Rhiannon Schwalger, Cashmere Ward, Christchurch
When the first earthquake hit Christchurch in September 2010 my family were all at home sleeping. My dad started yelling; I could hear everything falling down and my bedroom door slammed shut from the force. I stayed in my bed and I didn't know what was happening. I wondered if it was a tornado or something else. My dad couldn't get to me because I was in the end room but as soon as the shaking and rumbling stopped we sought protection under our wooden doorframes. We stayed in the doorways for a couple of hours until daylight.
When the February 2011 earthquake hit I was at school at my kapahaka (Maori cultural performance) practice. I didn't realize what was happening at first. I thought it was the energy of our group as we moved on stage but then we all fell to the ground so I knew then that something big was happening. It was scary being at school when this quake jolted us because I wasn't with my family. I thought the buildings were going to fall down because the roof was moving so much. I grabbed the girl beside me and we went under a table. I was very nervous while waiting for dad to come and get me because I was unable to contact him and I didn't know if my little brother was safe or what damage had been done in Christchurch.
After the February earthquake my dad sent my brother Samuel, my nana and me to Australia for a month because we were scared about being in another massive earthquake. We ended up going to school in Melbourne and attending Church in the Melton Ward. I didn't want to go back to Christchurch because I felt safe in Australia, but we did return. Now we take things a day at a time. The aftershocks still scare me but I hope and believe that they will pass.
My primary thought about the earthquakes is that people died. I think events like this produce a time where we can ponder and think about our lives. I ask myself questions like: Am I making good decisions? What am I doing to prepare to live in the presence of my Heavenly Father? Am I ready and prepared for situations like these? For me, being with my family and being a part of the Gospel has helped me to understand the answers to these questions, to keep going, and to be strong.
In times like this being around family, friends and loved ones really helps you to get through these events. There are opportunities to serve others and serving can also help us to get through. I think the earthquakes are a sign of the last days, and because of that all we can do is be prepared, stay strong, live the Gospel, and follow in "His" footsteps.
Regularly following gospel principles like saying my personal prayers, keeping in touch with my friends from Especially for Youth, attending seminary classes, and attending Young Women meetings all make me feel closer to my Heavenly Father, which in turn makes me feel safe.
One Sunday when we arrived at Church we walked into our chapel and saw cards and posters from other youth around the country saying that their thoughts were with us, for us to keep being strong, and that they love us. It was so neat to have someone do that for us; it lifted our spirits and was a great experience for all of youth.
A few weeks ago the young women in the Christchurch Stake were given toiletry bags from other young women in Auckland. This again was a humbling experience and I felt so grateful for their thoughtful gifts.
To be living in a place that has been so damaged and needs so much support just to get by day-to-day is both hard and good at the same time. The experience has given us the opportunity to have more time with family members, to bond as a family, and to be there for one another.
I know that no matter what happens in Christchurch I know that the bad things will pass. My goal is to be with my family for eternity and that is what I will focus on to get me through.