Lisa's Blog

I'm totally in shock right now over the day's events. How could this horrible tragedy happen among people I've grown to love so much? This morning, a gunman broke into a one-room school house in Lancaster County, PA (Nickel Mines to be exact) near the place I stayed just over a week ago. My dear friend (the gal we stayed with), Barbara Fischer, has a daughter who lives in Nickel Mines. As of right now, I have no idea whether any of her grandchildren were affected by this horendous act. I'm grieving for the families who lost loved ones. I'm sad for the community who have tried so hard to be a peaceful, non-violent people. Their quiet, safe environment will never be the same. I'm praying for the widow and her family who's husband and father committed this random crime. Perhaps they have the longest road ahead of them.

There is one thing I do know. I'm hugging my kids and husband a little tighter tonight. I'm pleading with my Heavenly Father to give peace and comfort to this grieving community. I'm standing a little taller in defending truth and righeousness.

Thanks for listening and praying with me.

Your friend,

Lisa B.

Yesterday was a rough day. On top of the terrible tragedy which occured in Amish Country, one of my high-school friend's mother passed away last night. I went down to the intensive care ward at the hospital to sit with Marnae for a while but was too late. Her mom had died 30 minutes before I got there. She went in for a routine operation on Thursday and died four days later. Life thows curve balls at you when you're least expecting it.
Uploaded on this entry are some of the images going over and over in my mind since yesterday's events. This is the one-room school house my children and I visited a little over a week ago. The inside looks just like the school in Little House on the Prairie. There is a chalk board in the front. The alphabet borders the top of the walls. There is a bulletin board naming all the parents of each child and thanking them for their support. There is no plumbing--only an outhouse. An old-fashioned tetter-totter entertains the children at recess. The Amish are a simple people--so full of light and happiness.
I couldn't sleep last night. I tried with no luck to get in touch with my friend, Barbara Fischer (whose children live in Nickel Mines). I tried several times last night and got up at 5:00 a.m. to try again. I felt anxious and desperate to know of the fate of the people I so deeply have grown to love.
Finally, I spoke with Barbara. Thankfully her grandchildren are all okay. They don't attend that particular school--they go to one a mile down the road. As you can imagine, the community is in shock, disbelief and don't quite know what to do.
They also are practicing what they preach and live--I have heard of several cases where parents have already forgiven the gunman for this horrendous act of violence.
I'll be back out in PA on Oct. 31st. Barbara asked if I can take her to the place where this unforgettable crime occured. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. However, I want to be there for Barbara. She and her daughter know the families. I want to give something special to them. What can I take to give them a little comfort at this time? Please give me your ideas.

I'm touched how a husband of one of our readers was the first on the scene at the school. Please thank him from all of us for sacrificing his own safety to talk to the gunman.

I'm so thankful for this forum to hear your comments and share my thoughts. You all are just wonderful.

Good night.

Lisa Bearnson

After pondering about how we can show support to our Amish friends, I think I've got the perfect suggestion (thanks to your ideas). First, let me explain. As you know, I stayed with my friend, Barabara Fischer (an old-order Amish woman) for several days. Her husband was tragically killed a little over a year ago and she showed me the hundreds of sympathy cards she received from members of the community. The ones she loved the most were the handmade cards. She asked me to help her organize them into a scrapbook so she can keep them forever.

So--here's how you can help. Let's send handmade cards to this Amish Community to show our love and also let them know we are mourning with and praying for them. Be sure to write a heartfelt message in the card and also indicate where you are from. We want them to know there are people all over the world thinking about them. Also, if you want to send some generic, already-made cards for these Amish families to use (thank yous, thinking of you, etc.), that would be great. On October 30th and then again in January, I'll personally deliver these cards to the community. I'll also figure out between now and then how to put a large amount of cards in a scrapbook and give one of these scrapbooks full of cards to several of the families. We're then hoping this will kinda be like a circle journal--passed from house to house in this community.

