A reason for thanksgiving...
~This past Friday marked one year since the car accident that should have taken the lives of me and my three youngest children, had the Lord not intervened. Perhaps it is fitting that it is just the four of us together this Thanksgiving (mom’s back in Houston and David is not arriving until the day after). We thought we had plans with our “first friends” here on the island, Keli and Brian, but as it turns out Brian has undercover work (FBI) to do on Thanksgiving Day in a remote location, and Keli and the kids will join him. So it is with the most grateful attitude that the kids and I will spend the time alone…a wonderful time of rededicating our lives to the One who saved us, in the literal and spiritual sense. That being said, what I want to give you on this post is a photo tour of the most wonderful and blessed day this mother has had on the island yet, as it just so happened on the very day marking the 1 year anniversary of that terrible accident last November. It was a day any mother would dream of spending with those she’s closest to as we explored and experienced God’s rich history of San Juan in what can only be described as a scene from a movie filmed in Europe; however, this taking place in the Caribbean. It was something like this…the beautiful ocean crashing against the historic walls of the remains of a 16th century Spanish fort, "El Morro"; entering the courtyards where Spanish military governors and officers once held council to plan the next defensive against English, Dutch, and French invaders attempting to claim the New World for themselves; small corridors, dungeons, and stairwells where sentries walked, stood guard alone to send a cannon beaming straight on the unsuspecting ships trying to slip by the fort walls, or to march a prisoner to his dark and lonely fate. From the fort we moved on to enjoy the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, flanked by the pastel fronts of Spanish apartments with flowers cascading the ornamental iron balconies that line the street. Although part of the U.S., San Juan is a picture of old world beauty and charm. All the current store chains, brands, and high end retailers are housed in the quaint little shops, along with the most charming courtyard cafés and restaurants. Historic cathedrals, museums, and art galleries are woven within the shops and eateries, as well as parks with artisans selling their wares, some playing their instruments with cans for change, and some painting by easel. Yes! He chose to bless me and my three kids on this day, as a gift; a reminder that the most precious things in life (for this mother/educator) are the times spent teaching, learning, exploring, and discovering what our great God has done throughout history to bring His story to North America, that He would carry on the Great Commission through his church, and bring salvation through His son to every part of the world! (If you’ve never looked at history this way, I encourage you toward this biblical worldview where missions and churches were the first establishment in any settlement). A year ago this day, the kids and I would not have believed we would be so blessed as to be experiencing what was ours this day, and every day of discovery here on the island. It's a stark reminder that our days are numbered by His grace, and He has a plan, a very specific plan, for each of our lives! May you be reminded, and remind your children, of so great a truth this Thanksgiving! Dad, Nathan, and Skylar, my heart beats for that other half that is not with us on every step of this journey, and gives thanks for being being your wife and mother more than you'll every know!
~This past Friday marked one year since the car accident that should have taken the lives of me and my three youngest children, had the Lord not intervened. Perhaps it is fitting that it is just the four of us together this Thanksgiving (mom’s back in Houston and David is not arriving until the day after). We thought we had plans with our “first friends” here on the island, Keli and Brian, but as it turns out Brian has undercover work (FBI) to do on Thanksgiving Day in a remote location, and Keli and the kids will join him. So it is with the most grateful attitude that the kids and I will spend the time alone…a wonderful time of rededicating our lives to the One who saved us, in the literal and spiritual sense. That being said, what I want to give you on this post is a photo tour of the most wonderful and blessed day this mother has had on the island yet, as it just so happened on the very day marking the 1 year anniversary of that terrible accident last November. It was a day any mother would dream of spending with those she’s closest to as we explored and experienced God’s rich history of San Juan in what can only be described as a scene from a movie filmed in Europe; however, this taking place in the Caribbean. It was something like this…the beautiful ocean crashing against the historic walls of the remains of a 16th century Spanish fort, "El Morro"; entering the courtyards where Spanish military governors and officers once held council to plan the next defensive against English, Dutch, and French invaders attempting to claim the New World for themselves; small corridors, dungeons, and stairwells where sentries walked, stood guard alone to send a cannon beaming straight on the unsuspecting ships trying to slip by the fort walls, or to march a prisoner to his dark and lonely