Many emotions run through my mind as I look at these photos. There is some fear and anxiety that comes to mind, pain and sorrow but mostly I feel GRATITUDE.
One week ago on July 1st, 2011, myself and my 3 little ones (ages 5, 3 and 9 months) were traveling back to Utah from Las Vegas when we were involved in a terrible accident. As we were passing a semi truck, the semi slammed into the back of an 2 1/2 ton military surplus truck going anywhere from 75-80mph. The force and sound of the crash will forever be in my memory. As I witnessed this happening I knew that myself and my kids were all going to die. There was no way we could take on a semi and a 2 1/2 ton military truck going 80 mph. As soon as the semi hit the military truck it immediately spun the military truck into our lane and we hit him head on going 80 mph. After the initial hit we were then hit again by something else. I remember praying that it would all just stop and go away because I couldn't handle it anymore. I also just remember being shocked that I had not been killed. And then the sweetest sound I ever heard came from the back seats of my car. It was all 3 kids screaming. I was able to get the car stopped and turn it off and as I jumped out I saw 3 people already coming towards our car. I just remember screaming to them that I had babies in the car and then I turned and hurried and opened the door to see my 3 angels all with terrified looks on their faces.
I can't describe to you the pain I felt seeing my children so scared. I felt so helpless yet I was so thankful they had all survived. We were so blessed to have so many passersby stop and come to our aid. I was in complete shock and was crying hysterically. The people who stopped and helped us were like angels to me. Each of my kids were being tended to by 2-3 people. I remember seeing a guy just holding my little baby and rocking her to try to settle her down. And I can't tell you how appreciative I am to all those angels who stopped and cared for my family. I am forever indebted to them. They can never really know what comfort they were to me and my children.
Unfortunately not all involved in this crash were as lucky as my family. The driver of the military surplus truck was killed. Every day since the wreck I have thought about this man many times throughout the day. I am usually brought to tears when I think about this man who lost his life in such a tragic and senseless way. I remember looking at what was left of his car and knowing immediately how he fared. But it wasn't until the EMT confirmed to me what had happened that I finally broke down and cried.
Its been such a roller coaster for me the past week. I have had my good and my bad days, yet I am grateful that I even get to have good and bad days. Not all involved get this privilege. But I am left with the recurring nightmares of the accident. I am left with the guilt of what if. I am left wondering why my family was spared and James wasn't. My physical wounds are healing but I know this will be an emotional journey for a long time. My life has been changed forever. Hopefully I can let this change my life for the better.
Now I cannot write about this experience without expressing my love for my Heavenly Father who protected us that day. There is absolutely no logical reason why myself and 3 kids didn't die that day. We were traveling at a high rate of speed and we hit head on with a 2 1/2 ton military truck, much bigger and stronger than my Dodge Durango. While it may not make sense logically why we all survived, I can tell you why we lived. There were angels with us who I like to think were hugging my kids so tightly that it protected them from the force of the hit and glass that shattered. I know without a doubt that someone else drove that car for me. Everyone who saw the accident told me that not only should we have not lived, but we should of rolled. I only recall driving after the second hit and after going into the median. Prior to that an angel had the wheel and kept us from rolling and from going across the median and hitting oncoming traffic.
I could honestly go on and on with the many miracles I witnessed that day. I can see how we were guided to do certain things earlier on that later protected us. All I know is that miracles still happen today. Miracles actually happen every single day in our lives but most times we choose not to recognize them, but it doesn't mean they aren't there. This day though, I saw amazing miracles happen. There is no way you can witness and go through what I did and not come out feeling gratitude and love for a loving Heavenly Father. My family is truly, truly blessed.
If by chance any of you know anyone who happened to stop and help my little family out I would love to know who these people were. I feel that I owe them so much and I would love to contact them and express my gratitude to them.
16 comments:
That was a beautifully written testimony! You should email it to the church for their new website. It brought me to tears reading this. I can't imagine going through that experience. You are so fortunate that you live worthily to have the angels there to help save your family! Heavenly Father truly is amazing.
I am new to your blog today but cannot help but feel compelled to comment. Thank you for sharing such a moving and powerful testimony.
