Jan1-7, 2023
SUNDAY
"Overcome the World and Find Peace", President Russell M Nelson, GC Oct 2022 was the talk we studied today in RS and EQ. We listened to it this morning and realize our covenants give us strength to help us find peace and rest. "I plead with you now to take charge of your own testimony...watch for miracles to happen in your life! These thoughts were most meaningful to me today.
About 17:30 Doug heard from our EQP, Phillip Riem, that our friend Judith DeWilde is having surgery tomorrow.Phillip's wife, Danielle, is good friends with Judith. Doug called Judith to ask about the surgery and if she would like a priesthood blessing. To our delight, she said yes, she would love one! So we quickly walked to the office to get the van and drove the 1 hour 45 minutes to Amalo. We visited with Judith for about an hour and then she received a beautiful blessing. We felt it was such a tender mercy that we found out about the surgery and that she wanted to have us come. She thanked us for not judging her because she doesn't go to church anymore. But we realize she still has so much that she believes, such as the power of a priesthood blessing and prayers in the temple. She had earlier called Sister Brandenburg (Temple Matron) and had her put her name on the Temple Prayer Roll. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening.
MONDAY
Today was crazy busy at the office as we did our regular tasks and prepared to be gone for a week. Doug was dealing with car issues...one set of Sisters needed new tires and some Elders had a flat tire. The flat tire should not be a big deal except that the cars here have no spare tires. They called a tow company and then waited for a couple hours which made it so the tire shop was already closed. Ugh!
But everything got done and we are ready to fly to SLC tomorrow!
TUESDAY
The APs picked us up early, drove us to the airport and in the same trip picked up a new Elder coming from the MTC in Cambridge, England. Elder M'Boto lives in Belgium and has been assigned to serve in the BNZ. We look forward to getting to know him.
While waiting for our flight, we saw Elder Whitney's family. They were returning from a trip and connecting through Amsterdam. Talking with them, we realized his father, Mark, is a first cousin to our good friend Laurie Brown! what a small world!
The flight was uneventful and we landed in SLC, picked up our rental car and checked on at the hotel. Then we did some shopping for the people back in The Netherlands at Deseret Book and Target. We met up with Nate, Ryan and Brianna for dinner. It was sooo good to see them and spend some time with them....and to meet Vanessa!
WEDNESDAY
We met Gregg, Kathy and Kaylyn in Lehi for breakfast. They are headed to Arizona and will not be able to be at Matt's wedding so it was good to see them and visit for a couple hours.
From there we went to Nate's house and Doug was able to give both him and Ryan priesthood blessings. How grateful I am for a husband who is worthy and sensitive to others and offers blessings.
We got to Brigham City a little early, so we drove to some of the places of importance to Doug's childhood.
The late afternoon and evening was a wonderful gathering of Doug's siblings and his mom. We went to Maddox's for dinner, then to Paul and Karen's for dessert and visiting.
THURSDAY
We flew into Portland and met Matt and Taylor at the airport. It is so good to finally meet Taylor in person! Thankfully, we have had phone calls and FaceTime to visit a little. She is delightful! We feel so blessed to have her joining our family in just two days time!
We went to dinner with Matt and Taylor and her parents, Darrin and Tricia. It was good to get to know them a little bit and hear about their family. We look forward to more association with these good people.
Later, I went with Taylor and Tricia to a bridal shower hosted by some ladies in the ward.
FRIDAY
It was a day of preparation for the reception. We picked up Emily and AJ from the airport, got some lunch at Chick Fil A (!) and headed for the church.
Hanging lights and tule from the ceiling was the task at hand. Doug went to Lowe's to get more rope for the project. In the meantime, with 5 ironing boards and two steamers, some women from the ward and family members were pressing chair covers and table cloths. Food was being prepped for the reception. Taylor and her mom were directing the process. There were dozens of people there to help. A lovely surprise was to see my friend, Karen Rohm! She came with her son, Taylor to support Matt.
Another surprise was when a man said to Doug, "You may not know me, but I was named after you!" Jeffrey Douglas Krebs. His dad was in law school with Doug and named his son after his two best friends in law school. He is married to Taylor's mom's sister, Ashley. It was a wonderful reunion with someone Doug hasn't seen in years...decades.
At 10pm we had just arrived back to our hotel when Matt called. We could hear Taylor sobbing in the background. They had left their Living Ordinance Recommends in California and he wondered if there was any way the wedding could still happen. Doug told him to contact his Stake President and explain the situation. Thankfully, they had been contacted by the temple weeks ago and all the information is recorded digitally. So we feel confident all will be well.
SATURDAY
What a wonderful day to have all my kids and most of their spouses in the temple together!! My heart is bursting with joy!
Matt and Taylor's wedding/sealing was beautiful. The sealer reminded them (and all of us) what a sacred place the temple is and every time we return we should look up and see the words inscribed on every temple, "Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord". We should ponder the meaning of this phrase and let it sink deep into our hearts.
Our immediate family in attendance were Elizabeth and Tyler, Ann and Dwight, Emily and AJ, Karin and Bryan, Jill and Jeff, Mike and Joanna, Katie, and of course Matt and Taylor. Extended family also made a big effort to travel and celebrate with us! My brother Richard and Laurie along with all their kids and spouses, Brad and Lindsey, Kari and Jason, Allison and Caleb, Justin and girlfriend Danielle, and Richelle. My brother-in-law, Scott Jensen, his son Matt and Chalyse and his daughter Annalee and Tyson. My brother-in-law, Sam and Laura Stewart were also here. Matt had several of his good friends who traveled to be in the wedding party and also just to be supportive. Beau and Shelley Laureski, Brian and Brittney Durr, Taylor Rohm, Andrew Shelhous, Brenden Stuart, his former roommate Forest and his wife, another roommate Tyler LaBaron. We felt so much love and support from our family and friends!
After the ceremony, we gathered outside for photos and then to the church building for a luncheon for about 120 people catered by Olive Garden. We then cleared away part of the tables and finished setting up for the reception. There were so many helping hands! All of our family pitched in to help plus several ladies from the ward were there to oversee all of it. Taylor's mom, Tricia, made the wedding cake (delicious and beautiful!). Taylor did a great job of planning, which all came together for a beautiful celebration.
After sending off Matt and Taylor, we cleaned up the church and then moved the party to Ann and Dwight's hotel room for pizza and ice cream to celebrate Bryan Brown's birthday. I love this family so much!!
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