A year ago, on assignment in the state of California, I went with a stake president to visit with Clark and Holly Fales and their family in their home.
I was told they recently had experienced a miracle.
Upon our arrival, Clark struggled to stand and greet us as he was wearing a back brace, a neck brace, and braces on his arms.
Just over two months prior, Clark, his son Ty, and about 30 other young men and leaders set out on a stake high-adventure activity, hiking to the 14,180 foot summit of Mount Shasta, one of the highest peaks in California.
On the second day of the arduous hike, most of the climbers reached the summit--a thrilling accomplishment made possible because of months of preparation.
One of the first people to the top that day was Clark.
After a brief rest near the edge of the summit, he stood and began to walk.
As he did, he tripped and fell backward over the edge of a cliff, suffering a free fall of about 40 feet and then an out-of-control tumble down the icy slope for another 300 feet.
Remarkably, Clark survived, but he was severely injured and unable to move.
The miracles Clark experienced during this traumatic event were just beginning.
Some of the first to reach him "happened" to be a group of hikers that included mountain rescue guides and emergency medical professionals.
They immediately treated Clark for shock and provided gear to keep him warm.
This group also "happened" to be testing a new communication device and sent an emergency request for help from an area where cell phones could not get a signal.
A small helicopter was immediately dispatched to Mount Shasta from an hour away.
After two dangerous but unsuccessful attempts to land at an altitude that pushed the limits of the aircraft, and struggling with treacherous wind conditions, the pilot began a third and final try.
As the helicopter approached from a different angel, the winds "happened" to change and the aircraft landed just long enough for the group to quickly and painfully squeeze Clark into the small compartment behind the pilot's seat.
When Clark was evaluated at a trauma center, tests revealed that he had sustained multiple fractures in his neck, back, ribs, and wrists; a punctured lung; and a multitude of cuts and abrasions.
A renowned neurotrauma surgeon "happened" to be on duty that day; he is at this hospital only a few times a year.
This doctor later stated that he had never seen anyone sustain so much damage to the spinal cord and carotid arteries and live.
Clark was not only expected to live but to return to full function.
Describing himself as agnostic, the surgeon said Clark's case went against all his scientific learning about neurological injuries and could only be described as a miracle.
As Clark and Holly finished relating this intense account, I found it difficult to speak.
It was not simply because of the obvious miracles, but because of a greater one.
I had a profound impression--a spiritual witness--that Holly and each of the five beautiful children who sat in the living room around their parents have such faith that they could have accepted whatever the outcome might have been that day and they still would have spiritually prospered.
-Donald L. Hallstrom -Has the Day of Miracles Ceased? -October 2017 General Conference
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Congratulations Olympic Medalists!
Norway: 6 Gold 7 Silver 4 Bronze 17 Total
Germany: 9 Gold 2 Silver 4 Bronze 15 Total
Canada: 4 Gold 5 Silver 4 Bronze 13 Total
Netherlands: 5 Gold 5 Silver 2 Bronze 12 Total
United States: 5 Gold 1 Silver 2 Bronze 8 Total
Japan: 4 Silver 3 Bronze 7 Total
France: 3 Gold 1 Silver 2 Bronze 6 Total
Austria: 2 Gold 1 Silver 3 Bronze 6 Total
Sweden 3 Gold 2 Silver 5 Total
Italy: 1 Gold 1 Silver 3 Bronze 5 Total
O.A. from Russia: 1 Silver 4 Bronze 5 Total
Australia: 2 Silver 1 Bronze 3 Total
Finland 3 Bronze 3 Total
Republic of Korea: 1 Gold 1 Bronze 2 Total
China: 2 Silver 2 Total
Slovakia: 2 Silver 2 Total
Czech Republic: 1 Silver 1 Bronze 2 Total
Switzerland: 1 Silver 1 Bronze 2 Total
Slovenia: 1 Silver 1 Total
Kazakhstan: 1 Bronze 1 Total
Spain: 1 Bronze 1 Total
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