Reunited!

Temples for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closed very early in the COVID pandemic. We very much missed being able to serve there ourselves, but were most sad that Emma's appointment to be endowed before her mission (scheduled for the end of the March) had to be postponed indefinitely.  We heard of temples starting to reopen around the time Emma started the MTC, so we held out hope that perhaps some temple within 3-4 hours of us might reopen before she finished her training.  Unfortunately that didn't happen and it wasn't until the day we dropped Emma off at the airport to take off for her mission, that the Philadelphia Temple announced that they were reopening soon for individuals to receive their own endowments.   We  were disappointed that the timing ended up so close for her, but sent her on her way knowing that she would likely go through the temple on her mission without us.   

She'd only been in the field for a week or two, when she announced to us that her mission was scheduling endowment dates for all of the missionaries who were unendowed and that we were invited!   Never mind that we live on the other side of the country and travelling isn't really encouraged right now....we didn't hesitate for a second and bought our tickets to Utah ASAP!   

Over the next couple of weeks, we realized that Spence's summer job was ending the week before we arrived, so he was going to be back in Utah too.    Then, by a stroke of luck, Cami and Garrett serendipitously bought tickets to Utah the same weekend for a completely different reason, not even realizing that that was when Emma's temple appointment was then.  

Some may call that luck....I call it a tender mercy!  It is a rare occasion these days when we can be all together!    And thus the impromptu reunion of 2020 was born.   Here are some highlights: 

One of the first things Glen did after the dates of our trip were finalized, was plan a fishing trip with his brother, Alex.   It's become somewhat of a tradition for them now.  Glen rents a boat and the Goold boys all go on a fishing adventure together on the Strawberry Reservoir.   The weather was beautiful and many fish were caught....so it was definitely a success!  

Meanwhile, Ellie and I got together with the Goold girls and went to a cute fall craft boutique together.   It was great to see them and fun to pick out some unique fall decorations for our home.   

Later on that day, Heather took us to the orchard right around the corner from our parents' house and introduced to their fresh peach ice cream.   Yum!  

The next day we realized that we were all wearing ripped jeans and had to pose for a picture...

This was also the day that we got to see Cami and Garrett!   We actually met them at the Bourne cabin and got to spend time with Garrett's family too.   It was great to see them again and I love that our families are connected by marriage now, so we get a good excuse to keep their friendship closer, though we live far away now.   Here's the group shot with Amy in it....

And the one with me in it...

Here's a glimpse of the drive up to the Bourne cabin...  😍

Ellie  loved having a sister around again and wouldn't leave Cami's side!  

The next day we got up bright and early and headed to the temple to meet Emma!  Unfortunately there was a gap in communication somewhere along the way from the temple, to the mission, to Emma, to us, because on our 20 minute drive there we got a desperate phone call from the temple wondering where we were.  All we had known was the time of the session and had NO idea we were supposed to be there an hour early.   😕

So we missed the initiatory and other early stuff, but we made it in plenty of time for the session!   Sadly, because of COVID, they wouldn't let Cami and Garrett join us, but Glen and I were certainly thrilled to be there.  We had my sister, Heather, meet us there afterward to take pictures for us.   Gotta take advantage of the whole family being all together!   

AS you can see (and probably expected), we took a gazillion pictures...

And then afterward, we got to take Emma and her companions out for brunch....

 Sisters McKinlay and Skinner were delightful to meet and we felt privileged to be able to get to spend some time with them all.    It was also fun to take them out for their weekly shopping and let them get a few fun splurges.  

After that, we headed back to my parents' house and spent some time with Nana....

and Heather....

We also got to spend some time with Alex's family.  It was fun to get these cute girl cousins together.  

Then Cami and Garrett took off back to Austin....

Stay tuned for a recap on the rest of our trip coming soon.....