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This September, two TPS students fled Houston ahead of Hurrican Rita with their family.  Heidi and Emily Early shared with us their story and the things for which it has made them thankful.

 

The Earlys made the decision to evacuate mostly due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.  They were also concerned about their younger children and didn’t want to put them in the middle of a storm, especially if the power went out.  “I think we made a wise choice,” says Emily.  “We live very close to Galveston and our house could have been hit badly.”

 

Once they had made the decision to evacuate, the family had to choose which things to take with them, and which to leave behind.  There were some difficult decisions, but in the end, they mainly chose family pictures, videos, and important papers–-things which were irreplaceable.  “I did also end up taking about six textbooks and ten other books,” says Heidi, with a grin.

 

Emily acknowledges that it wasn’t easy to leave.  “I was scared,” she admits.  “I didn't know if I would ever come back to the same place.  Would our house still be there?  Would our things still be there?  Would the town that I'd lived in for 14 years of my life still be intact?  I didn't know.  It’s very scary to leave a place and never know if that place would be the same, two days later.”

 

“I think I was more shocked than scared, at first,” says Heidi. “We knew Rita might be headed for us for several days before we evacuated, but since there's hurricane 'heading for us' almost every summer and they rarely ever hit us, I don't think anyone took it really seriously until a couple days before it was projected to hit. More than fear, I think, was just shock at having to pack up and leave all of a sudden like that.”

 

Despite some very congested traffic, the Earlys reached their destination, Fort Worth, in only twice the normal time.  Although it took some people as long as twenty-six hours to reach Fort Worth, the Earlys were able to make the drive in only eight. 

 

Once they reached Fort Worth, the Earlys stayed in the home of relatives.  Through the six days that followed, they watched the television for news, visited family, and celebrated Emily’s 14th birthday.  “It was actually a lot of fun,” says Heidi.  “We had a lot of fun hanging out with all of our relatives– it was basically just like an impromptu vacation.”

 

When they returned home, the Earlys found much less damage than had originally been predicted.  Except for a tree which had broken in half in their front yard and a good deal of scattered debris, their property was unharmed.

 

Both Emily and Heidi say that they have learned something valuable from this experience.  “God has a purpose for everything He does, and for every good and bad thing that happens,” says Emily.  “I am thankful for the life and location God has given me, and for the friends and family I have.  I am thankful that God is here to protect us and give us everything we need.”

 

Heidi adds, “Initially, I was just really, really glad that the hurricane didn't hit us directly, but it was more than that. Most of all, I'm thankful that I have a God who I can trust to take care of everything because I know that what He ordains is right. Always.”

 

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