Mother Emanuel

  Just over a year ago, there was a shooting at Seattle Pacific University, Mike's alma mater.  The numerous shootings that were happening all over the country started hitting home when it happened there.  Yet another one, also very close to home, happened last night. 

   The Emanuel AME church in Charleston was the church we visited back in December and the scene of another shooting wednesday night.  As we stayed up late last night watching the coverage unfold, our hearts broke.  Images of the church and our visit there became so vivid.  I started thinking and praying for each person whose face came to memory.  Nine people died last night, including the pastor, who was the one who preached the message when we were there that sunday.  I can still hear his voice as he repeated, "For NOTHING, is impossible with God." Some of the names on the list of 9 sounded very familiar and I believe they were leaders of the church.  One of the women killed, was the one who greeted us as we left.

  Do you remember my blog post about this church?  It was actually a pretty funny story.  Non-black, non-South, Californians walk into an African church RICH with history, tradition, and culture.  When it is time to welcome newcomers, ALL eyes on us!  And then they handed the mic to Mike.  So nerve-wrecking and uncomfortable.  But as soon as Mike shared that we were celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary, it really broke the ice, and we got hugs and congrats all around.

  We have shared that story many times since then.  Always with lots of laughs and some reminiscent nerves.  Mike always says something after we tell that story that is so true.  Even though on the outside we are SO different; they are descendants of Africa, steeped in African culture and tradition, their families have been in the South for decades, and are steeped in that culture and have vastly different social experiences, and we are west coasters, a blended family of different cultures and experiences.  YET we believe with both of our hearts in the very same God, his Son Jesus, and will one day spend eternity with each other.  We are both a part of the family of God.  It gives me chills.

  As I scroll through the many pictures, the many tributes, my heart is heavy.  Pray for Charleston and the sweet people at Mother Emanuel.