Thankful and Sad

I write this morning with a thankful yet sad heart. Our oldest daughter, Casie, is in her junior year at UCA and there was a school shooting last night on campus. Two young lives were taken. She is safe - she was home in her apartment when the shooting occurred. I am so thankful that my child was nowhere near the incident. I am thankful she is safe. I am thankful that I still have her to hug and hold. My heart is saddened however, for the lives lost. I am sad for their families. I am sad for the rest of the student body who are grappling with this news.

I spoke with Casie quite a bit last night by phone. There was alot of frustration over lack of news coming out, there was alot of worry over who had been injured, concern over the suspects on the loose. The campus was on lockdown, and one of her friends was texting from the library, unable to leave. It is a scary thing when your world is turned topsy turvy that way.

I had every intention of blogging about the wonderful weekend we had here, but my mind can't get past the shooting at the present. It happened around 9:30 last night, and at the present, it is consuming my thoughts as well as the thoughts of many others.

Casie was extremely touched last night by all the phone calls, texts, and facebook messages she was getting from friends all over who were checking on her. I was touched as well. I don't know if she and her roommate slept last night or not, but I do know that it wouldn't be well received if I called her this early in the morning. As a mom, I just want to talk to her again. I actually want to get in the car and make the drive and just be with her.

I am going to go get my morning cup of coffee and spend some time with the Lord. I am going to thank Him for keeping my child safe. I am going to thank Him that more students were not shot. I am going to ask Him to comfort the families of the victims and all who have been effected by senseless act of violence. I am going to ask that the person(s) responsible for this act are caught soon so that the lockdown will be lifted. I don't know how long it will take for Casie and the others to feel safe again.

Please keep them in your prayers.