The Flood...

So, if you've been wondering why there have been a lack of posts...well we had a flood. The last Sunday Jamie was here...last afternoon/ early evening...we started flood procedure. We always joked that before Jamie left, we would have to do the procedure...we never guessed it really would happen...and that it would be the worst flood in ten years. Everyone always told us not to be scared...our property was flood proof...floods happened all the time...there was a plan...and it all seemed so controlled. Well, it just goes to show you...you can never control the world...that God can turns things upside down in an instant...and that well nature is powerful.

As the Sunday rain continued to pour down, the community kept calling checking that we were safe...this is not unusual in heavy rain. we kept checking the levels and it was rising but seemed fine. We were resting b/c we had a another group coming in. Before the group arrived me and Alex drove to check the road to make sure it was clear for the group to come in on...and when we came back...well it was so high in our Yard we had to start flood procedure...being us, we thought it was fun...at first. It was pouring and like from a movie we moved what we could to upper levels. Soon, we were tired and realised flood procedure is not that fun. When we moved what we could...we went back to our house...I got a special phone call form Mel(yay!). We tried to move the car up, but being old its battery didn't work and so we pushed it back ten feet to higher ground..thinking it would be enough. After fifteen minutes..Jamie called and we saw that our backyard was now part of the creek...trees were floating down it...and whew it had started to rise really quickly. So, we started moving up the stuff from under our house. Within minutes though...there was about a foot of water under our house. We heard meowing just In time to rescue Sheba..and bring her to the porch.
At this point, we called Joe to let him know it was now under our house and the group should not come today...still feeling confident we were safe. However, once Joe heard the levels, he told us we needed to walk up the hill to higher ground...it a log came and hit one of our pillars...well it wouldn't be safe. So, Jamie and Alex grabbed important belongings and extra clothes...and I well I am not sure where my head was...I was not worried which is unlike me....I did not grab my valuables in case the house went down...i just grabbed my computer and my ipod and a quilt and popped some popcorn....and walked up the hill...no extra clothes...no preparation. When we walked up the hill in the pouring rain...it started to get real. Neighbors stopped by on ATVs and offered their house...but we waited too long to take them up on the offer...thinking we should stay put where Joe would know where to find us if he ever could get on the road...by the time we wanted to use their phones...when the hill we were on was an island and we couldn't get there....so we resorted to sleeping in the van...a little wet from the rain...no change of clothes...and unsure what the next day would bring. Before drifting into our half sleeps...Alex stated something to the effect of..well the rain pounding on the roof might be peaceful if I didn't know every drop was a little closer to getting into my house....and from there...all night I kept envisioning our house flooding, and floating away...I have to admit...it was overwhelming. Anyways...when we woke up around 7am...we headed to hte farm to check the progress...it was amazing...water was just under our house....we could not get in...there was a tree lodged in the chapel steps...water was in all our buildings...and the car had been spun and moved at least ten feet....we took pictures...they can be seen on the Glenmary Farm facebook fan page.
With no other choice, we headed back to the van. Soon, our neighbor brought us coffee and let us sit in his RV until the water went down. He brought out a radio and we were able to hear all the surrounding areas hit by the flood...it was interesting...
By eleven, the waters went down as fast as they came up...we were able to get back in our house. We walked the property, called Joe...and examined the damage. With about 6ft in each building...gravel thrown about, picnic tables and outhouse washed away....we knew we had our work cut out for us. As soon as the road cleared enough for Joe to drive in, he did. As neighbors drove by on the ATVs, taking pictures of the destruction...they waved and smiled knowing the feeling...saying to us...welcome to Kentucky. Soon, Joe took us to his place...we had no water, no phones and no comp...he took us to eat and let us sleep before all the work came.

From the day of the flood until now, we have been busy almost everyday from flood cleanup. We have had a lot of help...people from church, from Peoples construction company, from old farm managers(which was awesome to meet and spend time getting to know people who shared this job), as well as volunteers from colleges. It has been a long couple of weeks...but we are almost there. Currently, the gravel is smoothed, the bathhouse is gutted, the buildings are cleaned and repainted, the furniture we could save is saved..the rest is piled waiting for FEMA to pick up next week....new bunks are built...old ones destroyed....we are on our way....pray for us

Last "full" group with Jamie

This past week was the last full group the three amigos would work together on. We were all a little nostalgic...its been quite the journey...too much to recall and put into words actually. In the end, the week as alright...filled with unique challenges as each group is...and in the end I think the students got something out of it which is important. They worked hard...were huge fans of ninja...and got a lot of work done. We got our garden started...which is very exciting! hopefully as we plant the rest...we will have a bountiful harvest! So far in the ground are potatoes, onions, cabbage, and broccoli...soon the rest to follow! More updates as we plug along...and we learn how to as we go. For now, just enjoying the last moments together...finishing the last of the work for this week. Last night we also had a KY derby party at church...and oh what fun! We all made huge hats out of bags and plates etc and had a contest...mine won somehow haha...(pictures soon). We also donated money to Charity and each dollar allowed the donator to pick a horse out of the box...during the race we all supported our given horses...I had Dublin...no win...but still a cool name. Then, we shared food(pulled pork and derby pie and other wonderful foods) and fellowship and laughs...it was a good time.
Today at church we celebrated Jamie and all she did for the community...we gave her the scrap book and Cd's me and Alex have been working for...so many memories...I am blessed to have made such good friends here...ones that will be in my life from here on out.