This last weekend, we were fortunate enough to receive and host Courtney Guffey. My brother Kevin, or Elder Bell, is currently serving in Tennessee on an LDS mission and returns home this September, YEAH!!!! Anyhow, in his last area, Kevin was able to teach Courtney Guffey, and then later baptize. She was reportedly GOLDEN and has remained extremely faithful and true to her testimony since her baptism. During her new member discussions she expressed some concern on finding "good Mormon single boys" and her frustration with being single and feeling old. Kevin felt I might best serve her since I felt the same frustration for many years, years ago and gave her my dad's phone number to find me. She soon thereafter contacted me and throughout our conversation I mentioned how moving to a highly Mormon concentrated area would help her pursuit, if her prayers were also answered accordingly. Anyhow, she took the idea very seriously, as well as her great desire to see the church's headquarters and visitors sights. She arrived on Friday afternoon and was able to spend the entire weekend with us until her departure on Tuesday afternoon.
During her stay we were able to tour BYU, UVSC, The Pioneer Memorial Museum, Conference Center, Temple Square Visitors Center, Temple Square, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, as well as watch the Joseph Smith Movie at the JSMB.
The Pioneer Museum
The Conference Center Rooftop
Temple Square North Visitor Center
Courtney was also able to experience Utah as she attended church with Collin in the singles ward, hung out with Collin & local singles, attended an amazing Real Salt Lake soccer game, enjoyed Hogle Zoo w/ the little ones and I, settled an ongoing family debate between the restaurants Cafe Rio & Bajio (Cafe Rio won!!), and meet our local family members, including our grandparents Harris.
Courtney was a pure delight to have around and such an inspiration as she so greatly desires to be around those who shared her love for the gospel. It was so wonderful to see her quest to buy a matching hymn book to go with her scriptures (that her loving and supportive non-Mormon mother bought her for her baptism) before she went home.
Her conversion was plain and simple, she met the missionaries casually through her friend who was reactivating herself and took the first lesson, hoping not to be snowballed into becoming "churchy and preached to" and then felt and recognized the power of the Holy Ghost as she, even surprising to herself, firmly answered, "Yes!" when the missionaries surprisingly invited her to be baptized during her second teaching; 3rd meeting, with the missionaries; Elder Bell and his companion. Since that moment, she laughingly admits she has become more churchy than she was afraid of becoming and loves to be "preached to" concerning the gospel.
Our favorite part was on Sunday when we were able to enjoy her companion with the family; Dad, Tammy & boys, Corbin & Diane, Brandon & Andrea, Grandma Bell, Megan, Collin, and our cousin Adam who happens to be staying with Gma Bell currently. (Pictures coming soon) Oh, how we miss Kevin, but what a wonderful opportunity to see the fruits of his labors so directly! What a joy to have been able to give Courtney the opportunity to confirm her desires in attending BYU, she is currently in the process of applying, and finding a Mormon social life!
Needless to say after such another eventful weekend, it is only today, Friday; the beginning of another weekend, that I finally feel as if life is normal again, so who knows what this weekend will behold?
6 comments:
AHEM.... HOW did Cafe Rio win?
Was it official?
Did we have an equal amount of fans from both sides?
I think we need to redo it with a referee and score cards.
What a fun hostess you are! Sheesh, you've been in a whirl-whind. Courtney sounds so impressive. One of these single Bell boys needs to snag her! Grandma told me how you hosted everyone so gracefully and how yummy the meal was. What a woman you are!
What an amazing, incredible, and busy weekend! I am TOTALLY jealous that I wasn't there with you all. She is a doll! Andrea's got the right idea, Bell boys are you paying attention. Oh who am I kidding they don't read our blogs, only the married ones have to listen to their wives read them when a post is particularly good.
Courtney Bell does sound good though doesn't it?
Oh yeah, I don't think this needs to be said but Mandolin, umm hello, you are an AMAZING woman. Would you slow down so the rest of us could compete even a little!
I am with Brynn I was thinking she was a perfect candidate for one of the Bell boys! She seems like such a nice girl can't believe you didn't bring her to Tremonton! j/k
Wow, what a fun weekend! Don't you love having visitors so you can get out and take advantage of the local "tourist" attractions? She looks and seems like a doll of a girl...maybe you should've had Mark show her the town. ;) I'm surprised Grandpa didn't introduce or bring up Kale. :)
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