A Mess of a different nature.......

The first hail storm did some minor damage to the garden - but we knew we were OK. Things would come back and do just fine. The second one made things look kind of sick -- but still we figured everything would come through it.....we just need some nice warm days. Then came this past Thursday evening.

As we were leaving for the Detention Center, we could see storm clouds in the west. But there were really no severe warnings so we headed out. Pastor Steve, Lynn and Benjamin were joining us for a visit at JDC just to get them acquainted with the place......Pastor Steve has agreed to do the Sunday Service there. As we left - the one guard stated that it was raining "out that way" --- south.....Oh! That's the way we have to go. About half way home we began to wonder if we would make it. The hail was coming down so hard on the top of the car that it was hard to hear each other....yelling didn't help. Gary came to a stop a couple of times - not being able to see where he was going. We got the Boersma's back to the school - and they would head home from there. When we turned the corner to go to our place --- a torrent was coming down the hill and water was across the road. I (Barb) took my shoes off (my NEW shoes) and waded out into the water to see if there were any bad washouts (I really wanted to get home in one piece). Nope - it was OK. From there on we just went thru the water hoping it would be OK. And we did make it home in one piece.

Our garden was hurting BIG TIME by now. A look at the rain gauge said 2.8 inches of rain. Many of the fields had standing water - that on top of the damage from the hail. One good thing is that the plants are small yet and should be able to make a come back. However, there are places that will no doubt be drowned out by the standing water.

Then on Saturday evening we had a repeat......Lots of hail and rain.....about 1.8 inches this time. As we stood on the deck on the back of the trailer we could all of a sudden hear water coming....and sure enough - to the north -- it came across the driveway and making it's way down past the trailer. We had a river going past our deck. About 10-15 minutes later we went to see where it had ended up......but there was nothing - no water. So what's with that....where did it go. Pretty soon we could hear it coming......and in short order we had the whole area by the barn covered in water. Kind of interesting how long it took to get that short of a distance when actually it was moving quite fast.

What you are looking at here is our tomato patch --- or what used to be our tomato patch. We now have about 9 stems sticking up out of the ground....now covered in hail. This is the 4th hail storm in about 2 weeks (maybe a week and a half). Saturday morning we thought we would replant some things like -- more beans and carrots.....a new bunch of spinach. Well after the storm I'm sure the seeds are washed all over the place. Hopefully the neighbors will share -- IF they have anything TO share.

We were feeling bad for ourselves.....we really enjoy our tomatoes and green peppers. But then we consider what the Missouri River is doing.....flooding out home....covering major highways. ....
We really don't have it so bad!!!!

On Friday we were invited to go along with Dan and Sheri Tinant to Pierre to see the Oahe Dam -- which is located on the Missouri River. The town is in a battle with the elements. Sand bags are surrounding business' and homes. And some homes are half under water.

You really have to wonder if the bags will hold the water out. We understand that they have to increase the output of water even more....meaning the level will go higher yet.









A movie would have been so much nicer --- but for some reason the blogger is refusing to upload the video. But I think these pictures give you an idea of the force of the water....150,000 cubic feet of water per second. We're standing in front of one chute, there are six of them releasing water, makes you dizzy standing there looking at it.















Our computer went on the blink after one of the storms......seemed that it was only the monitor. We called the "Computer Lighthouse" and he would look at it. Yes the "tower" was still good --- so our computer was OK - we just needed a new monitor and he would get us all fixed up right away. We had quite the visit with Ray!!! He and his wife (whom we have met before) moved to Mission (on the Rosebud) about 12 years ago....wanting to help wherever they could - for God's glory. He talked and talked and we agreed with him on so many things. It was a fun afternoon with a man who is on fire for the Lord. Plus we came home with our computer ready to go again.

So we have to be thankful for all the ways we continue to be blessed......and not dwell on the negative --- like the garden being a mess. We have so very much to be thankful for!

And we are thankful for all the prayers you continue to lift on our behalf. Thank You!

Gary and Barb