Who our ancestors are and where they came from can impact our
life and who we become. If they decided to get on a ship and come to a new
world, we have a completely different life, because of that decision. We have
that same affect on ourselves as well as our children. The things that we go
through in life and experience can change things.
My family went through a life changing experience when I was only seven years old, when my older brother Josh was ten. We witnessed a miracle twenty-four years ago, it changed who I am . I have shared this experience a lot, but never really told it from my side.
My family went through a life changing experience when I was only seven years old, when my older brother Josh was ten. We witnessed a miracle twenty-four years ago, it changed who I am . I have shared this experience a lot, but never really told it from my side.
First picture taken of
Josh after his experience
It was fall of 1986. We had just moved into our new home in
Kearns. I was in bed early one morning and woke my mom to me screaming. My mom
ran in my room. She woke me up and told me I was having a dream and everything
was okay. I was still crying and described the dream to my mom. "But Josh
is stuck in a hole in the mountains. He can't get out! Angels were crying."
My mom continued to comfort me and I was able to calm down.
September 22, 1989 I remember looking out the screen door as my dad and my brother were laying all their stuff out on the lawn. They were going on a Boy Scout camp out. Josh wasn't old enough, but the leaders allowed him to go since my dad was there. They had bags, sleeping bags and a tent. Josh teased me a lot, we didn't hang out together, but I was sad. Maybe it was because I wanted to do something fun, maybe I knew what lie ahead, I am not sure. They left and my mom surprised us with a sleepover at my grandma's house. I felt so much better.
The next afternoon my mom had left to go shopping and we were still at my grandma's house with my older cousins, who were babysitting. We got a phone call and my cousin answered. It was a neighbor Joan Venema. She was searching for my mom, and looked up my grandparents number. (Of course this was before the days of pagers and cell phones.) My cousin Tawnya hung up the phone and I remember her saying that was strange, that she was a little frantic on the other end.
My mom went home to put her groceries away and a neighbor came in the garage to talk to her. She learned that as the Boy Scouts were on their trip, they explored an abandoned mine. My mom was told that the night before Josh went in and never came out. They haven't found him since. I didn't see my mom for another five days.
Along with my younger sister Terra, and brother Jake we were picked up and taken to a neighbors house to stay. My grandparents had been out of town at our family cabin and weren't home yet. I don't remember exactly who told me, but I remember that my friends would talk about it and say that he probably died. I didn't cry, but I really wanted to know what was going on.
September 22, 1989 I remember looking out the screen door as my dad and my brother were laying all their stuff out on the lawn. They were going on a Boy Scout camp out. Josh wasn't old enough, but the leaders allowed him to go since my dad was there. They had bags, sleeping bags and a tent. Josh teased me a lot, we didn't hang out together, but I was sad. Maybe it was because I wanted to do something fun, maybe I knew what lie ahead, I am not sure. They left and my mom surprised us with a sleepover at my grandma's house. I felt so much better.
The next afternoon my mom had left to go shopping and we were still at my grandma's house with my older cousins, who were babysitting. We got a phone call and my cousin answered. It was a neighbor Joan Venema. She was searching for my mom, and looked up my grandparents number. (Of course this was before the days of pagers and cell phones.) My cousin Tawnya hung up the phone and I remember her saying that was strange, that she was a little frantic on the other end.
My mom went home to put her groceries away and a neighbor came in the garage to talk to her. She learned that as the Boy Scouts were on their trip, they explored an abandoned mine. My mom was told that the night before Josh went in and never came out. They haven't found him since. I didn't see my mom for another five days.
Along with my younger sister Terra, and brother Jake we were picked up and taken to a neighbors house to stay. My grandparents had been out of town at our family cabin and weren't home yet. I don't remember exactly who told me, but I remember that my friends would talk about it and say that he probably died. I didn't cry, but I really wanted to know what was going on.