Missy Hurst (she's the gal to the left in the photo), a friend I've become acquainted with through scrapbooking, lives in this community. She has generously set up a post office box where we can send these cards.

Here's the address:

Nickel Mine Tragedy
P.O. Box 537
Intercouse, PA 17534

(Missy owns the Old Candle Barn Gift Shop on Old Philadelphia Pike in Intercourse. If you ever make it to Amish Country, you must stop by this amazing shop.)

My other friend in the photo, Jeannine, also lives in the community. Her husband, George, is a detective/police officer and he was the first person on the scene. I'm thankful for people like George, who risk their lives everyday in our behalf.

I'm so excited about this service project. Please spread the word about this amazing opportunity.

Thanks for being the great bunch of people you are. I truly feel blessed to read your messages and mingle with you.

Sincerely,
Lisa

I'm having a great time on the CK Cruise. Oh the wonders of modern technology--I can't believe I'm writing this while at sea. We are near Tunis, Africa. We've had a great time touring parts of Italy and Spain. Of course, I've loved the scrapbookers on board. They are all lovely people. If you've never been on a cruise before, this is the life! Lots of great food, folk and fun.(Come with me on the CK Hawaiian cruise in February!)

Wish I could post a photo but it's not possible tonight.

Hey--big thanks for all your support with the cards. I'm so excited about our this project! Thanks, Missy, for helping out while I'm gone.

I'll write again when I get home at the beginning of next week.

Bon Voyage!

Lisa

Hi Everyone!

Wow--what can I say? I just had the most educational experience of a lifetime! My husband and I (along with four neighbors) went on the CK cruise in the Mediterranean. We traveled to four counties (Italy, Spain, Malta and Africa) and learned about so many different cultures. Our favorite places were Rome (of course--the Vatican and Colosseum were amazing), Malta and Porafino (Italy). The only place that I didn't love was Africa. It was an eye-opening experience--made me really appreciate all that I have.

Okay--I ate gelato (Italian ice cream) almost every day!! Coconut was my favorite. I got some cool Italian leather boots and belts. I pigged out on bread and pasta. Rome was very romantic--eat at Piazza Navonna (sp?) if you ever go there!!


There were three favorite parts of the trip. 1) Spending quality time with my hubby and good friends. 2) Meeting new scrapbooking friends. All the gals (and one guy--you're the best Pio) were so wonderful. I had so much fun getting to know everyone. There were lots of Italian and European gals and they were so kind. 3) Coming home!! Twelve days is too long to be away from your children! We called home several times and everyone seemed fine and acted like they weren't missing us too much. When we walked through the door a big "Welcome Home" sign was waiting for us. Brecken, our nine year old, smiled at then burst into tears and sobbed for a solid 20 minutes. She was so happy and relieved that we were home. This broke our hearts but also made us feel loved!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I'm back.

I leave Sunday for Lancaster. Thanks for all your support with the cards. I'm so excited to deliver them on Monday.

Have a great rest of the week.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Hey Everybody,

In just a few minutes I'll be leaving to go to Pennsylvania. Check out these beautiful boxes!! My friend, Pam Taylor, embellished these pre-made boxes-- one for each of the families. They have the family name on the front, then the childrens' names on the lid. They have a scripture around the edge of the lid: Matthew 6:26. It says, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" How perfect! Thanks, Pam!


You all have been so supportive. Missy said the amount of cards that has been sent is amazing. Tomorrow we are sorting all the cards, then organizing them in these beautiful boxes. At 3:00 p.m. we are meeting at one of the Amish homes who lost their daughter (other families have been invited to come as well) and we are presenting them with these boxes full of cards. We couldn't have done it without you!! Thanks for your incredible support. And--sorry for you that volunteered to help deliver them and I haven't responded. I just found out on Thurs. what the plan was for tomorrow so I'm sure it's a little late for you to come. Maybe we can meet next time.

A big favor. Say a prayer for me and Missy. We'll need extra help in knowing what to say.

I'll let you know all the details on the day.

Sincerely,
Lisa