The Spirit that saved!

Inspired by reading a facebook friends' blog (Laci), gave me an overwhelming feeling to post one of my families 'water experiences'.

ALOT of summers ago there was a fathers day adventure. Just so happened to fall on a sunday. The Saxton family was celebrating one of many holidays. Of course the cousins ran in groups mostly boys vs. the girls, that particular  day the 'groups' were doing many different things. After soaking in the hot tub the girls rendered to the boys for their time in the water. After prepping and becoming beautiful again the girls went to beg Grampa Saxton for a ride on the motorcycle!! Always an eventful ride we begged and begged for. Our Grampa was relaxing on the deck by himself in the shade. While the girls begged and pleaded for a ride my Grampa kept reminding us "It is sunday, we are supposed to keep the sabbath day holy." While still begging for our ride our aunt Sheila passed by and asked if we had seen Derek then 2 years or so of age. We all replied with no's and come ons to Grampa. Grampa told Sheila he would help her look, because of course Derek was a wild man running all the time and always full of energy. Sheila replied "No, I am used to it. I will find him here shortly, (looking at the girls) plus you are taking the kids for a ride!" Grampa said "Ok, I will watch for him while taking the girls." 

Walking to the shed hand in hand with the girl cousins and Grampa we heard a horrible shrieking scream! Without hesitation we all ran towards the hot tub placed at the bottom and other side of the deck. By then many more family members had also heard the terrifying sound only a mother could produce in utter fear for her child's life. Many others had come from inside the house and towards the hot tub, which was only occupied by the lifeless floating body of a small child. 

While watching tiny Sheila pull her child from the water while sobbing and screaming for help, and pleading for her sons life "GOD HELP ME! GOD HELP ME!! NO YOU CAN'T TAKE HIM!" My Grampa had then gathered the child in his arms and carefully laid him on the ground. Now surrounded by my cousins being the oldest one on the landing, we gathered on the steps and held hands and hugged while we looked down on the blue limp child.  My dad (Todd) held Sheila while she still screamed for her child. My uncle Doug and my Mom (Sandra) kneeled by my Grampa who had started the process of C.P.R. and watched and listened for the breathing rhythms to return. While many of the adults were standing above us watching the events unfold while trying to reach 911, which then was 852-1234. Having the lines busy my older brother Skylar ran to neighbors homes to have them also call for help. My uncle Mark which is Derek's dad stood over his body screaming for people to help...

Many other neighbors came down the hill and watched as they hoped for the same miracle, we were all praying for!! While many of the cousins sobbed and were confused at the lifeless body, I kept urging them to be quite so my Grampa, Mom, and Doug could hear signs of life returning or diminishing. Mark still confused and also pleading for help begged for the ambulance. My dad struggling to keep small Sheila from gathering up her child in her arms was also begging for someone to help. All that could be done was listen and wait which seemed like hours and hours. My Grampa softly performed this life saving routine we could see color coming back into Derek's small body. All of the other adults trying to reach help and do whatever they could to help the situation. Finally the paramedics arrived and congratulated the family on the C.P.R. skills. It seemed that Derek was breathing but not conscious. 

After watching the ambulance rush away with small Derek and many other family members driving behind the ambulance the rest of our family members gathered in my Grams home. We wrote cards and prayed and listened for any news of Derek's situation. After being taken to Primary Children's hospital we had learned that Derek was not only going to survive but did not have any brain damage. Which was another miracle because, as far as we know he had been in the water for quit awhile. While talking about the incident after, Grampa didn't recall being the one that performed the C.P.R. He felt as if someone else had taken over his body and saved his grand baby. 

I know from this personal experience that not only does the spirit live through us, but I know that having the priesthood is a huge blessing in our families lives. I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I know that we are blessed to have the gospel restored to this earth by Joseph Smith. And our Prophet today President Thomas S. Monson is a true leader of God in these latter days. I am so grateful for the chance I have had to be brought up in the Gospel. I know that my Grampa was helped by the spirit to save Derek. Without that spirit who would know the outcome of that situation. We are a very blessed family and I give all of that credit to my Grandparents and Parents for guiding and leading by example. I love the Lord and I love my family! Derek is now going to be 17 and is playing Lacrosse at Preston High School. We are so lucky to have him in our family!! We love you Derek.