless. I've got to get on that! Is it too late???

I hope you all had a wonderful day and found time to praise our Saviour God for the amazing gift we were given on this day.

"So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding."

Ephesians 1:6-8

New Living Translation

On HIS Shoulders

Yesterday I was cruising www.cutestblogontheblock.com for a festive holiday background to help me get into the mood of the season ahead. I love this time of year. Holidays mean traditions, family, food, celebrations, carols, candle light Christmas Eve service at church, twinkling lights, peppermint mochas from Starbucks (I sure wish they had a sugar free version). After choosing a cute holiday background, I decided I needed to put up a holiday scripture. I chose Isaiah 9:6 - "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." One part of that scripture really struck me ... "the government will be on his shoulders." Our world is so scary and uncertain. As our President Elect prepares to take office, I will take peace in knowing that the government is not only in his hands, but that a higher power is watching over it all. In God we trust, I hope rings true.

Letting Go

I've been asked quite frequently how I'm doing with the "distance thing" Nathan and I have going on right now.  My usual, and truthful, answer is it's not that bad having an out of town husband.  Monday through Thursday, I do my thing.  I work, watch my guilty pleasure tv shows that Nathan hates, take care of things around the house, enjoy long bubble baths and reading in quiet.  But by Thursday night, I'm getting pretty lonely for the company of my best good friend.  And it's ok, because the weekend is right around the corner and I get to see him.  

But this weekend, all of the pressure came crashing down on me.  Like everyone else, I have a job and household chores to take care of.  I go to my draining and demanding job each day and come home to the usual mundane chores each night (laundry, cleaning, making sure the dogs have their heartworm medicine, checking to be sure the litter maid hasn't shirked her duties, taking out the garbage, making sure I eat all my veggies).  But I (we) also have the added responsibility of a new business, second home, separation and maintaining our "connection".  I had a hard time watching Nathan leave our home in Kingston Springs on Sunday.  After watching him load up his truck and head down the driveway, I curled up in a ball and a had a good cry.

It's so easy to get caught up in the to-do lists, stresses and pressure of everyday life and feeling like I have to do it all, by myself.   I'm not one to ask for help.  I like to be Miss Independent.  A much needed and timely reminder came to me today while checking my email in the car on my way home from school (yep, I was checking my email while driving) from an email forward my mother-in-law sent.  It was the usual tug on the heartstrings story about a person in need and God sending angels to earth in the form of regular people.  But tucked in at the end was a Bible verse that spoke to me, my heart, and my cluttered conscience.  It was God speaking to me...

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalms 55:22

Wow.  It hit me like I ton of bricks.  Why do I feel I must take on the world all alone?  I simply don't have to.  God sent his Son to suffer and intercede for me so that I don't have to be burdened.  I then pulled up the Holy Bible app on my iPhone and looked up The Message version of this verse.  I like to hear scriptures in simple, everyday relatable words, too.  It said:

"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders - he'll carry your load, he'll help you out.  He'll never let good people topple into ruin."

So right then and there, in my car, I prayed a prayer of relief.  And then peace and verses came rushing to me.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

And then an favorite... which I'm posting "Message" style.

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."  Jeremiah 29:11

So that's what I'm doing.  I'm trusting in God's plan for my life.  I'm trusting He'll be faithful to the prayers I prayed this summer when contemplating the gas station purchase and that He'll be faithful to the prayers I prayed today and will pray tomorrow.  Our God is an awesome God. I'm letting go.