http://christcommunity.org RSS feeds for Christ Community Church 60 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2051/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Kristin-and-Ross-Kuhn.aspx#Comments 0 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=192&ModuleID=769&ArticleID=2051 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2051&PortalID=0&TabID=192 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2051/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Kristin-and-Ross-Kuhn.aspx Click here to read Kristin's story as retold in the family Christmas letter. cissy fleet Thu, 26 May 2011 19:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2051 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2030/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Zac-Hood.aspx#Comments 0 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=192&ModuleID=769&ArticleID=2030 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2030&PortalID=0&TabID=192 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2030/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Zac-Hood.aspx   While I did not experience any damage myself as a result of the flooding, I was encouraged and uplifted by the stories I was able to hear in church. By hearing the first hand accounts from church members about their experience in such a hard time, I felt joy about what God can do in such circumstances and a peace about the future as my faith grew knowing what God can do in difficult times. I heard stories of communities coming together, of faith coming alive in a way it had not been present before in the lives of people, and of love in the form of people willing to help others in need. It also brought a lightness to life on this earth as people realized they could withstand any disaster because while life is tragic, God is faithful.    Zac cissy fleet Fri, 20 May 2011 15:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2030 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2029/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Debbie-Jamison.aspx#Comments 0 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=192&ModuleID=769&ArticleID=2029 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2029&PortalID=0&TabID=192 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2029/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Debbie-Jamison.aspx   June 2, 2010: I started out in Athens, Georgia on Saturday May 1 with no idea what a horrific day it would turn out to be. I was  leaving my daughter, Mary at a dance competition in Georgia and planned to come home to see my other daughter Julia, in a dance recital at Brentwood Academy near Nashville. About 30 minutes from my destination, however, the weather became treacherous with rain and tornado warnings. Little did I know that it was the start of what would become two days of continuous rain and the worst flooding central Tennessee had seen in centuries.   Eventually I realized it was time to get off the road and assess the situation, so I sat it out first in one roadside hotel, and then another as I tried to cautiously get further and further down the Interstate. Finally around 4:00 p.m. the tornado warnings died down, allowing me to get back on the highway. I headed out once again into the driving rain. Everything seemed ominous – traffic was very slow; the whole atmosphere looked crazy and out of control. All of a sudden on the other side of the Interstate I saw a car submerged, nose-first, in a pool of water. I saw that it was a Volvo and the accident must have just happened – I could see that nobody was even out of the car yet.     I was able to keep going but was extremely sobered by what I had just seen. Then all of a sudden, traffic came to a complete stop on the other side of the Interstate. I could see a pool of water quickly forming on my side but it was very shallow so traffic was rolling through it slowly. Finally, on my side traffic appeared to be stopping as well and eventually it came to a standstill when I was underneath an overpass. I could see other cars exiting via the on-ramp to get off the highway.   I noticed a highway patrolman on the side of the road and asked the officer if I should exit or continue on. After he explained that what the other cars were doing (exiting by the on-ramp) was illegal, it was clear I would have to carry on down the highway. I obediently pointed my car down the road, inching along for about a tenth of a mile until the traffic would go no  further. At this point I was near claustrophobia as the weather channel had indicated another tornado was about 45 minutes behind me. I could not exit the highway but staying there seemed to be putting myself in harm’s way. I knew there was flooding at the next exit and with a tornado on its way it just seemed to be an impossible situation.   I got up the courage to back down the emergency lane in order to see the nice policeman again, who chuckled when he realized it was me. I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t let drivers off the interstate so my only option was to wait until he left and then quickly seize what I knew to be the safest option for me – taking that on-ramp in reverse to get off of the highway. I later realized that this was the section around Nashville that had been hit with the worst interstate flooding. People were stranded in their cars and some drowned on nearby roadways.    Thankfully I made it to the next town but soon noticed the creek on the other side of the road was a raging river with just inches to go before spilling onto the highway. I am a respecter of flash flooding so seeing the river inches from the road did nothing to calm me. I could see that both the Publix and Walgreens parking lots were underwater and I eventually ended up at Kroger where a band of stranded people was taking up residence.   I attached myself to five other people who seemed trustworthy and congenial. I figured that I was going to be spending the night with them at Kroger or in our cars in the parking lot. At this point we were all acquainted with the store manager who had welcomed us and let us know we should report to the cooler if there was a tornado siren as that was their designated safe location in the store.  As we were resigning ourselves to the current predicament, another man whom I had befriended called me to say that he had just made it out on one of the roads and if I left immediately I could make it. Out in the storm again, I drove over the swollen creek bridge and made it to Old Hickory Boulevard where I began to cry with relief. At this point I didn't feel claustrophobic anymore and eventually I did make it home! I realize the fear many of us experienced was real, people were literally bobbing in their cars on I-24 near where I had exited and I had witnessed what appeared to be a very injurious accident with a submerged car. I have just completed training with Hope Force International to be a disaster responder and now I know first-hand what it takes.   