I received permission to travel home for a couple of days to be with Claire for her wedding reception in our yard.  I passed by Mt. Ranier on my way!   As soon as I was home Tuesday evening, I was introduced to Claire’s to do lists.  She is the ultimate organized planner.  She and Graham flew in Wednesday morning.  We went right to work getting things ready, transforming our yard into a reception center. (There will be 3 wedding parties in our yard this week.)I took a little break to watch these basketball boys play a little ball over at the church.

Wednesday morning the fun continued and Claire and Graham arrived from their honeymooning in Seattle.  We worked on photos and flowers and everything beautiful.Claire made all of these beautiful vases:  dollar store candle sticks glued to thrift store class bowls, spray painted gold.  Genius!  Claire orchestrated everything!Friends and family came to help.And then 20 minutes before 7:00 the storm blew in and the heavens opened.  We had thunder and lightening and a downpour of rain.  We raced to pull everything off the tables and out of the yard.And then we waited, wondering what to do as the rains fell.Everyone moved inside and guests started arriving.Watching the western sky, hoping the storm would blow over. . .Bishop Smithee called the youth to set up tables and chairs at the church.  We watched the sky and prayed.The weather channel gave us a bit of hope.And hugs helped.After about 20 minutes of downpour, the sky parted and the sun came back.  Our house was full of guests.  Everyone helped put things back together.  We dried the tables and chairs and put the flowers and linens back in their places, and the party was underway.Below are a few photos I snapped.  I wish I could have captured every friend and face.  It was a continual flow of wonderful people for the next 3 hours!    I loved being there and embracing so many dear friends who I love and who I am missing these 3 years.  This evening was like a little gift from heaven for me, and it was magical for Claire and Graham.  They were surrounded by loved ones.Even missionary parents dropped by to say hello!Lorna Wood is the wife of my first Mission President.  She is a first cousin to Graham’s mother, Mary Ellen Wood Johnson.  I LOVE that we are now related!My dear Days for Girls friends and Grace from Nigeria:And then these Handsome Missionaries showed up!  It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!