The Mackelprangs: October 2010

October General Conference 2010

As always, there are one or two talks by the General Authorities that seem to be talking just to me. I'm sure many of you feel the same way. It has to do with what is going in our lives at the moment.

The two things that stood out for me this Conference were GOSSIP and FORGIVENESS. Both can be extremely powerful forces. One is negative and destructive and can change lives forever for the worse. The other is positive, constructive, and redeeming and can change lives forever for the better. One is of Satan. One is of God.

We've all been guilty of one and an instrument of the other. May we each be mindful of what the consequences can be of each and practice that which is of God.

On a lighter note, were you as uplifted by the special on the Kyiv, Ukraine temple as I was? Living in Utah is both a great blessing and an occassional curse. We are so saturated by the Church (notice I didn't say the Gospel) that we take it for granted. I am renewing my commitment to the gospel to be more like those who do not have the freedom and access that we do.

Artist statement: If life is compared to a river, it is easy to imagine floating with the current “gently down the stream”, but I have never found any good and worthwhile thing that came of its own accord, just the opposite. Every worthy goal takes constant, if gentle, effort. There is nothing static in the universe, after all. Fortunately the Lord does not require us to run faster than we have strength, (or row faster!) Amulek's warning against procrastination is so perfect. “You cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent… There is a point of no return in just about everything.

To those who are struggling as couples regardless of the problem/s, have hope. Working together and showing the strength of unity, you can overcome. May the Lord bless you with that strength of unity. And remember that you are each other's support with the help of our Father in Heaven. Pray together, invite the spirit of forgiveness, attend church, and fortify your spirits which will in turn, fortify your marriage.

Some of My Favorite Pictures from McKenna's Wedding

McKenna and Adam emerge from the temple to be greeted by friends and family.

My beloved brother, Darrin, and his beautiful family.

Amber, Deb, Austin, and Dag

My wacky sister and her men.

Roy, Sharee, Micah, and Cody

The Hailes plus Holly.

Meemee and her grandsons. All three are about as good-looking as you can get.

Meemee and her kids. Darrin, Sharee, and Rebecca

Meemee and her kids and their spouses.

Aunt Jerry and Mom

Not at the wedding in this one but this was the day of and we were all getting a pedicure thanks to McKenna. She wanted everyone to get a little pampering on her big day.

Bride, Groom, and crazy wedding party

Sharee and her men again. Soooo handsome!

Micah and Holly....one very handsome couple

The Haile men being themselves. Looney.

And now normal...well, on the outside anyway

Two of my favorite women on the planet. Lanette and Sharee

Two beauties....Amber and McKenna

You may think this is a picture of the wedding cake but no, it's a picture of my hunky nephew,

The Codeman

He was so incredibly helpful at the reception. He was there at the beginning to help us get the food set-up outside. And he was there at the end to help us get it all cleaned up. What a man!

Little Ayla, one of the "flower" girls. Adorable!

This photo cracks me up. Does Dan have a serious bone in his body? But look how absolutely gorgeous these girls are.

Dan striking a pose. McKenna not able to keep a straight face.

Lanette in her over-the-top apron! You know she's lovin' it!1 Haha

Yay! Ray having a good time!

Our other little "flower" girl, Miss Kimber Rae

Kyle and Kimber. I think it's been one long day for this little Miss.

Another pic of those great guys, my nephews, Micah and Cody

And you thought the one picture was the only looney one. You think these two are a match, or what?

Surrounded by friends

Amber and a sleeping Kimber. Too sweet for words

Wanny and Kimber jamming to some dance music!

This is what you get when you try to take a serious picture at the end of an insane day

JUST MARRIED!

The Biggest Party We've Ever Thrown

This was a celebration of the union of Adam and McKenna.

The radiant bride preparing for the big day.

The results of all that primping. Isn't she lovely?

The delightful bridesmaids, Krista, Tiffany, Maria, and Rachel.

McKenna's Maid of Honor, Miss Krista Smith

She reminds me of Audrey Hepburn. How about you?

The bride and her Matron of Honor.

Brinlee and McKenna

Sisters by chance, friends by choice.

A hug for the bride before she goes out to meet Adam for the ring ceremony.

Ray walking her to Adam. He's watching his feet to make sure he doesn't step on her dress. As always, watching out for her.

Adam's dad, Mark, had to stand in at the last minute for the bishop and conduct the ring ceremony. I think we took 10 years off his life but he did an excellent job. McKenna and Adam pledged their love and faithfulness to each other during the ring ceremony. It was beautiful.

Another picture of the bridesmaids. Such attractive ladies!

And with the bride. What fun to have these lovely girls together!

And the groom with his groomsmen. The twins, McKay and Spencer, Devon, Adam, Dan, and the party crasher. Haha!

Dancing......

The Dad and daughter dancing to "Down the Road"

Adam and his mom...a handsome couple.

THE handsome couple and their first dance as man and wife.

Throwing the bouquet

Catching the bouquet

Unfortunately I missed this as I was on the phone trying to straighten out the reservation for the honeymoon night. I don't recommend dealing with the Eden's Keep people since they only have the one room and if a mistake is made there is nothing they can do to make it right.

Thank goodnesss for pictures.

FOOD, FLOWERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND FUN!!

One of Adam's besties, Devon and his lovely wife, Vanessa.

Scotty, Charlie, Linda, and Ruth enjoying the food, music, and good conversation

Adam and McKenna with her cousin, Amanda and her husband, Monroe

Unc saying "hi" to Brin and Kimber. Aunt Kathy giving Kenna a gift she made, a really wonderful photo album with their names and wedding date cross-stitched on it.

Amber, Sh'Kell, and Kelly and Uncle Scotty sitting. When McKenna saw this picture she says, "I can't believe Mikki got a picture of Kelly with a real smile on his face!!?" You'd have thought he never smiles.

Brinlee and Kyle enjoying a dance

Aunt Kathy and Ilene catching up on the whats, whos, whens, and wheres.

Rachelle and Shane. I love the naturalness of this picture. They truly are a happy couple.

My kids' second dad, Kerry Smith, and Alex, son of his oldest daughter, Kerrah. I was so glad that she was able to come to the reception as she lives in the north country.

Kerrah and Alex coolin' their heels in the pool.

Meemee (Joyce) kicking back and enjoying the evening. I think she and Aunt Jerry holed up inside during the hot part of this party.

Adam, McKenna, Holly, and Micah.

McKenna and friends, Krista, Bree, and Sariah.

Cutting the cake

The getaway car, Adam's mini! He worked hard to get it ready to play its part in the whole wedding scenario. Brinlee decorated the beast, with only one addition from the guys. She wouldn't let them even touch the marker for the windows. Haha! She's no dummy and this wasn't her first wedding reception. She knows what those guys are capable of and was having none of it.