It was the night of May 5, 2014, and my wife, Maria, and I were sound asleep in bed. Around 2:00am we were awakened by a loud knocking at our front door and a ringing of the doorbell. We were immediately up and alert, we knew it couldn’t be good. The last time we were awakened this way our son, Remington, had flipped his car just two miles down the road we live on. He was badly shaken but only slightly hurt. I feared it was him and it might be worse this time. We opened the door and two deputies were at the door just like last time. But this time we knew it was worse, there was a civilian standing with them. In a somber voice one of the deputies asked if they could come in. I am not sure what we said, my mind was racing back and forth between …show more content…
We knew she was never coming back to us. We knew we would be going to see her, one day. It was at that point I kept hearing a whisper—not in my head, but a real whisper, “the prisoners are listening.” We walked out of the room. As far as I was concerned that was it. I was not interested in a funeral. I was not interested in friends, family or anyone. I wanted to go home. I didn’t want to be bothered. I wanted to be alone with my wife and together find meaning and understand what had just happened. As we drove back home we talked. What comes next? Maria thought she would go into to work that day, I entertained the thought briefly, “That would be all right, maybe I will too.” Then reality came back and I said that it would not be a good idea. People would think we are freaks or something. No, let’s take the day off and process all that happened. We talked about whom to call first. We decided I would call my family first and then she would call her’s. Out of courtesy, we thought we would wait until daybreak, but as we sat in the dark with the television on. The morning news stations were already talking about it! A surge of anger swept over both of …show more content…
We didn’t know what was going to happen yet but we knew that we did not want this to be a sad occasion. That we were terribly torn by this tragedy there is no doubt, but it is my belief that the Holy Spirit came over us, comforted us, and guided us. I can say that with hindsight. Another blessing was Kaylynn. I single her out because she was Sterling’s comforter, she was Sterling’s big sister after the loss of his big sister. Maria and I had our own struggles that day and it was easy to overlook the pain our two son’s were experiencing through it all. Sterling’s Sunday School teacher, Ryan, came by and was a friend to Sterling. Our church, as a whole, was a great source of comfort. Our countertops were overflowing with food brought by the church members and The Loveless Cafe. My mind kept recalling the scripture Jeremiah 33:3 “Call on me and I will answer you, and show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.” The rest of the week was filled with sadness mixed with celebration. Our Lord sustained us with His spirit, a loving family, and warmhearted friends. And God whispered, “the other prisoners are
As I continued to chat with my pastor that day, I really sensed the hurt in his eyes – the anger that comes from an unsolvable injustice, the tiredness of a problem. “What’s wrong?” I finally asked, “Having a bad day?” Sensing that I was truly concerned, he let the truth be told. “I talked with a woman today whose baby died suddenly of unknown causes. As we worked through her grief, she talked about how numerous friends and family, even a religious leader had patted her on the back, shook their heads and said, ‘It was God’s will.’ I find few things worse to say to a grieving parent. Saying nothing at all would be of more help.” It was obvious from our conversation that he had an understanding greater than I about God’s will, and his insight created in me a curiosity and desire to learn more.
Corrie was at peace with her sister’s death, knowing that Betsy was finally free from the hell they were living in. During roll call on an early morning twelve days later, Corrie’s number was called. She followed guards to a large building with the fear of her own death on her mind. She prayed a silent prayer, and to her surprise, she was released! Corrie rose out of the ashes after her release.
In the distance, the phone is ringing away , pulling deputy director , Lydia Keller out of her mind and back into the station office. Lydia quickly picks the phone up and presses talk, “Deputy director Keller speaking”, a male voice replies,“ma’am, it's constable stilinski” the officer says " we have an emergency and Detective Deyes requests your presence immediately" Lydia let's out a soft breath, whatever's happened must be bad if she is needed at the scene. “whats happened?” She asked. There's a brief pause before stilinski answers "... we have a triple homicide and it's .. messy" Lydia remains expressionless, there's no place for emotions in a job like this “I'll be there right away” Lydia says, hanging up the phone. Lydia briskly walks
Fortunately we have been blessed with a very loving, supportive family and thoughtful, caring friends to help us through this difficult time. It was also Mark's strength, courage, and love, together with our faith in God, that brought us comfort.
