Almost Settled

It has been more than a month since the flashflood in our city happened. I praise God my family is almost settled and they're soon to move to a more permanent place to stay. As of now, my mom and sister's family are still staying in our relatives' house while my other sister is staying in a friends' house. But soon, they will get settled and I thank God for His favor that is on them.

As for the other residents in the city, I also saw several photos from my friends' Facebook, that the other people affecter are also slowly rebuilding their houses though some are not yet thinking to put basement tiles or other finishing touches but at least they will have a roof over their heads and no longer have to stay at the evacuation center.

Oh, thinking about the state of my other fellow Cagay-anons really breaks my heart. It is really my fervent prayer that our city will be spared from another flood or tragedy like this.

Balulang Gift Giving 2011

A few years ago, my late father has started a family tradition for Christmas and that was giving Christmas gifts to our less privileged neighbours. This has continued on for many years even after he passed away and the project was even adopted by our church.

But after the flashflood brought by Sendong ( typhoon Washi), we thought of not continuing this tradition for this year since our houses were completely washed away from the flood. My brother in law even told us one day when he was at the flood site and one of our children's neighbor asked him whether there will still be a gift giving this year. I guess, this is one awaited event in the neighbourhood every Christmas. But my brother in law sadly told him that maybe not this year since all the presents have already been destroyed by the flood.

We really thought that there won't be any gift giving this year, but God has provided the funds to us through another church. This time, the allotted budget was even so much bigger than our usual gift giving budget. The fund was so much that we were able to extend the blessing to the other families who were affected by the flood as well.

Praise God for blessing our neighbors and the rest of Balulang!

A surprise appearance from Sponge Bob for the kids

Our neighbors with their gifts

Our Pastor encouraging the flood victims

Falling in line to get their goodies. They needed to present their tickets and no need for gamestop coupons .

Registration

Snack time

Our House Before and After Sendong

This is what our house looked like before the flash flood brought by Typhoon Sendong. This has been our home for 10 years since we moved here after my late father retired from work. So, he basically designed and built this house with his own hands. He made a treehouse for the kids, a swing and etc. Everyday, he used to work on something for the house.

( the river is on the right side)

Our house after the flood...

Only a portion of our toilet is left standing

Everything else is gone..

The place looked like a desert except for a few remnants and trees...

But in all things we give thanks to God! We especially thank God for keeping our family safe. We couldn't imagine what could have happened if they failed to evacuate the place. But God is good!! Though my mom and 2 sisters lost their houses and everything in it, but their faithm hope and love for God remains the same! This just proves that everything in this earth may soon pass but only 3 things remain, faith, hope and love...

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:`13

Photo credits: Bogie of Bogie's Wonderland