The Nielsons' Visit

A happy confluence of events took place last week. Glenn Beck and his family are in my ward, as are several of his employees. They are all really wonderful people and we are so grateful they are here. Stephanie Nielson, who is a friend of my sister and my parents, and who is a Mormon celebrity of a sort because of her blog, her beautiful life, her faith and endurance, and now her book, was here in Dallas to tape a show with Mr. Beck. I was able to attend the taping (and was on camera for way too long after asking Stephanie a question during the show)! Our Bishop also had asked me to organize a fireside where Stephanie and her husband, Christian, could speak. I was happy to do so, and we ended up with a few hundred people attending and had a great evening. The best part was that my sister, Stephanie, flew in from Arizona to see the Nielsons (and me) and to attend the fireside. (Lots of Stephanies in this post.) Such a great week!

Friends from my ward that attended the taping.

I had met Stephanie briefly before, but it was such a pleasure to get to know her better. She just glows with love, confidence and fortitude.

My friend, Stephanie Read, snapped this picture of my friend, Lindsay, and I talking with Christian. Charlotte, the Nielsons' baby, was quite the draw, too. She is just precious. Stephanie signed books for all of us and though we took way too much of her time, she was so sweet and gracious.

I was grateful that my family could attend the fireside the next evening, too. There weren't a whole lot of men there, but Neal and I have prayed for and watched Stephanie and Christian recover for years now. I have talked about "Aunt Steph's friend who was in the plane crash" to Audrey and Parker so many times, I thought they should hear her message, too. Audrey sat with her friends, Kaitlyn and Madeline. Sweet girls. (I snagged this photo from Madie's mom, Christine!)