Clark Family Says Goodbye to 50 Years of Memories

KCRG-TV9's Nicole Agee interviewed First Lutheran members Eugene and June Clark this morning as they watched their home of more than 50 years crumble before their teary eyes. Their grandchildren who grew up playing in the yard looked on, the cameras rolled, and the wrecking machine went to work. The family spent five decades building up memories; it took the heavy machinery just 20 minutes to take it down. Pastor Dan was on hand to comfort the family. He had me contact TV9 about this human interest story late last night, and they graciously came on short notice! Be sure to check out the TV9 News at 5 PM tonight to see the story.

**EDIT - The story ran, and Nicole did a great job! Pastor Dan had a couple of good quotes. Check it out: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/51816467.html

Volunteers Excite New Flood Family

"I'm surprised how much you all got done!" exclaimed an excited Darla Boardman as she and I stood in her driveway and waved goodbye to the final volunteer, Kris Cleveland, who left with her trademark smile on her face. This morning more than a dozen volunteers from First Lutheran wrapped their loving arms, the very arms of Christ, around Darla, her Mom, Laraine, and her 4 year-old son, Brayden. Today marked the first step of our long journey together towards recovery.

Nancy Hinrichs, Karen Shaw, and a few others helped Laraine go through box after box of keepsakes that were in the flood, salvaging what they could and saying goodbye to the rest. Meanwhile Tom, Dixie, and Sarah Olmstead formed a bucket brigade with Pat & Tina McCollough, Kandy Sands, Mark Scheumann, John & Karen Shaw, and Larry Johnson. The crew passed down boxes from upstairs into people's pickup trucks and vans, which were then driven out to a secure storage unit. Larry Muters and Lou Banker joined in when they finished their work at the Gruhn's about mid-morning.

Today's hard work will clear the way for us to come back to the Boardman's next Saturday (Aug. 1) to prime and paint the upstairs. The boxes filled with personal items were put upstairs by the Boardman's before flood water surged into their home last June. The Cedar River broke into their house located near Interstate 380 and consumed up to about two feet on the Boardman's main floor. Walking through their home today, it was hard to believe the river could run that far geographically from it's source. You can't see it, hear it, or smell it from the Boardman's home today.

We had a prayer to start the day and a few tears were shed. Today I think we brought a little bit more hope to the situation. Next week I pray to God we can do a little more of the same.

Things Get "Hazy" at Gruhn's

Scott Gerhold, the BRAVEST MAN ALIVE pictured here, strapped on the protective paint gear and went to town in the Gruhn's basement today. With Robert Gruhn's help and a little direction from Ken with Done Done Services, Scott sprayed on a think coat of black paint onto the basement ceiling. If you see Scott in church, tell him THANK YOU for his wonderful work. While Scott was trying not to succumb to paint fumes in the basement, Lou Banker and Larry Muters stained all of the window sills on the main level.

The carpenters go back to work on Monday, putting in the rest of the carpet and base boards in the bedrooms and living room. Pastor Dan is going to take Robert shopping for a new washing machine and over-the-stove microwave oven this week. Pastor Dan also hopes to take Kia to get some carpet ordered for her room upstairs. Our church decided it would be easiest to hire out the carpet installation in Kia's room, giving the difficulty of lay people accomplishing this and the fact that we have money left in the Gruhn house budget to do so. This coming Saturday, we shall return in full force to paint the basement walls and side the garage. Hope to see you there!

Meet the Boardmans!

After much searching, God has given us another flood family to walk with towards recovery! Meet Darla Boardman (pictured here in the blue shirt). She is a neat lady with a big heart. She lives with her two sons (one of whom has Down's Syndrome) and her 65 year old mother who is in a wheelchair. She is working through the same hired contractor as the Gruhn's, who introduced us.

