I know this update is WAY overdue, but I've been super busy with missionary preparations, work, and house repair! Here's the inside scoop of what went on in my house the morning of July 31st...
I had gone to bed two hours prior, only to be awoken by the sound of thunder and the bright flash of lightening coming through my window. “Ugh.” I thought to myself. “I have to work ten hours tomorrow; I really need to get some sleep.” I fell in and out of my slumber for another 30 minutes when finally a loud crash and the sound of Savannah screaming my name jolted me out of bed.
(View from the back door where the water came in).
I ran downstairs and couldn’t believe what my eyes beheld. At least 2 feet of water stood in my basement, and more was rushing in my back door like a waterfall every second. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that the force of the water was so strong; it came pounding through my yard and actually broke the door right out of the frame.
(Look at the line on the wall. That's how high the water was).
I looked around feeling completely helpless. The water had ripped the carpet up, and pushed all of our furniture against one wall. Year books, photo albums, clothes, and appliances were all floating around me. Not knowing what else to do, I called my Dad. “Dad” I said, “Our basement is flooded.”
“Oh just lift up the carpet and put some towels down.” He responded.
“No Dad, I am standing in four feet of water and Savannah woke up floating in her bed!” Then he woke up!
We flipped off the breakers in case of electrical problems and decided to try and save what we could. We grabbed a couple of journals and three photo albums; that was it.
You learn very quickly what is truly important in life. All of a sudden I felt extremely foolish for spending $100 on a pair of jeans a few days before. We lost everything in our four rooms downstairs, but gained a whole lot of love and appreciation for the people in this community.
My brother-in-law Jason Pillmore was first on the scene with a water pump and equipment to divert the river of mud away from the house. Family members worked to clean up the mess, and just when we thought we could not go on any more, our house was flooded again; but this time with people.
(SOME of the clean up crew).
I felt completely rejuvenated and energized as I watched strong men, women, and children hauling bucket after bucket of muck out of the house, ladies sifting through the mud to find pieces of Savannah’s jewelry, and others chucking pieces of furniture on a heaping throw away pile that seemed to grow and grow.
With all of the backbreaking labor, there was nothing but smiles, laughter, and jokes as we transported the 23,625 gallons of muck out of our house.
Words cannot express the feeling of gratitude that grew inside of me. What would have taken us weeks to clean was accomplished in just a couple of days. I feel truly blessed to live in such a wonderful community where people can come together in trying times. From the very bottom of our hearts…THANK YOU!
