After the Storm
(God) provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside. Job 5:10
Northern Michigan is known for its precipitation, averaging 110 inches of snow every year, and 33 inches of rain. In fact, the sun only shines there 163 days a year, on average. When I taught kindergarten in Traverse City, my students knew how to dress themselves for the weather, wearing one-piece snowmobile suits in the winter, with their hats, mittens, and snow boots, and raincoats and boots whenever it rained.
I remember one little, blonde boy named Christopher, all smiles as he came in from the bus one rainy morning, wearing his bright yellow, hooded slicker. He could hardly wait to show me the treasures he had collected while he waited at the bus stop near his house. He thrust both of his hands deep into his coat pockets and gleefully pulled them out again, full of wiggly, slippery worms. Obviously, his mom had sent him outside to wait for the bus while she remained inside where it was dry, watching from the window until he safely boarded his bus.
After my initial exclamation of surprise, I sent Chris outside to deposit all of his worms in the green grass that grew right outside our classroom windows. I reassured him that his worms would be happier in their normal habitat. I don't remember telling him that the worms would surely die, and stink, if he left them in his raincoat pockets until he got home that afternoon--but I was certainly thinking it.
Michigan rains were usually gentle, not like the rain we experienced here in Gering yesterday.
Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1
We are used to heavy rain here, usually arriving late in the afternoon, accompanied by strong winds, a quick drop in temperature, and plenty of thunder and lightning. We consider ourselves blessed when the hail stays away. Tornado warnings are not too unusual, but our community seems to be protected by Scotts Bluff National Monument, directly to our west, with steep bluffs that are known to deflect the worst storms to either side of us. Most of our afternoon showers produce a quarter of an inch of rain, and are often followed with immediate sunshine and a beautiful, double rainbow.
The rain continued all day. My rain gauge showed a total of 6.2 inches by the time the storm wound down early in the evening. A few people, three miles south of Gering, reported rainfall between nine and eleven inches. Those amounts have been unheard of in our area, where yearly total precipitation averages only 15 inches.
Sunday morning dawned, bright and sunny, just as I had hoped. The air, washed cleaner than it's ever been, smelled delightful all day long. The grass seems to have grown several inches today, and even the Monument is splendidly green from top to bottom.
This morning, as people gathered together to pray before each worship service, you could hear prayers of thanksgiving for the moisture, as well as prayers of thanks that the storm was finally over.
Today, the stream had mostly disappeared, leaving some rocks and mulch strewn across the path and grass. We had to tread lightly on one four-foot section that was completely covered in slippery mud, but the rest of the path was mostly clear. I did stop to photograph one new "pond" next to the fence, but I'm sure that water will be gone, too, in a couple of days.
Here in the "Great American Desert," we rarely grumble about too much rain. You won't hear us complaining much this time, either, because we know that the current surplus will be stored in the Ogallala Aquifer, that expansive underground lake that sits far below Nebraska's cities and farms. As a result of this uncommon rainfall, millions of people will have ample water for drinking and recreation and irrigation. Once they clean up their fields after this storm, the farmers will be happy, until the next hailstorm threatens to destroy their sprouting corn and beans and sugar beets.
He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. Acts 14:17b
Northern Michigan is known for its precipitation, averaging 110 inches of snow every year, and 33 inches of rain. In fact, the sun only shines there 163 days a year, on average. When I taught kindergarten in Traverse City, my students knew how to dress themselves for the weather, wearing one-piece snowmobile suits in the winter, with their hats, mittens, and snow boots, and raincoats and boots whenever it rained.
I remember one little, blonde boy named Christopher, all smiles as he came in from the bus one rainy morning, wearing his bright yellow, hooded slicker. He could hardly wait to show me the treasures he had collected while he waited at the bus stop near his house. He thrust both of his hands deep into his coat pockets and gleefully pulled them out again, full of wiggly, slippery worms. Obviously, his mom had sent him outside to wait for the bus while she remained inside where it was dry, watching from the window until he safely boarded his bus.
