Jose Briones – Cortez, Colorado … April Wright knows the weight of grief, but she also knows the strength of faith. For years, she supported her husband’s work as a logger and trucker, spending time in the woods, reading devotionals, and praying as he cut trees. It was their rhythm—a peaceful routine that gave her time for reflection.

But on February 20, everything changed.

Her husband didn’t return for lunch, which wasn’t unusual. She didn’t worry at first; delays were common in his line of work. Then a forester arrived, his face heavy with unspoken words. The news was devastating.

Her husband had been trapped under a falling tree. He was unresponsive. The walk toward the accident site felt endless. Fear pressed in, yet she prayed with every step, grasping for hope in a moment that felt unreal. When she saw him, the weight of her loss was immediate and undeniable. There was no preparation for this kind of heartbreak.

Grief overtook her, yet something deeper held her up—her faith and the unwavering support of her church family at the Cortez Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cortez, Colorado. They surrounded her in love, checking in, offering comfort when words failed. It was a moment she would never forget: “They surrounded me with hugs and love and contacted me throughout the week … I always knew that I could count on them. It’s something I needed at that time.”

Nearly 15 months have passed, and, while the pain remains, faith has become her anchor. She holds onto the promise that, one day, her husband will hear Jesus’ voice and rise again. It’s a thought that gives her strength, a reminder that love and hope endure. “Now I just hold on to the promises. One day my husband’s going to hear Jesus’ voice and he’s going to come forth … you’re reminded, don’t give up. Keep going. Hold on.”

There were moments when all she could whisper was, “Jesus, hold me.” But even then, she knew “God’s holding you when you can’t hold on. He is there.” Through unimaginable grief, she has found solace in the community that never let go. Her story is not just one of loss, it is a testament to faith, resilience, and the quiet strength that carries us through life’s hardest moments. Watch April’s story below.

—Jose Briones is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photo capture from RMC’s “Always Faithful” video series.