We spent our Spring Break with AJ in Utah. It was fun to be together again. We decided to take an overnight trip to Bryce Canyon,UT. AJ used the power chair and was able to see many of the beautiful sites. He LOVES hiking and did quite a bit of it before his accident. It must have been hard to be so limited at the canyon, yet he still found joy in the trip and saw as much as he possibly could.
We got an interesting call on our way back home to Washington from a woman named Patsy. She's an EMT in Nevada where AJ was first taken after the accident. She was not working the night of the accident but was so moved by the events and how it effected the people she worked with that she tracked us down to share her experiences with us and ti talk to AJ. We felt the conversation with her was another tender mercy where we were again able to feel the Spirit and know that God is with us. She sent us this portion of a letter she wrote to her missionary son about her experience:
In my EMT class on Thursday evening, Aug 28th, C my instructor shared a very special experience she had in early hours of that morning:
When I got to class RB, our EMT Captain said, "C you really need to share your experience with Patsy", C said "OK, if I can, I'll probably cry". C, K (the other student left in our class), and I were sitting at a large table in the EMS Building.
C and S were on duty and received a 911 call for a roll over on I-80, about 15 miles out of town. When they arrived there were 3 college age young adults out of the vehicle who appeared fine, however one young man remained in the car, trapped in the back seat. They were on their way to college where they attended BYU. Apparently during the roll over the roof of the car was crushed around this young man's head. The Fire Dept. had to cut off the roof of the car to extricate him. It didn't take long to realize he was paralyzed from the neck down. When C and S got him into the ambulance he kindly told them that he was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was 21 and had just returned from a mission to Nicaragua and asked if it would be OK if he said a prayer. As C began to repeat the prayer the Spirit enveloped the room and we were on holy ground. Here was this young girl, unfamiliar with Mormon terminology, yet I knew exactly what she was trying to say. "Dear Heavenly Father, I have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I accept what this world has to offer me and whatever comes of this I will accept."...She said he continued to express heartfelt gratitude for his many blessings. He thanked his Father for the medics who were there to help him, for his friends, for his opportunity to go to school, for the cute girl who was in his life, and he expressed special gratitude for his family, and most specifically for the love he had for his Mother. He pleaded that God would help his Mom and asked that she would be especially comforted at this difficult time.
C cried, we all cried! C asked me questions about the garment, and I was able to share my love for my garments and the sacred significance the garment plays in the life of a committed member of the church, that they represent and remind us of sacred promises we make in the temple and that they are a protection to us in this life. She mentioned that there was not a scratch or bruise on his body. I asked her if anyone administered to him and she wasn't sure what that meant so I was able to share with her and Kim about Priesthood blessings. I explained that worthy men in the church hold the Priesthood and that it was the power to act in God's name. I told them that some time they may have the opportunity to see someone receive a blessing and that I knew that miracles happen through this wonderful Priesthood power.
It was such a wonderful opportunity to share my testimony! They were so receptive and touched by the Spirit, thanks to this sweet worthy young man's example! I just feel so much gratitude for his willingness to be an example of the believers even in his hour of need. C was so impressed with his beautiful spirit of faith.
I just called her again to make sure I got the details right and she said, " the easy way would have been for him to pass away, but he will instead use this challenge to bless other people and change lives."
On my way home that night I followed K and when we got to the junction to turn, she pulled over and got out of her truck. I pulled over to see what she wanted and she said. "Patsy I'm still thinking about that young boy and how incredible he was, his parents really need to hear about this. Don't you think you can somehow call the school and get a message to his family? I still feel goose bumps every time I think of him!"
I'm sure he will never really know the impact his pure testimony had on not only the EMT's who helped him, but the entire crew of EMT's in the Battle Mountain office, and all those who share this experience.
Well, I can't top this experience, but I have had my testimony strengthened and I know that as missionaries you can change lives and hearts just through being your best self. Never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is the balm that heals hearts.
