Crisis (Not an affirmation!!)

  The word "Crisis" in Mandarin is depicted by two characters. One represents danger, the other opportunity.
  Soooo, last night's 1:20 AM rude awakening to the sound of running water inside the house has created a whole whack of opportunity.
  I had thought a pipe had burst but when I opened the back door, still half asleep, the water poured in until I got it closed. It was still pouring in so in a fit of brilliance, I tried packing some rags in the gap at the bottom. It may not have slowed the flow but it made me feel better to do something, anything!
  An ice dam had formed because of the thaw and torrential rain in the area that lifted sheets of ice up and wedged them tight at the bridge up the road. The water had nowhere to go but over land. It was strong enough to lift a trailer home off its foundation. Strong enough to float a huge log from my neighbour's woodpile down the road. It was high enough that I was evacuated to the local fire station for a few hours until the ice dam was cleared.
  There's still a lot of water to go but it is receding quickly. It is no longer pouring in the back door although I think there is some still coming in through the foundation. Sounds like it anyways but the sump pumps seem to be slowly winning the battle. The water outside started receding just before it reached my basement windows otherwise I'd have five feet of water downstairs instead of only a couple.
  I still have electricity. No heat. No running water.
  I was able to get most of the camping gear upstairs and my power tools. The fire department guys who rescued this damsel in distress carried my big table saw up to the kitchen before we left around 3 AM.
  Where is the opportunity in all this? The basement will get cleaned out. I'm glad I used Styrofoam insulation down there. It can simply be dried off and re-installed. I may end up needing a new furnace, water heater and water pump. I am so thankful to have insurance that covers floods!
  Meanwhile, I haven't been able to get to the car to see if it was inundated with water or to see if it will run but I've arranged for a car rental until that gets sorted out.
  There is much work ahead over the next few days. I may or may not blog. We'll see.
  I will lift everyone who has been impacted by the many flooded areas around here. I wasn't alone at the fire hall. I pray that they will have the resources to restore or rebuild their lives. In Jesus' name, AMEN!