When I met her for the first time today, we both had this, "I know you from somewhere!" moment. Well, it turns out Darla watched our son, Kirk, when he was an infant at his old daycare! Can you believe that?! Katie and I LOVED her when she took care of our son. I can tell you she has a heart of gold. And her poor heart is stretched and stressed out! She could use a hug and your willing hands. I know you are just the church to do it. Our goal is to have her back in her home before the snow flies.

Darla's mother's name is Laraine. Her kids are Kayla (25), Ashley (18), A.J. (16), and Brayden (4). Their home is located at 823 12th Street NE. It's just off of "H" Ave, near Interstate 3-80. See the work schedule on the right side of the blog to see where you can help out!

Camp Noah Kids Meet "Noah"

Day 4 of Camp Noah brought another familiar face of sorts, as our fun-loving kids got to come face-to-face with the cruise director of the Arc himself, Noah. Today's theme was all about using your gifts and talents for others. Could you imagine some of these kids using what they've learned here and spreading hope and God's love to other kids affected by the flood? What a cool thought.

Tomorrow wraps up the weeklong adventure. The camp culminates with an ice cream social for the church staff, camp counselors, the kids, and their parents from 2-3 PM in the LFC (the church basement) on Friday.

Camp Noah Day 3 Reigns in Star Power

The childrens' faces lit up this morning when TV9's Joe Winters strolled into the building in a crisp purple shirt and tie. "Is that really Joe Winters!?" one child exclaimed. "Yes, it really is!" replied one counselor. The kids ran to his side, shook his hand, and posed for pictures. Joe talked to the kids for nearly an hour about the astronomically low chances of another devatstating flood, how to deal with severe weather in general, and how he puts his faith to work from his weather seat. He said whenever a storm hits, he prays before he goes on-air for all the people involved and their safety. Joe also mentioned how the disciples got scared in the boat (just like the kids in Cedar Rapids), but Joe reminded the kids that Jesus woke up and told his friends not to worry and that God is in control! It was a stunning witness.

Ironically, KGAN also dropped by to do a news story when Joe was here. Click here to see the story: http://www.kgan.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kgan_vid_709.shtml

The pet therapy animals from St. Luke's hospital dropped by after KGAN left. The kids also played more games, sang songs and danced, and brought in pictures of flood memories for their Wall of Remembrance.

Gruhn's Going Full Gear to Finish

I dropped by the Gruhn's home this afternoon to find a house nearly finished and an exhausted homeowner with a smile you couldn't wipe off his face if you tried. Our contractor is highly motivated to finish up our First Lutheran home and he has kicked into high gear. He put two of his best men including our own Joe on the job this week. The two put up all the crown molding and window trim; now the skilled pair are blazing through the flooring and kitchen cabinets. I think it's a matter of hours to the finish on the main floor.

I happened to bump into Robert at his house when he got off of work. He looked at the big picture window framed up in his living room and exclaimed, "It's beautiful!" He said he might cry. I wrapped my arm around him and we had a "man moment" to which he exclaimed in his beautiful hearing impaired voice, "Thanks, Craig!" I can't think of any better payment. I scribbled on my clipboard as I so often do to communicate with him. This time I only wrote two words: "Praise Jesus." He looked at it, nodded, and smiled.

The whole thing of what we are doing kind of hit me today when I parked my truck in the driveway and then walked half a block to use the city's port-a-potty on the street corner. Here's a house that is SO CLOSE to being livable, yet for more than a year now, Robert and his family and all of us who have worked on the house have had to walk half a city block to do something so many of us take for granted every day in our own homes. I know I'm fully vested when I'm dreaming of the day when we will set a toilet. That day is coming very soon.

This weekend will be a light one for us in the home. We could use someone who has used a paint sprayer before (or someone willing to try) to spray the basement ceiling black. We could also use a couple people to clean the glass in the windows and stain the trim around the inside of the windows. For various reasons, we are going to put off siding the garage and carpeting Kia's room until at least next Saturday (Aug. 1).

