My Worst Nightmare Came True.

February 12th.

~10:30 A.M.

Highway 20--South bound.

I was traveling to work this morning. I was a little concerned driving through Rexburg, as it had snowed last night and left quite a bit of snow on the roads. However, the highway was much more clear than the in-town roads and I was able to drive at a normal speed down Hwy 20.

I was about 15 minutes outside of Idaho Falls when I felt the car hit a patch of ice. I tried to steer the car back and straighten it out when it hit the snow that had gathered in-between the 2 lanes. I failed to gain complete control of the car as it fishtailed more and then eventually turned 180 degrees as it went off the road, rolled three times over a barbed wire fence and then finally landed (thankfully) upright. The air bags did not go off. The windshield caved in. Their were broken windows and glass from the broken windows everywhere. Luckily, I was wearing my seatbelt.

I crawled out of the car through the drivers side window and into the snowy field. I immediately begin searching through the things thrown from the car for my purse and cell phone. My first thought was, "I need to call Stuart." In a state of shock, I guess, I managed to find my purse but begin filling it with random things that were sprawled on the ground (empty cd cases, trash from the car, etc.) I found the front of my cell phone, but the battery and back were missing. A kind woman ran up to me and told me that she would put things back in my purse but said that I needed to get into the car parked on the side of the road.

Three cars stopped to help me. I was helped into one of the cars and a few other kind souls wrapped me in a blanket, called Stuart and tried to call my work. Stuart was in class and the man calling left him a message. The people kept asking me questions and trying to calm me down (I was hysterically crying by now) and trying to see if I had any trauma damage. I seemed to be fine, was able to answer questions and kept blubbering on about how I had totaled our only car and about how I needed to get to Red Robin.

(Background info: YESTERDAY, as in February 11th--Stuart and I found out that my car, the focus, was pretty much shot. We could either spend almost $2000 to repair things that might not actually be the end of the issues and then if not we could spend even more, which unfortunately is not worth doing with that car--so basically she is dead. RIP Fiona...)

Stuart was able to call the kind man back rather quickly and I was able to talk to him and tell him I was all right through sobs. Ryan was able to bring Stuart to Idaho Falls hospital where I was being taken in the ambulance. The paramedics arrived very quickly and because of the neck and head pain I was experiencing placed me in a neck brace, gave me nausea meds as well as some morphine on my ride to the hospital. At the hospital I was given a CT scan which turned out normal. My vitals were great and amazingly I had no real damage. No scrapes, no bleeding, no broken bones or major injuries. Just pain. LOTS of pain...

Stuart and Ryan were able to give me a priesthood blessing and we were able to leave the hospital after about an hour. I was given 2 prescriptions--one for Vicodin (an intense pain reliever) and a muscle relaxer.

Car wrecks are my WORST nightmare. Before today I had never been in one. Living in Idaho has only increased my fear with its constant hazardous winter road conditions. The past two days have been absolutely hellacious. Although their has been car troubles and family drama, I have found that despite all the headaches in dealing with finding a car, figuring out work, paying for a million things, dealing with insurance, dealing with towing, making phone calls, etc. I have been SO COMPLETELY BLESSED. Here are just a few of the tender merices that have come out of this traumatic experience:

1. I am so lucky. I am physically fine. The doctor kept saying that he couldn't believe how fine I was after rolling a car three times and being in a wreck like I was. I don't even have a real scratch on my body.

2. I have loving family and friends who have really reached out to Stu and I. Ryan brought Stu to Idaho Falls (we dont' have another car remember...) and was able to aid Stuart in giving me a priesthood blessing. Meagan had to miss her classes because Ryan was with Stuart and I. Thanks SO much ya'll :) Family and friends have been calling non stop and making sure I am ok...my poor mother just wants to be here so bad...she has called about everything from meds, to symptoms, etc. Thank goodness she is a nurse!

3. These are trials that can help us to rely on the Lord for strength and guidance. In this tough crisis of a time, we can always turn to our Father in Heaven for help and comfort and he will always be there for us. I have truly seen this in my life.

4. Red Robin has been amazing! Stuart called them this morning and told them about the wreck and that I wouldn't be coming in today/tonight. I called them after we got back to Rexburg and explained what happened, how we don't have a car and how I don't know how I am getting to work and missing my shifts, etc. They said they didn't care and that I didn't need to even think about work right now. They were just like, we're here for you if you need anything from rides to money, etc. and to just keep them posted in how I was doing. Who knew Red Robin had a soul? JK!

5. Stuart and I will be so much stronger after this trial has passed. Our parents are wonderful and have offered to help us get back on our feet and once we have resumed normal life I will have a different outlook on life. It is a traumatic and humbling situation and as crazy as it sounds, will be thankful for what it has taught me.

6. I definitely feel that someone was watching over me today. I must be meant to accomplish great things in life and need to start doing more for others and living life more fully.

7. I could've been in my car--and if I would have rolled in little ole' Fiona, it could have been a much worse outcome.

8. There are still kind and selfless people left in this harsh world. Those perfect strangers stopped and helped me today and were truly concerned for me. They called 911/called my husband/tried to call my work/picked up my things/spoke to the paramedics and police for me and just helped me to get a hold of myself and figure out the situation. I am going to get their names from the witness report and send them letters of thanks...they have know idea how much their kindness meant to my traumatized self.

9. There was no one else involved. I can't imagine if I had hit another car or if other people had been involved; people with children; people who could've been really hurt.

10. Major pain killers are heaven sent :)

I am so thankful for my life and for the abundance of blessings that are in it. Although I always have been, today made me really realize how everything could have been way different and somehow it ended pretty amazingly in the sense that I am alive and well and no one else was hurt.