November 22, 2014 Grant and I flew up to Utah for Katie's favorite companion, Hermana Cox's homecoming. We also made arrangements to see Katie's favorite Oro, Hermana Harvey's family. The Harvey family was having an early Thanksgiving dinner with the Harvey extended family. They invited us over to the Grandparents house for pie and to meet each other.
Oh my word! They are such a fun family. They invited us into they home and we visited and laughed for almost 2 hours. We loved meeting the Harvey family. I love that each Monday we exchange our girls letters. We love the Harvey's!
Sunday morning selfie... before walking into the church house. They live in Mountain Green! Such a beautiful valley. It snowed on Saturday night. We woke up to snow.
I didn't expect to meet Gabrielle the moment we opened the doors to the foyer, there she was! Saying, "I know you!" Giving me a huge hug! Gabrielle is such a sweet heart, I felt like I had a piece of my Katie from Uruguay. Emilie Cox is now one of my favorite people ever! Gabrielle spoke and gave such a sincere, humble and strong testimony. After she spoke she and her mother played the musical number. Emilie on the piano, and Gabrielle on her violin. They played, "A Poor Wayfaring man of Grief". It was the most beautiful piece I have heard. It was so lovely. The spirit was beautiful!
We also ran in to Hermana Katrina Schaeling from Uruguay. She was also a sister trainer with Katie and Gabrielle! She was so darling! I love meeting all of Katie's mission friends! Now it is time for our sweet Katie to come home.
After church they had a luncheon for all the friends and family that came to support Gabrielle, which was about 90 people. We were able to meet so many new people. What a wonderful family. After church and the luncheon, Grant and I went back to the Cox's home to be with their family. We asked Gabrielle all kinds of questions about Uruguay and serving with Katie. I loved it! It made me miss my sweet daughter even more. The next transfer she will be home. We showed Gabrielle all the videos Katie had made before her mission. It made us all miss her. Gabrielle is planning on being in AZ and coming to the airport with our family when Katie comes home. How exciting!
The Uruguay Flag is hung in the back ground! I am going to buy one for Katie's homecoming, too.
Next picture will be with all 4 of us. We won't be missing Katie!
The Cox family live in such a unique and beautiful home. It is an A Frame house with lots of real wood and it feels like a cozy cabin with a wood burning stove. Gabrielle is the oldest of the 6 children. She is the only girl. Yep, 5 brothers! They are such a tight nit family. Their home was full of the spirit, music and love for each other. I feel so blessed because of the service my daughter is giving. We have multiplied our friends and loved ones.
Grant and I stayed at the Little America Hotel in SLC. This is Monday morning at the restaurant for breakfast. We sat by the window and watched the sun rise, people walking to work, the tram driving back and forth and the snow falling on the ground. We would be flying home in a few hours and we were soaking up the beautiful Utah winter from inside the window.