(Source: Meridian Magazine; Author: Missy Jensen)
The ultimate test that the Lord puts on a parent’s shoulder is that of sacrificing their child. For David and Melody Levine, their only daughter Kendal’s decision to serve a mission was something they were all excited about. However, Kendal’s mission would go far beyond a typical 18-month mission, it would change her life permanently when she was struck by a car in Canberra, Australia.
(Image via ldsmag.com)
David and Melody Levines’ only daughter Kendal is a beautiful, strong, and funny young woman who has played sports since she was ten-years-old. She attended Stansbury High School where she was a five-sport lettermen athlete and loved being around other people. Once Kendal had graduated from high school, she planned on attending college on a full-ride basketball scholarship. Kendal’s future seemed bright and promising, yet Kendal felt as though something were missing from her life.
In a letter Kendal sent home to her parents while on her mission, Kendal confessed that she “was so lost and confused during my time at Casper [College]. Then when they changed the mission age, I just cried and cried and knew it was an answer to my prayers. One of the goals I had for my mission was to return home a completely different person; humbled and charitable. I didn’t like the person I was and I wanted and needed a change.”
She set aside her basketball scholarship, believing she would be more blessed in serving than in playing sports and received a call to the Australia, Sydney mission.
Struck by Car
On September 5th, 2014, Kendal Levine was serving in the town of Canberra, Australia. She had been serving her mission for over a year. That Friday had been extremely busy for Kendal and her companion, with every hour of the day filled with appointments or meetings except for 4:30 pm. While driving to their next appointment, Kendal and her companion pulled fifteen-feet off of William Crescent Road in order for Kendal to take a picture of a double rainbow that was over the valley.
Kendal and her companion had gotten out of the car and were at a small overlook point. Kendal had walked back to the car and opened her door when she was suddenly struck from behind by a drowsy driver. The driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and veered off the main road, striking Kendal with the front of his car at about 40 MPH. Kendal’s head shattered the front of the driver’s windshield and she was thrown 25 feet into the air like a ragdoll. When the driver was able to bring his car to a stop, he stopped on top of where Kendal had landed, the car’s bumper pinning her torso and legs to the ground.
At this point, miracles began to unfold for Kendal. Across the street from where Kendal was struck, an older woman had been outside her home and had noticed Kendal and her companion pull off the road. She had turned away for a moment, which is when Kendal got hit. When the woman heard the commotion, she looked back to see the car rolling on top of Kendal. The woman then screamed and her son, who had been inside the house, immediately came outside when he heard the commotion. Seeing what had happened, he ran across the street to where Kendal had been struck and knew that if he did not get the car off Kendal’s chest then she would most likely die.
Read the Rest at Meridian Magazine
