On Thursday night, July 23, I was picking up a shift at work. Enjoying talking to my guests, I had no clue what was happening just an hour east of me near my hometown. At 10:38 p.m. I received a text from my mom, and that is when I was informed of what was going on. “We have no reason to believe that we know anyone that was in the theater. Stay calm,” is what that text message said. However, that didn’t stop the tears that started running down my face.

My heart still ached for the hundreds of people I did not know who were in that theater. I, along with the rest of Acadiana, mourn the loss of those two beautiful women. We join forces in prayer for those recovering, from physical and emotional wounds. Cajun country has come together to support each other in this horrific time.

Now, today I woke up to find out that someone is trying to rip apart our community. Westboro Baptist Church has made public statements with their intent to picket the funerals of the victims of this senseless crime, Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux. The first thoughts that came to me when I read this news was, “Do they think it will affect us?” “Do they think they can ruin our unity?” Then came these thoughts on why the Westboro Baptist Church could never ruin our Cajun spirit.

1. Last year Lafayette was named the Happiest City in America by the Wall Street Journal.

There are an endless number of reasons why Lafayette was given this title, from the great food and music to the overwhelming amount of Ragin' Cajun spirit. Some of the most important reasons why Lafayette residents are so happy: they have each other and they have God.

2. Lafayette sits right in the heart of Cajun Country, in South Louisiana.

An area full of Christian families, God is important here in the South. We pray before meals, we pray before football games, we praise Him for our blessings, and we pray to Him when times get tough. However, we pray to a loving God. A God who never leaves our side and loves us despite our human flaws.

3. No matter how many people Westboro Baptist Church brings to Lafayette, no matter how many signs they hold, they will never convince a city so rooted in their faith that God did this as punishment.

Lafayette stands behind the families of those lost in this tragedy, as a solid force. Mayci and Jillian were beautiful women both inside and out. John Houser was a man who lost sight of God and turned to evil.

4. Houser’s judgement day came early, but we, the people of Acadiana, have yet to face God’s judgement on our final day.

We have a lot of living and loving left to do, so we would appreciate it if you took your judgement elsewhere. If others want to believe that God is punishing innocent people because of the choices of the rest of a nation, be my guest. Just remember each one of you in Westboro Church will have your judgement day as well.

5. As Christians, we believe God is the sole judge of our deeds here on earth.

If Westboro Baptist wants to live their lives full of hatred and malice, then go ahead. Just please let those of us who praise a loving and caring God mourn the loss of two of our own in the best way we know how: celebrating their lives and turning to God.

Nothing will break the Cajun spirit. The challenges ahead will only make it stronger. #LafayetteStrong