Monday, September 22, 2008

Miracles

WARNING: Extremely Long post, you don't have to read it if you don't want to... 22 years ago my mom woke up to me screaming in the middle of the night. I was panicked, I started explaining that something happened to Josh and I described that he was in the mountains in a hole and he couldn't get out. That everyone was looking for him but couldn't help him. I described more of my dream to her. She explained to me Joshua was okay and sleeping in his room. That it was just a dream. Well 3 years later when I was 7 this dream became very real.

Well today is a very special day to my family. September 22,1989, 19 years ago, my older brother Josh who was 10 years old at the time went on a scouting trip with our ward. He was a little young but since my dad was a scout master and most of his friends were older so they allowed him to go. They went to Tooele, Utah to explore an old abandoned mine, the Hidden Treasure Mine.

They all went in the mine with several adults and the boys. What boy wouldn't enjoy exploring a dark, dangerous mine. At one point the leaders even had the boys turn off all the flashlights. Darker than you can imagine,you can't even see your hand in front of your face. Well they continued on with the exploration and one of the boys was already partially blind and even with a flashlight he couldn't handle it any more. My dad was going to take him out, so he told Josh to come with him. Josh of course wanted to stay with his friends who were right in front of him. My dad let him stay since he was with other boys and adults. So my dad left and Josh turned to be with the rest of the group. Josh didn't have a flashlight but could see everyone else's and was running to follow the light. It seemed to get farther and farther away, he turned to see my dad but that light was gone completely. He turned back to follow the other boys and suddenly the light disapeared. (the group turned a corner). Josh just couldn't find the light after that. (Two of the searchers (Ray Guyman and Gary Christensen) with Josh.)

Josh decided to turn around and follow the wall to go back towards the exit where my dad left. It wasn't that far from when they entered and he had felt the wall the whole time walking in. What Josh didn't realize is that since he turned and again used his right hand to feel his way out, it was the wrong wall. The tunnel forked and was leading him further and further away from the entrance. He trudged through cold puddles and stumbled over rocks. Josh was feeling disoriented and at one point it was getting steeper. Josh remembered a thing my mom always told us. "If you are ever lost hug a tree." So Josh just stopped and stayed right where he was.

Josh was all alone in a cold, musty, dark mine. Josh prayed and felt an overwhelming comfort that he would be alright. He knew someone would find him. Outside of the mine once everyone was out and getting settled my dad couldn't see Josh. He asked everyone. He asked the boys who Josh was suppose to be with and they said, "No, he went out with you." They realized that noone knew where Josh was. Panic struck the leaders and my dad. It was now night and the boys fell asleep as well as Josh inside the mine. While the leaders continued to search for Josh. The next morning on Saturday, still no sign of Josh and now the authorities were involved. The scout group left and some of the leaders stayed to help. It wasn't until late Saturday afternoon that word finally got to my mom. And someone offered to take care of us 3 kids while another drove my mom to Tooele. (John Skinner with Josh at a BYU game afterwards.)

Inside the mine Josh prayed, sang songs, and slept. Josh was cold and hungary at one point he dreamt that he was eating a Big Mac from McDonald's and woke up and it wasn't a Big Mac.

There was one man named John Skinner who grew up around the mine and his grandfather was the superintendant of the mine and he knew it well. On the second day he came to the mine to help and for days was turned away. The authorities didn't want anyone except Utah Power and Light Rescue team in the mine for safety reasons. Dailey John went back begging to help inside the mine and still was turned away. One day he even snuck around the other side to go in a different entrance but it was too dangerous so he had to go back. (At the hospital)

Wednesday, 5 days later, was going to be the last day to search and they would close down the mine. At this point there was no way a young 10 year old was still alive. That morning my aunt Teresa looked out her front window with the Oquirrh Mountains in clear sight. And she saw a rainbow right over the mountain. There was still hope. John attempted one last time and happened to talk to two of the UP&L rescue. They told him that they need his help. John had 3 places that he felt strongly about. They checked the first two and didn't see Josh. They were looking at the map and Ray Guyman, who was deaf in one year heard something. They kind of laughed since they didn't hear it how could Ray. But they all listened and there it was. Josh was yelling for help. There was markings showing that this area had been checked over and over again but Josh was missed. They climbed a 30 degree angle and Josh was sitting on a steep ledge. If he didn't fall all those feet to his death, surely after 5 days and nights dehydration, cold or hunger should have gotten him. But he was still there. Gary Christensen grabbed him and told him they have been looking for him for a long time and explained that they would take him to his mom and dad. Josh explained, "No, my mom is not here only my dad." Josh was blessed with losing track of time and really thought it was only overnight.(This was the first picture of them lifting Josh out of the mine.)

