Today I am thankful and grateful for everything that I have and for every person in my life. When I was six years old, I survived the earthquake in Nicaragua. It happened on December 23, 1972. It was the day before Christmas and I remember our tall Christmas tree that fell on the floor shattering all the pretty glass ornaments. That year, we had no Christmas… My family had to move to another city to our grandmother’s house and then to a rented house until our house was fixed from the severe damage the earthquake caused. Even though our lives were changed forever, no one was hurt in my family. God protected us.
After the war in Nicaragua in 1979, when my family had to flee into exile to the Dominican Republic, we lived with my aunt for about two months. Because her house couldn’t accommodate a family of eight, they decided to convert their office into a bedroom for my parents and my youngest sister who was one at the time. The rest of the kids (five of us ranging in ages from 14 to 3 years old) were placed in the garage. Yes, I lived in a garage for two months during the summer months in the island of Dominican Republic. Do you know how hot it gets? And do you know how many bugs there are in the tropical weather? And did you know that mice and rats can get into the garage? Did you know mosquitoes can actually pick you up and carry you? (Just kidding on this one!)
Two months later we were able to move to a two bedroom apartment on a fourth floor apartment building with no elevators and a couple of weeks later the hurricane of the century, David, hit the island at 175 mph. Yes, I remember seeing the waves from the ocean even over three miles away how they were hitting the coast. I remember seeing objects flying through the air as if they were weightless. I remember the noise of the wind creeping into the apartment windows. It was a miracle that the balcony glass sliding doors didn’t explode. They were bowed and could barely stand the pressure of the wind pushing against them. We had about 4 inches of water in the apartment but not one window broke. Through the war and through the storm, God protected us!
I have shared with you through other blogs how when I came here to the United States in 1986, I thought I came here with nothing but I was wrong. I came here with all the values, morals, and the Christian beliefs that my parents instilled in me. I had God with me all my life and that is enough to get through whatever storm we encounter in life.
Today, years later after the earthquake, the war, the hurricane, and from moving to a new country I can only say “thank you” to my God, my Father, who loves me so much that He sent His only son Jesus to die for me. Yes, He saved me from many natural disasters and worldly events but the most important thing He did for me is to save me from hell, to forgive my sins, and to give me the gift of eternal life.
I am thankful. I am grateful… beyond words. It is a matter of the heart and God sees my heart. Today, I encourage you to look back in your life and see how God’s hand has been upon you. Take a moment to thank Him. Happy Thanksgiving to all my beloved family and friends!