Alarming Proceedings

I've spent my whole life living somewhere I've never  had to worry about my safety. Never have I worried about anything more than the opossums and raccoons that occasionally take up residence under our front porch. Once in awhile we'll hear a mountain lion howling from the shelter belt surrounding our house.

Tonight was my first real experience of being scared in "my house." Granted, I kinda live in the ghetto for the summer, boarded up crack house next door, drug deals regularly go down on the streets near by, prostitutes take up residence on the corners down the street. But we've all lived peacefully together; they don't bother us, we don't call the cops. Pretty straight forward.

Tonight we called the cops. Twice.

We got back home around 10:00, not terribly late for six college kids. Standing by their car parked in front of the basketball court next door were two guys, one of which walked down the sidewalk between us and our door while we were in our car, then doubling back to the other guy. We were a little creeped out, but we figured it was fine when they left. Bruce went home, we set the alarm system, figured all was well.

Fifteen minutes later, the sensor in the back yard went off. Jillian said she heard guy's voices from their bathroom. No one we could see was around, but we called the cops to alert them, called Kathy to let her know what was going on, called Bruce to fill him in. The cop showed up, told her what had happened, she told us that she'd check things out. Bruce and Carlton (programs director for Mission Waco) showed up, checked things out. Saw a couple other sketchy guys walking down the street, who turned and went back the way they came from as soon as they saw Carlton. Creepy.

Bruce decided to spend the night on the couch, which we five girls appreciated. With him, Bailey's knife, and Katie's taser, we figured we'd be well protected. Carlton left, we set the alarm again.

Then two more cars pulled up and parked in front of the basketball court. Our alarm went off again as they drove off. So we called the cops again, explained everything to a different guy. Needless to say, we're all on high alert.

I don't know if I'm scared. I was at first. Now I think I'm just apprehensive, nervous. My God is bigger, He is stronger, He is mighty to save. He is my protector and my comforter. I truly should not fear, but that darn human nature of mine. Fight or flight -- given the choice, I'd flee. That's how I am. Avoid any kind of confrontation possible.

We will be fine, I have no doubt about it. Cops are driving around, Bruce is on our couch, the alarm is set, the doors are locked. There is nothing more we can do but trust in God's promises.

Good thing to happen as my mom and grandma are driving here to see me. Great impression they'll have of the neighborhood I've lived in the past seven weeks.

It's a new concept, not feeling completely safe. Something that unfortunately a lot of people have to deal with all of the time.

Until next time, thank the Lord for your safety, pray for those that don't have the same.