We were on the news!

The full piece is after the long weather segment.

Fritz and Gladys

We all woke up pretty tired on our 2nd day in Moorhead. Hauling sandbags around for 6 hours finally caught up with us. A little bit of coffee and pastry and a light shoulder rub from Pastor Sarah helped to lift spirits a little bit, but it was pretty obvious that the kids weren't exactly jumping up and down at the idea of hauling sandbags for a second day, and this time in the cold and rain.

Going to worship at Trinity helped too and Sunday School got us all chatting, but the real shift happened when we pulled up to a house that afternoon and saw an older gentleman with one leg step out of the garage. Then I heard several of the youth say, "Ok, now I'm glad that we are here." Meet Fritz. Fritz (again not his real name- the nicknames are popular for older couples in Oakport!) is a Korea vet who lost his leg to diabetes a few years back. He would have preferred to do all of the work himself on his house, but he and his wife, Gladys, have slowed down recently. Fritz and Gladys had sandbags up around their whole house, but because they are on a little bit of a slope, the dike was not as high as some of the other homes. So we got our boots and our hats on and started hauling.

And then not soon after we arrived, the news crew from the NBC affiliate KVLY in Fargo showed up to do a story on us. (Click here to watch it- it's on the 5:30-6am segment after the long weather forecast.)

We were all amazed, but it only took us 3 hours and we were able to finish the whole house! Fritz had a Bobcat, which helped a ton and we had some healthy boys vs. girls competition to keep us motivated too. It felt really satisfying to walk away knowing that tomorrow was going to be a fresh start for them. Here are some before and afters:

Josh and Kyle- what super guys!

I want to take a moment to especially thank our hosts in Fargo/Moorhead- Pastor Josh and Kyle. Josh and I went to seminary together at Luther. I actually met Kyle at the Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza in New Orleans in January. I was one of the MC's for that event and he volunteered to come up on stage and sing High School Musical in front of several hundred of our colleagues in ministry in order to win some free stuff. I don't know if he uses the free stuff much, but I'm sure glad that it gave us an instant reason to meet! Kyle and Josh are both on staff at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN.

After our day of work and our AMAZING showers (THANK YOU YMCA!), Kyle and Josh gave us a walking tour around the river area and shared more about the flooding and the impact that is has had and will continue to have on them and on the entire community. We saw the Red River at 30 feet, which is still considered flood level. We saw a road and a park that are still completely underwater. We also saw the huge dikes built up along the sides of the river. The pictures really can't adequately show just how much water there still is- everywhere you look!

Josh and Kyle also shared their stories and the choices they had to make in the midst of the crisis period. It wasn't easy, and it was amazing to hear just how complicated life became for everyone. And since Josh and Kyle both work in ministry they also shared their deep concern and care for the families of their congregation. Ministry can be challenging on any given day, but ministry in the midst of a natural disaster- that's a whole different story.

Then they even took the time on a Saturday night to join us for dinner, Dairy Queen, and a little bit of hanging out at FiF Street (the Trinity Youth Center.) Thanks Josh and Kyle- you are 2 super guys and an inspiration to all of us!

Mission in Minnesota- Day 1!

Well, we have completed Day One of service of our Mission in Minnsesota/ND and I am very, very, very tired! After getting up at 5:30am this morning and driving 3.5 hours up to Moorhead, we spend the day moving sandbags! Now it is after midnight and I am finally heading to bed.

We went to two different homes today, helping out some elderly folks who were unable to take down all of the sandbags that had been put up around their homes to prevent flooding. I can't remember exactly how many we moved in total, but I know for a fact that we moved over 1,400 at the first house alone- it was hard work, and we got dirty, but it felt good to know that we were a part of helping to return life back to normal for a few folks who have been through such an emotional experience. And I am telling you, we all appreciated our shower and dinner tonight! The whole team did such great work today- trudging through even after they were feeling worn out. And then we were reminded that we may have been doing this for an afternoon, but these people had been living this for weeks. It's a humbling thing to recognize. In the end, we are so grateful that we were able to serve Delores, Bud, and Cherry in God's name and let them know that we care. The pictures from today are priceless and here are just a few- I think they'll tell the story much better than I can at the moment:

Flooded with Friendship

In just a few hours we'll be getting on a plane and flying out to MN. And as I think back on it, this trip came together so quickly for us- it was like all of the pieces just fit together. And the reason why is because all of my amazing friends were so quick to respond when I sent out a plea for help.

Truly, this trip would have been nearly impossible to set up so quickly and easily without their help. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. My friends Jen and Brie and meeting us at the Mall and providing breakfast for us for tomorrow. My friends Cate, Jeni, Colin, Matt, Jesse, Judy, and my brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Kate, are lending us sleeping bags and pillows for the weekend.

Cate is also letting us take her car to haul stuff up to Moorhead, which is incredibly generous!

My friend and Dean of Students Patricia set up housing for us at Luther. We are staying at my friend Josh's church in Moorhead and my friend Marc's church in Saint Paul. My friends Tom and Molly provided the inspiration to go in the first place and have shared their experiences and lessons learned from their trip this last week.

It's a real testament to the power of friendship. They are not doing all of these things expecting something in return. They are simply helping out of the goodness of their hearts. And honestly, I don't have much to offer them anyway- except my gratitude and friendship in return.

Mission in Minnesota

In just a few short days we will be leaving for our Mission in Minnesota to help with flood recovery in the Fargo/Moorhead area for a few days. I just recently read that the weather is going to be chilly when we are there, so I hope you CA kids are ready! We will be flying out on Friday at noon to land in Minneapolis by 8pm. If all of our flights are on time we will get to swing by and check out the Mall of America before we go to stay at my seminary for the evening.

I want to especially give a shout out to all of my friends who are lending us sleeping bags and pillows! THANK YOU!

Easter Breakfast this Sunday!

The youth are once again hosting the Easter Breakfast this Sunday. Come for a breakfast of good old fashioned egg "dish", fruit, muffins, orange juice and coffee. Yes, I will also be sporting my world famous bright orange apron with the hot pad pockets! All proceeds will go to support our trip to New Orleans this summer!

AND High School- we WILL be having our Easter Monday Movie Madness All-Nighter starting at 8pm on Monday night. Do you think you can stay up for longer than me? Do ya??? So far movie requests include- Juno, Wall-E, Indiana Jones, Neverending Story, Batman Forever, The Breakfast Club, and a few more. I'm looking forward to it! Anyone else bringing their knitting projects???

Easter Peace,
Pastor Sarah