PLEASE PRAY FOR MY SWEET BABY BOY, JON...AND HIS FRIENDS.....

Ya'll Jon is planning on going back to Meridian today. The police detectives want to talk to him some more. We faxed his cell phone records yesterday to the detectives so hopefully someone had been arrested by now or will today. It turns out this guys live down the street from where the kids live so they are all a bit afraid. The two girls have moved out of their apartment (where the robbery took place) and will NOT be going back there. Jon is afraid about going back to Meridian. Now he LOVES living in Meridian, but he is saying that right now he HATES Meridian.....I am nervous about him leaving too, but he is (tho it's hard to admit this about my baby) a grown man and is capable of looking out for himself and protecting others (he told the robbers that the apartment was his because he did not want them to know the girls lived there by themselves). Here is the link to today's article on the front of the MEridian Star: http://www.meridianstar.com/articles/2005/08/03/local_news/news_stories/a1-invasion.txt The kids will have to view line-ups soon and I know they will be nervous about that, but they ALL cannot wait until these guys are caught. Fortunately, one of the guys used Jon's cell phone to call his girl and she called him back TWICE on it!!! That is one of the best things that could have happened!! Also when they came by earlier (before the robbery) they told one of the guys what area of town they lived in. I am hanging on to the fact that the lesson these kids learned was that they are all too trusting and will be a bit leery of strangers after this. It was a very hard, scarey lesson tho. And this Momma learned that her son is a REAL man....I was already proud of him, but am even prouder now!! So keep these kids in your thoughts and prayers! And their Moms and Dads who were also traumatized..... I love you guys! Smoochies Arlies

I can't begin to imagine how traumatic it must have been for all of those kids involved. I don't blame the girls for moving and not wanting to go back. Bless their hearts. You deserve to be proud of your son. He held up strongly in a very scary bad situation. I know he is traumatized, but he will heal. It will just take some time. Just be there to listen. I hope the guys get caught really soon and get what they deserve. Melissa

Hi Arlies, They are in my prayers. I, too, pray that the criminals are caught soon. It is amazing how stupid some criminals can be to get themselves caught (like using the cell phone). I guess these are God's blessings in the midst of fear and disruption. Good Luck! Hugs, Connie

Bless his heart! I know that he will be glad (as will you) when they catch the guys that did this. I don't blame the girls for moving, I know I could not live there after that! It was good of Jon to think of the girls safety by telling the robbers he lived there - he is very quick on his feet! Praying for a speedy end to this terrible ordeal! Marci

Oh Arlis, You and your baby have been in my prayers since I found out about this happening to him. I hope he can bounce back from this. Please Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Love ya Denise

Gosh, that was awful, I would have freaked. I am so glad everyone is ok and hopefully they will get those creeps. I will be sure to remember everyone in my prayers. Becky

He'll be OK. He can call his Auntie Tammy & I'll come a running. I hope when they catch those idiots that they will hang them in the middle of town square for everyone to see. Maybe that would prevent others from pulling this type junk. Harsh... I know. But people get off too easy with this type junk. And more than likely... these fellas will too. Oh well.... What do I know Tammy

Dear Arlies; I read that article. Wow, I am sorry to hear that it was your son that was a victom. We are all overprotective of our children no matter what age. I will keep him in my prayers. I live outside of meridian and travel 23rd Ave alot. These kids sometime can get out of control. I do hope that he has a safe place to live if he decides to come back to Meridian. Stephanie

I WILL BE PRAYING FOR HIM.