#strongerthanstorms

nowandgen: I am SO TOUCHED to see so many people rallying around such an important cause!! I can't believe that in just one week, tens of thousands more have been raised for the #StrongerThanStorms campaign that is saving lives and providing resources to people in need! 🖇💓🖇 The Paperclip Chain is a symbol of unity, hope, and coming together as one to support those we may not know personally but whom we care about as fellow human beings in a time of need.

Well it's been over 2 months since Hurricane Irma, and things have finally "settled down" enough to give a solid update on what has happened. For St. Thomas, over half of the island is still without power, cell service is still extremely spotty, and flights are very limited (we're praying our flight home on Nov 15 goes out). But every day we see progress. The island is green, the water is still a sparkling blue, roads are clearing up, cruise ships are coming in, and the hundreds of volunteer linemen from the States are hard at work restoring power daily. From Irma, our apartment flooded, but we were able to get to it the next day to dry it out and salvage most of our things. Maria dumped even more water. With widespread flooding, it was days before we could get to our place, so our home became mold infested. Between mold and water damage, we were throwing things away for weeks after the storms, and it was becoming increasingly clear that our landlord was not going to cut the Sheetrock walls to get a handle on things. Fortunately we were able to break our lease with little issue before we left for our trip. Two days after we returned, we signed a new lease on a place with an amazing view, beaches within walking distance, and limited generator power. We officially moved in on Monday. By the grace of God, we were able to save most of our possessions, have had steady work since the first storm, and help and encouragement in various forms from friends, family, and Marriott. Friends of ours have lost everything, been jobless for months, and are continuing to fight mold in still damp conditions. To say the least, we are infinitely blessed and infinitely grateful for all the love, prayers, and support. I think the line from "Trading My Sorrows" sums it all up best "[We are] pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

[We are] blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure

His joy's gonna be [our] strength".