Final BBQ!

Nearly 30 people from Oak Park, IL, Burlington, IA, and Cedar Rapids gather for hotdogs, laughs, and a cool spot out the muggy heat.

Six flood recovery groups and five celebration cookouts are now in the books. Tonight marked our last night to roll out the red carpet, or at least the red-and-white checkered tablecloth. for an old fashioned Iowa picnic. Other commitments in the church building pushed our celebration picnic up to Tuesday which means unfortunately for our flood groups it's back to work tomorrow! At least the forecast calls for dry skies after a couple of unpleasant wet and muggy days. These two groups have been extremely productive. The Chicago-area group has nearly completed a privacy fence and the Burlington group has swelled in numbers during the day with a couple of people driving in for the day to work.

I've immensely enjoyed blogging over the past two summers and I've been blessed by all of your wonderful feedback. God has done something great through this format. Anytime someone Googles "Flood Recovery" and "Cedar Rapids" and "Lutheran" my blog pops up. This has led a number of people coast-to-coast literally to our doorstep. I am so grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit through you all. It has really touched my heart. This will likely be my last blog of the summer, but as you know the old news reporter in me may catch fire if anything develops. Thank you all again and God bless you in your continued work in your corner of the world in Jesus Christ.