At the direction of our flood ministry team, I've contacted the Gruhn's contractor for another lead of another person he's working with who was touched by the flood. I called the homeowner tonight and she has an interesting personal story, as so many of these wonderful people do. Since we have such a light weekend at the Gruhn's (and things are wrapping up with them overall) this may provide another opportunity for some service, even as early as this Saturday. She's talking about having us clean a few things out of her garage. I'm hoping to know by Thursday.

Camp Noah Day 2 Rains Down Memories

With rain beating down on the windows, tiny tennis shoes took to stomping to music, making indoor crafts, and sharing difficult memories of the rain that wouldn't stop until finally taking their homes a year ago last June. Counselors said today's heavy rainfall and gray skies provided the perfect backdrop for 22 kids to open up a little about the emotional toll living through a natural disaster takes on a tiny soul.

The weeklong camp continues to impress me with it's fun ciriculum mixed together with a few sober moments for kids to process what they've been through. For example, the children really seemed to put their hearts into putting on a drama with thunder, lightining, and non-stop rain. One trained counselor at the camp told me often times children express themselves best through play. The camp continue tomorrow with visits from local celebrity weatherman KCRG-TV9's Joe Winters and pet therapy animals from St. Luke's Hospital.

Camp Noah Kids Come Ashore!

Today 24 active and fun-loving kids affected by the flood of 2008 decended upon First Lutheran. They started the day doing puzzles, singing, and playing games such as drawing their full-body outline on paper. Cool! They will be here from 9AM-3PM all week. There is still room to join in Tuesday. The cost is $10. Scholarships are available.

If you'd like to help out, we could use people to serve and clean up after lunch this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please call the church office at 365-1494 and ask for Barb or Craig.

Gruhn's Home Reaches "Tipping Point"

It was another monumental day of flood recovery in the life of First Lutheran Church. Today 20 people showed up to lend their hands and open their hearts to their fellow church members in need. Together we reached the "tipping point" of the influence our volunteer efforts inside the family's home. We can help a little here and there in the weeks ahead, but largely we turn it over to the skilled craftsmen. "Your volunteers have helped us out a great deal, more than any other house we've ever done," Contractor Pat Freilinger said. "Volunteers can help more and more each week up through putting up drywall and painting. Then there comes a point where finish carpentry kicks in and we kind of take over." According to Freilinger, we're at that point.

Karolyn Smith, Ira Way, Tanya Rosenkranz, Mary VanHauten, Sue Vittetoe, and Karen Shaw finished up all the trim paint inside the house and then took on the wheelchair ramp and front porch posts in the front. It looks beautiful. Mike Sinnott applied the house numbers and Scott Gerhold attached the mailbox. Jim Kanke & Mark Scheumann wrapped all the duct work in plastic so the basement ceiling is ready to be sprayed with prime this week. Then Lou & Julie Banker joined Jim & Mark in sanding down the basement walls so they are ready for texture and hopefully prime this week. If this gets done, our painters could roll the basement walls on Saturday.

Meanwhile, outside John Shaw put up new gutters on the house with the help of Jim, Lou, Scott, and others. Tom Olmstead fixed up the broken swing which Robert is joyously enjoying in the picture above. (For more pictures, check out the slideshow "faith in action" in the upper right). Scott and Ira built a new flowerbed off the deck. Dixie and Sarah Olmstead did an amazing job cleaning up the back deck. Tina and Pat McCollough brought some delicious treats and Pastor Dan and Nova Kolander stopped by to encourage the troops.

This week the contractor's guys will concentrate on getting the kitchen floor in this week so we can help him hang cabinets this coming Saturday. Depending on what materials arrive this week, we might hang doors, put up cedar wood in the closets, trim the windows, carpet Kia's room, and/or start in on siding the garage.

