This was a day long awaited for in the eternities of time. What an amazing blessing God provides His children here on earth to join together a couple who love each other, through the power of the Priesthood as husband and wife, sealed eternally in His Holy House of God, and in doing so, a new family unit is created. There is no wonder why we feel so close to heaven in that experience more than almost any other time. We are so blessed to have the beautiful Portland Oregon Temple in our area. Words can not express the joy in our hearts to sit in the sealing room with all of our children and their spouses (except Meredith & Bryan who recently moved to Hawaii) and to join in our love and gratitude for family. Then the joy of witnessing Emily and Bronson make covenants with their Heavenly Father in the highest ordinance of God for His children on earth. Pres. Steven Pond, President of the Portland Temple officiated and gave great words of wisdom to them and to all of us. We are grateful he could perform the sealing of this beautiful couple.
Emily and Bronson have lived worthy their entire lives for this special day. We are so happy to welcome Bronson James Gardner to our family. His parents, Jim & Michelle, from Astoria, OR are wonderful, good people. His brother Daymon just entered the Georgia Macon Mission, his sister, Jessica is at BYU, and younger brother Logan recently turned 14. He comes from great people on both sides, the Gardner's and the Moss Family.
Although we had been having very hot weather all summer, the weather turned dramatically cooler on the wedding day, Friday, August 14th. It was a blessing to have it cooler as 37 of our family were all together in our home later that day and we don't have air conditioning. It was cloudy and actually perfect picture taking conditions.
The day began with Emily getting her hair done early that morning by Kelly Lazarides, who did it as her gift to Emily. She has been doing mine and our girls hair for years. We arrived at the temple doors just as Bronson and his family were arriving, too. It was nice as they were able to walk in together. The temple was busy with 13 weddings that day. Sis. Ann Gillespie, an assistant Matron, was assigned to be Emily's helper. She and her husband weren't scheduled to come in until later that day, but the demand of the busy temple day brought them earlier. The temple had recently reopened after being closed for two weeks. We felt privileged to have her with us. She is my good friend that I've become acquainted with as I serve in the temple each week. The Brides room was full so the other brides were assigned other areas. Emily dressed in Sis. Gillespie's private room. For the temple sealing, Emily dressed in a simple temple dress. It was such a thrilling experience to see our family and friends gather in the temple for this sacred event.
For history sake I wanted to record all who were there:
Parents: Crismon & Vivienne Lewis, Jim & Michelle Gardner (father's were witnesses)
Lewis Siblings & Spouses:
Ondalynn & Gary Vance
Seth & Tiffany Lewis
Alice-Anne & Gary Johns
Vivienne & Brett Caudle
Dallin & Janelle Lewis
Crismon & Danielle Lewis
Julia & Austin Doutre
Smith Family:
Geoff & Peggy Smith (they drove through the night after doing their temple evening shift in the Logan temple to be with us for the 11:30 a.m. sealing).
Roger & Andrea Smith (from Hyde Park, UT) daughter, Andie on temple grounds
Grandparents: Lee & Gayle Gardner from Hermiston
Jeralyn & Phil Lott (Jim's sister from Boise), 5 children on temple grounds
Blaine & Amaelie Moss (Michelle's brother from Lehi)
Clayton & Cecily Moss (Bronson's close cousin)
Friends:
Chuck & Martha Allen (our good friends for many years)
Emily Jensen (Bishop's wife and Emily's good friend for a number of years)
Alice & James Lyle (Emily's piano teacher for years)
Bronson's Seminary Teacher, and several other close friends of the Gardners
Camilo Valderas from Chile (Emily's mission friend)
Rilee & Alexis Smith from Brigham City (Emily's mission friends)
Jenny Houtz from SLC (Emily's mission friend)
Afterwards, I was grateful to have Michelle there to help me with Emily's wedding dress as it had some special lacing in the back and she was able to do it perfectly. All the family gathered at the door on the side of the temple to congratulate them. It was so sweet to see all the grandchildren run to them to give them hugs. Much celebration was felt by all. Fortunately, the rain held until just the last of the individual pictures of Emily and Bronson by the photographer after everyone had left. I was especially thankful for Julia & Austin for staying to assist them with the pictures and for Julia helping Emily to change. We appreciated all the teenage girls that were good to babysit our grandchildren during the sealing.
The rest of the family headed to our home where Tiffany and Vivi were in charge of the family luncheon. It was delicious and I especially appreciated their service. All the family then hurried to the reception to help finish setting up the decoration and for pictures. Things fell into place and the events at the temple were so lovely and memorable.
