We have had a lot of family and friends ask us about the tragedy that happened last Wednesday here in Omaha and about our family's safety. Thank you for your concern! Our family is safe and well, fortunately we didn't know any of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers do go out to the families affected by this careless act. For journal sake, I just want to write a few thoughts and "where I was" when this happened.
First of all, there was a random mass shooting that happened at the Westroads mall (probably the biggest mall here in Omaha) on December 5th. The gunman was a 19 year-old kid that was very depressed and mentally unstable and had many problems. Because of his selfishness and hate, 8 people lost their lives. I was actually out grocery shopping when it happened. Dustin called me and told me he was watching the news in one of his BYU classes and they were talking about a mall shooting in Omaha. They were reporting that the shooter could still be at large and so Dustin was extremely worried about us. (oh you gotta love younger brothers!) He also informed me that I was suppose to be at my house with my doors dead bolted and that I wasn't allowed to leave the house! haha. Well anyways, hearing about the shooting did shake me up a bit because my initial plan that day was to go to the mall. I had a few things I needed to return and I also wanted to do some Christmas shopping. I really was planning out my day that morning and going to the mall was on my list. Granted, I probably would not have been in Van Maur where the shooting took place, but I for sure would have been at the mall with Jantsen and Kambryn at the same time as the shooting. To back track a little bit, our ward Christmas party that Kyle and I were in charge of planning was cancelled the previous Saturday, and so grudgingly I had to take all the decorations in the back of our car because it was moved to another day and location. The reason I mention all this is because of all the stuff in our car I was unable to fit my stroller back there. In a small way I feel very blessed and watched over, not just that day but being here in a new and unfamiliar place. This tragedy has made me reflect and to appreciate the trials that might be put in our life, but they are put there to make us stronger, help us grow, protect us, and eventually bring us joy. Having our Christmas party cancelled made me soooo frustrated, mad and angry. But seriously, I am grateful that I did have all those Christmas decorations in my car which in turn, made it so I wasn't at the mall during that scary time. The thought of potentially being there with my kids ,who could have been in danger in any way, SCARES ME CRAZY!! Driving home from the grocery store, I did break down and cry a little because I was: first, sad because of what had happened; secondly, because it scared me to think I really could have been there; but mostly because I was grateful that my kids and our family was safe. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father.
Again my prayers go out to the families that are suffering at this time because of this horrible tragedy. I am thankful for the gospel and knowledge that I have of knowing that I can always be with my family and loved ones forever!
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