I had all these great plans of making a "one month later" post - and totally spaced it. Yesterday was actually the one month anniversary of the tornado out in Greensburg. It seems like a year ago. I guess I can only say that because I'm not there staring at it every day. But it really does seem like such a long time ago that I even went out there, let alone when the tornado happened.
But here is a little bit of an update for you.
* Lori, Jeff, and Cassie have spent about a week in their "new house" - the mobile home that they're currently occupying until a new permanent one can be built. (More on that below.) They seem to really enjoy their own space and they're building up some of the comforts of home. Lori told me today they got a stand for the TV and longer cables, so now she can actually sit on the couch and watch TV at the same time. They seem very satisfied with the basics they've acquired and the beginnings of normalcy that are returning to their lives.
* The congregation voted Sunday to rebuild both the church and the parsonage on the original locations. My understanding is that some rezoning will be taking place throughout the town as they plan to rebuild, so part of these plans are contingent on the rezoning plans. But if that doesn't affect them, they'll continue where they were before.
* Greensburg has a new mayor. I read that on the Wichita Eagle website - and Mom told me that the new mayor is a member of Jeff and Lori's congregation.
* There is a MASH style hospital in full operation in Greensburg. I'm not sure that Alan Alda is employed there - and goodness knows we hope that Jamie Farr isn't!!!!
* I also read on the Wichita Eagle site that US 54 opened Monday - one month after the tornado. If you've not been to Greensburg, US 54 runs directly through town. It had been closed to public traffic since the tornado, because dump trucks were using it to haul debris to the nearby landfill. Greensburg residents were permitted to drive through - and I learned while riding with Cassie that driving behind a dump truck is dangerous! We had to slow way down to avoid being hit by flying debris! Mom also told me that the amount of debris hauled to the landfull was equivalent to a football field size building, ten stories high.
* I'm sure Phats, especially, will be thrilled with this one. Phil Stacey (American Idol contestant) performed a benefit concert to a sold out crowd of 2900. Phil is originally from Wichita. (By the way - happy birthday, Phats!)
* According to...guess what?...the Wichita Eagle...a K-12 school will open on August 15th. Throughout the summer, they plan to bring in buildings to host 28 classrooms, 4 offices, a gym, and a cafeteria.
* For those of you who are Greentownians - apparently Lori wrote an article that is in the June edition of the Greentown Grapevine. She's way less wordy than I am...so you should be safe. I think. I haven't actually seen the article yet.
* And in other YAY! news - the College Wesleyan Church Men's Glee Club (I think that's what they're called!) held a concert this past Sunday evening and took up a love offering for Lori, Jeff, and Cassie. The concert was really good...I especially enjoyed the Southern Gospel set. (Big shocker there, eh?) I have to say...rarely do I stamp my approval upon anyone who sings Gaither Vocal Band music, because if you aren't David Phelps, don't sing him. BUT - this group really did a fantastic job and I enjoyed clapping along from my SECOND ROW seat. MOTHER chose the seats. I said, "Really, Mom. I sit in the second row in the morning...don't you think I should be able to enjoy church from the way far back at night?" Apparently not. It was actually kind of neat to see her reaction to the love offering announcement. I knew about it but she didn't and she looked up at the screen, saw their picture, and burst into tears. FINALLY! A moment when someone besides Bekah cried!
SO....until I have more news...bye!
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