August 3, 2020

Where to begin? It was beautiful. I don't know if you could see the tears through the phone, but Coy was crying and Becca was crying and several bridesmaids were crying and Seth was bawling. It felt redemptive. It broke my heart to see her coming down the stairs alone. She's a strong woman. I was talking to Nicole Peterson and she served her mission in Portugal. She said up until 2 years ago it was LEGAL for a man to murder his wife if she didn't obey him. That is the culture that Becca's Dad was raised in. That may help us understand a little. I loved what the bishop said about kindness, quiet voices, soft answers. I am more and more convinced that one of the most important and meaningful manifestations of our christianity is how we speak to one another in the home. I have heard the quote "the true sign of conversion is how we treat each other". The bishop was very good, and spot on. That is the great test, challenge and opportunity isn't it? To treat those that mean the most to us well. Everything really went super well. At the lunch Dad sang "Sunrise, Sunset", Grandma Jan gave the cutest roommate talk ever, we nailed our song and Colby did great. He compared Coy to a magic card, the lion hearted or something. It really was precious. Everyone just hung out at our house in the afternoon eating unlimited snow cones. It was so fun. The reception was awesome. Attendance was light, but still good considering covid. There were people there all night. Well send pictures but you were held above everyone's head and they crowd surfed you during the dancing. Oh Mackie, you should see the yard. It is just breathtaking. When we got all the party lights up and Christmas lights all through it was instant magic. Alee is a BEAST. She came and of course just helped and worked and looked constantly for opportunities to serve all day. During the afternoon we all just sat in the family room and talked for a couple of hours and she sat right by Grandma and just talked to everyone. It was so so fun. The entire week was just leading up to the wedding, so lots and lots of work, but I do want to share some experiences from Wednesday night. Kind of out of the blue Spen called Mook to see if he and Seth could come sleep over. Annie went boating with Sam' s family and didn't come home until 12:30 am, she drove herself home on the freeway at that hour....terrifying. Anyway, we had planned to do blessings for Coy and Becca and it just so happened that the house was empty, quiet and clean. We were able to sit and talk with them for at least an hour, and then Dad gave them such beautiful blessings. There were so many tears. They were told that this was orchestrated in heaven and that angels were in the room assisting. I asked Becca later who she thought those angels were and she said the Portugese family that she is going to do the work for. They have been led together. The blessing also told Becca that she is enough for Coy, something she apparently has been worried about, and talked a lot about their children. Becca was told that raising her children will be the most important work she will ever do, and they will be brilliant and capable, and she will always have a story or something wonderful to teach them. It was so sweet. It was a very very sacred night. Childs are moving in today for a few days while they get their kitchen remodeled! SO EXCITED! They may stay in our newly created guest room in the basement, they may stay in a tent in the backyard, not sure yet but it's going to be so FUN! Nate and Nic are really struggling. Please keep them in your prayers. Their struggles are on my mind constantly, but it has reaffirmed for me the truth of the principles of the gospel. The gospel is just so true. Every principle brings such deep happiness and meaning to life, and makes life work. We had a very sweet Come Follow Me yesterday. Grandma Raspberry was talking about prayer and saying how she knows he hears and answers and how she can't imagine life without prayer. She said raising her kids she would just kind of say "help me" all the time, the prayer in her heart. It was so sweet. It reminded me of this scripture that I just love. Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. I love you more than words can say. We ended up with so much ice left and we almost came to VEgas yesterday to do a snow cone shack!! LOVE YOU! CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR ALL YOUR NEWS! Love, Momzies