What else could a girl ever need?

I know I've said it before, but I think I need to say it again.

I'm the luckiest girl in the world. God saw something so special in me that He decided to give me to two of the most kind, loving, funny and smart people in the world. I'm not sure what I did, or what I'll ever do, to deserve to be their daughter, but I'm sure glad I did it.

My parents have loved me and supported me through everything I've ever done. From pigtails to pig shows, they were always there for me. My own personal cheering section. They had hugs and smiles for a job done well, and they shared tears and disappointment when things didn't end up the way I'd hoped they would.

They've always trusted my judgement, and they've molded me into the strong woman I am today. But they've also always made sure I knew that if I needed a soft place to fall, their arms were always open to me.

I've never felt like I couldn't talk to them about something, though many times I do keep things to myself. It's not because I don't trust them, it's simply part of my personality. Really, it's a testament to them and how they've raised me to be so independent.

But there are times when I don't know what to do. When I'm faced with a situation so confusing and scary and unknown that all I want is my mommy. And she's always there. Day or night. She's just a phone call away and she's there for me when I just want to talk. She gives me her special pep-talk and helps me laugh the tears away.

And then she hands the phone to Daddy.

And Daddy always makes me laugh. He always has a calm, level-headed perspective and he always tells me that I'm his little girl and that he'll always love me.

And really, what else could a girl ever need?

I pray

I sit here with tears streaming down my face.

I stumbled upon some of the MySpace pages of the victims of the VT shooting.

Written on those pages are comments from friends and family. Many are dated sometime on the day of the shooting. Frantic requests that their loved ones call them and let them know that they're okay. Their friends and families had no way of knowing that their son or daughter or best friend was already gone.

The more recent comments are words of love and thankfulness and sadness, and I can't help but wonder, what kind of life am I living?

Am I living the life that I want to be remembered for?

Am I being the person God wants me to be?

Would my friends and family be able to say the same things about me?

I have so many questions, which is really nothing new for me...but my heart is hurting.

I ache for the families and friends and classmates of the victims, and I pray for them daily.

But I pray for me, too.

I pray for my friends. I pray for my family. I pray for strength. I pray for guidance. I pray for vision. I pray for grace...

I pray.

And I cried

I will never leave you, nor forsake you
Hebrews 13: 5


I sit here listening as officials attempt to explain what happened yesterday on the campus of Virginia Tech. Their words are meant to comfort those who are reeling from the tragic events of yesterday. They are trying to explain their actions; they are trying to justify the steps that they took.

And I sit here and wonder.

I can't help but think of the families of the victims and wonder what they hear when these officials speak. I wonder if these explanations sound empty and cold. There is nothing that a police chief or a president of a university or a secretary of state can say that will allow a mother to hold her child again. That will bring a father home to his children. That will ease the pain of this tremendous loss.

I imgaine that the only comfort these families will eventually find, is comfort in their faith. Faith that tells them their loved one is in the arms of God and that they no longer feel pain. Faith that opens their hearts to healing. Faith that allows tears to fall, with the knowledge that one day it will get better. Faith that God never forsakes us, never leaves us and always has His hand on our hearts.

Yesterday was a bad day for me. I sort of lost myself in the minor tragedies of my own life, but as I was saying my prayers last night, I realized how much I had to be thankful for. I knew that the families of those killed yesterday would give anything to have the minor problems I sulked about all day, instead of the ones of funeral arrangements and burial plots. And I felt a little stupid. And I felt a little selfish. And I felt a lot sad.

And I cried.

Talk amongst yourselves...

Is he still The One if he wins by process of elimination?

That is all...talk amongst yourselves...post some messages below...and we'll see how it shakes out....