Praying for Las Vegas, Glad to be in Yukiguni

If you've been watching or reading the news at all tonight, you will know about the massacre that took place in Las Vegas.  The death toll is over 50, but who knows what the final count will be.  The shooter was perched on the 32nd floor with an easy angle to take out unsuspecting concert-goers below.  

So other than outrage and sadness, why am I writing about this?  Before moving to Japan, Las Vegas was my home.  Just check out the picture below:

That's me and my wife in front of the famous Las Vegas sign, and in the background, the Mandalay Bay hotel which the shooter used to execute his horrible deed.

I am not originally from Vegas, but I did live there for more years than most places (I moved around growing up), and it will always have a special place in my heart because it is where I lived when I fell in love with the girl I would later marry in a little place not twenty minutes from where that photo was taken.

For now, I know the people with whom I was closest to in Vegas are safe.  Even so, some were there at that concert ducking for cover and running for their lives to make it out safely.  I can only pray for the families of the others who were not so lucky.

Everyday I am happy out here in yukiguni--the people are wonderful, the food is delicious, and the scenery is idyllic.  Today, I can add a renewed sense of safety to that list as well.  I recently wrote a blog here about someone illegally hunting fairly close to where I live, but not in a million years would I expect something like what happened in Vegas to happen here.  So I count myself blessed. 

I only wish the rest of the world could know these same blessings. My thoughts and prayers to all those who do not, especially those affected by the tragedy in Vegas tonight.