He's Gone...

This is my friend Tyler. He graduated this year with me. He was getting ready to go to Malawi, Africa to serve as a missionary. Well, he died  last night. He was riding his bike when his heart gave out. Please pray for the repose of his soul, for his family, for his friends, and our Franciscan University community. 

I received a text from a friend while doing special ministries at the youth conference last night. I was about to take a girl out at the very end when I saw it. I had to have someone else take her out. I just stood there, completely numb, and then it slowly started to sink in. All I could do was cry. Fr. Rick was at the conference, he saw me pretty upset and he already knew. He came over to me. I didn't want to talk, but after some prodding, he got me to talk and got me somewhat calmed down. He also made me promise not to cut. Praise the Lord for that man and all that he's done for me. 

The hardest thing I had to do was tell my friend Kevin, who started Missions of Hope (the organization I'm going to Romania with and Tyler was going to Africa with). Kevin and his wife, Kara, are also going to Malawi. I didn't want Kevin to find out on Facebook, so I texted him (he's on his honeymoon). I asked him if he had heard about Tyler, and he hadn't and asked me what was going on. I told him and he immediately called me. Kevin was in tears asking me what the hell we are supposed to do. I told him that I have no idea and that crying is all I can do right now. 

I barely slept last night. I cried almost constantly for 7 hours. My eyes are swollen and I still have a headache. I can't believe he's gone...And now I have to go back to the youth conference. 

Lord, 

I don't understand why, but I know Tyler is home now. Please comfort his family and friends in this time of heartache. And Lord, please help me.