Sandy Hook Elementary

this past friday has been difficult to process as i am sure it was for many of you.

when i was told the news, i had a flood of emotions since mine have been near the surface.  

i started to watch the news and couldn't stop the tears from coming down my face.

so many questions of why someone would do this to the most innocent little humans.

jackson is the same age of these sweet babies and so i began to tap into empathy for these parents.

the pain they must be feeling.

the details of this whole story are so sad.  

when watching the news, i saw this family that their daughter Grace was killed.

her brother's name is Jack.

grace was the name that i would have given to jack if he were a girl.

this really hit home watching these parents speak about their daughter.

the mother didn't cry once during her interview with anderson cooper.

this little girl, along with the other children in this terrible shooting were all so special. 

i feel for these parents, their family members, this town and all other parents who are grieving over this.

the show the voice did a beautiful tribute to the children here (if you haven't seen it)

i held jackson so close this weekend, even climbing into his bed on friday night so i could still hold him close when he was asleep.  it made me extra grateful that he is okay and made me realize how many trials i have endured but also thinking, i don't know if i could handle such a trial like these parents.  

at our gospel doctrine class on sunday, we were reminded of the blessings that come right after a trial. the trial may seem unbearable but the light that comes after is brighter than the trial.

there was a video we watched that had me choked up and full of forgiveness.
this was so well done.
it softened my heart and reminded me that we can all recover from such trials.

as many have seen this poem, i wanted to share it as well.
i do know that these children are back in Heaven, with our Father in the Heaven, all around him.
i have been praying for these families so they can have comfort during this difficult time.  i know when i have faced trials, people will tell me they are praying for me and i have felt those prayers.

T'was 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's 

house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA