Rainbows and Fire

My town is about as unknown as they come. When people ask where I'm from I tell them Arizona and when they ask what part I laugh, explaining that they won't know where it is. It's in the middle of nowhere, just north of nothing. Once every other blue moon our little town is pushed into the spotlight for a brief moment. The last time was when we had a visit from the Rainbows. Before that I don't know. The most recent took place on Friday at around 2 in the afternoon. I'm assuming that it was like any other spring day in Eagar--windy. A small plane took off from our tiny airport and never made it to it's destination. The details are unknown, but the plane, carrying a family of 4, came down into our local high school.

My first reaction was disbelief, but then I started thanking the Lord for sparing my family and all those in my hometown. Then, I thought of the people in the plane. Who were these people? Well, one of them was a eighteen year old girl, Alexa Ulrich. I have been looking at the tribute for her on facebook and my heart is broken. Her birthday was 2 days after mine, she was active in sports, and was loved by many people. I read one comment on a picture that was taken at a camp and she had said "Let's not hide in our tents next year". How can such a bright life be dimmed? How can this beautiful daughter of God no longer be around to lift others up?

I am so glad that I have the Gospel in my life to answer these questions. Not only do I know where she truly came from, but I know where she is going. I know that that beautiful family can be together forever and I am so thankful for that.