11 September 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 469
Endia and Cougar after their sealing
Endia
I am sitting here trying to figure out how to start a newsletter article for the week that Cougar and I got sealed. So, there it is. This week was so incredible! Everything turned out perfectly, and we loved to see so many people come together for our pool party reception (also Cougar’s birthday) and then at the temple the next morning!
Words cannot capture the spirit and emotions that were felt that day as we were sealed for time and all eternity. I love this gospel and I love that it is a gospel for families.
During the sealing, Grandpa Arnold talked about Christ and the power that the words of the covenant have to teach and guide us in marriage. Christ is our greatest example and teacher, and he is also the one who makes our covenants and pathway home together possible!
Endia and Cougar’s wedding reception
Natalie
Being in the temple for Endia and Cougars sealing was a reminder of how beautiful the Lord’s plan is. For time AND all eternity…that is what the Lord promises. Eternity. It only takes one day to get married, but it takes every day after that to stay married. It truly is a commitment.
Endia and Cougar outside the Oquirrh Mountain Temple after their sealing
One of my favorite promises in the scriptures is in Mosiah 2:41:
“For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.”
I know what happiness feels like in this unsettling world, and I look forward to that never-ending happiness. I am so happy for Endia, and seeing her on her wedding day…her huge smile? That’s only the beginning!
As Olaf in Frozen would say: “I love, love.” Sounds super cheesy, but totally true. Once you get married and start a family, love takes on a whole new meaning. You learn to love more than you ever thought you could.
Endia and Cougar’s wedding reception
London
Congrats Endia and Cougar! The party before their wedding was a ton of fun. I loved being able to see so many people that I haven't seen in a while, and it was awesome being able to just jump in the pool whenever I felt like it throughout the night.
Their sealing the next day was really beautiful as well. Grandpa Arnold shared a very powerful and touching thought about Christ being the center of all the ordinances in the temple, and the sealing ordinance especially. Seeing Endia and Cougar together in the temple brought me a lot of joy, and I'm excited to see where their future takes them.
Aura
This week was definitely a special one! Endia and Cougar got married. I made it to both the reception and wedding at the temple. The reception was lots of fun. Braden, Selvin, Rima and I played pickle ball. Then we all jumped into the pool. Selvin, was thrown in with his day clothes.
For the actual ceremony, it was a beautiful experience to sit inside the temple in the waiting room while they were being sealed. Congrats Endia and Cougar, and an eternity of blessings and happiness. Love you!
Brooke and Ellie in the park
Braden
This week I was in town in West Jordan for Endia and Cougar’s wedding! I’m glad that I was able to spend a week with the fam. Brooke and Ellie both wanted to come out too, but we could only afford to send one of us. With Ellie being two years old, she can’t lap ride and we’d have to buy three plane tickets.
A few weeks ago, Luis reached out to Ashton and me saying he missed our poker nights that we used to have. We decided to set up a night when I was in town to play again. We got together, had tons of treats, and played cards for a couple hours. Ashton and I also recreated a memory we have of Caleb putting his hat and sunglasses on so that no one could tell if he was bluffing or not. We called him “Slim Shady.”
I got to hang out with Ashton a lot this week too. Growing up, there was a six-year age gap and we didn’t really hang out very much because we were in different stages of life. As an adult, that doesn’t matter as much, and I really look forward to times I get to hang with him.
While I was in Provo, he helped me take some graduation pictures, and we drove around on the moped. We got quite a few smiles and laughs as two adult men shared a small moped to get around. I sent a picture to Brooke, and she responded with a link to Studio C’s Two Guys on a Scooter video. Classic.
“Slim Shady” re-creation
Endia and Cougar’s wedding celebration was one of the coolest ones I’ve ever seen. The casual pool party was a blast! There
is something special about families getting together for a wedding. The Friday of the party, I came upstairs from working in the basement to see lots of the siblings and Mom working to get stuff ready for later that night. I love it when family can come together to celebrate big moments in each other’s lives.
The next day was the wedding, and I’m so happy for Endia and so excited that Cougar has now officially joined the family!
