midst 
(mĭdst, mĭtst)
(mĭdst, mĭtst)n.
1. The middle position or part; the center: in the midst of the desert.
2. A position of proximity to others: a stranger in our midst.
3. The condition of being surrounded or beset by something: in the midst of all of our problems.
4. A period of time approximately in the middle of a continuing condition or act: in the midst of the war.
prep.
Among; amid.
[Middle English middes, middest : alteration of Old English midde, middle; see medhyo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]