Much has elapsed since I have last written.

I'M MARRIED! 

I'm a Lutheran.

I'm will graduate 7 weeks from today.

I got into grad school at Mizzou.

Last, but not least, I carved a marvelous pumpkin last night.  And navigated out of a corn maze (with the help of townies and their seven-year-old children.  I think I will name my jack 'o lantern Pumbaa.  Mostly because I just heard someone's cell phone (which is not supposed to be on in the library!!) and their ring tone was the theme song of The Lion King.  Pumbaa the pumpkin.  He is carved on his side because he cannot stand on his bottom.  Josh called him a name that is not PC, so I will not mention it, but it was not nice.  I decided to buy him for that reason- no one will want a ------ pumpkin that can't stand on his bottom! 

My favorite season is in full swing.  I wish I could name a daughter after it, but it does not sound right.  Say, "Autumn Akers" out loud.  What does it sound like?  Auto Makers.

This tragedy has been weighing on my heart greatly.  I've had trouble sleeping the past two nights.  I keep replaying the events and what the students and teachers must have felt and how could someone do that?  However, I cannot begin to understand how students at Virginia Tech feel.  I feel like not only has their sense of security been violated, but every student in our country has as well. 

I wish I could hug them.  Cry with them.  Pray with them.  Heal with them. 

I am so much more naive than I know.  There are injustices going on everyday in other parts of the world that I don't acknowledge unless it is on Oprah.  Only when people my age in my country senselessly die do I recognize it. 

God, please heal.