Held Hostage

Today I was held hostage by a terrorist group, I was forced to sit quietly in a small, dark area with 9 other Christians. We did not know how long we would be in this place but the gun shots, artillery, and terrorist soldiers right next to our hide out were frightening. Time seemed to stand still when flashlights lingered near the entrance of our hideout and soldiers banged up against the walls. I knew my children had been evacuated but did not know where Aaron was. I was chosen to evacuate upon the arrival of a rescue plane but quickly sent back into hiding when the mission was aborted. I then had to make the hardest decision of my life and help choose who from or group would be executed for the safety of the rest of the group. Tears flowed down my face as I heard the two men be ordered to the ground and a gun shot for each life. I pictured telling the wife of one of the men that his last request was to tell her "he loved her" and how sorry I was that his life was taken over mine. My thoughts quickly turned to my husband and knowing his leadership style if he was in a similar circumstance that he was dead because he would volunteer his life for the safety of others. Without having another moment to think the terrorist came into our hiding place and took two more victims. Within seconds there were two more gunshots and two more wives without husbands and four children without fathers. My body shook and the tears were flowing but I did not say a word.....was I next? Was I prepared to die?

Thankfully I did not have to make this decision, the simulation ended. Yes, the SIMULATION but it was the realest simulation I have ever been in. As I found Aaron in the group of people going through another simulation (similar to mine) I buried my head in his chest and cried. Upon gaining my senses I looked around to see most of the group was or had been crying.

What did I learn?

I was able to pray and praise God up until executions took place and then I was too frazzled.

My mind did not allow me to think of more than I could handle. I did not put any thought into my children other than knowing they were safe. Emotionally I could not handle thinking about what would happen to my children if I was not able to get them meals, if I could not tuck them, if I never saw them again.

There are women in this small community at MTI that can read me and care for me like they have known me for years not 1 1/2 weeks.

I love my husband and rely on him for strength.

Weekend that Was

This weekend was full of fun and adventure! We went to Focus on The Family (great great place), Seven Cliff Falls, a journey up the mountains and drove around Garden of the Gods (this is a place we will revisit). On Sunday we visited Log Cabin Church and that it was :) The people there were so friendly and welcoming. For lunch we went to Chili's with 4 other families and had a wonderful time eating and talking.

I am so thankful to have this time in Colorado. We do not have television or internet in our room and there is no cable throughout the entire place so there is large amounts of time spent building relationships. Aaron and I have had fun spending time with our kids, with each other and with all of our new friends.

I am learning so much about myself and how I view others. My relationship with Christ is growing deeper and I am often left pondering "How much more can I be stretched?" Stretching is a good thing but very tiring and at some points confusing. I am excited for the next 1 1/2 weeks and look forward to all that they have to offer!

2 Quotes From The Day

1. Integrity = The people who know you the best, trust you the most.

2. If you cannot thank your father for the way he loved your mother, you are from a dysfunctional family.

*Josh McDowell*

We are here!

We had a great trip, filled with many small blessings!

*Last night we met a very friendly hotel receptionist who gave us excellent directions to a different hotel that would accommodate our needs better.

*A flight attendant gave us lots of extra snacks, just because!

*On the small plane our row had the only vacant seat on the plane (more space for us :)

*Our kids were excellent! The slept the entire second flight, just in time to arrive in Colorado Springs :)

Aaron right outside our room

Braylon escaped our room and tried to climb Pike's Peak :)

It was tough but he is strong......

and he did it!

This is the playground directly outside our room! The weather is warm enough that the kids played for 1/2 hour today.

Zoomed in view of our skyline.

BORED in the airport!

I can tell that our time here will be filled with fun, love, laughter, tears, learning and encouragement. All the people here are amazing! Thank you to everyone who has been and is praying for us! Your prayers are being answered!

Back At It

With a long hiatus I am back to the blogging world!

So much has happened/changed since my last post so I will do a quick update

I love my job at Little Learners!

Braylon loves daycare and Ms Debbie :)

Audrey is a smarty pants (okay somethings have not changed)

We are leaving for Colorado Springs, CO in the morning for missionary training

Are departure date for Jamaica is tentatively scheduled for March 2oth!!!!!

More to come soon....