Remembering Our Friends

Johnson Sisters

Johnson Sisters

Alexis


Amanda

Where do I begin? Sometimes events happen in our lives that jerk us from our routines and schedules and start us on a new journey of learning, loving, and often also grieving and healing. One such event happened yesterday. These two beautiful daughters of God, born only 19 months apart and always close to one another were taken back to Heaven together. Alexis, would be 17 next month and Amanda, 15 1/2 years of age. It affects me personally, but also is affecting our family, LDS ward family, neighborhood and community.

Their family had rented an RV and were on their way to Lake Havasu to vacation. Tragedy struck 20 minutes north of Las Vegas as their RV hit a semi-truck. The sisters were taken instantly. Their mother was injured, but we are grateful that she will soon be released from the hospital. As you can imagine the emotional toll on the surviving family members is heavy and we are praying almost constantly for each of them individually. Besides their parents Alexis and Amanda leave behind an older sister, two younger sisters and a younger brother.

My husband Michael described the Johnsons as part of "the heart and soul" of our ward family. They are always willing to do anything for anyone---and do so cheerfully. The family has the hugest smiles and such fun-loving personalities. They actively seek being together as a family and doing good. The father can make you laugh in a heartbeat. In fact my Aly was telling me just ten days ago how Brother Johnson had made her smile.

I got to know both Alexis and Amanda well through working with them in Young Women's. I easily call them some of "my girls" in my heart. As you see in the picture below we have known them for many years. This picture was taken in April of 2002, almost exactly seven years ago. Amanda, my Aly, Alexis, my Maddie, and Alex (another young woman and dear friend of mine) were playing in our backyard on the dirt piles on the way home from school on this particular day. I have so enjoyed watching all five of them grow into lovely young women.



The young women are my friends. Alexis and Amanda are my friends and I look forward to being able to see their smiles and share a hug with them again. Truly they are my sisters in the Gospel. They were both wonderful examples of righteous young women with strong testimonies of their Savior, the restored Gospel, and of eternal families. I too have a testimony of these things. This past weekend I have had strong impressions of the Savior's life and atonement through attending the Mesa Temple pageant and Easter services at church. I know Jesus Christ lives and all of us will also live again! What greater blessing is there to know that you can be reunited with loved ones in the next life? I praise our Heavenly Father for His love and plan of salvation for all of his children.

We have seen the Lord's tender mercies in this tragedy. Those of you who are LDS will understand that it truly is an amazing thing that our stake president, bishop, past YW president, past YW counselor, current YW president and the next-door neighbors to the Johnsons were all vacationing in the St. George and Las Vegas area at the time of the accident and through cell phones were able to connect. They all have been with the Johnson family during this life-changing event. That does not just happen by chance.

I always tell my children how amazing our bodies are and that Heavenly Father made our bodies to be able to heal. I have seen this time and time again in my nursing career. I know that if He made our bodies to heal physically that he also made them to heal emotionally. That healing will come through our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Please pray for the Johnson family to be able to experience this healing.


Friend Alex and Alexis last summer at Girl's Camp

What a joy it has been to be there with the young women the last 2 1/2 years. What anguish I feel in their loss, but what hope I have in the Lord's plan. Tonight my daughter said, "I hope I will always remember their smiles." I think we all will. I love you, Alexis and Amanda!

Leadership Retreat-Oct. 08

The young men and young women quorum and class presidencies spent an evening and morning working in various groups and learning leaderships skills at the Gibson's cabin. We enjoyed a nice meal and had a lot of fun working together. Thanks so much for letting us use the cabin!

This is one group trying to put small paper puzzles together on the floor. If I remember right, you could not talk to each other and it was a race to see which group could do it the fastest.

New Beginnings 09

I really, really wish I had taken my camera the night of New Beginnings. I would've loved a picture of all of us stewardesses (leaders)together, and all the young women in their destination costumes. So, since I didn't have a camera there I had Mike at least take a picture of me and of some of our fun hand-outs that evening. Sorry, its the best I could do. It was a wonderful night for all those who participated. As leaders we thank you girls and your parents for your support. We love you and look forward to a great 2009 year! (Remember here at Celestial Airlines we are always striving to serve you, our valued customers!)

Fashion Show Fun- October 1, 08

Flashback to Summer-SOFTBALL

The young women had two days of softball games this past summer. The mothers of the young women and YW leaders were also invited to play. It was a lot of fun for everyone involved!

Rachael is at bat. Samantha and Rachael at first.



Katie on third. Pam in the outfield. Justina as third baseman.

Adrienne is our catcher. Kristen prepares to hit. Way to go, everyone!

Sledding Trip

We went sledding with the young men in the beginning of 2008.

Whip Cream Pies

Karli and Rachael raced to finish the pie at camp.