The Protective Hand of the Lord in My Life...

Many thanks to all of you for your love and kindness this past week! For those of you who do not yet know... Thursday after my massage therapy classes I changed and rushed out the door for a meeting for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention in SLC. I was traveling about 65mph Northbound on the 15, when the car 4 or 5 cars in front of me came to a complete stop. After throwing my car into second and slamming on the brakes as best i could...all I remember after that is what seemed to me to be a brick wall combine with a flash of metal and glass--and a lot of pain. My air bag didn't deploy and my seatbelt didn't lock until i was at a 45 degree angle...and by then it merely acted as a sling shot to propel my head forward into the steering wheel.

For those of you that have been in a car accident... you know much better than I did what to expect... I thought that the day after I would feel much better... boy was I WRONG. Friday was worse than Thursday and today was worse than all the others. Now that the muscles are cold and the shock has worn off... I hurt. I did get urgent care, and found that the cartilage got pulled from my ribs and sternum and that I strained all the muscles and tendons in my neck...at least there is a reason that I hurt, right?

Through it all, I feel that the hand of the Lord was truly reaching out to keep me safe in the accident, sending loving people to my side for aid, and granting blessings that I personally have needed to get through it all. While I still don't know how it will work out, I trust that the Lord knows me and is aware of my needs. I know that a way will be provided in my life.

I think the best part of it all has been feeling the Spirit of my brother Scott near me through it all--in the accident--when I've received blessings--and in the long pain filled hours since. To be honest... the accident and experience have been worth it just to feel him near. Immediately when I was in the accident that is who I wanted to call for help--the car expert, the one who wouldn't yell at me, the one who helped me the other times when I got hit. It is nice to know that when loved ones depart this mortal life it is not the end.

A special thanks to my Sister-in-law Laurel for her kindness right after the accident, to my quality roommates and loving people from the congregation I attend of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to all the many who have offered prayers in my behalf.
Before...After...

A Beautiful Easter Sunset!

This was the sunset that I watched Sunday from the park. I had plans with my sister-in-law, but something came up and she needed to reschedule, so I had a lot of time to myself. I felt such great peace as I pondered the depth and meaning of Easter. What does it mean to me? How is my life different because of Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection?

I had the opportunity to speak in church this same Easter Sunday. I spoke on the personal application of the atonement of Jesus Christ and the joy that has come into my life through my individual relationship with Him. Maybe I will post my talk on here in the next couple of days...

There were so many ways in which I saw the hand of the Lord in my life this weekend, one of the best ski days of my life Saturday, with an old friend who never ceases to amaze me and even just being in his presence makes me want to be better--not to mention race to the bottom of the hill ;) I had the strength to work some of the longest days of my life last week and was able to get all my homework done early for the coming week. I had a great discussion with my bishop and really feel at peace with some new opportunities to serve. I was very blessed to see clearly some things in my life that have perplexed me lately... I love the Lord and feel so fortunate to have a covenant relationship with him that governs my choices, enables me with strength greater than my own, and gives me guidance and priorities in a world of confusion and distress.