911

We lost Connor tonight. Well, not really, but we thought he was gone. It all started when Sara and I were enjoying a late afternoon play with Hope in the den. Nanna had taken Katelyn to drop some things at the Goodwill. Pop was still at work, and Zach was out on his dirt bike. So, Connor had been upstairs paying with his trains. He had 2 cavities filled this morning, so after a while, it was quiet and I figured he had fallen asleep up there. Around an hour had passed, and I went up there, because that is way too long for him to be quiet. He was nowhere to be seen. Now, we are living with my parents. Let me just say that a house search under the most modest of house sizes is tough when trying to find a 4 year old boy. But their house, including attic is around 7,000 square feet. UNNERVING!!! There are so many rooms, closets, showers, bathrooms, beds, chairs, airlocks, etc. Where to start???? After searching upstairs, I went towards the upstairs door that leads across the walkway on top of the carport, and into the small apartment behind the house. Well, the door was dead bolted from the inside, so I still went out and into the apartment and searched the dark house. Then after running down the stairs, looking downstairs, I ran out to the lake. Yelling for Connor. The land is so vast out here. Our lake is not deep, but the one across the street is, and it was getting dark, so with Hope on my hip, I ran over there, skimming the top of the water with my eyes. Nothing. I got in the car, called 911, leaving Sara at home with Hope and driving off to wherever. I drove the coves, then all the way to our family's house way down the road. His cousin lives there, and I never know? He COULD have gotten bored and walked there? So, I call Tiffany Essary (my God-sent friend, by the way) and Grace (Agh..what is her last name?) and thus began the prayer chain. When I arrived home after finding nothing, the police finally showed up, searched with us some more. All the while, let me just say I am praying the entire time. I am strengthening my faith, and so, I pray, "Lord, please, I don't know where Connor is, but YOU do. Please show me where he is. Keep him safe in Your arms wherever he is, and bring me to him" I looked up, and in the cloudy, oncoming rain sky, there was a single, lone brilliantly bright star suspended there overhead. I said, Yes, there you are, Lord, you are watching over us all, and this is no mystery. So, if he is hurt, or gone, you have not and never will change. I will praise Your name even still. Even after I have lost one child, and now, maybe another? You are the Glorious One, who is worthy to be praised. So, I had bought 2 cd's last night of Travis Cottrell, a wonderful praise singer, leader, and writer we had gone to his concert last night, and had the best time in worship. So, I turned it up, and sang some praise songs. I have learned, like the song Shackles, we are to praise Him through our circumstances. If we do, the blessings are poured out. So, after only a few minutes (30?) of looking for Connor, I try one more time, in a guestroom downstairs. I looked under the bed, nothing. Then, I look a bit over and onto the floor on the other side. I see a fuzzy, buzz cut, and attached to that is a little 4 year old boy, wearing the same thing I had described to the 911 operator, sound asleep on a pillow, he had purposefully placed there to nap on. He was stirring, and woke up. To deputies all over the house, the choir family on their way, and who should call, Pastor Danny at that moment! So, of course, we are so thankful Connor was safe the whole time, but also feel that foolish feeling, but I am so thankful to have had all of those prayer warriors, at the drop of a hat, ready to help in prayer, and to come with a moments notice to help search for my lost child. I told Pastor Danny he was fine, and to spread the word. Isn't the body of Christ such a beautiful thing? They prayed for us while we were looking, and the Lord allowed me to fine him, asleep! His reason for being asleep in there? He had to rest his body before he started a birthday party for one of his Thomas and friends trains 'Murdock'.
So, I have not had the chance to tell Daddy yet. He is currently in Kuwait, and about to be home for his leave!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.