Day two:

The morning following the reception a.k.a. “the love fest” our immediate families gathered for lunch at a new restaurant that has recently opened in Provo called, Communal. This place is divine dining. I make particular mention of it because  it was not a mere back drop in the festivities, it was an active participant.

Soon this beautiful table

would be made all the more beautiful by these wonderful people seated around it

wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful of all…

the reason for gathering,

our very own,

bride and groom

“I’ll drink* to that!”says I.

(*totally looks like booze, but I assure you the highness we felt was heaven sent and cannot be found in a bottle)

And when I said that the restaurant itself was a part of what made this event so wonderful – just look at this food!

If I could have the wish of my heart I would call each one of you (yes, YOU reading this right now) and I would say, “Meet me at 100 University Ave – I’ve booked us a table at Communal!” and you would say, “SWEET!” and we would sit together and we would eat and we would feel very, very happy!

These guys worked so hard – and I love ’em! Dearest Communal – I adore you and you have my vote if ever you should choose to run for an elected office. Colton and crew – thank you, thank you, thank you!

This next series of pictures I like to call “mix & match” family, now that we are all related I hate to “sort” people into his & hers families — thanks to the bride and groom we are all one big happy family!

There were speeches, toasts, and musical numbers.

For me, this one of the most wonderful parties I have ever attended.

Since the wedding I have been thinking a lot about what made this day possible.

I thought about the decision the Cards made 15 years ago to move to New York – this was a bold and courageous move. They knew, by the Spirit, that they were supposed to move to New York, despite not having a job lined up or a place to live.  But Mike and Liesa had made a pattern of following the Lord, even when He seemed to be calling them to the very precipice – they went! Their courage to follow the Lord’s prompting  would lead to our families becoming friends.

I thought this morning about Sam as I came across a book I’d sent to her last year. I’d sent it to her when she was really suffering, having followed the revelation she’d been given by the Lord, which was very hard to follow. I remember praying for her and thinking of all she was going through. I remember asking the Lord to bless her.

How could I have known when I asked for her to be blessed that it would in turn bless my brother and my whole family  with so much happiness?!

Truly, amazing.

When we follow the guidance the Lord sends to us — no matter how hard it might be — we have NO IDEA how much those good choices will bless our own life and the lives of those we love.

It is both sobering and remarkable to consider the impact of our choices.

This day makes me want to follow more carefully the promptings the Lord sends to me. I know that if I do MIRACLES will be the result.

Thank you Sam and Chas for choosing to follow the Lord…I am so glad that he led you to each other.

I am so happy!