Searching for a Positive Voice Out There

KCRG-TV9's Justin Foss just called me in regards to my blog post about the city being over halfway rebuilt! I told him we found when we walked the neighborhoods to do the survey, it really hits you in the face how far we've come! You get a positive impression when you walk the streets, knock on doors, and talk to people, a very different one than you get in some of the media reports. We found many people back in their homes watching TV! It's encouraging!!

Justin said there are still pessimists who point out, yes, we are 51% rebuilt, but that is still 49% not yet built. What say you? What are your impressions from walking through? I think Justin is looking into a news story tomorrow, but I won't be around to talk to him on camera. Would one of you like to offer a :08 second sound bite on what you saw?

**EDIT - Justin's story ran. Check it out here: http://www.kcrg.com/news/coverage/50896772.html

Crown Him With Many Crowns!

I met with the contractor today at the Gruhn's house for a walk through of all the work we've done so far. He is very impressed! We came up with a list of work we can do next which starts at the top with crown molding (see sample picture). We will prime and paint the molding Saturday so it's ready to be put up next week. We can also put up cedar wood in three closets, sand and paint another closet, trim paint to the top of all walls, finish wrapping the duct work in plastic downstairs, and hang gutters outside. The contractor's men will concentrate on the floors next, so we can be ready to help install the kitchen cabinets possibly next Saturday. We are also looking into the financial viability of siding the garage. The contractor thinks our original, fairly aggressive schedule to get Kia back in before school starts in 5 weeks is very doable. Woot!

**JOB COMPLETED - THANK YOU!!!****
What: We need painters, carpenters, people to hang gutters, and unskilled folks (like me!) to clean and prep areas for the next phase.

When: 8 AM-12 PM, Saturday, June 18

Where: 1642 8th St NW

What should I bring?: Yourself, a friend, a paint brush, hammer, and/or cordless drill. See you there!

Cedar Rapids is Over Halfway Home!!!

According to a new Americore report coming out this Thursday, 51.1% of flood affected homes in Cedar Rapids have completely rebuilt! That's just over half of all flood damaged residences. Way to go!! We are on the downhill slope! According to their report, they visited 5093 homes in the flood plain. They break down like this:

569 Homes "Untouched" or Unknown (10.4%)

210 Homes Demolished (4.1%)

919 Homes in the "Muck and Gut" phase (18%)

832 Homes Rebuilding (16.3%)

2603 Homes REBUILT! (51.1%)

To see the complete report, click here: http://www.vistacorridorrecovery.org/

Paint Party Pt. 2

From L- Karolyn Smith, Matt Sinnott, Mike Sinnott, Ira Way, and Terry Strait (not pictured Tanya Rosenkranz) showed up on a moment's notice to finish painting the 2nd coat of color today at the Gruhn's

It is done! The paint that is. All rooms of the main floor have two coats of paint (three in the kitchen). When I pulled up in my pickup at 8 AM I was greeted by two volunteers and they just kept coming and coming! We had it all done well before noon. Your generosity continues to overwhelm my heart, and I know it does the Gruhn family too. Our eager and near professional painters- wow, were they good! -made short work of the hallway, living room, kitchen, and both bedrooms.

The homeowner, Robert Gruhn, finished off the bathroom and Saturday's crew knocked out Kia's purple room upstairs. The basement ceiling and walls are sealed off and ready for the contractor to spray on primer. The kitchen cabinets are in boxes in the house and ready to be hung. I am meeting with the contractor for a walk-through tomorrow; he and I will figure out what we need to do this Saturday and lay out the schedule for the rest of the project! Exciting stuff!

Paint Party Pumps up Flood Family

Have you ever walked into a house that has been freshly painted? The smell of a new beginning is undeniable in the air. You know instantly when you walk in that something fresh and new has been created. It's a house that is improving, it's on the uptick, and it's ready for a new occupant.
That's what's happening now with the Gruhn family. Thanks to the hard work of Deb Hartung, Tanya Rsenkranz, Ira Way, Scott Gerhold, Kris Cleveland, Tina McCullough, Greg Young, Catharine Cashner, Terry Shie, Jim Jahnke, Judy Johnson, Marv Quass, Stacie Johnson, Brian, Lindsey, and Pastor Dan, the Gruhn home now smells fresh and new. The crew worked from 8 AM until past noon on Saturday rolling and brushing paint, building a new chain link fence, and enjoying treats and fellowship.

