City, keep possibility of flood in mind

How does it affect your vision and decisions for the city of Cedar Rapids if you believe it won't flood again? I would highly regard this as something very weighty for new city council members. I believe to believe that it will never happen again is an unbelievable way to look forward.

We fight for and protect what we love; why not build these flood effects into a way to have a vision of freedom in all seasons long-term for this city rather than harden our hearts? Times are changing; it's easy to see across the country that weather patterns aren't as predictable.

The difficulty is being able to decipher what we can do to set up a healthy community for future generations, with agility. Why not instill creativity from our community and families in ways that testify of how we survived the flood that allows us to walk on water when it happens again? There is always servant heart's leadership opportunity for more in the midst of hardship.

I am from Marion and worked for the city of Cedar Rapids right after the flood. I have recently moved to the Kansas City area for a season of study and work at the International House of Prayer. It is a wonderful thing to have in areas of crisis in the nation to renew spirits and hope.

Janelle Gochenouer

Grandview, Mo.