Yesterday I received a message from a family friend (Ryanne Day), and she shared with me something from the day of Britton's accident, I thought it was so cool, so I wanted to share it with the rest of you:)
"So I was talking to Josh this morning and we realized that I took their family pictures they same day of Britton's accident.
Then he told me about the life flight story and the pilots decision to fly into the storm even though dispatchers told them it was to dangerous...
We were remembering what a bad storm it was that day. I drove out to the location with my husband and it was cold and raining. I was debating on whether or not to do the pictures another day. You couldn't even see the Pine Valley mountain the clouds were so black and thick!
When Josh and I were matching up the timelines I realized... My husband and I saw the helicopter on the way back to the hospital. But the amazing thing was that right after that... the most amazing rainbows appeared in front of the pine valley mountain! For how often it storms in St. George it is even less that we have rainbows! But this rainbow was the most vibrate rainbow I have seen in my life! Then another appeared above it!
This is from temple study manual and thought this was perfect for the Shipp family. But it was also a reminder to me in my personal struggles going on in my family, that Heavenly Father is always there!
"It is destructive times like these that cause us to reflect on God, and His place in our world. It seems like cruel irony that the rainbow was placed as a sign of the covenant that God made with man that He would not flood the earth again. But then again, that was surely a deliberate decision, that each time we witness these horrific natural events like hurricanes we remember God is still there, and that He knows our trials and tribulations (cf. Hel. 12:3). Yes, even “if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (D&C 122:7).
We are continuing to keep Britton and the Shipp family in our prayers! For all of those of you who may be struggling this Holiday season, whenever you feel down or hopeless remember that Heavenly Father is always there!
Everybody wants happiness, nobody wants pain.
But you can't have a rainbow, without a little rain!"
This is a picture she took from that afternoon.
I LOVE what she had to say. And I am so glad she shared it with me. Hearing of the little miracles and tender mercies that happened that day, just give me that much more hope, that my sweet brother is going to make it though this storm of his just fine, and heavenly father showed us that the day of the accident through these small and simple things, like the rainbow. Someday I will share with you all the stories from that day. The miracles that took place, stories from the life-flight crew, the doctors, etc. They were no accidents, no coincidences...the Lord's hand was in it all.
I dont know if you can read that very well. But one of our close friends gave it to us, in light of our Bee incident yesterday and it put a smile on all of our faces!
It reads:
The Bumble Bee cannot fly.
According to laws of aerodynamics
the bumble bee cannot fly:
Its body is too
heavy for its wings
and thats the simple
reason why.
But the Bumble Bee
doesn't know this fact,
and so it flies anyway
for all to see.
Remember this when you're losing faith or hope.
God's proof that the impossible can be.
-AS Waldrop
I LOVE this poem, and the analogy of a bumble bee. So now thinking back on it, how ironic that all those bees were flying around my brother yesterday, and that one followed us in:)
Britt has had a good day! Just the usual stuff. He did great at physical therapy, sitting up and doing range of motion things. He responded well to the Doctors and their exams this morning.
So cool Story. Yesterday we have had a few nurses and staff members here in the hospital tell us that they had dreams of Britton the night before. One in particular that I loved, was how Britton had showed up with the man's grandchildren in his dream, and sat down by him to fish and talk. It was so great to hear these stories from them. We couldn't help but feel a strong spirit. My dad said, that the night before, which would have been when they had their dreams, Britton was moving around like a mad man, wiggling, and active all night. He said he thinks it was because he was busy visiting people who have been helping him!
Ledger and Greyson sure have been missing their big bro lately. Every single morning, Greyson asks..."Did Britton wake up today?" Sometimes he even Facetimes my dad at 5:30 in the morning, just to ask. And I found Ledger in the pantry yesterday with an Ensure in his hand, crying. I asked him what was wrong, and he said that he and Britt would always drink their Ensure nutrition drinks together, and he can't drink them all by himself.
Thank you THANK YOU, for you're continuous prayers and love.
I found some video clips I took a couple summers ago at one of Britt's baseball tourneys, and decided to put together a little video with them! Give it a watch:) #Believe4Britton
Oh and, WARNING: if you're anything like me, you might cry.
It was such a nice day out too! We wheeled him right on out, and did physical therapy out there. I love seeing him get to do new things! It just means he is improving and getting better. He almost got stung by a bunch of bees, but other than that things went real smooth. He has done great today. He has even responded to a few commands, very vaguely, but still!
(hahahahah you know how my mom was freaking out about the bees...this one came back with us, we found this one on his arm when we got back in and had to call in the SWAT team...hahaha get it...not really, the SWAT team consisted of me and the nurse. #BEElieve4Britton )
Last night, Michael McLean from the Forgotten Carols got us tickets to go see his show. He had stopped in a couple days before to talk to us and see Britt, because he had caught word of what happened. It was so awesome, the show much needed for me and my family. Funny story though, we got a flat tire on our way over, so we had to ditch the car and walk the rest of the way to the show so we wouldn't be late...hahahah it was hilarious. At the end of the show, he dedicated a song to our family and Britt, called "Hold On".......to say we cried our eyes out would be an understatement. It was so special to us. And so good to get out of the hospital for a sec and feel the spirit of christ, and christmas itself.
