I have to share how God has showed me himself in the midst of this tragedy. My family last Friday night was decorating our Christmas tree when I placed an ornament on the tree that I had made several years ago in M.O.P.S. It had a scripture in it from John 14:17b. "He lives with you and will be in you." (Jesus speaking of the Holy Spirit to his disciples). When I read that I felt like God washed over me anew that He truly was with me and in me. I was joyful and thankful in that moment. Then just an hour or so later I received the phone call that our Misty had passed away. I felt like never before that God was so very far away. I kept telling Austin, "Where is God; I don't feel him." After the long night had passed, I woke up and the Lord reminded me of that verse from John. I opened my Bible and began to read all of John 14. I was very encouraged and felt God speaking over me that He was with me and in me- that He was with the Ezell's and George's and in them. Then while we sat and listened on Wednesday at the funeral service, the scripture read was from John 14. I was again reminded that He goes before me- he knows the events that will take place in our lives before we experience them, and he will give us a Word- he will give us the mercies we need.

Our senior year of college, Misty, Elizabeth, and Erin (not pictured-she must have been taking the picture) took a road trip to Harding University to see Martha Lynn perform in Spring Sing- her group one first place! We had a blast!

Here we all are in Misty's wedding in 2002. It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony and reception. We all approved of Jeremy- he passed the test!

To Mr. and Mrs. Ezell, Jeremy, Ella, Miles, and Griffin:

My heart bleeds for your loss. I will pray for strength, for peace, for hope, for laughter again, and for you to remember that God is good and that He is with you always. Here are some verses I am clinging to, and I pray you will find strength in these words as well:

Psalms 68:19-20 “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

Lamentations 3:21-23 "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing."

John 14:27a “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.”

To all of us who are in pain over this precious life lost, may God graciously give in abundance faith, hope, and love.

In Christ, Nicole