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

By Sean Claes 

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

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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.

Some shots from San Marcos

Cardinal
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

I had a little time on my hands last Friday and I went out and took some nature shots in San Marcos, Texas. I'm pretty happy about what came out.

See the whole set here:
http://flickr.com/photos/seanclaes/sets/72157609202442279/

Inflamed Birthmark and The Flaming Lips

Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me I was a parent. Not that I forget that I have two amazing kiddos, but as things go... I like to concentrate on the positive things about parenting. Jamming with Marlee (4) to the Rockland Eagles, watching Harper (1) careen into people like one of the cars when we were at the Spicewood Demolition Derby, and the many kisses and hugs I receive each day.

But yesterday was one of those "hard" parenting days. Those who know Mar Mar are probably aware that she has had a bump on her leg since birth. We always referred to it as her "birthmark" and over the years we've had doctors look at it... and nobody seemed concerned about it. It would get bigger... and smaller... and sometimes hurt... but most times it wouldn't bother her at all.

We tried to have it removed about a year ago, but Mar Mar wasn't having any of it (the story goes that 3 nurses, 1 doctor and my wife couldn't hold her down), so it remained. Well, recently it grew to about the size of a nickle.. and became a shiny black/brown/gray. It was bothering her, so we decided it was time for it to be removed. The dermatologist that we'd visited before didn't have an immediate appointment available so my wife made an appointment at the new Vitalogy Skin Care in San Marcos for Mar Mar.

Very, Very impressed. We walked in and there was a really comfortable office space... big chairs, a table... only a couple magazines, and the best thing... FREE DRINKS AND SNACKS. OK... not the best thing.. but free stuff is way up there.

Actually... the best thing was the fact that the doctor, Dr. Eric Adelman was a goofy, goofy man. Which was extremely good for the 4 year old on the table who was amazingly afraid. He also did a fantastic job talking to me and Jodie outside the door when he explained what was going on.

Something that isn't the norm for doctors, it seems. Bedside manner. I understand it isn't something that you learn in med school. Well.. Dr. Adelman has it down. He's also a Mohs micrographic surgeon, for what that's worth (we certainly hope we never have to use that service...or you either).

He walked into the room, the conversation went something like this:

Dr. Adelman: Hey.. WHOA WHAT'S THAT?
Mar Mar: My birthmark
Dr. Adelman: DUDE... that's neat. I need to have that.
Mar Mar: I want to keep it.
Dr. Adelman: No way, I'm totally taking that.
Mar Mar: ...
Dr. Adelman: You know what? I'm going to draw on it.
Mar Mar: *laughs*

It went on like that for a few minutes. Mar Mar was really scared, but I'm so proud at how brave she was. The assistants were awesome too... talking about their kids and making sure Mar Mar was as comfortable as possible. She even got a doughnut and a lemonade (remember... free snacks). After the operation Mar Mar got to pick between pink or purple sticky-gauze stuff to put on her leg.

The "cutting" itself is another matter... there's about $.25 hole in her leg where the "birthmark" used to be.. and we've yet to unwrap the bandage to take a look. I guess we better call the office there to find out just how to treat it (something Jodie probably already has done... I write blogs.. she actually finds out information).

The time the doctor walked in and the operation was done was only about 30 minutes.

Oh...Another reason I decided to write this... well... when Dr. Adelman walked in, I thought it was Wayne Coyne, the lead singer of The Flaming Lips.

Let me give you a visual... The Flaming Lips photo is by

Flaming Lips Press Photo by J. Michelle Martin
This is a press photo of The Flaming Lips by J. Michelle Martin (linked from the Flaming Lips Website)

This is a photo I found on newstreamz.com of the grand opening of Vitalogy Skin Care from August 2008.
Can you find the Doctor I speak of?




Awesome... eh?

So... thanks Dr. Adelman and the fine folks at Vitalogy Skin Care in San Marcos for making a very scary experience... not so scary.

We will hear back soon what the results of the birthmark's biopsy... so if you could do us a solid and say a few words of prayer for Marlee and us... it'd be appreciated.