Wakey wakey sleeping beauty. that is always the first thing I say to britt everyday. We even tried to get some girls to kiss him, to see if he would wake up. that didn't work. Britt has done so well the last few days. Really he just needs to wake up and start responding to commands. All of his vitals have stayed perfect for the most part. He is killin it in physical therapy and rehab. They turn him on his belly, put him on the tilt table and stand him up, sit him on the side of the bed, they are even going to take him outside sometime soon! That will be fun! He hasnt seen the sun for awhile, but somehow he is still and always will be tanner than me. He also got the better skin, along with the eyelashes and perfect eyebrows. Maybe he was supposed to be the girl. I dont know. He is pretty stinkin cute though. All 98 pounds of him.
We have been so overwhelmed the last couple of days with the continual kindness and love that everyone has showed us. Seriously, you guys are so awesome. We owe everything to you. There is no way we would be getting through this mess without everything you have all done for us. The wade family and St. George Shuttle had a christmas party last night, and had us over. They were so kind, thoughtful and generous. The words we heard were so touching. We are so grateful for people who go out of their way, and take time out of their own lives and families to offer us a helping hand and show their support. They put together a slide show, with a few pics of britton and a song. Let me tell you what....those slideshows will get ya. Like, cue the slideshow and here come the tears. Man. That is twice now. No more slide shows for me hahahah. It was all beautiful, everything they did. And everything you have all done. We are left in awe every day, at what has been and is being done for our family and our britt.
The other day we were driving, and pulled up to a stop light. There was a car in front of us that had a Believe 4 Britton sticker on the back windshield. Someone asked me, "Did you ever think you'd see your brothers name all over peoples cars?"
I said no. But then I really thought about it.
No. Never in a million years would I have thought that my little brothers name would be on a sticker on the back of someones car, or a sign in their front yard, windows of businesses around town, shirts, bracelets, marquees. No way. Not my brother. Never did I think people would be doing benefit concerts, and dinners to raise money for my him. Never did I think I would be watching slide shows, with pictures of my little brother on it clear from when he was little up until now to raise awareness for what has happened to him.
It's the worst thing in the world to be honest. To have your little brothers name all over everything and not for the best reason. It still hasn't hit me yet, i don't think. That it's my brother. My little brother, that all of this is happening to.
It is the greatest thing in the world though, at the same time. To see his name on every sign, down every street, every car, on every persons wrist, or across their chest. How unbelievable.
Things could be very different.
He could be here, in the same situation. And people could care less, offer their condolences and that was the end of it. No signs, no stickers, no bracelets, no visits, no notes/letters....nothing.
I think about how different it would be for our family. To not have the support that we do. To not be shown the love we feel every day.
It would be impossible, for us. For Britt. So thank you. We love you.
There is just something so wonderful about sundays. I feel like it is my day to reflect and really think about things that have happened and gone on throughout the week, the feelings i've felt, the words i've heard, lessons i've learned...all of it.
A couple of nights ago, I was having a conversation with my friend Hannah Harrah. I have always admired Hannah for being not only such a good friend, but a genuinely good person. She is always so uplifting. We were driving, and started talking about how we have come to more fully understand God's love, lately. Through experiences and relationships we have had in the past and even now, we have all loved someone along the way. Whether it is love for a family member, love for a stranger, love for a spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend, we've all felt it. We all know it. I have always loved my little brother. I love all of them, more than anything in the world. You can't live with them, and you can't live without them. Of course, at times I've wanted to give them away. They are obnoxious, annoying, mean, stinky, out of control, and everything else little boys are. But they are so amazing. Loving, sweet, obedient, handsome, patient, caring, perfect. And they are mine. I've always known how special Britton was, he has never been a typical teenage boy. He is just the sweetest boy, so hard working and innocent. There is a song by brad paisley, called "Then". It is in the context of him singing about his wife that he loves, but I like to apply it to our situation, and my brother.
"Now you're my whole life Now you're my whole world I just can't believe The way I feel about you Britt Like a river meets the sea Stronger than its ever been We've come so far since that day And I thought I loved you then"
I thought I loved him then. But From the moment I heard about what had happened, I quickly learned that I love my little brother more than I thought. And every day since, I have come to love him more and more with each passing day. I didn't know it was possible to love so deeply. Gosh, he is just the greatest. All 3 of my brothers are. Sometimes I just start crying out of the blue because I love him so so much. And I want nothing more in the world, than for him to be better. For us to have our brother back.
People always say that you don't know what you got till it's gone. Well thank heavens this isn't necessarily our case, but it has come close to it. I'm so grateful that we still have him, that he is still here. Breathing, moving, getting better with each day. Because I don't know what I would ever do without him. I can't even fathom. When you love and care about somebody, it's the hardest thing in the world to see them struggle, stumble, fall. Whatever it may be. You only want to see them well and happy, see them succeed.
