Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Chiggers.... and Joplin one year later...



My husband and I recently made another trip to Joplin.

We had not been there since last fall,
and I was anxious to see how much progress had been made
from the damage that had been caused by the tornado last year.

Our first business, however, was to visit my husband's
95 year old aunt who still lives independently.
She had a "TO DO" list for us which was
just as important as any disaster relief work we could have done.



High on her priorities was putting up a plastic lattice fence. 
My husband had a tough time setting the steel posts
in the ground due to a rocky ledge just below the soil.


My job was fairly easy.
It mainly amounted to getting supplies for him
and holding the fencing in place while he secured it.


My husband was wise enough to use bug spray.
I WAS NOT!
...And today I am paying the consequences...
I must have a hundred or more chigger bites.
(If you don't know what chiggers are, click HERE , 
or for how to treat the chigger bites, click HERE and listen!)


Since we were busy taking care of Auntie,
we didn't have much time to look around.
On Range Line Road there were many businesses that had reopened.


Houses were being rebuilt or repaired.


Reminders of the tornado damage
were implied on many of the stores' marques, 

...and evidenced in the large community of still occupied FEMA trailers.


The sky was looking ominous as the sun hid behind clouds,
and tornado watches were being given as we prepared to leave. 
I'm sure the warnings must have brought back many memories
and struck fear in many hearts.


On the outskirts of town a tall reminder stood to remind us all to
PRAY FOR JOPLIN!
...As for me,
I have chigger bites as a reminder to do that!


Click HERE to see another "C" post -
my Name of God on Rocks for this week!
Thanks for stopping by!

17 comments:

Erika said...

Chiggers are a pain. Hope you get those taken care of quickly with minimal itching.

Naperville Now said...

Our church will be in Joplin next week on its second mission trip to help rebuild. How blessed your aunt is to have you in her life. Sorry about the bites -- awful things!

VBR said...

Chigger bites! Two words sure to send the shivers down anyone's spine! Hope you are feeling better!

Sandy said...

I've never had the pleasure of Chiggers and really don't know about them.. will read your link.. hope the itching has gone away! Sandy

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Yikes! Chiggers!

Anonymous said...

I hate chigger bites! It's so nice that you were able to help your husband's aunt.

Unknown said...

The fence came out so well! It was exciting to see how Joplin is recovering.

Debbie said...

Oh dear the chigger bites!! I've never had them, but I know my husband has.

I love that you were willing to face down the chiggers to help your husband's aunt, and I REALLY love to see that battered city being rebuilt. That was so horrible.

Annesphamily said...

Ouch! I hate bug bites! I like seeing the rebuilding and all the normalcy coming back. I still pray. Your fence looks wonderful! Auntie must have been happy too!Enjoy your weekend and many blessings to you! Anne

SarahBeth said...

Oh yes, I remember chigger bites when I was a kid visiting relatives "in the country" -- yuck!
How lovely that your aunt is still on her own -- bet she appreciates her new fence!

My name is Riet said...

Sorry to hear you are bitten. I don;t know what chiggers are really but hey must be nasty

Alicia said...

Oh, my, your chigger bite story reminds me of my first year of camp counseling at a Bible camp. We all slept on the beach on the last night of camp and I ended up with at least 100 bites- the kids called me poke-dot Pete after that :) Ouch!

Susan Anderson said...

Chiggers?! Oh, my.

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Nava said...

Even one bite keeps me awake for a week. That is just too many. What are you doing for them. My son was on a mission trip to Joplin not long ago. I know you two were angels for that sweet little aunt.

anitamombanita said...

It's making me itch, just thinking about it. Nice of you to help out his aunt!

Aritha V. said...

Great you two are helping this aunt.

Jenny said...

Collecting chiggers is NOT a good thing!

Yikes!

I love that picture of your husband's Aunt. You can just see the spirit in her face!

What good souls you both are!

Thanks for such a cute letter C!

A+