Readers, Wonderful Donors and Bidders,
Below is an update on the Gregorys progress posted by Gretchen Wilson who is an absolute Angel!

From Gretchen:

Hi All- It has been over a month since the devastating floods in SW WA. Thank you to every one of you for your prayers and support in so very many ways to the people of that area and especially my friends at Black Sheep Creamery, Meg and Brad Gregories. I finally was able to see them last night for dinner and wanted to give you all a little update.

After a flat tire on their borrrowed vehicle and driving back to Centralia and begging for "another borrowed vehicle", the Gregories were on a grand "trip up north" to pick up the first of their replacement vehicles. They have been borrowing vehicles this past month and finally are getting into some of their own again. The insurance paid for the truck which they bought in Mt Vernon-it was very nice. No insurance on the other 2 lost vehicles so those 2 are being replaced by generously donated vehicles coming this weekend.(Thanks T. Martino!!-they look forward to their visit with the kids!) This will be a big relief since borrowing was getting old for everyone!!

The tractors will hopefully be running again some time this spring, thanks to a nice mechanic from Oregon. They haven't assessed the "new-ish" milker which was submerged, or many of the other machines they depend on. So there is still much to be fixed or replaced.

Meg is back at work nursing a couple days a week. the kids are back in school. The Gregories are back in their farm house, "camping out" in the upsatirs whcih was not too damaged and using a cobbled kitchen and bath as they await having those downstairs areas remodeled. The wet and mold are stopped and all the gutting done. Now just needs the remodel.

They have received an amazing amount of help and support as have many folks in their area. But the magnitude of this disaster makes it a continual crises for most folks there. Many stores are not yet open for essentials such as computer cables etc. (They were hurriedly shopping at our local Fred Meyers and Staples while here.) Some homes are re-flooding every time it rains now because of the damage done to yards, drainage, roads etc. So every time it rains the panic rises in everyone's traumatized minds. Many washed-out roads and bridges will never be replaced and some people will never be able to rebuild.

The Gregories are watching their children closely for trauma disorders. One child is having nightmares and they are all dealing with the trauma in thier own ways. It is important to be sure they are healthy ways.

On this "trip North" Meg and Brad got to see their new ewes being housed in Arlington for the first time yestreday, and were impressed-thanks Deb and Linda for making this possible!! An amusing story from that visit--Alexia-- they did notice one of the "girls" looked just like their favortite old ewe they had lost and "she" was rubbing on them and very freindly!! You guessed it-HE was their own ram they'd sold Alexia and she'd loaned for servicing these new ewes. Alexia-They say he is from their very best lines and definitely a keeper. They'd love to buy him back?? Linda-do you need hay?? Linda-do you need me to come and get that ram out of there?? Karin- we need to get a shearer to shear those Wisconsin girls--any ideas??

We took the Gregories to Mexican dinner and then loaded up a donated fridge from my parent's apartment business into their new-ish truck and they were headed for home. A long day for them-but their first day out of the flood zone so important for them too.

Thanks again so very much for ALL your prayers and support! It has been much appreciated. They couldn't stop thanking everyone.

God Bless- Gretchen Wilson

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Page Posted January 11, 2008.