Where is God?

Yeaterday I went to MVNU and I had the pleasure of sitting in on a Christian Theology class. During this class people were sharing their thoughts on how we can prove that God exists and though I was not able to talk, due to the fact that I am not a student there, I so badly wanted to join in the discussion.
At one point a student raised his hand and spoke of God and His prescence during hurricane Katrina. He said that God was present there and, to my surprise, I disagreed. I wasn't sure. I don't necessarily believe that God was there. I cannot tell you how many times I've asked myself the question, "Where's God?"
Where was God during the holocaust?
Where was God during the Columbine shooting?
Where is God during all of these natural disasters that continue to occur?
Where. Is. God?
I don't see really Him. All I really see is hurt and pain in all of those scenarios, I don't really see the love of God.
Seeing these examples helps me bring up personal examples of my own life...
Where was God when my Uncle, who was my hero, died?
Where was God when I was drinking all the time and destroying my life?
Where was God when I was hurting my lungs with cigarettes?
Where was God when I wanted to kill myself?
The more and more I think about this the angrier and more hopeless I get. But then I realize that God is waiting. He's waiting for me to come to Him. I was able to go to Him for comfort when my uncle died, and I was able to overcome drinking, smoking, and suicide because He helped me. He is always there, He's just waiting for us to find Him.
So, in the end, I don't have an answer for the first questions I posed. Is God there? maybe. But even if He weren't, I believe that He loves His children and that His heart is breaking everytime He sees us in pain or hurting.
Do I feel helpless and hopeless and have the suspicion that God has forgotten about me or doesn't care? Yes.
But I'm learning that everything is going to get better and that I need to trust in my father, and have hope.

I may've confused whoever decides to read this but it's kinda hard to explain. Maybe we should get together and talk about it. Maybe that'll be easier. I enjoy discussion.