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.

Nicknames given all around

Last week we had two high school groups here...and they were phenomenal! we were a little tired on their arrival...but their energy carried us. Although very out loud and a little crazy(in a good way) they knew how to work hard and when to listen and I think they got a lot out of the week. They gave me my first nickname from a group...and well it was pretty funny. The week was fun and it was one of those that did not seem like work. So thanks guys for being so open, so hard working, and accepting of the farm experience. It really is what you put in, you get out...we just help the week run. I also got to go to the nursing home this week...it was fun...one woman thought i was her deceased husband...but it was nice to see her smile...and i made some other new friends. It was a week of hard work, good weather, and good times...thanks for a good transition back to the farm!

Dad at the Farm and a quick visit home

After the last group left, I was excited to see my dad. He was visiting Kentucky and was coming to see me at the farm! This place is hard to explain completely if you have never been here. So, I was looking forward to sharing with him all the things I loved about being here but maybe could not put into words. Also, I really missed him and was excited to spend some quality time catching up. My dad got here in time for church on Sunday. He got to meet much of the community I so love here. Following church, I took him on a drive all around the county...he saw work sites...we got to go walking...and we even ate at Kenny's! Later that night we planned for our travel the next day and got to spend some time with Wild Woman. Overall, I think my dad enjoyed himself...I know I did!
The next day, we traveled up to Dayton so I could meet with some programs I am interested in for Grad school. I was so scared at first...but once I started talking and listening, I realised it was a great place...and I am excited for that next step in life when I reach it!
After Dayton...we flew home! woohoo! Its hard to remember all I did the days at home because I feel like I could have blinked and it would have been over. There was a lot to do for mom's fundraiser for PD. Everyone did have to work during the days so I kept busy trying to help out, visiting with Nana or at Marist.At night I did get to hang with the fam...and it was really so good to see them...I wish it was longer!
Overall it was a good, quick visit. I got to reconnect with many I miss and love in NY..and the fundraiser was a hit! Overall it reminded Me just how loved I am at home and how lucky I am! I am so thankful for the people in my life...I have been blessed

Week after Easter...opening the farm to New Yorkers

The week after Easter, we were tired from all the business f the season, but I was so excited for the next group to come because they were from New York! Although a different part of the state, I was still very excited to get to know them and connect with other New Yorkers. Also, their college was in the MAAC and raced Marist, so for once they were bound to have heard of my college. When they arrived, to my surprise, there was a fellow 09 Red Fox there. Although we had never met, we lived in similar circles at college, and it was nice to make a connection at the farm. Overall, the week had some challenges just like every other week. Overall, looking back I think I earned a lot about leadership and teamwork. I am so thankful to be working with Jamie and Alex who make me stronger and as a whole make the farm a better place. It was a good week in the end getting to know the students and learning about their lives. Also, we had a mid week visit from past farm friends...which was great and really brought our spirits up! So again, I am thankful for the lessons learned and the people I learned them with.

Easter

I have been fortunate in my life to never have missed a holiday with my family until this Easter. Each holiday at "home" has its own traditions...things that make another year past, and are filled with family time. Holy week for me, is a time where I usually get to be with my family. We go to church and hang out and prep for Easter. We dye eggs and the bunny comes...and on Easter itself we dress up, go to church and see pretty much all of our extended family....its basically awesome.

This year, at first I was sad to be away.. I was thinking of my family a lot...and I know they were thinking of me too. And, at the end of the day...although I missed them...I am glad I was able to spend time with the family I have made here. I started out the day by hiding surprises for my coworkers...the best friends I could ask for in this job...then, they humored me and wore the bunny ears I made for us as we hid over 200 eggs for the kids at church. The mass itself, well it was great. It was packed...everyone dressed up...many had their family visiting...and Father Larry was back...and healthy finally! Joy was just filling the place! After mass, the kids hunted eggs, and we shared tons of food..and many laughs. After mass I went with Jamie to bring communion..which is always fun..and then we spent a large part of the day enjoying the sunshine. We finished the day with dinner with Joe and Laura which is always fun...they even made us Easter baskets. Overall, it was a good day.
So, although I missed being home, I am glad I was here to be a part of the celebration
thankful for the people here..and this place

Holy Week

The last couple of weeks have been counting down...preparing our hearts for the biggest week in the Catholic church...Holy week. We, surprise surprise, had another college group on spring break to enjoy most of the week with us. They arrived in time to help with the Seder meal at church. Some members of another faith attended also, making the event a real community celebration. As the week went on, there are some circumstances that changed their plan... someone had to go home, and they all were pretty flexible about the change...even though it reworked some of their Easter plans. They did a lot of good work, and we shared many stories and many laughs. Again, a great group of people I am lucky to have met. So, thank you for your positive energy...you never complained and you kept us going when we were tired. The group was able to join us for Holy week, in a small service where we all got to wash each other's feet...something that is humbling and beautiful. Their change of plans allowed them to join in for pantry handout...which was a rousing success! The new system, drive through and all...actually works pretty well. We still get to chat with people when they come to the clothing side...which is my favorite! So many of the people we love came through last week...and well it was just fun! A friend even went out of his way to drill through the door and reattach the handle...woohooo...no more coat hanger as a handle...and what a nice gesture!
As the group left, we we settling into our rest time...when we got a phone call to help move some one's furniture. Alex's girlfriend was here so me and Jamie thought we could handle it..it didn't seem like a lot. Well, it was a lot...and I don't know where our strength came from...but as tired as we were the two of us lifted a couch, a bed, shelving, electric scooter, and other items up a large flight of stairs. Although we were tired, and it was 88 degrees...it was empowering and a good way to spend good Friday. After mass we fell asleep. For Saturday we shopped for the following group, and I attended the Easter vigil mass at the Glenmary church in the next county. It was cool how welcoming they were, and nest to see Glenmary function in another setting.
Overall, it was a great Holy Week