Shelly, Emily, Kyle, everyone...

know that you are being lifted up in prayer... a lot...  my mom's in Arkansas & has been praying... she's shared your story with some of her friends & they've been praying.  People at my church and small group are praying.  Several folks have told me that they feel like they know you all, even though "all we've done is pray".  Amazing how prayer can truly connect us.

I pray that God will wrap His arms of love around you and comfort you in the days/weeks ahead...

once again, a song comes to mind:

MercyMe - Homesick
From the album Undone

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now