Families are the BEST!

So I just had to write something about my weekend, because it was truly a crazy weekend, and it was Mother’s day, so how can I NOT write about my mother?!! But I KNOW without a doubt, that the Lord loves us, and He is always watching out for us. So anyways, this last weekend, everything was all fine, and happy and good, because I was prepared to give my lesson in Gospel Doctrine, and of course because it was Mother’s day! After my lesson was over, we all leave to go to relief society and priesthood, and I see my brother’s roommate walking by, and ask him where Nathan was, since I didn’t see him in Sacrament.  Well, he gets this concerned look on his face, and says, “Has Lindsay called you yet?” And since my sister in law Lindsay is pregnant, I figured Nate was helping her with something, or like, giving her a blessing or something. But no. So I call Lindsay and she said something along these lines, “So as you’ve noticed, Nate isn’t at church today. Yesterday, around 9am, him and Jarin (my cousin), and Simon (my brothers roommate) left to go to the ice caves, and they haven’t come back yet. And this morning, Barrett, (my brother married to Lindsay) and Matt (Jarins brother in law) and their friend went to the ice caves this morning to try to find them. Denis called search and rescue, the police, and pretty much everyone he could, this morning at 5 when he knew something was wrong.” Well at this point, I had no idea what to think, and all these bad solutions were running through my mind, mostly the idea that they had all died. And this was pretty much the only evidence I had. After I hung up with Lindsay, I immediately went into the bathroom. And cried.

After about 15 minutes, I realized that my crying wasn’t doing any good, and that I needed to pray. Really hard. And that EVERYONE else on the entire planet needed to pray for my brother too. So I went back into relief society, and told my relief society president to tell everyone to pray for them as well. And then I sat down, and tears just wouldn’t stop coming. And of course whenever someone asked me what was wrong, I couldn’t say anything and just cried harder. But, after all the announcements, the relief society president looked at me, and asked if everyone could get down on their knees, so that we could all pray together. That was way cool of her to do that, and I just felt that the Spirit was there. So during the lesson, Denis comes in, and tells me that search and rescue have found Nate’s car, and they are headed into the cave to find them. And just to let you all know, it takes about 8 hours to get through the whole cave. And this was an ice cave. And they have already been in there for about 24 hours. Which a LONG time!!

Anyways, Denis leaves, and then soon enough relief society is over, and then I practically race home, ball my eyes out on my bed, and then get ready to walk over to Barrett’s apartment. On my way over there, I pretty much call my whole family, and a couple of Nate’s closest friends, just to notify them and to tell them to keep Nate in their prayers. And Jarin and Simon. When I get to Barrett’s, me and Lindsay are just sitting on the couch, waiting for Barrett to call and give us an update, and she’s trying to tell me that everything is gunna be ok, and that they are tough boys. But half of me is still thinking of all the bad things that really could be happening. Worst Sunday ever? Yes. But then, Barrett finally calls, after about an hour, and tells me that they found all three of them, and they think they are all ok. Well, the search and rescue only saw their little shadow bubbles because it turns out they were stuck behind about a 6 foot wall of ice, a frozen avalanche, making it impossible for them to exit the caves. And what normally is only an 8 hour hike, it took them about 14 hours to get to where they were. So after communicating (by screaming) with the search and rescue team, the boys were able to say that there were no injuries, and that they were all just cold, tired, and wet. So both sides went to work, hacking away at the wall of ice. Once I heard this news, I was quite relieved, but I still wasn’t satisfied until I actually saw those crazy boys with my own eyes. A part of me decided I was just gunna give Nathan a big hug when I first saw him, and then slap him across the face, and tell him how he better not do that. EVER AGAIN. But, luckily for him, I refrained from the slapping part. But it wasn’t until about 8pm Sunday night that I saw him and Simon, and holy cow did it take forever for them to get home. Literally.

Anyways, after seeing Nate, I realized many things. One: By the end of the day, my Sunday had turned out to be the best Sunday. Two: I don’t think I could handle actually losing a sibling. Three: I love Nate. Like A LOT. Four: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ KNOW us, and they love us SO much. Five: Heavenly Father answers ALL our prayers. Especially mine. Six: Everything is ok in the end. If it’s not ok, then it’s not the end. So with all those lessons, I have definitely learned to trust in my Savior, and to let Him take care of all my problems. I love my brother so much. Probably more than he knows. He is an amazing example to me. I know that we always haven’t had the best relationship- I mean, what family doesn’t tease each other or get on each other’s nerves once in a while- but I do know, that I would definitely consider him one of my best friends. And it’s probably not easy having an annoying little sister up at college, wanting to follow him everywhere he goes, but he is just such a good influence on me, it’s hard not to. He is always so fun, and full of energy (sometimes a little too much energy) but his bright smile, and loving personality is exactly what I love. I truly don’t know what I would have done if he never would have come back from those caves, and I just thank Heavenly Father every day that I have him in my life. I am so glad that he is my brother, and that we are sealed together in the same family. I love you Nate!!

So now about my mom. Dang, she is just awesome. I guess I was just born into an awesome family. Aren’t I so lucky? But as I called my mom Sunday night, I could barely say anything to her, because I can’t really put into words how much I love and adore her. She is always so willing to help others, and has the prefect “service” attitude. And this just being my second semester away from home, I have missed her more and more every day. And I don’t know why I miss my home and everyone at home so much more now, than I did my first semester, but it just kinda kills me every time I think about home, and not being able to be there. Unfortunately, I didn’t get all my mom’s qualities, but she has definitely rubbed off on me, and has made me the woman I am today. I know that she genuinely cares about each of her 8 kids, and the rest of our family, and I have felt her prayers. She is truly just amazing. She is always so sweet, and can love anyone unconditionally. If there is any woman I want to be like, it would DEFINITELY have to be my mother. I love and miss her so much, and count down the days that I can go back home. I’m so grateful that she was willing to have each one of my siblings, but especially me. There is just no other family that I would rather be a part of. Well, there are so many more things I could say about everyone in my family, but it would take a VERY. LONG. TIME. But I love the Lord, and know that He answers our prayers, and I also know that Families are the most important thing, and that mine is the BEST!!!! I love you family!!! A LOT!