South Carolina

Several months ago I got a phone call from one of the young women I served with in Aiken, Katie. She was getting married and asked if I would be her escort through the temple. I felt so honored and excited! I was determined to make the trip happen no matter what. The same weekend she was getting married one of Dan's good friends from work, make that best friend, was getting married. Oh boy. We needed to do both. So we decided to make a good long week of it and start with a family trip to the beach, then go to SC for 2 days 3 nights for Katie's wedding and then hurry back for Mike and Laura's wedding.

We hated to leave the Outerbanks but we had a fun trip planned. THREE hours on ferries to take us to the mainland. FUN. Oh wait, I get car sick when we drive straight. Dan bought me dramamine and I was prepared to take it...but I didn't have to! As long as I felt the wind I was okay! The kids LOVED being on the huge boats in the middle of the ocean. We fed seagulls again. Dan attempted to feed a seagull from the top of his head and it would have worked had I not nixed that keen idea! We took a 45 minute ferry to Ocracoke and then a 2 and 1/2 hour ride to the mainland. On the longer second ferry they had an upper deck that Abby ran circles around the ENTIRE time. She ran with the wind pushing her as she rounded one corner and slowed her as she rounded the next. It was a gorgeous view, and very peaceful with calm water.

Abby is addicted to her paci, moo-moo, and "gankie". They go everywhere!

We then drove until late night making it a 12 hour day. We saw ALL of North Carolina:) It is a pretty state and we felt right at home hearing the southern accent at McDonalds!

We spent Thursday with Grandma Barnhurst and Grandma Great. Grandma Barnhurst came home from her mission early, about 3 weeks ago, because Grandma Great's was not feeling well. We enjoyed her porch, golf cart, lollipops, and Uncle NaNa (that is how Abby says Harold).

Then we went to Grandma Riley's, she knows how to party. Abby took right to her. Grandma has been working for a while on a nature trail behind her house, complete with signs and jokes. Some of our favorite parts were a huge ceramic frog right off the path, the "hole to China" and the cedar tree. Then Grandma took the kids and I on a tractor ride down the dirt road! It was also good to see our favorite Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Lee!

Dan's home that his dad and mom built and raised their family in is right behind us!

Thursday night was the endowment session. Everything went really well. We were able to visit with the Matron for about 40 minutes before the session started. I was really impressed with how calm Katie was and the good questions she had. The session went smoothly. Brooke, another one of my laurels, sat on my left and Katie on my right. It was a sweet experience to reassure Katie as much as I could and then see her and some of our friends in the celestial room.

We originally planned to see friends in Aiken and go to the rehearsal dinner on Friday night but decided more time with our family is what we needed to do. The wedding was scheduled for 1030 on Saturday morning. Dan and I arrived at the temple at about 10am and I was quickly escorted back to help Katie get ready. Once she was ready I had the chance to visit with some of our friends who had come for the ceremony. It is always so fun to catch up with people you love! When the guests were ushered into the ceiling room I was seated right next to Katie. Everything was so perfect and the spirit was so strong. I've never seen two people smile so big for so long. Katie and Cameron were so sweet to watch! After the ceremony I helped Katie get her BEAUTIFUL wedding dress on and then talked with her while we waited for Cameron. I can't express how grateful and honored I feel for being a part all of all of it! Being a laurel advisor was a joy. I have fond memories of having Katie over to my house to just chat. She is such a GOOD young women who has made great choices!

Our good friend Butch, father of the Bride!

Right after the wedding and some pictures we took off to pack and hit the road.

We had a really hard time leaving South Carolina!

We had a good trip back...up until about midnight when we hit D.C. traffic. AT MIDNIGHT! We were stopped for no apparent reason for 45 minutes. The kids woke up crying from discomfort and sleepiness. At which point Dan peeled off at the exit we luckily were close to and we took back roads. The next Dan and I went to Mike and Laura's wedding. It was nice to finally put faces with names and meet some of Dan's coworkers.

As I sat in Katie and Cameron's wedding I felt grateful for the eternal significance of a temple wedding. We had a great trip. Dan and I feel recharged in faith and our friendships.