Churches were packed as people thronged to hear whatever words of consolation and reassurance that their pastors could provide to them. Not infrequently, however, sermons that day were notably short on consolation and reassurance, but long on warning and condemnation of sin.
I didn’t know what happened, but worse, I didn’t know what was happening. The sounds of footsteps neared my body, but I was too hurt to react.
...tribute this to the readings and the context of the work. Up to this point I have learned that we all have trials and sometimes can weather some pretty bad waves. But one thing I have learned is that I am not alone. For one I have my bible,that I can always go to for comfort. This is the difference between staying with your faith and giving up because of natures way of letting us know that we are just human and things can happen. One of the most gratifying moments has been that co-workers whom I would never know their religious affiliation will talk to me about personal matters and not feel awkward at all. The old saying that one wears heart ache on their sleeve, perhaps when we believe we also wear our heart on our sleeve
When a person has experienced the kind of grief that seems to kidnap our souls, we can minister in a more compassionate way to those who are hurting. When those who have been broken and healed speak to a broken heart it is like giving nourishment to a starving child. There is a depth to our words that seems to pour a healing balm into their wounds.
As I was driving into the church parking lot I had to take a deep breath. After leaving another frustrating day at school and then going to work right afterwards, I needed to calm myself down. I looked in the rear view mirror one more time to make sure I looked halfway presentable. I fixed my wind-blown hair by pulling it back in a high ponytail and put on some Burt’s Bees lip balm before exiting the car. I grabbed my Bible and notebook and locked the doors. As I walked towards the youth building a wave of comfort washed over me.
she always used to wish for a way to escape her life. She saw memories
Liam received the phone call a little past two this morning. He found himself a bit confused with his emotions. His father Mick called to let him know his sister was in an accident. Not just a small fender bender, either. It was a head on collision.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted them to believe it or not. I didn’t want to tie strings I couldn’t keep together when I am going back to Essex within a few weeks. Riley just flashed him her sweet smile before we went back. Now the two of us lay in bed.
As the family tearfully expressed their deepest gratitude toward our exhausted crew, I could no longer hold in my emotions. Uncontrollably, tears began to flow down my cheeks, cutting through the dirt lining my face. As I peered through my watery eyes, I found a little girl from the community standing before me. With gentle little hands, she pulled my face down to hers and began to wipe the tears from my eyes. This little girl was the perfect image of how the Lord takes away all pain and despair, leaving behind only joy.
Today's Gospel reading shows us that the Lord is with us through times of trial… or when the storms of life get to be too much to handle. Whether He calms the storm as he did for the disciples, or asks us to let him walk through the storm with us, as Paul talks of in 2 Corinthians, or gives us the strength to fight against it, as He did for David while up against Goliath; he is always with us. He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
Oh my God! TJ!“ It was just my mom.She was crying and calling my name again and again.I was so embarrassed and disappointed of my self.I had let her down. After, two of the EMT guys put us on an ambulance. Finally,we made our way to the hospital. My friend john and me were sent in palo alto medical center. It took us about fifteen minute to get there. My friend john was alright. He had a couple of stitches in his head and his arm. He got relieved after a couple of tests but, I was severely injured. I was lying on a hospital bed and thinking what I would have done in the past. Cause this terrible accident happened to me. I was sent to el camino hospital, where I went to the operation theater for my hipbones surgery.The doctor told me after surgery that my hipbones was fractured the reason they had to put a plate in hipbones to stay together.Although, my left arm was also fractured the reason I could not feel my arm. After surgery, they took me to the other room and gave me a couple of injections. Momentarily, I went to sleep. I woke up in the next day and thinking hopefully it was just a dream,but it’s not. I opened my eyes and saw a couple of relative looking me like a stranger. My dad came over my bed and gave me a hug and I literally started crying after thinking about the accident. I could not believe after a massive car accident I was still alive. Doctors kept in hospital couple of