Monday, March 14, 2005

Update and Strange News

Ryan and I went to the beach (again) this weekend. Pictures coming soon. Is there anything that's a whole lot better than walking on the beach? And, as I am discovering, CA beaches are great places to find shells, sand dollars, and COOL rocks (I was an avid geologist when I was, um, 8).

In much more sobering news, I suppose everyone with a TV has been hearing a lot this weekend about this story. As some of you know, I am from Atlanta, so the story held special interest for me. I know a court reporter there; we used to work together as voicewriters and scopists at a transcription company that is now defunct. (If the name of the stenographer who was killed has been released, please tell me so I'll know whether it was my friend.)

Brian Nichols was captured this weekend thanks to the efforts of Ashley Smith, a woman who gained the trust of this killer, talked to him about God, and convinced him to release her (she then called 911).

Dan at Getting Elected has some commentary on this story. I am so thankful that Brian was captured peacefully; I just wish that the whole thing could have been prevented. The things Ashley told Brian are interesting ("'You're here in my apartment for some reason,' she told him, saying he might be destined to be caught and to spread the word of God to fellow prisoners. She told him his escape from authorities had been a 'miracle.'"). I don't know that I agree with that, but I am profoundly thankful he has been caught, and the events of this weekend do seem to have happened by God's mercy!

I am brewing up a post on husbands and wives, which I hope to post later today.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was very sad, and yet I was impressed by the lady taken hostage. I read an article about her on Fox this a.m., and she surely is one gutsy lady. She is a widow, her husband died about 4 years ago in her arms (He had been stabbed.) She has a 5 year old girl.

I believe she said that it was a miracle he had escaped still alive...not that he had escaped. I would also think that she was trying to say anything to help him to redeem the situation, to not worsen it by killing her too. Trying to give him hope, you know.

I truly hope the stenographer was not your friend. You could probably find out by googling the Atlanta Journal and Constitution.

Kristen said...

Thanks for the excellent comments, Holly. I was kind of hoping that was a misquote (from FoxNews, I think) or something.

The story is truly amazing. Thank God she got out alive!

Kim said...

About Nichols, she said, "He told me I was his angel, sent from God, and that I was his sister and he was my brother in Christ," said Smith."

He was her brother "in Christ" (!!!). The guy claims to be a believer! Whoa! *stunned*

Kristen said...

Yeeaaah...but he's not. He's a murderer, and he needs to repent to avoid hellfire. I believe the murders were premeditated (FoxNews reports that Nichols "had been found with two sharpened door hinges in his socks earlier in the week").

The Bible says in 1 John 3:15 that "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

I pray that Brian Nichols will discover true life in Jesus--it's not too late for him. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. But first, he'll have to realize that he is not a follower of Jesus Christ just because he claims to be.

Kim said...

Kristin, you're from Atlanta?? Cool! I'm just north of Atlanta! In fact, the culmination of this crime spree took place maybe 30 minutes from me.

Kim said...

Oh, and I agree with you on his spiritual condition. No fruit on that tree anywhere.

Kristen said...

Yeah! I have been meaning to let you know that I am from ATL. I figured that you are, too, and that's why I was hoping we could meet up sometime when I come home to visit the parentals. :)

Anonymous said...

(Duluth and Lawrenceville are our old stomping grounds, Kristen!)

Kristen said...

No WAY!

I grew up south of Atlanta, lived in Conyers after I was married, and used to work in Dunwoody. :) Went to college at UGA (Athens).

My family is from South Georgia on both sides (said with tone of obvious pride in my GRITS heritage).

Kristen said...

No, my friend's name is Nancy.

I know that Julie was someone else's "Nancy," though...my heart goes out to all the families. :(

My MIL's friend's boss was Wilhelm. They said he was "the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet."

Thanks so much, Joanna; I appreciate it, as I had not yet searched. ((HUG))

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