I guess I will start with the bad news first. On Tuesday we had just finished our appointments for the night and we had about 30 minutes before we had to go home. The member we were with offered to take us to get ice cream so we of course agreed. While we were there the phone rang and it was President Bernhisel, our mission president, calling us. We decided not to answer and we would call him when we got home. We walked in the door and sat down and then called him. He asked how we were and then asked to talk to Sister Treu. Immediately I could tell something was wrong. We got the news that Sister Treu's older brother Kyle was in a very serious car accident. He was driving to work on I15 to Salt Lake. There was a sudden stop and he swerved to get out of the way and then his car started spinning and then a big dump truck came and hit him on his side. They had to cut the car to get him out and had to be revived a couple times. He was rushed to the hospital and immediately went in for brain surgery. He had many broken ribs and a punctured lung. At the time we got the news they didnt know if he was going to make it and they considered it a miracle that he was even still alive. We got off the phone with president and we both in complete shock.
I dont really know how to describe the rest of the night other than God is good. Tears were shed, prayers were said, and the spirit was with us. It was a rough situation. If you think about it.. Sister Treu just received some of the worst news possible, we are two 20 year old girls all alone in some ghetto apartment complex in North Carolina, we only have each other, our families are over 2000 miles away, we have sacrificed everything for the Lord, we still have to get up the next day and act like everything is fine, and there is nothing we can do. But that all doesn't mean anything because the Holy Ghost is real and angels were with us that night.
The next few days consisted of trying to receive updates, trying to not worry, putting a smile on our faces and working as hard as we could. I am happy to report now that it will still be a long slow recover for Kyle. He is still in a medically induced coma and has a long road ahead. The doctors still dont know what damage has been done and what the rest of his life will entail. But the doctors believe he will survive and because of the knowledge of the gospel we know that everything will be okay! Much comfort is found in the gospel and in the wonderful plan of salvation!
Now on to better things....
We were still able to have a great 4th of July! Despite the horrible events earlier in the week this was probably one of my favorite holidays on the mission thus far!
On the 3rd the town of Garner was having their annual event. There was booths, and games, and live music, and food, a firework show with the North Carolina Symphony, and all things great!! We had signed up to volunteer at the event and had been looking forward to it for a while. And it turned out to be better than expected! The usual attendance at this event is 20,000. But a little thing called hurricane Arthur decided to hit that night. The rain was coming down and the wind was blowing and it turned many people away but it didnt stop us! Pretty much the whole ward was there so we were able to have a good time with them in the rain as we all waited for the firework show. You are probably thinking why would anyone sit out in the rain and wait for fireworks. Well the bets part about NC summer rain is that it is warm. Since we cant swim as missionaries sitting in warm rain is the next best thing. We were drenched but we had a great time and it was so fun to be out in the community!
The next morning on the actual 4th we had a ward breakfast and celebration. That was so fun!! Sister Treu and I had been planning out matching outfits for a while and the whole ward got a kick out of it. We had a great time celebrating out country and eating a nice meal. The rain aint stopping any of these parades!
The next morning on the actual 4th we had a ward breakfast and celebration. That was so fun!! Sister Treu and I had been planning out matching outfits for a while and the whole ward got a kick out of it. We had a great time celebrating out country and eating a nice meal. The rain aint stopping any of these parades!
We had a fabulous zone conference this week. Sister Treu and I were asked to give a lesson on having a vision and setting goals. Well we had the genius idea to do a little demonstration. We have many cops in our ward and we asked one of them if we could borrow some fatal vision goggles. These are goggles that make your vision the same to someone who is under the influence. We did a little demonstration and asked an elder to walk a straight line to eternal life. Of course he couldnt and then we tied it into the importance of having a clear vision. We had a good time with them and everyone wanted to have a turn after the meeting. We of course came home and had some fun with them ourselves. Never would have thought that I would be using drunk goggles on my mission!
We have so many great investigators and are having so much success!!! I am running out of time but will hopefully have some time to write about them next week.
Despite the hard times we are doing well and being a missionary is so wonderful! Truly an experience I wouldn't change for the world.
Please keep Kyle Treu and the Treu family in your prayers. They need it!
I love you all! Thanks for all your love and support!
Love,
Sister Judd
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