In an instant (Non-fiction)

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*This was written with the help and request of long time friend and coauthor Sarah Tagert…She lived it, thankfully I did not though I experienced brutal loss around the same time.

August 18.1997. Around 6:50 P.M

The small congregation that was gathered waiting for the Sunday evening service could have no idea that in a few short minutes there world’s would change forever. The beautiful serenity that takes place when a group of believers gathered around a small church where everyone knows everyone, and weekly greetings come in the form of hearty hugs and warm handshakes was about to be shattered. The congregation in this small family oriented church was about to find out horrible things could happen even in front of a church, that in many ways felt like a second home to some of its members. The church that had once been a safe haven for one young girl sitting in the fourth row was about to have it’s very core, it’s very foundation, all that a church is built on, all the morals, the love that goes into a church that quickly becomes a home, shaken to its very core, and at the time it’s foundation was shaken they would find out just how strong one small country church could be.

August.18.1997 6:50 P.M

He came in a shadowy figure in a church full of not only fellow members, but…