It's amazing the things that happen in our lives that completely change everything. On April 17, 2013, our lives were drastically changed. The explosion in West, TX not only rocked our house it rocked our lives. So many of our friends, family, & people we just knew had their homes damaged or destroyed. The loss of fire fighters & EMT's in Abbott & West was devastating. The West Ambulance lost not only members & friends, but also lost their facility & much needed equipment. The West fire department also lost much needed equipment. Families had their lives turned upside down not only by losing their homes but by injuries & deaths caused from the explosion. The owners of West Fertilizer lost so much & are carrying this heavy burden on their shoulders. One thing that West & Abbott has not lost during these trying times is our Faith. As so many have said, we are shaken but we are not stirred. Also, that God is big enough to help us through this.
Among all the stories of loss & damages there are many stories of miracles. I can't tell you how many people have told me that somehow they weren't harmed when it's hard to believe when you look at the damage around them. How in houses where angels & crosses are displayed, there is no damage near those items. How in a yard where the statue of the Virgin Mary survived without damage but the bird feeder sitting next too it was completely destroyed. There are so many signs that God and His angels were there protecting the people of West to the best of their ability.
In the midst of tragedy, there was so much good that came about. The people of West pulled together & started helping each other out. Abbott opened it's doors to others. Many surrounding communities pitched in with supplies, volunteers, & shelter. In the days following, the people that were displaced jumped in to volunteer to help everyone else too. Yes, there where people that took advantage of the goodness that was present as it always seems to happen with the devil walking among us. But the goodness outweighed the evil.
I can't help but thank God for the miracles & the love that He has brought to us through these trying times. We will continue to praise Him & to help our communities rebuild.
We are "Shaken not stirred" & "God is Big Enough".
