Date day

Today, Andreas and I had a very non traditional date day. We even got dressed up... in rain jackets and rubber boots ;)  Armed with shovels and work gloves, we went to help out at a local volunteer centre to fill, move and load sandbags for those affected by the floods. I had gone there earlier in the week with Nicklas and Alexander (here) but, because we had about 50 mm of rain over the past few days and the risk of flooding was still very high, we wanted to go back and help out again.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, it was a really fun date! It was amazing how many friends we met up with and how many people we got to know in the few hours that we were there. Nothing brings people together like a good cause and a lot of mud ;) We participated in a human chain that helped move sandbags from the bagging area to the backs of cars/trucks/vans and it felt good to be a part of something so positive. Even though our time there was limited by chauffeuring boys to football practice, we were so impressed with all those who have made helping out a full time effort over the past week. You are all heroes! To all those who are living with the fear of losing their homes, we are thinking of you and admiring your courage.... may the sandbag walls stay strong and keep the water out!

If you live nearby, please consider coming out to help for a few hours. Honestly, it is a lot of fun... you won't need to go to the gym (moving sandbags is a really good workout) and the help will be really appreciated :)

Stay safe and dry, our neighbours xox

Flooding... again....

In 2017, some neighbouring towns ended up flooded (see here). It was really terrible and many people lost their homes because of it. Even more terrible is that many people finally rebuilt only to have more flooding over the past few days. Can you imagine? After finally fixing your home, it floods again. So awful!
So, today, Alexander, Nicklas and I went to help bag sand so that those affected by the rising waters could protect their homes and those that already had some flooding could minimize the amount of water coming in. Although the initial intent was so that they could burn off a bit of energy, not fight and stay away from video games, it was sobering to see so many come to pick up sandbags for their homes. We were really happy to see that quite a few people came out to help. The event was so well coordinated and we felt blessed that we could help out. They both said that it felt good to have filled so many bags with sand... and that filled my heart.

Thinking of all those who are trying their best to save their homes... again....

Thankful to be able to help out on such a beautiful day

Team work

Look! No fighting ;)

Water filling up the streets near where we were bagging sand

So many who needed bags and, thankfully, so many who came to fill them

More sand to put into bags