Review
Title: Carried
Authors: Michelle Schmidt & Angie Taylor
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Non-Fiction
Year published: 2018
Number of Pages: 181
Binding: Paperback
ISBN 13: 978-1-62972-478-2
Price: $15.99
Reviewed by Trudy Thompson for the Association for Mormon Letters
Regardless of where they live, what their profession is, or what faith they practice, no parent wants to ever think about losing a child. It is a widely held belief in all cultures that the passing of a child is against the natural order of things. Within my own family, our son does not want to see posts concerning the loss of a child, or stories of missing children. It is too painful, too hard to think about, too gut wrenching.
When 21 year old Annie Schmidt, daughter of Jon Schmidt of the Piano Guys, and his wife Michelle, went missing in a wilderness area of Oregon, many people around the world felt the panic, fear, and worry that her parents and family felt.
On Wednesday, October 19th, 2016, Michelle Schmidt flew to Oregon to join Annie on a planned camping trip. After being unable to reach Annie after calling her several times from the airport, Michelle rented a car and drove to Annie’s apartment in Portland.
Upon arriving at her apartment, Michelle is shocked when Annie’s roommate tells her she has not seen or heard from Annie since Sunday. The roommate thought that Annie was already on the camping trip with her mother. Michelle then looks at Annie’s online banking records, where she discovers that she hadn’t purchased anything, including food, since Sunday.
Michelle went to the local police station, where she was peppered with endless questions about Annie’s state of mind, and whether or not she was suicidal and so forth. The officer eventually agreed to get an officer on the case and said he’d call as soon as they could.
When the officer called back in the middle of the night, there was a three way call between him, Michelle, and Jon. It was then that Annie’s parents were frustrated to learn that the police could not get a ping of her last location from Annie’s phone; that action could not be authorized due to the fact that Annie was over 18 years of age. Unless the police had certain proof that Annie was in danger of committing suicide, that would have been an invasion of her privacy, and they would have to get a warrant to do so, which would take several days.
Thus begins the days and weeks of hell for the Schimdt family as searches begin and end, and start up again. Frustration, heartache, worry, stress, sleepless nights, coupled with prayers and pleadings, faith, resolve, and determination all play a pivotal role in this true and poignant story.
The story is vividly told of how Annie’s parents clung onto their faith, hoping that Annie will be found safe and sound, and quickly. As the hours stretched into days, and the days stretched into weeks, they called upon friends and family to join in praying for Annie, and for those who were able to join them in the search.
They dealt with frustration as the professional search and rescue teams abandoned their search after just two days, declaring it impossible to find her in such rugged terrain.
Hope and joy returned when novices and experts came to continue the search. Her parents knew they could not stop or rest until Annie was found, no matter the outcome.
Members of the LDS Church and avid followers of the Piano Guys musical group know the outcome. On November 11th, 2016, Annie’s mother received a phone call back in Utah, just before she was going to attend the St. George Temple. One of the rescue dogs had found the remains of someone, but they doubted it was Annie due to the badly decomposed body. They also had found several items along with the remains and offered to forward the pictures on to to Michelle.
It was with a deep sense of relief that Michelle identified the belongings as Annie’s. They had gone over all the possibilities of what might have happened to Annie, including being kidnapped, possibly abused and tortured, or seriously injured and clinging to life while waiting to be rescued. After a positive identification though dental records and an examination of the area, it was determined that Annie had gone bushwhacking right up to the base of the cliffs, attempted to climb, and slipped on the wet moss covered rocks. It was estimated that she fell between sixty to one-hundred feet, most likely dying on
impact.
A profound sense of gratitude came over Jon, Michelle, and their younger daughter Sarah upon receiving the news that she had been found, and they dropped to their knees in humble, sincere prayer.
They had been told that some people who went missing in the rugged terrain of Oregon had never been found. As they steeled themselves for that possibility they continued to hope and pray that she would be found–no matter what the outcome might be.
Early in the search, Michelle had what could best be described as a spiritual experience that let her know that Annie had indeed passed away but that she was whole, safe and sound in the spirit world.
But the real beauty of this book is so very much more than a story of love and loss. It is a profound story of how a loving Father in Heaven had gently prepared, tried and tested Jon and Michelle’s faith over the years, and guided them to rely on Him for all things, and at all times.
From the story of when Michelle was less than a year old, being diagnosed with a rare spinal deformity, which required a first ever risky operation, to Jon’s struggle as a budding musician, doubting if he should continue in that profession, or getting a “real” job; we see the Lord’s tutoring of the necessity of pleading, and praying, and diligently seeking His guidance and counsel.
This inspirational volume is filled with many stories of faith and hope stretched and strengthened, as over the years, Michelle and Jon struggled and pleaded in prayer for guidance, direction, and confirmation of their choices in their married life as they raised their children, and worked hard to support them. Little did they know at the time, through disappointments, heartaches, set backs, doubts, and serious financial struggles, that over and over again, a loving God in Heaven was preparing them for their greatest trial and test.
The last two lines on the back cover of the book sum it up perfectly: When the unthinkable happened, Michelle Schmidt made a choice: to trust in God. This remarkable book will give readers the courage and inspiration to make that same choice.
The last part of the book shares written tributes about Annie, by friends, neighbors, and classmates. Without exception every tribute portrays Annie as a deeply caring, loving, thoughtful, and happy young woman. Her influence has and will continue to be felt by many for a very long time.
This book is meant to be read, treasured, and taught from, as there are many life lessons to be learned through the experiences of the Schmidt family, and the incredible faith they have shown us all.