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Hiking to Timpanogos Cave 2022: Dedicated to Julie

 This year is the Centennial Year of Timpanogos Cave becoming a National Monument.  This has become a special place in my heart as it started with a friends invitation to hike up the trail, as it is a good climb, beautiful views and great exercise.  I enjoyed it so much I invited a group of friends from our hiking group to join me on the hike a couple of weeks later, never realizing what we would run into.  Before you begin the hike, you meet a ranger who explains some of the rules on the trail.  No running on the trail, no stopping or standing in the red lined zones, I knew and had heard the rules before, so when I noticed a woman running down the trail, and then her friend running after her, I stopped to ask if everything was ok.  She said her friend had been hit in the head by a rock, and they didn't know if she was going to make it.  I remember, the 4 of us friends, stopped along the way to say a prayer, and we weren't even sure if we should keep going, in case of more falling rocks.  We were about 3/4 of the way up, when we noticed then bringing her down the trail in a gurney.  We were able to grab on and help relieve the burden and carry her down.  Her friend, Heather, was holding her head, talking and praying to her to hold on.  We all prayed out load and silently.   I had no idea how serious it was, until I heard her brain had swollen.  I totally believed in miracles and thought she would be ok.  I kept in touch with one of the friends, and she gave me updates.  I was able to share the experience with my kids, how she loved and had been praying for them.    She had six kids and not all of them were active in the church.  Her friends had said she had been praying for them, and they believe this was an answer to her prayers!  I believe in life after death and that the work continues on the other side of the veil and that she must have been ready!  God is aware of her and each one of us.  Although it didn't turn out the way we thought it would, I know someday it will be made right, through the Atoning Power of Jesus Christ.  That there is a restitution of all things!  What a selfless and eternal friend and mother she is.  I believe she was willing and prepared to meet God, I look forward to the day when we get to meet too.  

She had showed some signs of improvement, but after 28 days or so of being in a coma, and with little activity, her husband and family had to make the difficult decision to let her go.  We will be a forever friend because I believe God knew her and she was willing and prepared to give her life. She lived a life of love and service, without hesitation, and I felt like she was someone I could be friends with and I look forward to the day when we can meet and she and our friends can continue the climb.  

I love these ladies I was hiking with, and I have since been back to honor her and the others who helped her.  They made an emblem that says, "a hike in nature brings the soul back home."  I feel that come true on our daily hikes, and I hope that's true for her and our precious children as well.  



   

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