Missing letter... oops!
Note from Mindy: evidently, I missed a letter from Luke! So, quick read this one because he's actually sent another already, which makes (drumroll, please) THREE weeks in a row!! And big changes happened after this one, so stay tuned...
Letter dated Feb 12, 2024:
“Several times in my life, I have come face-to-face with death. One of those occurred in Maputo, Mozambique, in late May 2009. While dining at the mission home there with Elder William W. Parmley, the Africa Southeast Area President, and his wife, Shanna, and with Mozambique Maputo Mission president, Blair J. Packard, and his wife Cindy, three men armed with automatic weapons burst into the room.
“In the melee that followed, one robber put a gun to my head, announced they were there to kill me and abduct my wife, and then pulled the trigger. The gun made a clicking sound but did not fire. The misfire infuriated the robber, who then kicked me in the face and knocked me to the floor. I was certain that this was the end for me. I remember thinking, ‘I am about to pass out of this life and go into the next. This is going to be a very interesting experience.’
“At the same time, another robber shoved a pistol into Wendy’s back and began rocking her chair in an attempt to pull her from it, saying, ‘You are coming with us! You are coming with us!’
“Through a series of miraculous events—and thanks in no small part to the heroic actions of Sister Cindy Packard—our lives were spared. However, as I had on several previous frightening occasions, I realized how fragile life is and how relatively few things there are in this world that have eternal significance. As those robbers threatened our lives, I was not thinking about awards or educational degrees or commendations. I was thinking about my family and the covenants I had made with the Lord.
“I fear that too many of us are living our lives as though this life is all there is, that life will not continue after death, and that what we do here has no bearing on the future. That is simply not true.
“It is imperative that we not get distracted and pulled off the covenant path by the world’s ‘shiny objects,’ meaning the honors and attention of men. Those events are of no importance whatsoever in the next world. What will matter is if we have made covenants with God and kept them.”
Wouldn't that be terrifying! Oh my goodness, that is a crazy experience! I've had some sketchy experiences on my mission, but nothing even close to this (no worries momma! I'm safe;))! How often do we just stop and take a moment to be grateful for the exact moment we are in. Not to sound morbid, but it could potentially be our last! I love President Nelson's reaction to this scary situation. This past little bit I have been trying to increase my Christlike poise, something President Nelson is very good at! I hope that if I were ever to be put in that same situation, I would have the same thoughts run through my head. I wouldn't think, "Oh man, I wish I wouldn't have said that to them," or think of a bunch of things I could have done better! But I would hope in that moment, I would be okay to meet my Maker... ready to be embraced in His arms, knowing that I served and represented him valiantly! So, there's my quick thought for the week! Live life to the fullest each moment! There are things of importance and there are things of eternal significance. I challenge you to think of which one's you're prioritizing and what things you can do to grow closer to the Savior, you will never regret it! Have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder Steadman
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