#LMAStrong Merriam-Webster defines ‘resilient’ as tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. That word has become all-too-familiar to us as we face the continued effects of natural disasters that seem to know no boundaries. In those times when our members need us the most, we choose we stand, ready to serve, even as we face the reality of our own road to recovery. In 2016, over a dozen members of the LMA/RMI family were directly impacted by flooding, yet the resilience of this team and the resolve to continue to serve others ultimately prevailed. Our fellow municipal leagues from around the country contributed to a GoFundMe campaign started by the National League of Cities on behalf of our team. The generosity of so many individuals, along with the prayers and support, can never be repaid. Stories like the one below from Mary Joseph, LaMATS Program Manager, is the reason why we will continue to pay it forward. When the electricity went off at 10:30 pm on Saturday night, August 13, 2016, I was hoping it would not be off for a long time. Apparently, I had fallen asleep and at 3:30 am, I suddenly woke up. I thought, well, since I am up, I might as well go upstairs a take a shower. I had no idea that we were about to be in the middle of a flood. As I was getting dressed, I felt such an urgency that we had to get out. My roommate, Crissy, was sound asleep in her room. I started yelling, “Get up and pack all of your important papers, we have to leave now.” I still did not know why we had to leave, but knew it we had to leave NOW. I had not watched the news, so I didn’t know we were in trouble. Once I opened the door to leave, I saw the reason…rising water! We barely made it out of the complex and the road that led to the main highway. It was now 4:00 am. Since we each had a car, we decided to meet at Whole Foods. At 5:00 am, I called my friends on Jefferson and asked if we could park in their driveway. They did not even think that was a strange request! My great friends, Jim and Ginny took us in. We had no idea that we would be living with them until January 1, 2017 for me and <strong>October</strong> 1, 2017 for Crissy. We were able to see the unit on the following Sunday. The door had been busted in and our upstairs, which was in great condition, had been ransacked. Our downstairs had taken on 5 feet of water. Friends helped us get out all the furniture, appliances and wet stuff. Two women from California, and 6 men from Georgia helped with the gutting of the downstairs. A woman, whom I had met the day before, came to help me pack up the upstairs. The generosity of people was incredible! I was overwhelmed and so thankful for everyone’s help. I was also blown away by the generosity of my family, friends, strangers, the NLC and the LMA (my employer), with monetary contributions. The main scripture that As flood waters inundated her home, Amber Jones waded through the waters with any belongings she could carry. Volunteers from California and Georgia helped Mary Joseph clear out damage in her home. held me together was “He works all things together for good for those who love Him…”. The goodness of the Lord and the people who helped me has overcome the evil of those people that had broken into my unit. They did not get the $50.00 that was under my bible in a basket. I was able to sell the unit, gutted and that satisfied my mortgage. I am now renting a nicer place, in a nicer neighborhood, until I can decide what will be my next home. On behalf of Cami Barlow, Amber Jones, Mary Joseph, Karen White, Candice Rodgers, Anita Tillman, Bettie Bean, Stephanie Bramlet, Dana Johnson, Ann Phillips, Molly Smiley, Amanda Paul, Bill Corley, and Edna Perkins – thank you LMA, NLC and every individual and organization who not only assisted us, but continue to help so many others. We are indeed grateful and there is no doubt that we will remain #LMAStrong! Page 22 <strong>LMR</strong> | <strong>October</strong> 2017
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