Flood them with prayers

This morning, Hillcrest buses and vans, loaded with high school students and many from staff, will leave the campus here in Fergus Falls and travel to Fargo, N.D. to help in the sandbagging effort.

I ask for your prayers as our neighbors to the west battle floodwaters.

This flood is near if not, in places, above historic 1997 levels.

At this time I recall a friend's battle with floodwaters from 1997. Her property that included her residence plus an upstairs apartment she rented out, was in an area that had been heavily sandbagged. There were sandbags along the river and surrounding her house. One night the city engineer in Wahpeton came to her and said, "Pat, I'm afraid you will have to leave your home. We've done all we can and you need to leave for your safety." The ground around her home was very soggy and it looked as if the river would win this fight.

She prayed and told the Lord, her home was in his hands and whatever his will was for her at this time, she would accept it. And she left to stay with a friend.

Within hours, she received a call from the engineer. She could return home because, miracle of miracle, the ground around her home was now firm. There was no leaking anymore of sandbags.

What an awesome God we have!

There are numerous school cancellations for the Red River Valley area. Roads are closed. And while all the attention is placed, right now, on the cities of Fargo-Moorhead and Wahpeton-Breckenridge, there are also numerous small towns and farms in the valley dealing with overland flooding and flooding from the river.

Again, please keep these people who live in the area and our school in your prayers.

They're home!

Julie, Nancy and Miss Aaleigha arrived in Fergus Falls Friday, March 6 about 5 p.m.
We had an opportunity to meet the new addition about 8 that night, when she was awake for her feeding.

Such a precious peanut, she is! She's captured our hearts and we welcome her with open arms into our family!

It was such a difference, though, holding Kian just hours before and then holding Aaleigha. Kian is almost a year and a solidly built boy who is soooo ready to take his first step! And then to hold Aaleigha who tops the scales at 4 pounds 10 ounces...well, what a difference! Pretty eyes!

Welcome to our family, Aaleigha! Soon enough she'll be battling with the boys! She may be small now but she'll catch up fast enough!

She's now met both sets of grandparents and uncles and aunty Nancy.

Nancy and Julie had great travels on the way back although they tell of some interesting travel experiences. Unique stories they will tell for years to come and share with Aaleigha as we all tell her of our first meetings and the joy and light she is in our family, as are all our kids, spouses and grandkids!

She seems to be adjusting okay to the Minnesota weather, also. Julie said the hospital staff in Houston were preparing Aaleigha with blankets and warm clothes. She reminded them that we DO have babies in Minnesota, too, and they do quite well! Well, little button has acclimated nicely. And, like the rest of us, is bundled against the cold.

We're supposed to get another snowstorm today so everyone is hunkering in for a daylong blizzard. School is closed and the boys are, of course, sleeping in! Must be nice!

On their way home!

Julie and Nancy are on their way home with little Aaleigha Mya.

Their first trek took them from Houston to Dallas and the second leg to Topeka, Kans. Aaleigha wasn't a happy camper about all the miles and they are playing each day by ear as to how far they go with Aaleigha.

I think the girls are enjoying the trek together and Nancy is such a great mom and is helping Julie with all the things we moms were learning as we started our parent journey. Blessings to them on their travels.

JP is back in Fergus Falls working although, because of the storm on the east coast, he couldn't come home as early as he'd originally planned. He ended up coming home after midnight on Monday (technically Tuesday) after he had to go to another airport in Houston that flies directly to Mpls. and blessings on Tim Jensen and his son who went to pick him up!

Meanwhile, I am watching the little ones for Wayne during the day (where DO they get that energy!).

And the saga continues with our family. While we've been thinking of, praying for and eagerly waiting news from the travelers, Andy sprained his other ankle at a basketball game on Monday. It's an upper ankle sprain and maytake him out for the season. He's learning new moves on crutches!

Jose helped Andy clean up at work last night. Thanks Jose.

I have been asked to judge the McLeod County Dairy Princess contest March 21 in Plato! Am looking forward to that. And Andy and Doug are planning a trip with a Hillcrest mission group to Chicago.

How come Doug gets all these trips to cities I would LOVE to visit?! I get to go to Plato. Don't get me wrong. Nice town. But they are going to see some great sites in Chicago!

The trip, seriously, will give these students a good worldview and some great discussions and Bible studies to and from Chicago.

They leave the day before my (Ah-Hum) birthday so another strange birthday for me. Last year we were in Mexico so I didn't get to see any family on my special day.

We will be celebrating my Aunt Adeline's bd on the 26th. She turns 80. Happy BD, Adeline. Blessings to you.

And blessings to our travelers.

Please keep them in your prayers for protection, guidance and wisdom with weather and travel conditions as they make their trek. They should be home Friday!