Although I feel like a failure in many ways due to the near-panic I experienced, I can still see God at work through this. I had read my Bible that morning in Athens, and here is the verse that had stood out to me from Isaiah 54: “‘For the  mountains may depart and hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you.” Upon arriving home, I realized that our giant hill in the back yard, which we refer to as a mountain, had literally been removed. There were significant mudslides around our home where main roads were closed for weeks. There was so much debris that came off our hill in the backyard and down our drive, I could hardly believe it. Trees, branches and boulders so large I couldn’t even get my arms around their circumference were scattered everywhere.                         Although horrible at the time, I can now look back on these events and see the humor in them. The bedrock of my faith has been reinforced through this experience as God has shown His presence and protection regardless of the severity of life’s storms.    Debbie cissy fleet Fri, 20 May 2011 15:25:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2029 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2023/Reflections-on-the-Flood-2010--Tom-and-Kim-Wilk.aspx#Comments 0 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=192&ModuleID=769&ArticleID=2023 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2023&PortalID=0&TabID=192 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2023/Reflections-on-the-Flood-2010--Tom-and-Kim-Wilk.aspx  Probably the most impactful memory of the entire event was how the community came together out of love and concern for others.  It is comforting to know that no matter what we may face, we are not alone, but have our merciful Savior and the body of Christ with us. -Tom and Kim Wilk     Brent Cundall Wed, 18 May 2011 19:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2023 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2022/Reflections-on-the-Flood-2010--Corey-Nason-Reese.aspx#Comments 0 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=192&ModuleID=769&ArticleID=2022 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2022&PortalID=0&TabID=192 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2022/Reflections-on-the-Flood-2010--Corey-Nason-Reese.aspx As we navigated through the flooding of our home this past year, we experienced a wide range of emotions and challenges. In retrospect, we would have to say that we had a heightened awareness of His power, thankfulness for His provision and an increased appreciation of His presence in the details of our daily life. The fury of the rain and the force of its destruction reminded us that the Lord has a power that we cannot contain, or at times, understand.  The water flooded our crawlspace and garage, and only six inches spread throughout our house, but it completely destroyed a car, numerous possessions and the entire lower lever of our home. We stood amazed at the damage water could do and the filth, stench and even bacteria it left behind. As much as we were saddened and repulsed by the damage, we were intensely thankful for flood insurance (which we knew most people did not have), for the friends, neighbors and even strangers who volunteered to do wonderfully practical things like pulling up soaked carpet, bringing us meals, packing our possessions and offering us bottles of water. Friends invited us to live with them for a week here and there – and to stay at a farm that was for sale – or another six months!  God’s creativity in meeting with us daily was a blessing amidst the destruction. He provided a godly contractor (with a great sense of humor), the chance to take care of horses and goats on the farm, the whimsical opportunity for the kids to ride scooters throughout the house, take hammers to destroy wallboard – with great delight  – and even do parkour through the studs as we gutted the first floor.    We did not lose the heavenly irony of God’s provision in living at the farm at night (which was spotless - and had to be continually kept that way to be sold) and every day traversing across the city to a home that had been torn apart.  In many ways, the months of rebuilding are a blur, but seeing the Lord at every turn – good and bad – is something we wouldn’t trade and for which we will always have gratitude.                                 -Corey Nason Reese      Brent Cundall Wed, 18 May 2011 19:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2022 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2021/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Cissy-Fleet.aspx#Comments 0 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=192&ModuleID=769&ArticleID=2021 http://christcommunity.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2021&PortalID=0&TabID=192 http://christcommunity.org/Serve/TransformedLives/tabid/192/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2021/Reflections-on-the-Flood-of-2010--Cissy-Fleet.aspx   Saturday, May 1, 2010 Middle Tennessee woke up to a rainy Saturday morning. By the end of the weekend, floods had affected thousands in our area, including 33 families from Christ Community Church. Even as the waters rose, friends and neighbors were helping each other move furniture to higher levels, taking in families whose homes were flooding, and responding as the Lord led.  Monday morning my family returned to our own home to discover that someone had already delivered a case of water.   Within hours a dumpster was delivered in front of our house. I looked out later and saw Pastor Mike Smith dumping a load along with many others from CCC who came in to help. Elder Tom Wilk and wife, Kim “witnessed the hands, feet, and face of Jesus in the many ways people helped [them] during the days and weeks following the flood”. Deacon Tim Potter commented on the post flood relief efforts, “It was amazing to see our body come together and give their time and resources in such a sacrificial and generous way. We had members working practically around the clock, ministering to those devastated by the flood.”   Christ Community served as a triage point for those who needed assistance, helping connect those in need with those willing to serve. Ann and Wendell Harris described their “deep gratitude for so many people that stepped into our family’s life and helped us.  Wendell and I looked at each other and said, ‘we have seen the Church today’ “. Following the flood, CCC members gave generously of their time, their talents and their treasure.  Christ Community contributed almost $60,000 to flood relief which has been poured into the lives of those affected. Funds were used to replace heating/AC units, assist with drywall, replace flooring and cabinetry, provide temporary storage while homes were repaired, etc. On this first anniversary most of our members have returned home. Most of the physical affects of the flood have been repaired, restored or replaced. We are aware however that the flood did more than that. We encourage you to check on your friends, neighbors and fellow CCC’ers who were impacted by last year’s flood. Take the opportunity to hear their stories, to allow them to share where God met them, and continue to walk with your brothers and sisters.  -Cissy Fleet     cissy fleet Wed, 18 May 2011 15:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2021