pit of my stomach.

Just an average evening at home. The kids are outdoors playing, and my step dad is working in the garden. I was relaxing watching some tv after dinner. My mom is spending the night at her sisters. Nothing unusual, just another day in a small town... in my simple life.

I hear my step-dad call for the kids. He told them to head inside for a bath. I watch as Aidyn-man runs inside. I wait for the others. I send Aidyn down to grab some clothes, and don't pay attention to whether anyone else comes inside.

Then I hear my step-dad calling for my niece. Five or ten minutes passes, and he's still calling for her. I hop up to help. I walk outside, and scan the back yard. When I didn't see her, I walked into her room. She wasn't there.

With the sweetest voice I call out "Come out V! I have something to show you."

still, nothing.

I am panicking now. I run through every room. I am calling her name. BEGGING her to come out.

Nothing.

I run outside, in time to see my step dad. He's not saying anything, but his face says it all.

"I'll talk to the neighbors." I say, already turning to the first house.

I knock on the neighbors door. The mom answers...

"Have you seen "V"?
.....
The little girl who lives in that house?
....
Yes, the one with the blonde hair...
...
No? Okay can you keep an eye out?"

She followed me outside searching her yard. I followed suit with the rest of the neighbors. Soon there was a half a dozen of us searching. My stomach now feels like its in a knot! I don't know if i'm going to cry or throw up.

I search the park. Talk to a few people walking by.

No one had seen her.

I felt for the charm on my necklace. A cross.

PLEASE GOD! PLEASE let her be okay! I squeezed the pendent with my hand. I ran back to the house.

Just as I am about to cross the street I hear: "I found her. I found her!"

I let everyone know. My body still shaking and my heart beat slowing. I finally let out the breath that was caught in my throat.

I run inside and see my niece. I wanted to hug her and yell at her all at the same time. She told us that she was hiding under her brothers bed. (I'm not sure why.) We gave her a long lecture about not doing that again. We were mere minutes away from calling the police! I don't know if I have ever been more scared in my whole life!

Its moments like this that make you hug your kids a little tighter before they go to bed. Not want to take your eyes off them for even a second. Pray even harder... and thank God for the their safety!

Tonight I am just praising and thanking Jesus for this happy ending. God knows it could have been very different!