Too Much of a Good Thing-The Great Flood of 08

Well, if you grew up along the Mississippi River like I did everyone talks about the flood of 1993. I was 10 years old that summer. I can kind of remember the news coverage and I distinctly remember being mad because we didn't get to go on vacation due to the Hannibal bridge being closed. The river levels reached during that flood are only "supposed" to happen every 500 years. But, I guess nature didn't read that scientific report because we are having another flood just as big as the historic flood of 1993.

This time the flood has really caught my attention. I have been very interested in the news coverage. On Sunday we took Grace down to the river so she could see everything that was going on. But you couldn't actually see the water because it was too dangerous. So we went up to Lover's Leap. It was crazy!! It was bumper to bumper trafic. We were telling her how people would talk about the flood of 08 when she grew up and she wouldn't remember but we would tell her stories. But it wasn't just curiosity, God was really tugging on my heart. I felt desperate to DO SOMETHING to help. I was torn as a mom. I can't exactly pack up my two kids and go sandbag! So I helped Jermey get all the infomariton and organize our youth kids to go. I couldn't decide whether to try and find someone to watch the girls so I could go or not.... I mean that person could just go sandbag themselves, so it seemed a little pointless. But I found a more than willing highschool girl so I was able to go. And I am so glad! It was really fun working alongside our highchool kids and seeing the wide range of people who were volunteering their time.

Now normally if you asked someone from Hannibal if it is a good thing being located along the river I think they would say yes. The river is beautiful and it helps to support the tourism here. Our family loves to walk down by the river and visit Riverview Park. Isn't it ironic how such a good thing can be disastorous when you have way too much! That seems like a picture of my life right now-too many "good" things. I feel like I have way too many things asking for my time. I long to have my priorities and the holy spirit direct where I spend my time instead of my circumstances and inability to say no. Ever since the Hearts at Home conference I have wanted to sit down and list everything I have committed myself to and do a little pruning. But, I haven't done it....yet!