Josh and Kirby's wedding

Sat Oct. 18th Josh’s Wedding: Today was one of the most spiritual days I have ever experienced. We had decided that my main goal was to be in the sealing room for the wedding. If I was not able to be at the rest of the activities, then that would be fine as long as I made it to the wedding itself. I felt it was my right, privilege, and responsibility to be sitting on that witness seat next to the sealer for my son and I was going to be there. I got ready as early as I could and we headed over to the temple. They had arranged a wheel chair for me when I got there. They took me in and got some white clothes for me and I went into a small room for handicap people and changed. It seemed to take a little energy from me, but I did ok for the most part and did it by myself (except for socks). I was pleased about that. Dad and others helped me get upstairs. Then we went and waited with the Bride and Groom and their parents in another room for about 15 minutes.

Josh and Kirby looked absolutely radiant and I kept thinking this was what we had worked so hard for. Josh, to be able to marry her (he had asked her dad 3 times before he finally said yes) and me to be there for it. But most important was that Josh had worked hard to be able to marry Kirby for all time and eternity in the temple. What a true blessing we can realize from that in our lives now thanks to the gospel. We then went up (the parents) to the room. In the St. George temple there is one sealing room just off of the Celestial Room so you have to get dressed in whites to be there. Everyone dressed in whites made it that much more special.

After everyone came in and sat down (the room was overflowing and some people even stood) they brought the couple in. I was able to be one of the Witnesses and there was nothing more important to me at time than that. As the sealer came in and began talking I was overcome by the spirit and began to cry a little (as did most of us in there). I could not comprehend how blessed I was to have the Lord answer our prayers the way he did. Josh and Kirby knelt at the alter and were married for all time and eternity. It was truly a dream come true for all of us.


After the wedding, I went home and rested. We decided to try and see how I would do at the breakfast. It was held at the Alumni house and Julie and her family (as well as Kirby’s folks) did a tremendous job and it was very nice.

After the breakfast we went home and I rested again for a while to see if I could make it at all to the reception. I wanted to be there so bad. I felt up to it so we loaded up and headed over. I had a wheel chair and walker and oxygen tank for my entourage. Nicole took me and Katie and Julie came minutes later with Teresa.

When we got there, I changed into the red tie Josh got for us and there was a huge “lazy boy” chair there for me. Julie had been asked by Bro. Jennings (our home teacher) what he could do and she suggested that if he could find a lazy boy chair and get it there for me, it would really help. It was huge and very comfortable in most cases, but it was almost too big for me there. We did the “wedding pictures” and I managed to do really well in all of them. Grandma and Grandpa Faerber were not there yet and so they didn’t get in the Grandparent’s shot, but it was ok. When they did get there we found out that Grandpa had gotten a ticket on the way there for speeding. Now that is a real oxy-moron, but it happened. When people started coming through, we took our places in the little line under the trees in the back. It was decorated absolutely perfect in my mind. The weather could not have been better either.

In the line it was Kirby’s parents first, then the happy couple, and then Julie and I. I was sitting in the chair for a while and starting to get worn out (even sitting) and not sure how long I would last. I started praying for some help and I felt the spirit tell me to “just stand up”. This seemed very strange to me, given my current situation but I decided to listen to the spirit. I had a little red “walker” (like Grandma Cook’s) that one of Julie’s new dear friends had loaned us and so I put it right next to Julie and stood by it. It also had a little seat area so I alternated between the seat and standing and soon I realized I felt better the longer I stood. Soon I was not even aware of how tired or hurting I was and I know that I had angels on the other side of the veil holding me up. I was able to stand (and alternate sitting on the walker) for the entire time (several hours). In fact I was able to even stay and watch them cut the cake and throw the bouquet and everything. Finally sweet Nicole took me home and I could not have been happier at that moment. The Lord had heard and answered prayers in a very direct way. It was a most perfect evening.

The decorations were absolutely perfect. The bride was beautiful and the groom was beaming and very handsome. Lots of people came and it was so good to see everyone. Lots of our family were able to make it down and it was absolutely perfect in every way (in my opinion). Some of them came over briefly to say hi, but it was hard for me to see them.

Julie told her parents about the blessing from President Jensen and the angels on both sides of the veil. She asked them to keep an eye out for the poster and they ran right down to Deseret Book and brought a copy back all wrapped up for her and it almost made us cry (well I think Julie did cry). We now have that prominently displayed on the fireplace and it gives us hope every day as we talk about the angels here and there. Especially from the wedding as I realized that coming from the hospital (almost not able to leave) two days before and going through all I went through, that whether I felt them physically or not, I had angels on either side of me holding me up at the reception that night and I needed to “just stand up” so they could do their job and assist me as I requested. There was no other way that I could have possibly made it.