When I think about this, and how I am feeling about my brother and his circumstances. How much it breaks my heart to see him this way, to have to watch him go through all of it. Wondering and wishing why it couldn't be me laying there instead of him. Wishing he could just wake up, snap out of it, and get back to being Britt. I think about God's love for us.
I can't even begin to comprehend it. And I will never fully understand it...the magnitude, at least not on this earth or in this life. But I have an idea, a small inkling of what it is like. I've come to feel of the love he has for us, through the love I have and have gained for my sweet brother.
It brings me to tears trying to wrap my head around it. Love is so powerful. It is a feeling that can completely encompass you, surround you, help you, and change you. It's not just about you anymore, it's bigger than yourself, bigger than all of us.
I know God loves me. I know he loves you. I know he loves my brother.
When we, ourselves, are struggling in life for whatever reason, facing hard times, getting off track, unhappy or confused...Our Father In Heaven feels that sorrow, that grief, the feeling of a broken heart. He weeps for us, he mourns for us, he wants nothing more than for us to just wake up, snap out of it, and get back to being his obedient, joyful and righteous children. He wants us to get better. He wants us to get though the storm. He wants us to return to him.
JUST LIKE WE WANT OUR BRITT TO RETURN TO US!
Can you picture it? Can you imagine it? Even just a little bit? What God feels, how deeply he loves us, each one of his children. And how he so badly wants us to endure through the trials, live our lives obediently and accordingly, so that we might return to him someday.
God loves you so much. he loves me so much. he loves my brother so much...that he sent his ONLY son, to die for us. TO DIE, for us. So that WE, in times of sorrow and pain, in times of weakness and insecurity, in times of mistake and loneliness, might have a savior. He is our savior. All of these things which are impossible to bear on our own, are born by Christ, so that we are not alone in our darkest hours. Our Father knew, that we could not do these things alone. And so we are never alone. That is so powerful to me. That we....as individuals, are never alone. EVER. As far from home as we might be, as desolate as your heart might feel inside...he is there. He is ALWAYS there. You might feel like no one understands you, like no one has felt what you are feeling. Like you are alone in that. But you are not. He has felt every pain and cried every tear, as you have. He atoned for us, felt EVERYTHING physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, that we have felt and may feel throughout our lives. For those who have come before us, those who are here now, and those who will come in the future. He endured the ultimate sacrifice, so that not a single soul would ever, be alone.
Alma 7;11And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
When I think about the savior in the Garden of Gethsemane, a perfect being, so innocent, so pure...bringing upon himself all the sins, and pains of the world, suffering them...for us. Because He loves us. He so willingly offered himself, to atone for our sins, our shortcomings, our iniquities. Because He, loves us.
Matthew 26;39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, andprayed, saying, O myFather, if it be possible, let thiscuppass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but asthouwilt.
Matthew 26;42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Luke 22;42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground
The Savior performed the ultimate sacrifice in the garden, so that we, could overcome death, physically and spiritually, and return to Him and our Father in Heaven.
To picture Christ crying, pleading with God to lift this burden, bleeding from every pore, experiencing and feeling all of the pain, the heartbreak, the struggle, the sins, of the ENTIRE WORLD. He endured all of that for us, individually, personally.
So I ask myself. How could I, in a time like this, not turn to and rely on the atonement of my savior Jesus Christ. How could I let what he did for me then, in the garden of gethsemane...go unnoticed, unused or unappreciated? How could I fall asleep on him, like his apostles Peter, James and John. How could I fall asleep on someone who has done so much for me. I think sometimes, I forget, and sometimes I do find myself falling asleep.
He did this for me. So that when i feel like no one could possible understand or feel what my heart is feeling...he does. That I can turn to him, to make me whole, healing and comforting me. Strengthening me, carrying me. Because I am not alone.
Britton is loved by so many. Familiar friends, and strangers from afar. He is loved by his teammates, his coaches, his teachers. He is loved by his family. His sister, his brothers, his mom and dad. But he is most importantly loved by his Father in Heaven. A love that is so strong, so deep, so real, so pure, so true, so everlasting, so infinite. A love that none of us can comprehend. I know that He is holding my brother, constantly telling and showing Britt this love. He is strengthening and preparing him, so that he will be ready to return and take on the world once again. I know that.
Its been 36 days and he has come so far. Each day, when we see friends we have made here in the ICU, come out of the doors crying, having seen their loved ones take their last breathes...we are quickly reminded that my brother's situation and circumstances could have been very different. They could have so easily gone a different direction. I could have finished this blog days ago, weeks ago. But he is still here, still fighting. Improving each day. And I am fully convinced it is because of the lasting faith, prayers, and belief in our Britt...from all of you. The Lord is seeing your unwavering faith, hearing your continuous prayers, and feeling the hope and belief that you have in an inspiring 16 year old boy from Santa Clara Utah. Thank you, for helping my sweet boy make it this far. We truly do love you.
Watch this. And Don't ever forget the Love God has for you. The love our Savior has for you. YOU...personally. He knows you. PERSONALLY. He knows your name, he knows your heart, he has felt it all, for you. Don't let the atonement go unused in your life. You are never alone. There is always a way. And HE, is the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goR5FO1vge8