On Monday we
were taken back to my grandparents, they were home and heard the news. My
grandma was the best during that time. She wanted us to be happy and not worry
about what was going on. I was still sad. I was the oldest after Josh and I
knew a lot more than my sister and brother who were four, and two. My grandma
and grandpa Budd wouldn't even watch the news until we were in bed at night.
I remember when we finally heard the news about my brother. It was a Wednesday afternoon on September 27, 1989. We were finished with lunch, and I asked my grandma if we could pray one more time. We were sitting in the kitchen at the counter, we prayed for Josh. I told my grandma if we could make him cards for when we saw him again. So we folded white paper and started coloring. We drew so many pictures. Suddenly the doorbell rang several times in a row. My grandma went into the living room and there were screams, cries. I got off the stool and it was my grandma's neighbor. They were hugging and crying. She screamed, "He's alive. They found Josh!" I remember that I started to cry. I was happy, but I didn't say a word.
I remember when we finally heard the news about my brother. It was a Wednesday afternoon on September 27, 1989. We were finished with lunch, and I asked my grandma if we could pray one more time. We were sitting in the kitchen at the counter, we prayed for Josh. I told my grandma if we could make him cards for when we saw him again. So we folded white paper and started coloring. We drew so many pictures. Suddenly the doorbell rang several times in a row. My grandma went into the living room and there were screams, cries. I got off the stool and it was my grandma's neighbor. They were hugging and crying. She screamed, "He's alive. They found Josh!" I remember that I started to cry. I was happy, but I didn't say a word.
The next day we were taken to Primary Children's Medical Center to see him. He was surrounded by balloons, gifts, cards. Josh was smiling We were a family again! I was so happy.
Joshua was with a group of boys, along with my dad. One of the
boys was legally blind and was having a difficult time. My dad said he would
take him out and told Josh to follow. Josh begged him to stay in the mine with
the other leaders and boys. My dad and the boys turned to leave and Josh turned
the other way. The lights ahead disapeared around a corner. He ran ahead to
catch up, but just couldn't seem to keep up with the lights. Josh didn't have a
light of his own. He decided to turn the other way to go with my dad out. He
put his hand against the wall to lead him back out. It seemed to be taking a
lot longer than it did coming in. It was also a lot steeper. He decided to
stop where he was and wait. Surely they will come back and find him. Josh had
followed a wall that lead him the wrong way. He waited and waited. Josh prayed,
sang, and slept. He finally heard voices and yelled for help. They found him!
He didn't recognize the three men that pulled him out. One of the men said,
"It's okay Josh, we will take you to your mom and dad." Josh
responded, "Just my dad is here, my mom is home." Josh was blessed
with losing time. He thought he was only in the mine over night. He didn't
realize he was in the mine for five days and nights. Josh had faith and was not
scared. He knew that he would be found.
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
We don't celebrate every year as a family, but separately we celebrate in our own homes. I have told my kids the story about Josh, taught them about faith, prayer and miracles. I think any experience good or bad you learn from. It can make you stronger or weaker. Luckily it has made us stronger. I learned at such a young age the principles of our church and used them in my life.
I asked my mom, Janeen Dennis, how she feels every year on this day. This is what she said. . .
"I always have two reactions when September 27th comes around each year---> The first thing that comes to mind is GRATITUDE! I will always be forever grateful for all the prayers, support and love that came from EVERYWHERE! So thankful to those who searched for Josh, the rescue, and that he was found A LIVE!
Next comes the memory of living through such an ordeal. Reliving those days with the concern for Josh---> Is he hurt? Is he scared? Would we ever see him again? The NOT KNOWING was the worst. I still remember the feelings of loss, heartache, yet feeling such a peace."
There are dozens of stories and experiences that people had related to Josh, dreams, and feelings. There was even a death in a different state that we believe the man to be a guardian angel. So many things experienced in life can change a lot of lives. Just like I read about my ancestors, this will be a story that we can pass on for a long time to learn from.
Josh telling the kids his experience.
The family with our balloons!
I believe in miracles!
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