Later that night, some of the siblings watched the BYU vs. Baylor game. It took us on quite the roller coaster of emotions, but BYU pulled out the win in double overtime. A great conclusion to a fun week for me in Utah!
Two guys on a scooter
Caleb
Congratulations to Endia and Cougar! I love you two! I hope it was an amazing day!
This week was good, as I always say, but really, it was. We had a zone conference that was super spiritual. There's a strong movement to try and change the culture of the mission. Most of the missionaries feel like we are missing some of the best qualities, such as obedience, excitement, and hard work.
Really, everyone wants to see a mission of miracles, and that takes characters that are personally converted. It really just comes down to that, so I've been really wanting to strengthen my own personal conversion.
I don't want to make an email that just repeats a lot, but I'll say it again. I love the Gospel and I hope that all of you can build a life on the principles that Christ, our loving Savior and God, has given us. Keep doing the little things and then we will accomplish big things (Alma 37:6)!
Slim Shady and Elder Miranda
Gloria
This week I have been able to spend more time with the 5th Ward. I have gotten to know more of them and become more like friends.
This week was also Yarima's bridal shower, and we got to make crowns out of wire and fake flowers that match the color of the dress we are going to wear for her wedding. Mine is going to be orange. We also celebrated Endia’s and Cougar's wedding and reception. I really had a fun time and really loved spending time with family.
Veidi and I were also able to go with Aura to one of her friends' weddings. I had a fun time with Yatezi and Itzle. The food was really good because it was Peruvian. After we came back home, Monte and I had a little outing with Ashton and Braden, and we got ice cream from McDonald's.
Endia and Cougar’s wedding reception
Monte
Congratulations Endia and Cougar! In case nobody told you already, I think that you two make a great couple. I am so happy for you guys!
For Endia's reception, we went to Aunt Amy's house, and used her humongous backyard, with inground pool, and their pickleball/basketball court. Before the actual reception/party, we celebrated Cougar's birthday, and had dinner.
The party was amazing, there was so much swimming, playing games, and a whole ton of snacks. The next morning Endia and Cougar were sealed forever in the temple, as husband and wife. I love you both, and I hope you guys have an amazing rest of your long and prosperous lives!
Endia and Cougar’s wedding reception
Isaac
This week, Gloria, Braden, Endia, Cougar and I all went to go watch the play The Unsinkable Molly Brown. The acting was really good, and it was really funny. Speaking of plays, I got called back to audition for a Hale Center Theater Orem’s youth edition of the Christmas Carol. I can't wait!
Veidi
This week Endia got married, and the reception was really fun. We went swimming at Aunt Amy's house. I really liked going because we did games and jumped on the trampoline and talked to friends. I am so glad that Endia got married.
Kai
Endia’s getting married! Cougar’s birthday dinner was amazing! I had tons of rolls. After I was done, I went into the pool, but then I got out and played some pickleball and had snacks.
Quinn, Cougar, and Endia swimming
Troy
We stayed at Aunt Wendy’s house when Mom and Dad went on the cruise. We had a blast there! We got to go to a soccer practice and play on the playground. We also played in her little hobbit hole which was so small. I learned to do a front flip and a backflip on the trampoline from Konner.
I also found a two-dollar bill and I gave it to Aunt Wendy. She said that if I was good, she would give it to me. We also went to Sam's club and got pizza and hot dogs for lunch. It was so good!
Endia and Cougar’s wedding reception
Dad / Arkin
For this father, the thing I have prayed for the past several years more than anything else is that my daughters will find a man who fits them, who will love them, and care for them—a true partner to help them through all the joys, and trials of life.
This week, my prayer was answered again. Cougar, I am so happy that Endia and you found each other. She is a unique treasure that has sometimes been overlooked by mainstream society. I am so grateful that you have seen her for what she is. I believe you will both be so happy together! Congratulations!
Also, I want to thank my dad for his inspired words in the temple ceremony. He started by emphasizing the atonement of Jesus Christ, and explained that Christ’s sacrifice is the reason why all true happiness is possible, including eternal marriage.
With Grandpa Arnold after sealing