Have you ever heard it said that when good people leave good things continue to happen?
February 9, 2016 was a transfer day in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh mission. Fifteen new missionaries had arrived the night before. Trainers traveled in from all over the mission. The dominoes effect of transfers were in motion. Missionaries were traveling from city to city from borough to township.
Sister Wells joined Sister Douglas and Sister Faamaile on Monday as her companion was leaving the mission. On Tuesday the three sisters traveled to pick up Sister Young who would be Sister Wells' new companion. The four sisters headed off to to take Sister Wells and Sister Young to their area when suddenly the transfer took an unexpected turn. Sisters Douglas, Faamaile, Young and Sister Wells had a change of assignment for this transfer and beyond when their car was broad-sided by a school bus that ran through a stop sign. We were deeply saddened and grieved to hear about this tragic accident.
Sister Sadie Danielle Wells was transferred to the ultimate area; Heavenly Father's side of the veil, perhaps to fulfill a special assignment in teaching the gospel there.
Sometimes we think that President Johnson is in charge of transfers. He is an instrument through which the Lord makes those assignments. But ultimately the Lord knows where he needs each of us to serve. His kingdom reaches on both sides of the veil.
When Elder Bennett of the Seventy heard that Sister Wells had left us he said, "We know that she is anxiously engaged in the work of salvation on the other side of the veil."
This past week we held four memorial services throughout the mission to honor and celebrate the life of this exceptional missionary. She will be greatly missed, but memories of her will truly inspire each of us to be better missionaries. Our faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father's glorious plan have been renewed and the comforter has given us peace and strength. Sadie had a strong, vibrant testimony of Jesus Christ. This was evident in the way she lived, loved and served. We have no doubt that the good that she generated will continue on forever.
Arriving in the PPM June 1, 2015
At the Overlook in Pittsburgh
Getting I-Pads in the mission home.
When Sister Wells entered the PPM she was trained by Sister Bradshaw. Here are some thoughts Sister Bradshaw shared:
"Sister Wells and I went on a nature walk one preparation day. There was two pull-bars along the trail that we wanted to get a picture on. For the life of me, i could not get on the bar, so I said, “Sister Wells! Give me a boost!” She helped me up and we got a great picture. On the last day of my mission I was being picked up in the mission van by the assistants. After we hugged goodbye, i started to get into the van and she ran up behind me and put her hands under one of my feet as a joke to help me in. As she did so, she said, “Sister Bradshaw, i’ll always give you a boost.” That is who she was, and that is who she continues to be.
I miss her. I always will. The sadness that I felt for losing her, my mission baby, my friend was crushing at first, but it has been replaced by something else. The sadness changed for me. It has been a strange experience. Something that I never expected. My grief turned to joy. How in the world could I feel this joy when something so sad had happened? The comforter has worked within me to speak peace to my soul, and to awaken the faith that I have in my Savior. I realized that of all of the missions she could have gone to the Lord sent her to the Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh mission. Of all the missionaries that were in the field, I was chosen as her trainer. Of all the places we could of gone, we opened New Bloomfield, and of all my companions, Sister Wells’ family is the only one I met when I returned home. So many miracles had taken place in her life, and in mine to allow us to be together for those 12 weeks and bond us together after.
I have a testimony that the Lord is in ALL the details of our lives. The work Sister Wells was doing here has not ended because she is no longer physically with us. She continues to work, lift, and strengthen. She continues to “give me a boost!” Wellsy is one of the angels around about to bear me up.
I know Christ lives. I know Sister Wells will live again. My faith is in the atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ."
Sister Wells later trained Sister Durrant
Companions Sister Azucena and Sister Campbell with Sister Wells in costume for a live nativity. Sister Wells was asked to play the part of Mary.
Because He Lives we look forward to seeing our beloved Sister Wells again! We love you!
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