fate. From the fort we moved on to enjoy the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, flanked by the pastel fronts of Spanish apartments with flowers cascading the ornamental iron balconies that line the street. Although part of the U.S., San Juan is a picture of old world beauty and charm. All the current store chains, brands, and high end retailers are housed in the quaint little shops, along with the most charming courtyard cafés and restaurants. Historic cathedrals, museums, and art galleries are woven within the shops and eateries, as well as parks with artisans selling their wares, some playing their instruments with cans for change, and some painting by easel. Yes! He chose to bless me and my three kids on this day, as a gift; a reminder that the most precious things in life (for this mother/educator) are the times spent teaching, learning, exploring, and discovering what our great God has done throughout history to bring His story to North America, that He would carry on the Great Commission through his church, and bring salvation through His son to every part of the world! (If you’ve never looked at history this way, I encourage you toward this biblical worldview where missions and churches were the first establishment in any settlement). A year ago this day, the kids and I would not have believed we would be so blessed as to be experiencing what was ours this day, and every day of discovery here on the island. It's a stark reminder that our days are numbered by His grace, and He has a plan, a very specific plan, for each of our lives! May you be reminded, and remind your children, of so great a truth this Thanksgiving! Dad, Nathan, and Skylar, my heart beats for that other half that is not with us on every step of this journey, and gives thanks for being being your wife and mother more than you'll every know!
El Morro (be sure and roll those r's) was the first fort built by the Spanish crown in the New World in 1538 with walls surrounding the "rich port" of San Juan. This was nearly 45 years after Columbus discovered Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the New World. Spain had claimed the island and maintained its hold on the riches of the New World for several hundred years through this fortification. If you look at a map today, you can see where PR is the first island explorers from other countries would come to, and many tried to make claims of their own through this alley way to the west. These first two photos show the orginal walls that remain around the old city today.
The photo below is priceless! Iguana's can be seen all over the island, roaming the city streets, as well as the beach areas. We spotted two of them on the wall of the fort! Pretty awesome pic with the lookout over the Atlantic in the background!
Here we are inside the fort. Everywhere we turned was a beautiful view of history! The smiles on our faces show genuine joy of what we were experiencing.
The two photos below prompts one to imagine the spanish soldiers walking the stairs to different parts of the fort and officers holding council to discuss the British or French ships that have been reported heading in their direction.
Great photo of the kids standing near the stockpile of cannon balls on top level of fort.
Here you see the cannon that would blast those balls across the narrow path of the port. The scene out that port window of the tropical island in the background, was breathtaking. The spanish would have another post on that opposite island to hit incoming ships with their crossfire.
Naomi in a narrow stairwell that led to the upper floors of the fort
And here is the fort chapel. Although it was a catholic world back then, it was Spains devotion to Christ, through the Catholic church, that the gospel was brought to the southern part of the New World.
Puerto Rico became U.S. territory in 1898 under President McKinley as part of the negotiations that put an end to the Spanish-American War. This makes San Juan the oldest city within U.S. territory and this particular photo makes me proud! Knowing that God's hand was in every part of history, for the intent purpose of spreading the gospel westward, even wars and subjugations of different military powers are something to be studied with great interest. The flags shown here are a testament to the United States saving Puerto Rico from several hundred years of oppressive Spanish rule. The "cross of burgandy" was a Spanish military flag used from the 16th to 18th century to identify warships, forts, and regiments loyal to the king of Spain.
Next was our stroll through Old San Juan. This was a backroad before coming to the commericial district. As you can see, alot of uphill (and downhill) walking.
The oldest cathedral in Puerto Rico. There's just something about the Catholic reverance and awe-inspiring beauty for the place of worship
Below are two artisans in the courtyards of Old San Juan. One entertaining passers-by's with his guitar and harmonic, and the other an artist with his easel.
The day could not have ended any better! We stummbled upon "Pigeon Park" where what looked to be a local ho-bo sold Wyatt a bag of bird food for a dollar. To see Wyatt's face, and his excitement, was worth much more!!!! He could not stop laughing and at one point there were birds literally hanging off of him from head to toe. Surprisingly he made it out with no trace of pigeon poop:)
feliz Día de Gracias
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!
