Cool Paul Experience (Letter from Sarah) March 18, 2023

Hello Elder Jacko! I had a cool experience that I wanted to share with you. I was out last weekend with 3 of my childhood friends. We have gotten together at least once a month for the past 5-6 years and spent hours talking. They are like sisters to me as we have shared so many experiences together over the years and we understand where each other has come from. Last Friday night, Angela was telling us about her sis-in-law, who lives in her basement apartment. She has told us about her before and is often concerned about her because she deals with a lot of anxiety and depression. Her father died suddenly, around Thanksgiving time this past year. The family has been really worried about how this sis-in-law would handle loosing her father since she doesn't cope well with other things in life. Anyway, Angela was telling us that it's been amazing to see how strong this sis-in-law has handled everything and how her testimony has become so much stronger since losing her father. Then, Angela started talking about the day Paul died, and how she remembered calling me from Okinawa, Japan, where they were stationed at the time. She said that she was in such shock and sadness over Paul's sudden death, and she said that she couldn't believe how much I was able to offer her comfort. I remembered the phone call a little differently...I remember I couldn't stop crying that day. I was so dehydrated and had a headache from crying and not eating. I remember feeling bad that I didn't ask Angela about her new baby, or about living in Japan. My mind wasn't clear enough to really have a conversation, and I felt very selfish. Looking back, I know that my reaction was normal just having lost a brother, but at the time I felt really badly about that phone call. Then, Angela said " I don't know if my sister, Kara (who was Paul's age and they grew up together) would mind me sharing this, but she often has dreams where Paul comes and talks to her and brings her a lot of comfort. So I would have loved to hear these memories any day of the year, and it's funny that she had never shared them before. But, it was a real tender mercy that she happened to share these memories on the 17th anniversary of Paul's death! None of my friends at that table knew that it was the anniversary of Paul's death that day, but when I said that, we all got teary-eyed and knew that Angela was prompted to share at that time! It was a great reminder to me that Paul is very involved in the lives of those he loves. He is engaged in good work on the other side, and I will see him again someday! I know that he is with you sometimes! He loved you so much, and I wish so much that he was still here. But, I also know that he still influences your life, especially now on your mission! So if you are ever feeling frustrated or wondering why you are out there, think of your Uncle Paul right there with you! We know from modern-day prophets that our ancestors are sent to help guide us and protect us! -- Sarah Williamson