May 28, 2015

Hays County Flood Information & Reflections

HAYS COUNTY FLOOD INFORMATION

Howdy, all. I hope this message finds you safe, secure and dry. Please take a moment to pray for all of those affected by the flooding this past weekend.
There is a lot of information flying out there, so I thought I'd come up with a blog to steer people in the right direction if you’re interested in volunteering or donating to Flood Relief. I’m going to place some information up top… then I wrote a little update from what’s been going on in my head the last few days… thanks for indulging me with that…
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Centers are open San Marcos and Wimberley,
Wimberley Volunteer Reception Service,
Cypress Creek Church , 211 Stillwater, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
SM Volunteer Center (512.753.2320)
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 C.M.Allen Parkway, 8 a.m. - 5 pm
Coordinated by City of San Marcos, Hays County, and AmeriCorps
If you have large equipment and supplies to volunteer, e-mail hayscofloods@col.hays.tx.us

Donation Opportunities

Hays County:
United Way of Hays County - link
Hays County Food Bank:
Locations accepting donations:
Barton Middle School located at 4950 Jack C. Hays Trail in Buda
Wallace Middle School located at 1500 West Center in Kyle
Chapa Middle School located at 3311 Dacy Lane in Kyle
Cabela's located at 15570 S. IH-35 in Buda
Katherine Anne Porter School located at 515 FM 2325 in Wimberley


Some Websites to visit:

Hays County:
Hays County Emergency Response -  http://haysinformed.com/
San Marcos:
Flood Resources/Updates via the City of San Marcos: http://www.sanmarcostx.gov/index.aspx?page=1267
                          

Wimberley:
Updates via the City of Wimberley: http://www.cityofwimberley.com/



PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS
May 27, 2015

I had a chance to talk with an individual (I didn’t catch his name) who was helping clean things from a friend’s father’s home in San Marcos and he said something that really stuck to my core. He said “It's amazing how something we rely on to provide and sustain life can also be the thing that can destroy all in its path."

Every time I see a photo of the devastation in Wimberley, San Marcos, and Austin I think of those words. I wonder how can we see God amidst all of the destruction? Perhaps the answer lies within the first responders. The people who put their lives on the line to help those in need. The  individuals who have donated to Flood Relief in the form of volunteering, monetary donations, clothing, cleaning supplies, or prayers and hugs. The outpouring of support that this community has received from those who are able to help. The hands and feet of Christ. I look at the faces of those who are giving selflessly to support those who need it most. It’s then that I am certain that God is good, all the time… and all the time God is Good.

Remembering the Beauty. San Marcos River at the San Marcos Mill Tract (2011)

I cannot fathom what people who lost their loved ones, homes, and cherished memories are going through right now, but I do know they are loved and they have felt that love through the actions of people like you and I who are doing what we can to assist.

It’s amazing how the love of God can turn something that has destroyed all in its path into something that we can rely on to sustain our lives.


At Randall Vetter Park (2013). Photo by Marlee Claes


---

NOTE The logo at the top of this page is a modified version of the logo that Tour San Marcos made for the flood victims of San Marcos. Original Design credit goes to them... I just took the "SMTX" out and placed "Hays County" in its place. See the original version via their Facebook Page - here.