After my initial exclamation of surprise, I sent Chris outside to deposit all of his worms in the green grass that grew right outside our classroom windows. I reassured him that his worms would be happier in their normal habitat. I don't remember telling him that the worms would surely die, and stink, if he left them in his raincoat pockets until he got home that afternoon--but I was certainly thinking it.
Michigan rains were usually gentle, not like the rain we experienced here in Gering yesterday.
Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1
We are used to heavy rain here, usually arriving late in the afternoon, accompanied by strong winds, a quick drop in temperature, and plenty of thunder and lightning. We consider ourselves blessed when the hail stays away. Tornado warnings are not too unusual, but our community seems to be protected by Scotts Bluff National Monument, directly to our west, with steep bluffs that are known to deflect the worst storms to either side of us. Most of our afternoon showers produce a quarter of an inch of rain, and are often followed with immediate sunshine and a beautiful, double rainbow.
 |
| After a thunderstorm, I can often find a double rainbow right outside my front door. |
Earlier this week, the national weather service had been predicting moderate to heavy rainfall for the Nebraska panhandle, but the thunder didn't start to rumble until late Friday evening, with the rain coming in torrents before midnight, and continuing, to the accompaniment of reverberating thunder and flickering lightning, all night long. When I ventured outside the next morning to empty the rain gauge, I was astounded to find that more than 4 1/2 inches had fallen overnight and, although the thunder and lightning had subsided, it was still raining steadily, turning my yard into a lake.
 |
| My backyard "lake." |
I was pleased to find that my basement stayed dry, but many people in the area were not so fortunate.
The rain continued all day. My rain gauge showed a total of 6.2 inches by the time the storm wound down early in the evening. A few people, three miles south of Gering, reported rainfall between nine and eleven inches. Those amounts have been unheard of in our area, where yearly total precipitation averages only 15 inches.
Sunday morning dawned, bright and sunny, just as I had hoped. The air, washed cleaner than it's ever been, smelled delightful all day long. The grass seems to have grown several inches today, and even the Monument is splendidly green from top to bottom.
This morning, as people gathered together to pray before each worship service, you could hear prayers of thanksgiving for the moisture, as well as prayers of thanks that the storm was finally over.
 |
| The green grass extends all the way up the Monument. |
Jackson was excited when I pulled out his red leash for a late afternoon walk. We took a usual route, past the high school, now under construction to build the new Ninth Grade Academy addition. I was surprised to find a good-sized lake behind the school, where some heavy equipment has been digging. I imagine this week's construction will be slowed down a little bit, while the workers wait for the water to subside.
 |
| The new "Academy Lake." |
Jackson continued to lead me along the bike path that winds its way through Northfield Park. Yesterday, neighborhood residents were referring to the park as "Northfield Creek," reporting that the water flowing through the park was thigh deep in places, and perfect for kayaking. Yes, a couple of young teens were photographed with their kayak--what fun!
Today, the stream had mostly disappeared, leaving some rocks and mulch strewn across the path and grass. We had to tread lightly on one four-foot section that was completely covered in slippery mud, but the rest of the path was mostly clear. I did stop to photograph one new "pond" next to the fence, but I'm sure that water will be gone, too, in a couple of days.
 |
| Reflection in the "pond." |
It will take a little longer for water logged basement carpets to be dried out or replaced, and for washed-out roads to be repaired. Several farmers will need to replant some corn, and others will need to fill in the canyons that have formed in their flooded fields.
Here in the "Great American Desert," we rarely grumble about too much rain. You won't hear us complaining much this time, either, because we know that the current surplus will be stored in the Ogallala Aquifer, that expansive underground lake that sits far below Nebraska's cities and farms. As a result of this uncommon rainfall, millions of people will have ample water for drinking and recreation and irrigation. Once they clean up their fields after this storm, the farmers will be happy, until the next hailstorm threatens to destroy their sprouting corn and beans and sugar beets.
He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. Acts 14:17b
 |
| As we ended our walk, I spied this tiny baby bunny hanging out under a tree, probably waiting for its underground home to dry out. |
Comments
Post a Comment