Ryan and Alicia's Week of Happiness - Part Two

"Two of the vital pillars that sustain Father in Heaven's plan of happiness are marriage and family. Their lofty significance is underscored by Satan's relentless efforts to splinter the family and to undermine the significance of temple ordinances, which bind the family together for eternity. The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment in mortality." -Richard G. Scott

I must not neglect the last half of Ryan and Alicia's Week of Happiness. On October 16th, Ryan and Alicia received their endowments in the Ogden Utah Temple. The next day, they were sealed for time and all eternity in that same temple. This beautiful brand new temple that sits not far from Ryan and Alicia's home. This temple they watched slowly being constructed as they slowly but steadily progressed toward receiving those beautiful blessings. It was a happy chain of circumstances that the Ogden Temple was ready at the same time that Alicia and Ryan were ready.

The very eternal nature of families is felt inside the sealing room of the temple. I don't know that there is any other place on earth where the veil is so thin. 

I know Dad was there. He left Alicia's life when she was far too young. I know that he must have been allowed to witness this blessed event. His joy must have been great. As was ours.

The sealing ceremony is a brief one. The words are few, but the promised blessings are poignant and powerful. I seldom have a dry eye after watching a couple be sealed. And I certainly didn't this particular evening. As we all gathered to congratulate the beaming couple, parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, church leaders, and friends, the happiness in the room was palpable. Here are a few photos of those happy supporters.

Alicia's fellow dance teachers and dear friends.

Two sets of parents who love unconditionally.

Ryan's sweet family.

Alicia's family.

Grandma Fellows and Aunt Robyn, Tami, and Uncle Rocky. We are always so grateful to see Dad's family. It brings a little bit of him back to us.

Once the photos were done, we proceeded over to Alicia and Ryan's church and enjoyed a lovely meal of comfort food. I told you that Alicia knows how to throw a party.

There was soup of every variety. I believe I sampled every one of them. There were pies galore. I might have sampled every one of those as well.

We stayed for several hours and just chatted the night away, enjoying each other's company, reveling in this thing we call family. I believe God values families. I believe He intends for us to enjoy these relationships in this life and beyond the grave. I am grateful He has provided a way for families to be sealed, not just for this life, but for eternity, that these precious relationships might go on forever. 

Now this sweet little baby of Ryan and Alicia's who has been waiting patiently beyond the veil is welcome to join this eternal family of hers at anytime. We are anxiously awaiting her arrival. She has a loving mom and dad who have prepared themselves in every way. Anytime Margot. We can't wait to meet you!