Shakespearean Festival, and another note

Hello Favorite Ladies of mine,

On Sunday I saw the most wonderful review of this year's Utah Shakespearean Festival production of Richard III, which made me so excited. As a result, I called Rachel yesterday to get a better idea about some of the particulars on our Girls' Weekend with an especial request that Richard the III is on the docket. Happily, it is playing on Friday night, the 5th, so it will work out fo most of us who are planning on going that weekend.

Because I had previously bought 4 vouchers off of that 2 for 1 online KSL deal, I called to see what I needed to do about possibly redeeming them for that night. I was totally frustrated to find out that the vouchers are only good Monday-Thursday, (argh), but they thankfully made a one-time exception for my ignorance. Because the lady I had over the phone was being lenient, I went ahead and booked my 4 tickets for that night (5th), not knowing if I'd have that chance again.

So, who's in? Based on what she described, the seats are wonderful, and the play is amazing!

This also brings up an important point, who else bought 2 for 1 vouchers? We ought to coordinate and book those as soon as possible since tickets are going fast.

Also, though this is totally unrelated, I wanted to make all of you aware of something else going on that same weekend, (Sunday August 7th). Many of you have heard me speak about the Starfish Foster Home, and the time Sterling and I spent there when we went to China. To refresh some of you, this orphanage is run by an incredible woman named, Amanda DeLange, who I became friends with years ago as a missionary in Taiwan. Amanda's role as a foreigner in China is incredibly unique as she rescues babies who are medically fragile, and then sees that they have the necessary surgeries or medical care that will keep them alive, and help them thrive until they can be adopted out by families. So far she has saved well over 100 children in this way, and after being in her facility, I felt like I had a brush with the divine. It really is the work of angels.

Interestingly enough, one of the little starfish (Gao-Rei) was just adopted by an LDS family from Utah, and Amanda is flying here in a couple weeks to be there at their temple sealing. See little Gao-Rei below:

In tandem with this visit, the adoptive mother of this little girl has asked Amanda to give a fireside in their ward. The fireside is the evening of August 7th, and will be at the chapel that the adoptive family attends (which is close to Ogden canyon).

If any of you are interested attending, please let me know and I can send you the information. I'm sure it will not disappoint--in fact, I think I'll be taking my kids with me since they've been bitten by the spirit of Starfish already.

Here's Sterling with little Emerson on the morning of his surgery, courtesy of a visiting Dutch medical team.

Here's Baby Luke, donning one of the new blankets that Jenn Sorensen's daughter, Ellie, collected for the babies at her birthday party (in lieu of regular presents).