I have been deeply affected by the death of this 26 year old (Mark's age) that I don't even know. On Wednesday I heard that he was stuck in a 18-inch crevice inside the Nutty Putty Caves. I knelt to say my prayers that night and prayed that the rescuers would be able to get him out safely. I just knew I would wake up Thursday morning and he would be freed and on his way to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. That did not happen. He died sometime after midnight.
Christopher went to this cave with some of his friends while in high school. He remembers going through that same area and hoping he wouldn't get stuck. He did not enjoy the experience and couldn't wait to get out. Thankfully he did.
My heart goes out to those who were trying to find a way to get John out of the cave. Approximately 100 Wasatch Front rescue workers tried to free him for over 28 hours.
John had a sense of adventure and loved the outdoors ~ it was just a tragic accident.
While attending at BYU, John met his wife Emily and they were married in 2006. They recently found out their second child would be due in June. He was second-year medical student at the University of Virginia and was studying to become a pediatric cardiologist at the time of his death. He had a masterful ability to relate to children.
His funeral is today even though rescue workers have not been able to remove his body.
It has been said that time heals all wounds. I think that love, not time, heals all wounds ...the love of friends and family. Most of all I believe it is knowing that even though we have pain in this life, Heavenly Father is there and our Savior loves us. Following Jesus Christ does bring peace. I hope that the Jones family will feel the loving arms of the one whose birth we celebrate this season around them.
Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment
and take from it everything that you possibly can,
for you may never be able to experience it again...
Live Each Day As If it Were Your Last...
Tomorrow is Not Promised...
