Wow, cannot believe my last blog post was one month ago. So much has happened in our little community since the historic flooding of the Mouse River...it is just devastating! Over 12,000 people displace, over 4,000 homes inundated--and of those homes over 800 condemned & over 2,000 severely damaged. However, the mind-boggling thing is that only a couple hundred people ended up in the shelters. Isn't that amazing? The rest of the community took in over 11,800 people into their homes. That just speaks volumes about the hearts of our people!
The devastation is beyond heart wrenching! But, the rebuilding has begun with all of those homes being gutted to the studs. The piles of peoples' belongings are stacked high on the boulevards--sometimes higher than the houses. Oh, and the smell....beyond words.
We decided as a family that we would like to share our home with a family who has a child with a disability, preferably one that uses a wheelchair, as our home is on one level. So, we offered our home to a family who was separated in two towns and has a beautiful little girl with a disability. We then moved out to our trailer (cavin, as Grace calls it) at Rice Lake. We have been so blessed to have two places that survived flooding, so we felt called to share one of them with a family in need.
For us, it has been a sweet time of making family memories. The main reason I haven't posted is that we just got internet yesterday. Until then we were in a dead zone out in the country--no phone, internet, or cable. Now, that we got internet....we will feel a bit more connected. But, we have done so much more as a family without everyone being "plugged" in to their electronics!
I will be posting a few catch-up posts next week because tomorrow we head out for our annual Milwaukee trip. We weren't going to go this year, but getting a break from our cabin sounds mighty appealing right now. :)
Thank you for your prayers! Minot will need them for many months to come...We all know it is devastating, but the community will bounce back and be stronger for it; it's just going to be a long haul.
Blessings, Paula
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Paula, I didn't realize you had a blog. I'm a subscriber now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, and I am so impressed with my home town, how everyone has pulled together, but particularly with the response that you mentioned, the number of people that have been taken into homes, even complete strangers. How many people still DO that kind of thing? Even here in Iowa, still in the midwest, people don't often pull over for a car on the side of the road, much less take someone in.
I don't know if you drive to Milwaukee or how often you come east, but if you find yourself coming through Iowa, please get in touch with me. I would love to meet your family (our oldest son will be getting married next November, so I'm not sure if Bryan and I will be able to attend the reunion).
I'm so glad to hear a report. I've been praying for you and your city.
ReplyDeleteBless you all! You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI love your new family picture on your header. Beautiful!
Thanks for the update!! (((HUGS))) and prayers
ReplyDeleteThe name of your blog caught my attention, and here I am reading your most recent post.
ReplyDeleteI am praising God with you that your two homes were spared, and that you had the largeness of heart to share your home with another family in need.
Blessings abound on you and your family.
Lidia, from the Philippines
I can't even imagine what Minot must look like now!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time on your trip to Milwaukee. That should be a nice break!