October 20, 2012 

 Well, if we thought the last rain was big, the one today was gigantic!!  The branch was to show General Conference this Sunday and I was supposed to be going to the store this morning to purchase the food to make lunch for everyone to be served between the conference sessions and then, while Rick did some service work at a member’s home, I would bake cookies for the event.  It didn’t turn out quite that way!!  Rick had gone out to get a rain suit and drop some washing off at the missionaries flat since we still do not have water.  When he got back, he told me to get into p-day clothes and bring the camera.  We proceeded to go to the township, picked up his counselors to help and we would be going to as many members homes as we could to check on them and see if they needed trenching around their homes to help divert water.  Many did!! Some members were OK when he called them, but many were not. 

Rick also called the Elders and told them to not go into the township today and to cancel any appointments they had there.  It was so flooded with lots of fast running water running in, on and through the roads. 

 Many roads are just dirt, but even on the paved ones the sides were being washed out and the road surface breaking off and being washed away.  It was a mess.  There were many streets we couldn’t go down and the ones we did travel, it sometimes was a little iffy getting back out.  It is sometimes amazing what a little heavenly help and 2012 Chevy Sonic really can do!! The problem is how deep is the hole in the road that is covered by the water going to be?

The morning was spent in member rescue and picture taking. When that was finished, Brother Hola still needed help picking up pig food from Super Spar…I wondered how smart that would be since just about every street was flooded and getting through was, again iffy!! When Rick brought me home before his next adventure in the township, we found the road to our boarding had a big “river” running over part of it. 

Before We Drove Across

 Nobody else was crossing, and after some debate about whether we should cross it, Rick decided to give it a try. Oh my brave, but slightly common sense impaired husband. What adventures we have! We lead the way and crossed it just fine, followed by a whole string of other people. I was dropped off and Brother Hola and Rick set out to get the pig food, but this time while crossing the car died right past the half way point!!  Not good…so a silent prayer was offered and amazingly the car started and they drove off thankful, again for a 2012 Chevy Sonic and a lot of heavenly help.  The pig food was picked up and delivered to the Hola’s. On his way home he found that part of the roadway had been washed away and the police were now stopping all traffic from crossing over the area. 

 Now, understand, this is the ONLY way into our boarding and a lot of other upper-class homes are in the area.  Who knows who planned this development with only one entrance but it wasn't a good idea!  Anyway…after a fairly long time the water slowed a bit and one pickup took a run at getting across and made it. When Rick saw this, he got in line to have his try at it. I think he said he was fourth to cross over. He was able to get home even though part of the road was now missing.  It wasn’t long after that, that we found out the whole road was now washed out!!  

 When all was done, Rick was drenched…really drenched. The rain had been pouring the whole time he was outside and although the rain suit top fit, the pants did not.   Rick was soaked, so therefore, the car was soaked inside. Rick was mud from top to bottom, but at least Rick and I were on the same side of the washout.  By this time we had no phone which meant no internet, which meant no Vonage phone capability.  Rick had spoken to President Wood earlier about canceling church, which he ok’d, but President Wood wanted sacrament taken to the members as best as could be done. Our power went out for a short time, but luckily came back.  That would have been a real disaster because, being the food storage person I am, we have a freezer full of food.  No water...no landline phone...no internet...NO SHOWER but we do have power, we are dry and we are TOGETHER!!!