Stephanie Nielson - an inspiration to all mothers everywhere

Stephanie Nielson: Plane crash survivor regains hope

(this article has ten chapters to it, I reccomend reading them all in sequence to get the full impact of the story.)

This woman is absolutely amazing to me! Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, or discouraged about anything, I go back to her blog and feel humbled. If she can do it (life I mean), so can I. She survived the fiery flames of a plane crash, and has to deal with the pain of the burns every day. Yet she goes on, thank you Stephanie for being an inspiration to us all!

Sending my love to Africa

This picture is of some friends who I met in Africa back in 1999 when was living in Zimbabwe teaching at Camelot School. Ian, the dad in the picture, became a very good friend to all of us American students. We got to know him through church, and he soon became our protector and our taxi cab. He was such a good friend and we really enjoyed spending time with him and his family.

At the end of my stay in Africa, he was the one who accompanied me on the bus trip down to Johannesburg, South Africa on my way home. His trip was mainly for the purpose of attending the temple for the first time. Garrett, who was on an internship in Mozambique, Africa at the time met up with us at the temple and served as Ian's escort in the temple. It was a very special day.

When Ian met Patience (his wife) a few years later and decided to get married, we were very happy to hear the news. We assisted him in getting a wedding ring for her from here in the States because inflation had skyrocketed so badly over there. We stayed in contact with them and enjoyed getting updates and sending gifts when they had their children. I never officially met Patience, but felt like I knew her from seeing pictures and reading Ian's updates.

The purpose of me telling you about them is to ask for your prayers on behalf of this family. Yesterday I got the news that Patience died a few days ago. She leaves behind an adoring family and three young children. I am very sad for Ian at this time, but I am also extremely thankful for the knowledge of eternal families

They have been sealed in the temple, and I know that they will see each other again and will be together as a family eternally. It may be many years of separation until that time, but knowing of the eternal plan God has for families gives us hope, and motivation to go on during times of sadness. We love you Ian and will be praying for you and your children.

With Love, Jeanie and Garrett Anderson