A Gwinnett County family will be spending Christmas in their newly renovated home after being displaced by last year’s devastating tornado that damaged 56 homes and destroyed one in the Kirkstone Subdivision in Buford.

Tami O’Connor says she spent the one year anniversary on Wednesday in reflection.

“Obviously just looking back at the pictures and seeing how powerful the storm was… I just reflected and realized how powerful God was in protecting us that day,” she tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

O’Connor’s then 5-year-old son Cade was on the couch in the family room at the moment the exterior wall of the home was blown away.  His then 16-year-old sister Jordan is credited with saving his life by jumping on top of him.

Tami’s husband John, who was at work at the time, counts his blessings that his family survived.

“There’s a higher purpose for us, because God doesn’t just save somebody for no reason,” he says.

The O’Connors do missionary work in Guatemala and wondered if the tornado was sign for them to become full-time missionaries.

Right now they are happy to be back in their home and together as a family.  John says Thanksgiving was especially memorable this year.

“Even in the times that are tough and hard, there’s plenty to be thankful for,” he says.

The home across the street from the O’Connors was the only one completely destroyed in the neighborhood and remains an empty lot.  Only one of the other homes damaged by the storm still has a blue tarp on the roof.

Tami says the crisis has strengthened the ties within the subdivision.

“We were a very close knit neighborhood to begin with, but it’s definitely created a sense of community,” she says.