I'm grateful you all were safe. What a miracle.
brought tears to my eyes. I am glad you are all ok too.
we drove past that wreck on the way up to Salt Lake, we were maybe 5 minutes behind it. I saw the man in the military truck, and I remember seeing your durango, we didn't stop because there were so many people already there but I said a quick prayer for your car and everyone in it. I have been sick about it all week just thinking if we would have left 10 min before..... I can not imagine what you are going through. What a truly incredible story. I am so thankful that you all are ok ... What a true blessing! My prayers are still with you! Xo
Tenille, Thank you for your strong testimony and sharing your story with us. I cried and thank my Heavenly Father for watching over my niece and her children that day. I am sure many family prayers were with you as you left Vegas that morning. Love you Tenille.
This brought tears to my eyes and brought back a memory that happened a little over a year ago. Our Miracle. When my husband was repelling and fell 30 ft on to his face. Everyone who witnessed said that he should not be alive. I really do believe there are angels here to help us. The angels that were with my husband that day, immediately gave him a blessing and I know that is why he is hear with me today. Plus all the prayers that we were receiving while he was in the hospital, I couldn't believe how quickly he healed. Even though he may never walk the same, that is nothing compared to what could have been. Later on I found 2 signs that I hang in my house. "Believe in and Miracles", and "Always be Thankful". We have been so humbled and have learned to look at things differently, more positively. You look at the good and always forget about the bad. It has been a very hard year since that accident, but we thank our Heavenly Father every day for letting him stay with us and for bringing so many blessing to our lives. I am so grateful to know that you are okay and that you see the miracle and blessings that happened that day. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love you!
The Lord was with you and your family. I was involved in an accident when I was very young and for several years had anxiety when in a car that went over a big bump, got too close to another car or the edge of the road or drove a little fast. Just a heads up that your kids may show these reactions for years to come. Nothing could be done but it got better with time.
This gives new meaning to the phrase "praying for traveling mercies" What a powerful testimony. I cried as I read it just thinking about hearing your little ones crying out from the back seat. Just knowing they were okay enough to cry out... now I am crying again while commenting! Who knows why God chose to spare you and your families' lives but I know that He has an awesome plan for your life and those of your sweet kiddos. I am thankful that I get to see a small bit of that here on your blog. Praying for full recovery from any of your injuries.
May God continue to take care of you and your little ones, as you all heal, physically and emotionally, from this experience.
Love,
Cookie and Claire
Thank you so much for sharing. My oldest (22 yrs. old) daughter & I were in a car accident 13 months ago. We were just in town, but someone ran a stop sign doing close to 40 and t-boned us. They hit right on my daughters side door. I never saw the car. When the glass first shattered, I thought we had been shot. I turned to look at my daughter and the side curtain airbag was deployed. Anyway, it totaled both vehicles. I am still having problems both physically & emotionally, along with my daughter. She is handicapped, so emotionally it has taken its toll on her.
I am so thankful you and your little ones are all safe.
Thank you again for sharing. I think emotionally it will help me.
Thank you for miracles! Your story brought tears to my eyes and I'm glad to hear that you & your children are okay. It truely makes me believe in more that we do have angels watching over us. Thoughts & prayers continue to go out to your family & all those involved.
I felt the spirit as I read your words. You definitely had angels with you that day! I am so glad you are all okay and I hope you can have peace in your heart as you deal with all that has happened.
Melanie
I believe in miracles and in angels. Thank you for sharing such a traumatic experience in such a positive manner. We have been very fortunate driving from Canada to Utah so often that we have not had an accident. Heavenly Father truly does love and care for every one of us. We are so glad He chose to protect you in mortality.
GrandpaMuses, or in other words, Michael and Carroll Jensen
I know beyond your 3 precious angels, there are another 2 dozen girls and a leader or two that know EXACTLY why those angels helped keep you around :) Your example every day blesses so many of us in so many ways. I'm so sorry for toll this took on you... physically and emotionally, but I'm so grateful the angels took your wheel :)
Miracles happen every day. You were truly blessed. I'm so glad you all survived to give this testimony. I was stuck by a semi once. It squished my car like an accordion. Onlookers thought they were running to see my remains, and I stepped out of the car completely intact. If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is.
Blessings,
Rosemary
Wow, what an amazing story, so happy you are all ok! Praise God!!
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