Last Monday was full of Tender Mercies! Little Miracles. I’m so grateful!
Sunday night I was checking my sub finder web site like I always do to get
a job for the next day. I had one all settled for Lydia Hawk in their preschool
from 8:45-3:30. Monday morning, I did my usual – take Keagan to seminary and try
to go back to sleep for an hour or so before I really have to get up. I was
awake, so I got into the shower. @7:30, Ray came running into the bathroom and
said, Keagan just called, there has been a shooting at North Thurston. I’m going
to pick him up. I started crying (you know me) immediately and said a quick
prayer and hurried to get out and ready for the day. All I could think of was
last year in Marysville when 4 kids were killed by someone with a gun. Shortly
after, Keagan called me (and he was trying not to cry.. although he won’t admit
that now) and told me he was safe and he was a few streets away from the high
school and talked to me until Ray picked him up. Keagan was home by 7:45. I was
never so glad to hug him and know that he was safe! So many blessings right
there! I had woken up early, already was getting ready, KEAGAN WAS SAFE, and he
was home so quickly. I didn’t have to worry and wonder.
Here is what happened to Keagan:
He got dropped off after seminary. He was in the commons. Around 7:20 (the
first bell rings at 7:25 and it hadn’t rung yet) they heard a loud noise. He
said that everything was silent. They weren’t sure what it was, maybe it was one
of the tables falling or something.. Then another shot went off and it was total
chaos. People were running and screaming. He said it was a mass exodus for the
exits. He tripped and fell, skinned his knee and someone grabbed at his back
pack trying to get out quickly and ripped it. He said he just ran to get as far
away as possible. He said a teacher was motioning for him to come into one of
the building.. but he just kept running and then called us. (I noticed that I
had 3 missed calls when I got to my phone). So luckily Keagan was home safe
quickly! When Keagan was running out of the building, he heard a loud thud.. it
was Mr. Olson tackling the kid with the gun. He was able to calm him down and
get the gun out of his hand and no one was hurt! Some of the kids hid in
classrooms. Some were made to meet in the stadium. It took them a while to get
home. I’m actually glad that Keagan did what he did and we had him home safely
so soon!
I was actually glad to go to work. I knew that if I had stayed home, I
would of just been reading all about it and been crying all day with the “what
ifs”. My job that day was a little crazy.. but fun. The preschool usually has
at least 2 assistant teachers and 1 lead. All of them were out, so the lead
teacher was a sub and then me. We managed just fine, but it was busy and I
didn’t have time to think about the earlier days events. (another
blessing!)
This event was all over the news and even world news. I think Mr. Olson was
interviewed on Good morning America. I’m just very grateful for the safety of
our community and great teachers!
Our poor kids are pretty shell shocked! I’ve heard a couple of reports of
loud noises and kids freaking out. There was a balloon that popped in the gym
and it was really loud and echoed and several kids started crying. There have
been some crazy threats about others with guns. Mostly, though, it has brought
the community together. There has been several other schools wearing their
purple to show support to NT.
All is well, and now I can tell you about the rest of the week.
Love,
Sis Shoop
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