Shaky

I can honestly say that yesterday was the second scariest thing thats ever happened to me.

During our young women's lesson, the door swings open and the Bishop catches Sis. Nelson's attention and says, "We need everyone in the chapel right now."

All the girls stand up and head right to the chapel. When we get there, the whole ward is there. I mean the primary, the young women, the young men. Everybody.

Finally when everyone is there, the Bishop stands and says, "I'm so sorry for the interuption but there has been an incident within our ward boundaries. There are now police involved, and there were gunshots fired."

Everyone went silent. He told us that he would like us to stay in the chapel where we knew that we were safe.

Wow. I am writing this right now, and just thinking about it again makes me want to cry.

So anyway, we sang some hymns and marvelous Sister Tolen played hymns on the organ to calm us down. The Bishop called up a brother in our ward to ask a special blessing on the ward and the home that the event had happened to.

In the prayer, he asked Heavenly Father to bless the little children and the youth to understand what is going on and to know that we were safe. And that no harm could come upon us.

Right when he started saying the prayer, I started bawling. I mean pure tears. I don't know why I got so scared but I did. The house was behind our neighbors house so pretty much it was two houses away from my house.

My Dad, and two sisters were at home, watching police walking around outside. The S.W.A.T. team arrived and got the woman out of her house. No one was hurt. Thank Goodness.

Most of my ward left for family or friend's houses, but I didn't want to go anywhere. Especially since we lived so close to the incident.

We stayed there in the church for an hour and a half. The Bishop brought out granola bars and fruit snacks for the children. Even though it was fast Sunday.

I would just like to tell you that I am so grateful for a ward that cares about each other.

My neighbor told my mom that she started crying when she realized that we as a ward were together safe and sound in the Lord's house. The spirit was there. So strongly.

I testify of the power of prayer. I was so scared last night with everything, and I prayed that I would be comforted and that I would feel of Heavenly Father's love.

After my prayer, I read the scriptures. Doctrine and Covenants, Section 98.

In section 98, verse 14 it says

"Therefore, Be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy."

In the same section verses 41-43, it talks about if your enemy come upon you a first time and not repent, you will forgive him.

If he come upon you a second time and not repent, you will forgive him.

If he come upon you a third time and not repent, you will forgive him.

And in verse 45, it says, "And if ye do this, thou shalt forgive him with all thine heart; and if he do not this, I, the Lord will avenge thee of thine enemy a hundred-fold;"

Forgive thine enemies. For they know not what they do.

I have been shaky ever since about 3:30 yesterday.

I'm so thankful for my ward. I love them. So much.

I Love Heavenly Father, and I know that he is always there for me.

I am so grateful for the power of prayer and scripture reading in my life.

I testify these things. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.