Mason Wells - Left Standing: The Miraculous Story of How Mason Wellss Faith Survived the Boston, Paris, and Brussels Terror Attacks

Praise for

LEFT STANDING

Masons journey of faith is truly inspiring.

RICHARD PAUL EVANS, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Christmas Box and the Michael Vey series

Mason Wellss story is a powerful endorsement of the power of faith to shield us from unimaginable pain and horror while sparking encouragement from a reservoir of hope that resides deep within each of us. I want to study every page of this compelling book to see how I can learn from Mason so I can make my own life better by nurturing a faith like his.

SQUIRE RUSHNELL, New York Times best-selling author of the GodWink series

Mason Wellss testimony is one that reminds us where Why me God? is simply answered Why not you?where with true faith there can be blessings beyond the battles. Being caught in the crosshairs and the chaos of the enemy can bring supernatural healing and restoration. A memoir for the ages.

JONATHAN CAIN, keyboardist for the band Journey

2017 Mason Wells, Tyler Beddoes, Billy Hallowell

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, whether by graphic, visual, electronic, film, microfilm, tape recording, or any other means, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles.

The opinions and views expressed herein belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of Cedar Fort, Inc. Permission for the use of sources, graphics, and photos is also solely the responsibility of the author.

ISBN 13: 978-1-4621-2866-2

Published by Plain Sight Publishing, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.

2373 W. 700 S., Springville, UT 84663

Distributed by Cedar Fort, Inc., www.cedarfort.com

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Names: Wells, Mason, author. | Beddoes, Tyler, author. | Hallowell, Billy, author.

Title: Left standing : the miraculous story of how Mason Wellss faith survived the Boston, Paris, and Brussels terror attacks / Mason Wells, Tyler Beddoes, and Billy Hallowell.

Description: Springville, Utah : Plain Sight Publishing, an Imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc., [2017] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017039171 (print) | LCCN 2017042524 (ebook) | ISBN 9781462128662 (ebook) | ISBN 9781462121694 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781462121588 (hardback dustjacket)

Subjects: LCSH: Wells, Mason. | Mormon missionaries--Biography. | Victims of terrorism--Biography. | Boston Marathon Bombing, Boston, Mass., 2013. | Terrorism--France--Paris--History--21st century. | Terrorism--Belgium--Brussels--History--21st century. | LCGFT: Autobiographies.

Classification: LCC BX8695.W454 (ebook) | LCC BX8695.W454 A3 2017 (print) | DDC 289.3092 [B] --dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017039171

Cover design by Jeff Harvey

Cover design 2017 by Cedar Fort, Inc.

Edited by Kathryn Watkins and Kaitlin Barwick

Typeset by Kaitlin Barwick

This book is dedicated to Isabel, Mari-Anne, Michael, and Veerle, for helping me in the toughest of timesand to all those affected by the Boston, Paris, and Brussels terror attacks.

Mason Wells

Also by

TYLER BEDDOES

Proof of Angels (with Ptolemy Tompkins)

Also by

BILLY HALLOWELL

The Armageddon Code
Fault Line

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mason Wells

First and foremost, I want to thank God for His merciful hand and unrestricted love.

To my parents, Chad and Kymberly, who were solid anchors during a storm no parent should have to brave.

To my siblings, Colby, Porter, Mia, and Tayla, the best brothers and sisters anyone could ask for.

To my incredible grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were a source of strength throughout my recovery and continue to support my future endeavors.

To my grandfather and great-grandfather, who taught me through example what it means to be a man of integrity.

To my patient mission companions: Tyler Barber, Korban Lehman, Benjamin Quist, Daelin Johnson, Streiker Hoffmann, Matthew Jouffray, Jonah Griffith, and Joe Dresden Empey.

To Richard Norby, for remaining a stalwart example of overcoming adversity during hard times.

To my mission president, Frederic Babin, and his optimism that tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life, and his sincere belief that we can be vehicles for change.

To Tyler Beddoes, for inspiring me to believe that my story could, in fact, help other people.

To Billy Hallowell, for taking a chance on a nave nineteen-year-old.

To Mike and Katy at Cedar Fort, for all of their effort and goodwill in sharing my story.

To my good friend, Colton Kasteler, for putting up with all of my bomb jokes (after it wasnt too soon).

To Jeanette Bennett, as well as countless friends and neighbors, who took pressure off of my family in the days following the Brussels attack.

To anyone who ever prayed on behalf of me or my companionswe are eternally grateful.

Finally, my sincere gratitude to any person that has ever put their life in danger by attending to survivors of a terrorist attack. You have truly made the world a better place.

Tyler Beddoes

I would first like to thank God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me an amazing life. A big thank you to my wife, Brittany, and our three children, Gracie, Gunnar, and Ella, for being ever so patient and supportive and letting me take a lot of time away while working on this project. Brittanyyou are my rock, and I love you so very much, and I want you to know that I couldnt have done this without you. I want to thank my parents, Dan and Pam, and Grandma Anna for always being there for me and for being the great examples you all are; I love you dearly. To Grandpa Donald, Uncle Eddie, and all those guiding me from the heavens abovethank you and I love you!

A sincere thanks to my brother Zack and my sister-in-law Heidi for their kindness, support, and helping hands whenever I ask. You both are shining examples, and I look up to you both greatly. You mean the world to me. ZackI want you to know that you are my hero in all walks of life, and I hope one day I can be more like you. To all my brothers- and sisters-in-law, and to all my family thank you and I love you. Thank you to my mother- and father-in-law, Shelly and Kirt, for your unwavering support, friendship, and love. I love you both!

I want to thank Mason for giving me the great opportunity to work on this project. It was a true pleasure working with you. You are so inspiring, and I have learned a great deal about the importance of faith, hope, and love while working with you. You made me a better and more loving person, and for that I am forever grateful. I look up to you greatlylove you my friend!

A big thanks to Chad and Kymberly Wells for your advice, support, phone calls, and encouragement. Chadthanks for always putting a smile on my face whenever we communicated on the phone or in person. You and Kym are amazing people.

Thanks to Billy for your friendship and for being a great cowriter on this book. You are so very talented and are an amazing person and writer. Thanks for making me a better person and writer and for offering words of encouragement. I love and appreciate you.