I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors... but I think that God has a good* sense of humor.

Over a year ago our house was hit by the IC tornado. Two months ago we arranged for a group of friends from Ames to come and help us re-roof our house for Jun 1st and 2nd. A few weeks ago, we found out this is the same weekend as the Arts Fest. Then, at the beginning of the week we found out that rain was expected the whole weekend. We waited until Friday morning to make the final call... yes, we'd give it a try and roof our house.

As the kids were waiting to be picked up by Shirley, Ezekiel was telling me about his prayers last night. He said, "Mom, I prayed that God would not let it rain for two days so you can get the roof done." I told him that was incredibly sweet and nice but then I also mentioned how it could still rain and it would be ok because God was in control. "But I prayed for no rain?" he asks. I then explained to him how sometimes God says "no." And it is not that He is saying "no" to be mean-hearted, but that He may have something better for us, or some other reason, or maybe it is not the right time, there is something we are ultimately being protected from, or maybe we need to ask more, etc. It doesn't mean we shouldn't ask for specific things either, we should always ask and often. God's ways are not our ways and we need to trust in His plan.

Nevertheless, work started off great at 8AM, cloudy, yes, but great. Tearing off shingles is really fun, I quickly learned why leather gloves are so great! Joe, Pat, Josh and I are there for a while, then Jonathan, Luke, Abra, Josh and Becky came. The whole time I am pulling stuff up I just keep praying, "Please God protect us, please hold off the rain as long as You see fit, and when it does rain, I will assume it was to save someone from getting hurt or some other better purpose and help myself and the rest of the crew to remain in good spirits."

Around 10:30 I left for the Sok's to pick up some stuff. After loading everything into the RAV at their house, I go to start it back up and it is dead. Won't drive. And it is parked right in front of their garage. I put the RAV in neutral and start to push it out of the way when thunder starts and light rain. Abra comes to rescue me, helps me push the RAV the remainder of the way, in the rain, meanwhile the team at the house scrambles to cover the roof with tarps.

By the time we get back, the tarps are on and they are about to start a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit and get lunch started since it is lunch time (Thanks Rachel for lunch!) when I am standing in my dining room and I start getting rained on. Since our roof is not covered in plywood sheets but 1x8's it made for more places for rain to come in. Jonathan then scampers up to the attic and starts to soak up the wet spots. Soon the leaks stop and lunch is served.

After lunch it looks fine and sunny outside and we begin again. The Colorado team of 3 leave but in their place Chad comes to work. An hour or so into it, light rain starts to fall. We start to slowly put on tarps thinking it will stop by the time we get them all on.

It does not stop.

It gets worse.

Much worse.

Then the winds pick up.

Everyone is scrambling to either hold down tarps with their bodies or scrambling around nailing down the tarps. Joe is walking around as sure footed as a deer. Luke, Chad, Jonathan and Josh are showing no fear and laughing almost as they hold and nail down tarps. I have this perfect photograph in my mind of Jonathan standing on the top ridge of the roof and this huge gust of wind blowing him from behind and him having this look of utter joy. It was crazy!

And me? I was dandy until this gust of wind almost blew me down one of the tarps. Thank