Dear Family and Friends,
Woah! Look at that! Two emails in one day! I would like to
write this email to you because I received a phone call this afternoon from
Elder Ruesch. With complete sincerity and gratitude, this time, I say
"bless his sweet heart". Elder Ruesch called me today with sincere, heartfelt
apology. After apologizing he asked me to share with him what exactly happened
and how I was able to get home. As I finished explaining the story to him he
said "Wow, well now I would like to tell you the other side of the story,
so you know just how miraculous that really was." So here is the other
side of the story:
As I boarded the plane on Tuesday evening President Goates
turned to Elder Ruesch and said "Alright, you've got one job now. You just
have to call Buenos Aires and tell them to pick her up at the airport."
Elder Ruesch said okay, he just had to do a couple of other things first. Well,
time rolled on and Elder Ruesch forgot to call until 15 minutes before my plane
landed. When he called Buenos Aires, they chewed him out a bit for calling so
late, and then told him that if I called him asking what I should do, that he
should inform me just to stay put. Elder Ruesch then said okay and hung up the
phone. After hanging up the phone he and his companion knelt together in the
offices in prayer. They prayed that I would be able to be led and guided in my
actions and that I would be able to follow the Spirit to know what I needed to
do. About an hour later Elder Ruesch received another phone call, it was from
Buenos Aires. They informed him that they went to the airport, looked
everywhere and I was nowhere to be found. They told him that all he needed to
worry about doing now was praying that I would be able to be found and be able
to be kept safe. In that moment Elder Ruesch called together all of the Elders
in the offices and they all knelt together in prayer for me. I can only imagine
the guilt, fear, and worry that Elder Ruesch felt in that moment. I can also
only imagine the fervent and faith filled prayer that those Elders offered as
they knelt in prayer for me in the offices in Mendoza, Argentina. Elder Ruesch
didn't hear anything more from Buenos Aires until about 9:00 that night. They
called him and said, "Elder, we don't know how she did it, but somehow
this Hermana was able to contact someone from the church and make her
flight." This fills me with awe and gratitude, because I didn't contact
anyone from the church. The white-haired-man in the airport, the one that I
thought was one of the 3 Nephites that helped me as I was filled with fear and
losing hope was sent to me from Heavenly Father. I do not know who he was. I do
not know how he knew that I needed help in that time. I do not know how he knew
to be there. I do not know the details. I don't know why the people in Buenos
Aires believe that I contacted someone from the church, but I do know this: The
power of prayer is real. As this story was related to me and I was filled with
awe and humility of the love that Heavenly Father has for us, as I realized
just how protected I was, I realized just how real the power of prayer is. As I
fervently prayed, the Elders in the offices fervently prayed, and as many of
you have told me that you felt to fervently pray for me in that time as well -
I know that all of those prayers were answered. All of those prayers brought
that man with the white hair in a shirt and red tie to me in my time of need. I
was part of an amazing miracle. I am astonished at the love that Heavenly
Father has for us. I am humbled as I recognize that His finger was in every
part of my travels that day, His hand led me. His hand also led not only me,
but angels into my path. I am reminded of a quote by President Kimball
"God does notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through
another person that he meets our needs." I know that angels were prayed
into my life that day. I don't know how the man at the airport got there or
knew to be there. I don't know how he knew who I was, but I will be forever
grateful for the answer to prayer he was in my life. To me he truly is an angel
- a blessing sent to me from God in my time of need. He was an answer to the prayers of so many. I
am also so grateful that Buenos Aires called Elder Ruesch to tell them I was
safe. When I was in the airport, before I entered the gate, I turned to the
white-haired-man and asked him to please let President Gates know that I was
safe, I asked him twice, and both times he smiled and reassured me not to
worry, he would take care of it. Elder Ruesch also asked me how I knew what airport
to tell the cab driver to go (there are more than 2 airports in Buenos Aires).
I only told the cab driver to go to the "other airport", but somehow,
miraculously, he took me to the correct airport. Somehow, miraculously, I just
so happened to have enough extra cash to pay for a cab. And somehow,
miraculously, I was able to even find what flight to get on - Elder Ruesch had
also forgotten to give me my flight itinerary in the morning, all I knew was
that my flight left at about 9 and I needed to be in some airport somewhere in
Buenos Aires. The taxi driver was a blessing to me and the man in the airport
was a life saver. The complete peace and comfort I felt in his presence was
undeniable. I know that he was sent to protect me and help me in that moment.
He was an answer to prayers and sent from Heavenly Father. I am so astonished
that I was blessed to be protected. I am so astonished at just how aware
Heavenly Father is of all of us. He keeps His promises. He does send
"armies of angels to bear you up" He will help us as long as we show
forth our faith (Ether 6:12). We are given so many promises in our lives and in
the scriptures from our Father in Heaven. I know that He wants to keep those
promises, He wants to bless us, He wants to protect us. We must show forth our
faith in Him and He will bless us. I know that the faith filled prayers of so
many brought me home yesterday. I stand all amazed at the amazing miracle it
was that I was brought home safely. I am so thankful, humble, and filled with
gratitude and love for all of you and my Father in Heaven. I am so thankful for
all of the prayers that made this miracle possible, and for the amazing love
and protection of a caring Father in Heaven that made this miracle possible,
and brought me home safely.
I love you all. I thank you for your prayers and love.
With a heart filled with love and gratitude,
Raquel Anderson
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