DAY 62
“Some days it’s tough just gettin’ up
Throwin’ on these boots and makin’ that climb
Some days I’d rather be a no show
Lay low ‘fore I go out of my mind.”
On Sunday night, Jason Aldean started “When She Says Baby” at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. He only got through the first line before having to run off the stage for cover. Bullets rained from the sky. The sounds we can’t forget. Screams. Sirens. For two hours, hand-in-hand, we ran for our lives, unaware of the location or number of shooters.
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We began this Sunnyside6 trip in search of people to encourage and lift up. On Friday, the first day of the festival, we had the opportunity to meet Sgt. Trey Gethoefer of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. Sgt. Trey talked to our entire group about the LVMPD and being a policeman in America today. He was working mandatory overtime for the festival—having received the assignment he requested. After what must have been an hour we got him a few bottles of water to help him deal with the hot conditions, said goodbye and all shook his hand with a big “Thank You.”
48 hours later Sgt. Trey was leading his detective squad into local hospitals. Like everyone else, they were searching for answers.
There are still few answers five days later.
We are wrecked and numb. Feeling all the “normal” post-traumatic things, our gentle counselor says. But nothing feels normal.
We were so thankful to be reunited with our kids on Tuesday back in Sunriver, OR, where they were safely staying with grandparents and a babysitter.
And RV Maria sits in the driveway of this rented house, with expectations that seem impossible for us to meet right now.
With much prayer and professional help, it’s become apparent that we need to return home in order to properly care for our entire family. Not “quitting,” as one of the kids was concerned people would think, but choosing to have enough grace for ourselves to know our road is leading us to a safe place to rest and heal.
The mission of Sunnyside6 remains. Though some may find it impossible, we do believe that good will come out of this unimaginable pain. We thank God for his rescue, and mourn for those whose lives were lost. We promise to find ways to help and bless their loved ones and the amazing people of a city we cherish and once called home.
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No words can express how grateful we are for the overwhelming love, prayers, and help we’ve received from so many of you. We are blessed beyond any measure.
We know our transition will be difficult. We ask for your patience with us and continued prayers as we travel home and work through this process.
As Lincoln said during a family meeting last night, “We’ve learned a lot of lessons already.”
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I spoke with Brooke this morning at La Barista and she told me of your experience in Las Vegas. Lord have Mercy upon you and all involved. Please know you are in my prayers as you work through the trauma of this senseless act of brutality.
Psalm 40:1-6
Pastor Guy! You were one of our very first
kind and memorable people we met on Our 70 days.
We appreciate your prayers for our family now. ❤️
Just as the Lord showed you the road to take that fateful night to safety He is now telling you to go home where love abounds and you can begin to heal with your family .The scenery on your path will be different than you imagined but not any less beautiful.
Hey you guys. Been thinking about you and the trauma you have experienced, so sorry you are going through this. We will be glad to have you back in Eau Claire, safe travels home and God bless you.
Praying for your family, for healing to each of you and all the survivors, the emergency personnel, and the families of those who lost a loved one.
Tara and Ryan. We are praying for your safe return home and reuniting with friends and family. Lifting you up in prayer through your healing process. Love the Marshalls
It has been wonderful following all of you on this journey. Your necessary detour is guided by the Lord and He will bring you all through. And, yes, something good will come from this experience. This is now a time when you must wait upon Him. The healing will come. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalms 27:14
Even though it’s hard to see through the darkness, try to remember you’ll come into the light stronger people. We love you and just know this: when life is tough, there is no place like home.
Thinking of you! My boyfriend has said many times in his work (he’s an attorney) that sometimes you need to redefine what “winning” looks like. In legal cases you may not always get exactly what you want, but if you’re able to come up with something better than what you started with, it’s a win. You sometimes have to “move the bar.” Your family has “won” on your trip. You have been given opportunities to recongize what is important. You have had time to think in different capacities. Your children have learned by seeing different things. You’re not “quitting” because you’ve moved the bar and redefined what “winning” looks like, you’ve moved the bar because you know what’s important, real and true. God Bless You!