In the midst....

.....of all the bigger things going on in this country, our small town experienced a sad loss on Thursday this week. No, it is not as dramatically devastating as the Clackamas Town Center shooting, or the horrendous Sandy Hook shooting, but to my children, the Critter Cabana burning down is a thorn among thorns. It is a place where we have spent many a Saturday holding every animal available. That's what makes the Critter Cabana a special place, you can hold everything. Cats, dogs, birds, hamsters, rats, mice, bearded dragons, guinea pigs, if you have the willingness to hold it they would let you hold it. Most of all their beloved cockatoo Gracie was lost. My girls hearts were heart broken, they have been visiting and dancing with Gracie since they could walk. 

So yes. We mourn the amazing loss of the 28 people in Connecticut, the hurt there is unimaginable and my heart is breaking for all those parents and families. I am also sad the the selfishness of humanity in one human chose to take the lives of 2 people closer to home here in Portland. These are things that have gained national attention and make us sit back and hug our families a lot more and a lot tighter. But for our little world here in Newberg, our hearts break for the family that lost their store, because their livelyhood has been shaken. They have children and employees to support, a business to rebuild, and they need some hope restored. This coming Monday we have the opportunity as a community to come together and show support........

For the others, I offer prayers. Prayers that people will start to realize that the presence of darkness means that there is no Light, that they start to find hope in something besides themselves, and that the families that are affected by these events will find solace in God and turn to Him in their time of sorrow. God is good.