Friends

We have some friends. Actually, I have been blessed with the greatest friends life has ever offered. On Saturday, two of them said goodbye to England and they are off onto their next adventure.

Just months ago I didn't even know Ryanne and Ben Roberts... (Ben and Ryanne: AKA BRyanne) I had never seen them or even heard of them but Ben and Mr. Mecham are employed by the same hand. We were fortunate to have them land on the same island as us to build up a dome and the Mechams (from the top to bottom) fell in love with BRyanne. Her first few days in England, Ryanne and I cleaned out a property to ready it for another incoming family. I learned, in that time, that Ryanne was not only a fellow Arizonan, but that she was a delight to work with. I think it was all the sun she intook at a young age! She spread it like I've never known another being on earth to spread such sunshine! One morning, while the children were at school, Ryanne came by to check her emails as she didn't have internet at her house yet. It was like having one of the fam over. I took a little nap and then she made fun of me for sleeping. She is quick to crack funnies! I realized early on that Ryanne would feel the void of my sisters. Last February we issued the ultimate test in friendship... we took Ryanne with us to France. She bunked with Bailey and we held her hostage for an entire week. That trip ranked upon the "funnest list" of vacations! Ryanne brought her sunshine and scattered it into the rain all week. To say she is optimistic and happy is a dull expression of how cheerful and jubilant she really is. Ryanne made a lasting impression to overcome adversity in McKay that no other person has ever been able to inspire. She lifted Bailey to lighten up her mood and be cheerful no matter what. She matched Cole's impeccable ability to love anyone. She made Mr. Mecham and me want to be better and love everything life offers us. Every one in life should be so lucky. And then there is Ben. I tell you, they are one of Heaven's best match-ups, indeed! If you close your eyes and imagine the kindest heart that ever lived on earth one could find Ben there! He lives his life close to the spirit and is ever so gentle. The Mechams can think of lists of benevolent ways to verbally paint a true picture of Ben, but he does it best: Nate spent the most time with him at work. He reported, nearly every day, how Ben unabashedly stood his ground with all his virtues. Impressively, he did it in such a manner that it makes him more respected and loved. McKay thinks Ben is a hero! Anyone who knows McKay also knows that he finds the quiet corners of life and sits back to observe... Though it keeps him out of trouble, it isn't necessarily the funnest place to be as one can easily be forgotten there. Ben looks for people to love in quiet corners. Then he treats them like they were the coolest and most popular stud to ever live... and then brings them into the crowd where others treat them the same. I have seen him do it, not only to McKay, but to many others. Its like magic! For showing his love to my children and honoring every single person for the good in them, I see a unique and rare quality that reminds me much of the Savior in every way. Needless to say, we feel it a tremendous blessing to rub shoulders with such people. As we will miss BRyanne like crazy, we find a great comfort knowing that there is a CHANCE that we will get to be put on another job with them. And like all of our many friends who touch our hearts in much the same ways, we know we will see them again... on fb or a blog or insta-gram... and if we're really lucky in person! Our gratitude runneth over to the Roberts and to all of our friends who keep in touch, who welcome us quickly in our new homes, and to those who live in the happiest places of our hearts. While life sure is fun, its the relationships and kindesses extended to our family that fill it up and make it most worth our time. We love you.