Collings Family Adventures: Goodness and Mercy All Our Days

Everyday this week was a banner day, practically, but we will begin in reverse order.

Sunday was Miriam's blessing day, and a blessed day it was. Miriam was blessed to wear a blessing gown with her name already embroidered on it (unlike each of her sisters, who all wore the same blessing gown, but had to wait until the birth of the next sister for her name to be added); we were all blessed to participate in a beautiful and moving blessing pronounced by Justin and assisted by friends and family Samuel Tolley, Jacob Tolley, Gabe Suttner, Matt Bollinger, Dave Waldron, Mark Johnson, Roger Hoffman, Steve Smith, Larry Arnett, and Kerry Muhlstein; and we had a low-stress, delicious repast after the block consisting of Einstein's bagels, fruit provided by Grandma, Key Lime pie provided by Mark and Patty Johnson, pumpkin soup provided by Bishop Muhlstein, and three varieties of orchard-fresh apples provided by the Grahams. It was fun to have all of Elisabeth's roommates here to join us as well. It was a joyous and beautiful white dress day. Mark Johnson told Lia afterward that Miriam grabbed his finger at the beginning of the blessing and held it the entire time. So sweet!!

Sometimes people ask where Gabriel came from; I think this picture of his Uncle Beau tells all.

Wednesday some of us went to the ward Trunk or Treat while others of us attended the BYU Men's basketball exhibition game. Katharine remembered late in the game that she was supposed to take a decorated pumpkin to school the next day and asked if Gwyn could possibly add some ghosts to the all-black pumpkin she already had prepped. Being the superstar little sister and roommate that she is, Gwyn took fantastic care of it, even putting unique and individualized expressions on each little ghost's face. What a lady!

Thursday morning Lia realized she was two girl-babies behind on the blessing gown embroidery and that if she wanted time for it to be dry-cleaned before Sunday's blessing, she had to get it done that day. Miracle 1) she found embroidery floss and hoop with no trouble at all; miracle 2) Miriam took a very long nap, allowing her to finish two names and two dates; miracle 3) the neighborhood dry cleaner could get it all done on a rush order by Saturday at 2 pm; miracle 4) Lia remembered that she had always wanted a diaper cover/bloomers to go with the dress and White Elegance just happened to have one pair, in-store, ready for pick-up. Thank you, Heavenly Father!!

Gabriel got to watch Narnia while Miriam napped and Lia embroidered. When the White Witch began her evil ritual to kill Aslan, Gabriel shouted (because he had head phones on, even though they weren't plugged in) "Can we pause?" "Why? Do you need to go potty?" Lia asked, impressed. "No, because I need to go get my sword!" he responded, and, sword in hand, proceeded to attack the White Witch through the screen every time she came into view after that. 🤣

For Halloween we were, to Gwyn, Elinor, and Gabriel's delight, Narnia. Angela and Royce came over on Tuesday to work on Halloween costumes. Angela is far more crafty than Lia and these Narnia shields never would have happened but for her, and she left with a gorilla costume for their Phantom of the Opera group costume, so all were happy.

While Lia and Angela painted lions, Justin was introducing Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, at the BYU Forum and hosting him at lunch since President Reese is in Dubai. He sat next to Sheri Dew and took this photo for a fellow admirer.

Monday night the whole family was invited to a sneak preview of the new The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, also produced by Dallas Jenkins. Gwyn offered the prayer on behalf of the whole audience and, as we were leaving after this shot, Dallas told Gwyn, "Keep praying!" Lia thought it was pretty cool to have a tete-a-tete with Mr. Jenkins when she ran into him in the hall during the movie en route to giving Miriam a diaper change. She was glad to express her appreciation at his swimming against the current in using the very powerful art form of film to spread good and powerful messages. Justin one-upped her the next day not only by expressing to the whole world how Mr. Jenkins is the fulfillment of President Kimball's prophecy of great works being created in film, but also by giving him a "bro hug" onstage. *Sigh* Justin's so cool.

Miriam was Turkish Delight for Halloween, but a pea pod for the Trunk or Treat.

Despite many fears that she wouldn't, Katharine had a great time at Sadies. This was no doubt in large part to her sweet ride and dashing chauffeur, none other than Justin Collings, who spent Saturday: driving Katharine and five friends to Thanksgiving Point; picking up the dry cleaning and bagels; picking up Katharine and five friends from Thanksgiving Point; taking Abdiel and two friends to do temple baptisms; assisting in baptisms; driving Katharine and five friends to Sadies pictures; driving Katharine and five friends to dinner; driving Katharine and five friends to a sixth friend's home; driving Katharine and five friends to the dance. Neither Katharine nor any of her five friends have had their license for six months and, as law-abiding citizens, the parents of Katharine and her five friends didn't want their child driving with someone who didn't fit that bill. So Justin kept everyone safe. Basically Justin's a first-rate hero, and also very exhausted.