Fundraiser Dinner

Last night I had dinner with one of the greatest Opera singers to come out of Utah, Cache Valley, in fact. In fact, the woman we bought our land from was his dance teacher when he was a young boy. She is in her 70's and she and her husband have been married over 50 years. She still remembers, still has, the wedding gift that Michael Ballam gave to her as a child. The night went like this. All the ward members who purchased the dinner came to our house for photos first. We photographed each couple with the Ballams. Then we went across the street to my inlaw's and my brother in law and his wife made the dinner for the night. Tyler and I helped serve the meal but this year we actually got to sit down and eat with our guests. We had steak oscar. As he spoke of his childhood - needing to take dance to fix his legs, and it just amazes me how the Lord was directing his life. He was meant to be an Opera singer and he has changed Cache Valley for the better because of his love for music and performance. It was a wonderful experience sitting there, listening to his stories, working with President Hinckley, and knowing President Monson. And Michael Ballam has a great sense of humor and he is very quick witted. He has accomplished children including the one with spina bifida, and a loving wife. She teaches preschool in their home. Amazing. What a great night.