Save the Walls

Spring River was a fun and relaxing part of our summers.  We had many memorable times there through the years. Canoeing, tubing,  swimming and camping were our favorite activities. Some also liked to trout fish and still others would spend the day watching our children play in the rapids. It was always a time of friends, fun, good cooking and laughter. 

One particular day a group of friends and our families had had an amazing, fun-filled and exhausting time at Spring River. But we were glad to get home before the storm hit. The bad weather was moving in quickly, with extremely strong winds. 

We had not been home long when we got a phone call from Leslie. She said we needed to get to the church ASAP as the wind was blowing the church walls down. She told us that she was calling others to help also. 

We had started building a new church and had completed the foundation but the outside walls were only framed up. We rushed to the church, and as we pulled into the drive we could see that the walls were leaning dramatically. But Sue and Dallas already had 2x4's against one wall to support it enough to prevent the total collapse. 

Leslie, Freda, Boyd, AB and I pulled in to the church yard about the same time. We girls all grabbed 2x4's and pressed them against the wall to push it upright again. Boyd and AB grabbed ladders, hammers and nails and started nailing braces in place to secure the walls. 

As we stood on the ground watching the wind whip Boyd and AB on the top of the wall our hearts were in our throats. It was scary enough that the wall wasn't secure, but the strength of the wind made it even more frightening. 

Working together, we prevented the total collapse of the church walls that stormy day. It was a good thing to see people who are dedicated to their church, work hard for It. But the admirable thing to us that day was seeing two men who were not church members risk their necks for the church .