This is a letter written by sister Sevy, The wife of Heidi's bishop from BYU Idaho.
February 13, 2009
Dearest Heidi,
On this eve of Valentine's Day 2009, on this eve of a day dedicated to love, I wanted to give you something for you to remember how much you are loved.
In the weeks and months ahead, you may often wonder why things have to be so hard, or why did this bad thing happen to me. If these thoughts enter your mind, please pull this out and read over the many ways the LORD'S TENDER MERCIES were over you throughout this experience. Here are a few wonderful things showing great love of the Lord and of friends, and yes, of strangers that occurred in your behalf "while you were sleeping".
1) On that Monday morning when your AVM burst, you normally would have been alone in your apartment, but instead you were surrounded with people who were there to help you, tender mercies....
2) Because you had been practicing with Chris Walker, he was walking into the room to check on you when you went down, he knew who to call to get you attention immediately. He called Clint Hagelund, who immediately called Bishop Sevy, priesthood power was put in motion within moments ... tender mercies....
3) Bishop Sevy was on vacation in Utah and was supposed to be in the mountains skiing that morning (and out of cell phone range), but a large snow storm the night before caused him to be at his sons home shoveling out the driveway when the call from Clint came in, tender mercies....
4) Paramedics on campus were summoned immediately and you were prepared to be transported from school. You had passed out but you were breathing fine on your own, until the moment you were wheeled into the ER at Madison Memorial Hospital. Oxygen was administered immediately. There was only seconds that you did not have oxygen, preventing serious brain damage, tender mercies....
5) Bishop Sevy was able to get Brother Bjornn and Brother Bradshaw to your side in the ER to give you a blessing JUST before you were LifeFlighted to EIRMC (Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center), The Lord, through Brother Bradshaw promised you safety until you could get help, and that doctors would be guided to give proper help. Again priesthood power put into use immediately, tender mercies....
6) When your parents and other family members, as well as Brother and Sister Sevy, left to drive to Idaho from Utah, the roads were absolutely clear from snow even though the storm the night before had left 3 and an half feet in the driveway of Bishop Sevy's sons home in Lehi and all were able to travel to be at your side in safety, tender mercies....
7) Your Brother-in-law had worthy and wonderful parents and family who were at the hospital in Idaho Falls when you landed and were able to give you yet another blessing only moments before you were taken into surgery. You were blessed every step of the way, tender mercies....
8) Friends from your apartment and 30th Ward were the first to be in the waiting room at EIRMC. Kelsey Johnson, Erica Snapp, Kristen Stevenson and her fiance, Brittney Chadwick, Jessica Killpack, Stephanie Samson, Brandon Packer, Chris Walker, Skyler Onken, Clint Hagelund gathered at the hospital doing homework, hugging each other, praying in behalf and waiting for news until the wee hours of the morning, you are loved, tender mercies....
9) Elder D. Todd Christofferson (of the Quorum of the 12) was to be speaking at BYUI Devotional on Tuesday and flew into Idaho Falls on that very Monday night. Elder and President Kim B. Clark and his wife brought by Elder Christofferson and his wife came by the hospital to check on you and comfort your family, huge tender mercies....
10) After many hours of surgery, the doctor came out and gave a less than hopeful summary of your circumstance. He spoke of the deep coma you were in when you arrived and the coma you were still in. He didn't know when you would wake up. It was a difficult moment. Your friends held tight to one another and begin to sing hymns that immediately brought great comfort to all. Many prayers by your family and friends were being sent heavenward. After maybe only 10 or 15 minutes, the doctor almost sprinted into the Critical Care Waiting Room and announced that you were awake!!!, amazing tender mercies of the Lord....
11) You responded with squeezing your fathers hand that you were "still with us", and you responded to the doctors requests to move your thumb, and the miracles continued, tender mercies more apparent....
12) The word went out through emails from Bishop Sevy on your condition. People in the 30th Ward (present and past semesters) were notified and joined in fasts and prayers together. All the way to Equator where past friends were working, your fellow sisters and brothers from your home ward and the wards of all of your family were united in mighty prayer, tender mercies from all....
13) The next night your friends and your Relief Society Presidency brought dinner to the hospital for your family through a snow storm. All arrived safely and your family saw first hand how much you are loved by your ward, tender mercies....
14) President Clark and his wife have visited you. Elder Christofferson called and spoke to your mother as he left town. Your stake President, President Henry J. Eyring came and gave you another blessing. Even your recovery has been blessed, tender mercies....
I'm sure there are many others that happened "while you were sleeping" that I didn't observe. Ask your mom to tell you of others. There has been many hours of endless service by the Cooks, and the Jamison's and a little by Bishop and I. Bishop Sevy spent everyday of his vacation to be with you and your family. There has been food for your family, toys for the children, comforting hugs all around. But they all point to the tender loving watchful care over you by YOUR Savior, Jesus Christ.
As you heal and as you work in therapy, remember every moment that your Heavenly Father loves you, that your Lord, Jesus Christ has been watching over you and provided tender mercies that have aided in your recovery to this point. And he has sent many, MANY angels in earthly form to help you become strong again. Cling to the Lord, tie your heart to His and he will continue to bless you.
As he has promised,
- "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, AND YOU SHALL HAVE PEACE IN ME." (D&C 19:23).
Love you so very much,
Sister (JoAnn) Sevy
1 comments:
This brought tears to my eyes, Heidi is so amazing. I was on Dance Company with her our senior year, and it breaks my heart that this happened to her. But I know she is strong enough to handle this, and she has so many great family members and friends all rooting for her, as well as a loving Father in Heaven. I'm praying for her recovery. We love you Heidi!!
-Britt Galbraith
Post a Comment