The goal was to prime the entire main floor, but once again, the Holy Spirit soared above and beyond our human plans. Our crew was able not only to finish the prime on Saturday, but put on the first coat of colors as well! If we can get the 2nd coat of paint on in the kitchen in the next few days, the contractor can hang the kitchen cabinets yet this week. (I have to touch base with the contractor's hired man first thing Monday morning to see where we are, because I think he may have done some work after we left Saturday at noon). If you want to help us out, I will open up the house at 8 AM Monday morning for people to start coming in and working whenever they can, for as long as they can. Please let me know when you can help.

Feeding Others with Food & Faith

Today our church provided food for the Mission of Hope, a fantastic downtown Cedar Rapids ministry that began by helping men and women go from prision back to society and now has evolved to something much bigger. When the flood took out 28 churches and non-profit ministries last year, the Mission of Hope was one of the few still standing. And guess what? If you build it, the people will come. People in need flooded the well-kept building by the hundreds.

The people First Lutheran kicked into high gear and responded in kind. We provided lunch and supper every week for the months of June, July, August in 2008. Since then we've settled into a groove serving lunch every 2nd Thursday of the month. Today was our day, and yes, the need is still great. The dinner bell rang (literally - they have a dinner bell - I love it!) and men, women, and a few children lined the walls for prayer. I was blessed to say grace and we sat down and broke bread with one another. I got to meet a few people and hear their stories. It was a wonderful hands-on experience where you can feel Christ's presence in the midst. I told the Mission that I will organize about 6 people to return with me in August and help serve the meal. Will you be one of them?

Check out a related story by our member, KCRG-TV9's Justin Foss:

Free Lunch Programs See Need Double, Even Triple

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/49648652.html

Break Bread with Flood Workers

We have been asked to serve a potluck dinner for young flood volunteers from Washington, New Jersey at 6 P.M. on Thursday, July 16. Please come and eat! Bring a side dish or dessert to share, join in the fellowship, help serve food, and/or clean up after the meal.
PLEASE CONTACT: Vicki Hughes 365-1494 or recept@firstlutherancr.org if you can help. Vicki will have details of time, and other arrangements. There will also be a sign up sheet at the Information Desk in the narthex this Sunday. Let’s show them how much we appreciate their help in our flood recovery.

Make Your Home an Ark for Camp Noah!

We will be hosting a National Team of volunteers July 20-24 for Camp Noah. We are looking for people who would be willing to host them in their homes during the week they are here. The team is arriving on Sunday the 19th in the afternoon. If you are willing to serve as a host home please let Barb Hanson know at 365-1494. We are also looking for people to help with preparing and serving the lunch for the kids each day. Thanks.

God's Gift from Michigan Pushes Project Forward

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you," says scripture (Matt 7:7). It couldn't be more true this week. God sent a skilled crew from Grand Rapids to Cedar Rapids to put our schedule at the Gruhn's right on track. Eight talented drywallers and mudders skillfully worked today to finish - that's right FINISH - the prep work for us to paint this Saturday. What seemed insurmountable just a few months ago is now attainable today. To quote former Hawkeye Basketball player Andre Woolridge when he hit a last second shot to beat #8 Michigan State, "If you don't believe in the power of God...there it is."

