The Butterfly Bush

 Just as the floodwaters carved out a new landscape in my backyard, the tide of fear, shock, sadness, and anger that followed carved out a new reality for me. Life is different now. In some ways, it will never be the same again.

The pictures above were taken in our yard on 8/27/2011 - the afternoon before Irene arrived.  This is our yard just 4 days later...The force and power of the water was incredible...

I was thinking today about Noah's flood...how incredibly powerful that must have been. Imagine the fear that filled Noah's heart as the rain pelted the ark and all living creatures outside perished. Imagine the faith, as he waited in the ark for the waters to dry up. Imagine the hope that welled up in his heart when that dove returned with an olive leaf!

Imagine the mud they must have stepped into when they exited the ark!

I found my "olive leaf" today -- a single, straggly stalk of green. It had been badly battered by the power of the flooded creek;  power that had downed trees, moved trucks, relocated boulders and bridges, had even moved houses off their foundations. It had stolen away large chunks of grass and yard, plants and flowers. Yet here, on the very edge of the eroded lawn, still rooted in the earth where I had planted it just this spring, reaching toward the sun, was my butterfly bush -- the survivor. This little bush not only hung onto its scrap of dirt - it waited until the waters receded and then mustered up all its strength to produce -- a blossom. A beautiful purple flower. Promise of another season to come, when all the debris will be finally cleared, grass will be planted, and (I promise) there will be new butterfly bushes planted alongside my survivor to keep him company....

 Irene may have taken much, but I am finding so much more that she has given. But that is the subject of another blog.....

Today is a new day. Tomorrow is a new tomorrow. I will hope, trust, stand, and reach toward heaven, and rooted firmly in the soil of my Father's garden, I will blossom, just like my little butterfly bush.

"For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

Flooding at Bakers.avi

This is Diane and Jere Baker's home, just a little bit down the road from the neighbors we stayed with during the storm. It was taken on Sunday afternoon as the storm was winding down and after the waters had receded quite a bit. Diane and Jere had evacuated early that morning, heading for higher ground in their camper.

It's Going...video.avi

The Fury of Irene - a photo journal

This was taken in our backyard just one day before Irene's visit.

Tropical storm Irene produced flooding in our area unlike any other event in the memories of even our eldest residents. Per some officials, this is the kind of flood that only happens every 500 years. Our beautiful mountaintop is devastated, but not defeated. The first few pictures are of our home, and areas within walking distance. I haven't yet been brave enough to explore nearby towns. Neighbors are helping neighbors, as bad as it was, it could have been much worse. There are many stories of lives that were saved. Our home, as bad as it looks on the outside, was perfectly preserved on the inside. Once we climbed over pieces of asphalt, branches, debris, a couple of partially buried vehicles and up the ramp that used to be our deck and opened the door to our home, we found the interior to be just the way we had left it - dry and undisturbed. We thank God for His mercy and pray for our friends and neighbors who are suffering many losses. The power of Irene was great, but our God is much greater!

Searching for Home

We tried to catch a glimpse of our home on Sunday, wondering if it had survived the floodwaters.

Irene flooding on the Batavia Kill

This was taken in Maplecrest, standing on the bridge beside Morrow's store - on Sunday afternoon 8/28/2011. The waters had already receded quite a bit. The bit of white in the distance is our garage. Our house would have been behind the row of pine trees. We did not know if it had survived the flood or floated downstream - until the next day when we were able to walk there. The white house is next door; our neighbors were trapped on the second floor during the storm, flashing lights to the fire dept to let them know they were there. No one could get to them until after the storm. They are OK.

Emily's Birthday Party

Had a wonderful family celebration and reunion in honor of my Aunt Emily's birthday - at C.D. Lane Park in Maplecrest on August 6. A large contingent of the Podwinski clan were present - and it was nice to get together with 4 generations of cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, etc.

Feathered and Furry Friends

I've rediscovered a new stress -reliever -- bird-watching -- since hanging a feeder off our deck - love it! Pippin joined me one morning so I snapped a pic of her too.

Rainy Day Barbeque

We had a great time in spite of the weather and found that we could comfortably welcome 35 people into our home -- church friends, ministry friends and family -- Dan and Tammy brought a tent to keep the grill dry, we ate and visited and sang some hymns, had a visit from a missionary friend from India. We had over 2 inches of rain in 24 hours, and so the churning "Missippi" creek in our backyard provided some live entertainment too! We thank the Lord for this house -- such a blessing to us and we hope to others also!

Resurrection Day 2011

It was a beautiful sound, and brought tears to my eyes.

Sunrise Service at Lexington Mission - it was the first time the steeple bell was rung and folks gathered to worship here in many years.Then we traveled down the road a bit to our church in Hunter for a wonderful time of worship and delicious breakfast! He is risen!!

Daily Audio Bible

http://www.dailyaudiobible.com
Read through the Bible in a year with Christians in community all over the world!

HOME -- January 7,2011

We closed on our new home in Maplecrest, NY in the midst of a winter snowstorm on Friday, 1/7/11 -- it is such a blessing to be living in this house in my most favorite place in all the world -- my family spent many fun summer and winter vacations here in Maplecrest when we were growing up, and Dan and I were married right down the street from where we will now live. Our grandchildren are just 2 miles away....am I smiling??? We are so thankful for this blessing! Our prayer is that this house will be a blessing to our family and our church family and friends for years to come.