This is the scene in Waverly these days…as the clean-up from the flooding begins…

drywall, kids toys, wood furniture, couches, and whatever else you can name line the streets waiting to be picked up and hauled away.

We are so fortunate, and it seems we keep learning lessons in humility as we watch others clean up and try to do our best to help. Some people say the offer of help is enough. We wish there were more we could do.

This is a picture of Kohlman park. Its right on the river. We were amazed at all the sand and silt that got moved around. Water is a powerful force, thats for sure…it looks more like the beach these days than a park.

And this is a picture of the school affiliated with our church…I know several teachers who teach here. One said “there was so much more we could have saved.” I suppose this is always the feeling you’ll have. You know what they say about hindsight.

The businesses of town were hard hit too. We’re hoping most re-open. We’ve heard of some that will have new locations…and some that just aren’t coming back. This is Dell’s Diner. Their food is amazing. Granted, we haven’t been there in roughly a year and a half…but you can only have so much of a good thing.

Its hard for me to see all of the destruction in this town. I wasn’t here for the floods of 99, and while Waverly isn’t my hometown…I’ve been in or near it for 12 years and feel connected to it and the community here. And what an amazing community it is. My heart hurts for the town…but deep down, I know Waverly will come back from this…its just hard to see right now.