The crew showed up from Grand Rapids, MI yesterday and went to town on the Gruhn's home inside and out. One crew is finishing up the siding, two strong young men are cutting drywall in the hallway to the basement, two more retired men are skillfully scraping mud, and a lovely, older gentleman named Ken is scraping and painting the trim at the peak of the house. Ken told me, "We are not here by coincidence. God had this in His master plan that you and I would meet." It nearly brought us both to tears. The grand designs that the Gruhn family had, the contractor had, or even my overly optimistic schedule I drew up are being FAR OUTWEIGHED by the power of God's plan. Honestly, the house may be done by the end of this month. I never, ever, ever would have remotely dreamed that possible when I got involved in this venture in May. It just floors me. I hope it does you too!

We shouldn't feel bad that it is not us doing the work. Frankly, this is kind of what Dan Garrick of the Recovery Coalition told us he had in mind, that is, local churches would take up certain houses to be their hosts, then workers would come from out of state to lend a hand. Like many things in the Kingdom of God, we can accomplish more together.

Our hard work (and free labor) at First Lutheran is now paying dividends. For example, the contractor currently framing up the walls in the basement to be insulated and drywalled. Previously, we thought we would just slap up some paint on the cement walls. The whole house is being scheduled to be sprayed with texture by the end of the week. That means we will come in and put on prime on Saturday. I still can't believe it. If we have enough people, Pastor Dan would like to finish putting up a chain-link fence in the yard. Please stop by Saturday to help us paint or just to pray and celebrate God at work in Cedar Rapids! Yea!

Calling All Painters!

**JOB COMPLETED - THANK YOU***

What: We need painters, people to put up siding and finish putting up a chain-link fence.

When: 8 AM-12 PM, Saturday, June 11

Where: 1642 8th St NW

What should I bring?: Yourself, a friend, a paint brush, hammer, and/or cordless drill. See you there!

Cedar Rapids By the Numbers

Here are the results from the canvassing project that First Lutheran helped complete last month of EVERY HOUSE IN THE FLOODED AREA! The statistics will help the city get a better handle on ongoing recovery efforts and will help the Recovery Coalition concentrate efforts to rebuild the city. Here is what we found:

Disaster Addresses visited	3135
Phone number given	474
No one home	1829
Looked Abandoned	592
Rental	175
Owner Occupied	503
Being worked byVRC	0
Being worked by UMCOR	46
Rebuilding
Yes	536
No	90
Need help rebuilding
Yes	181
No	183
Rebuilding steps needed
Muck & Gut	47
Electrical	58
Plumbing	59
Siding	80
Drywall	76
Paint	96
Carpentry	143
Jumpstart
Yes	219
No	103
Declined	27
Undecided	19
2nd interview	30
FEMA THU
Yes	61
No	315
IUNDGP
Yes	217
No	82
Most important flood need
Rental Housing	13
Food	18
Clothing	21
Furniture	46
Appliances	39
Utilities	28
Support systems	16

Missouri Kids Leave Their Mark on Their Peer's Heart

It was a fitting end to a bright and colorful journey from Jefferson City, MO to the heart of the Cedar Rapids, IA neighborhood affected by the flood. Kia Gruhn, 15, asked her new friends to leave their mark (literally) on her newly remodeled room they helped to decorate. Just one year earlier, Kia stood in her old bedroom covered wall-to-wall with stinky flood mud and wrote the word "PAIN" on her door. Today, the Jefferson City kids transformed her door from PAIN to PAINT...purple paint that is. Each kid dipped their hand in purple goo, placed their own print on the door, and then signed their name and hometown. It was Kia's idea.

The girls stood side by side and giggled with each other as they painted their hearts out. In an instant Kia was a 15 year old girl again, talking about music, being goofy, and just chillaxing. For one afternoon anyway gone were her worries about taking care of her elderly grandparents, communicating with her hearing impared father, and worrying about the future of rebuilding her life. No, today's topics were throw pillows and accent colors. Just as it should be. And to top it off, the young people from Jeff City left their mark forever on Kia's door. Hopefully the handprints will remind Kia each night before she goes to sleep how much God loves her and so do her friends from Missouri.