thinking about the woods...

when i was 15 years old, my sunday school teacher was sister kathy wood. to be completely honest, there is only one other sunday school teacher i can remember growing up. jared has heard about sister wood, because she had a huge impact on me. she was the reason i read the book of mormon for the 1st time. she was a huge contributor in helping me develop a testimony of the gospel.

a year later we went on the trek with the youth. we were put into families, and brother and sister wood were my "ma and pa". we had mini firesides at night with them, and again i was able to learn and grow through their amazing testimonies and example. one night it got really cold, and it even rained. we didn't have tents. i remember the priesthood leaders meeting prior that day to decide whether we should stay or end the trek early. the pioneers experienced such experiences, and so could we, if only for a couple days. so that night the storm came; it was sooo cold. i woke up in the middle of the night shivering, and my teeth we chattering. next thing i knew, sister wood scooted her sleeping bag closer to mine and put her arm around me to keep me warm.

my friends and i spent multiple weekends at their cabin for gospel related "retreats". we had so much fun mixing "fun" with firesides and testimony sharing.

saturday while i was with my family in california, i received a terrible phone call. president and sister wood were driving home from girls camp when they were in an accident and rolled their car. sister wood died immediately. president wood is in critical condition and we have heard he has suffered a coma, fractures in his neck and back, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. all of his injuries are treatable, and he is progressing well since the accident. (their children are keeping everyone informed through a blog - www.kentandkathywood.blogspot.com)

my first thought when i heard was that sister wood was certainly ready or prepared to meet her maker. my heart hurts for her children and for kent. i can't imagine the pain they must be feeling. i am reminded that life is so short, and how much better i will be as a wife/mother/person if i spend less time in the world and more time serving others. as i have read numerous comments from peers on facebook, i realize that i am not the only one who has been touched by sister kathy wood. once again, i am contemplating how i can be and do more. just one month ago i recieved a letter from kathy. included was my testimony that i wrote when i was 15 years old in her sunday school class- 10 years ago. what an amazing person, i hope i can be 1/2 that good. thank you for touching my life, sister wood!