My mom, dad, the bishop and his wife were at the hotel praying and they felt this overwhelming feeling come over them. Interupting their prayer there was pounding on the door they got up and opened the door and someone screamed. He's been found and he is alive. I remember sitting at my grandma's house and the doorbell rang. We were making pictures for Josh to give him when he was found, cause we knew he would be. The neighbor began crying to my grandparents that Josh was found. We couldn't believe it, we were all so happy. (This was a year later at the mine. Me, Terra & Jacob)

When my mom saw Josh he whispered to my mom. "Mom, I wasn't alone there were angels with me." We all knew very strongly that it was true. He was being protected and comforted. A while later John Skinner was up at the mine. He was walking around the mountain and found a porcelin angel. He kept that and knew Josh was being watched over also. There are so many more stories and experiences that people had relating to my brother's. I wish I could share them all but there are too many. This experience that happened to my brother and our family has really helped me in my life with my faith and testimony. I was so young when it happened but I will never forget it. I know that prayers are answered and miracles do happen. (After he came home from the hospital)

This is cuttings from a plant at my grandma's house that was given shortly after Josh was found. My grandma still has the original plant but I have some of the cuttings and I also got a pot and gave Josh and Johana some as well. I can't believe after 19 years this plant is still alive and so beautiful.Sorry it is such a long post.

17 comments:

Lacey said...

Dani, I had no idea this had happened. Wow what an amazing post. I could feel your spirit just ready it. I am so glad that your brother was found safe.

Nat said...

What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.

Tiffany Anderson said...

What an awesome story, I happy that your family was blessed with such a miracle.

Jamie said...

Truly a miracle! We all need these reminders that miracles really do happen.

grandmao said...

No matter how many times I hear this story, it makes me cry! When we got to know you and realized that this was your family that it happened to I couldn't believe it! I remember vividly when this happened - I had four little kids and couldn't imagine what your parents were going through. I remember the relief everyone felt when Josh was found. Yes, miracles do happen, that's for sure!

Anonymous said...

Danielle, how well I remember those five days like it was yesterday. Paul and I were the ones who drove your mom up to the mine on Saturday. I remember sitting in the back seat with my arms around her, and she just sobbed all the way to Tooele. The hardest part was listening to her cry all night in the hotel room next to ours. Another aspect of the search that was very hard for me to comprehend was when she told me that the authorities wanted to seal the mine after Wednesday's search - I thought, "You can't do that - not without a body" but I didn't feel it was my place to say that. Words cannot begin to express the release that we felt when Josh was found after those tense five days. Everyone who was involved has a story to tell about Josh's recovery. It was most truly a miracle!

Erin Stones said...

Thanks for sharing this story. Although I have heard it many times it still touches my heart. I remember when I first met Josh that I couldn't believe I was meeting the boy who was lost in the mine. I remember when all of it happened as well. You are a great family- well deserving of this miracle. I know that I have been blessed knowing your family over the years as well. I hope that things are going well for Josh right now- it's been forever since I saw him. Tell him hello for me.

Matt said...

I love hearing this story. Every time I do, it gives me chills. It really is a miracle. I know that. I think that God has a plan for all of us and that His plan for Josh wasn't fulfilled yet. That is one reason why I think He protected him during those 5 days.

John & Britta said...

I remember when this happened. My family prayed for Josh constantly. I also remember when your family moved into the ward and I thought he was a star.

Kacy said...

What a wonderful testimony building story. Thank you so much for sharing.

Jenny said...

This is truly a miracle story. I still remember all of the ward fasting and praying for Josh. I had no idea that you had a dream about it previous to that. Isn't that amazing??? I remember praying for him and having a very strong feeling that he was alright and alive & that he would come home. Awesome huh? He was definitely in Heavenly Father's hands and I am so happy that he was blessed! He was truly meant to live! Heavenly Father answers prayers! Thanks for posting the story again. It reminds me of how Heavenly Father is acutely aware of everything in our lives and that he loves us. I love your whole family soooo much! Love Your friend, Jenny

Sheryl said...

Dani,

That is such an amazing story, it is so inspiring and so touching. Thank you for sharing that. Its so sad that we forget in our wordly day to day bustle that there is someone who loves who is always watching over us. Thank you!

Unknown said...

I'm Natalie's Mom and a Primary nut (2 time Primary President). I also remember when this happened and have told this story over and over in Primary Sharing Times. I had no idea this was your brother! I've still got the Friend article in my files. It is truly a story the miracle of faith and prayer. Thank you for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

When I was reading this story that you posted, I distinctively remember reading that same story in the Friend when I was just a little girl (I grew up in WA which is the incredible thing). The thing that I remember so much is that your brother said he had sung "I am a Child of God" while he was stuck in the mine. Even then, when I was like 7 years old, I thought that was such an amazing story and it was so great to be reminded now of what a wonderful miracle that was.

Michelle said...

My father-in-law is Ray Guymon. Thanks so much for sharing this story!

Laura said...

My Dad is Ray Guymon and I appreciate you posting this story and the pictures of him with Josh. It was a photo I remember seeing, but now I have a copy. I can clearly remember this time in our life, including when Josh came to Huntington for a Fireside. One interesting thing I thought you might want to know: my Dad just retired from the Mines and Mine Rescue Team this year after 40 years of working for the same mining company. He has many stories of late nights being called in for a resuce, but Joshua's story is one that our family still thinks of as surrounded in happiness. Not all events turn out so nicely. Thanks for sharing. Laura

The Oldroyd's said...

Laura and Michelle,
I would love to have your email addresses or even one for Ray to give my mom and brother Josh. How crazy that you found my blog. I usually always blog about it every year, because it is truly a miracle and as a family we don't ever want to forget it. I love sharing the story with my kids as well. Thanks for commenting. My email address is danielle_oldroyd@yahoo.com