Rise and Shout!!!! Suzanne!!

OH MY!!!!!! What a day we had today!!! Thanks to Sarah and John who got everything all set up! Suzanne had the thrill of her life! I'll let the pictures do most of the talking for a change..........It was an absolutely gorgeous, perfect day. Timp couldn't have looked finer.........






...it took us a minute to find the 'Y' with the new snow on the mountain.... but we found it!





After a warm welcome to the BYU Football office they showed us the sites.........(I maybe should explain that everything they showed us today was built using donated funds--none of the University funds were used) the amazing weight room--outside of which is one of the "pet" cougars that had been used as the mascot and died of old age...stuffed.........but what impressed me was the wall beneath it: a picture of the 2000 stripling warriors like you can buy at the distribution center with a scripture: "and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness". And there were reminders everywhere to remember who they are and who they represent. And they were all so very kind. Absolutely everyone said how glad they were to have us there.........and there were a bunch of us!!! Only Candi and Beni, Kelly, Michael, Audrey and Adelle, and Daniel were not with us!! In the locker room, we found a familiar name.......so Suzanne stopped for a picture.........

As we were leaving the locker room for the indoor practice field, Jason Munns, home from his mission for two weeks! walked along, visiting........he was so kind.........when Suzanne's feet fell off the leg rests, he was the first to offer help. The emotion hit me when he asked Suzanne how old she is, then commented that he is the same age!!! Some members of the team were working out inside the building. (If you have never been there, you should take the opportunity to at least poke your head inside the door.........you just don't get the size of it otherwise.........well, I don't know that you do even from the inside!!) Anyway, we just walked around a little and watched them in their drills. Our "guide" could point out who was who. Then suddenly!!! guess who!?!?!??



And now I know why the team members are all so considerate-- he shows them. Bronco spent a good 15 to 20 minutes just visiting with Suzanne--asking about her story, how she was able to deal with everything, how she spent her days, what she likes to do, about her family....... then the team finished their drills and all gathered around her. For a while, Suzanne was the center of attention of part of the BYU football team!!!!



They had a whole bag of "goodies" for her. At this moment I am wearing one of the shirts, and I think all the hats have been spoken for. She has been most generous in sharing........








And her very own flag which they all signed for her. But in return, they asked her to sign THEIR flag!!!!



When she apologized, saying that she couldn't write very well, several of them confessed that they couldn't either!

SO!!!! They next time you see someone lead the team onto the field carrying that flag!! You will know that they carry a little part of Suzanne with them!!! (Yes.........I spent much of this time with tears in my eyes.) She has not had this good a day in such a very, very long time...........








She then led them in "1, 2, 3, GO COUGARS!!!!"

And they all wanted to shake her hand........


















Brono was always close by............










They gave her a jersey.......happened to have number '1' on it--Pendelton's number.......so he signed it for her!!


As the team members left, they signed her flag and a few other autographs.........Brian's three boys had brought various footballs with them.......all Cedric had was his "Thomas the train engine"........they were game for that too!! He got Jason Munns, Bronco, and Pendelton. I chuckle when I think what might happen to that toy now!!!

don't know who is signing Cody's ball

this one is Jason Munns--I was so impressed with him!!

Suzanne's flag

WOW!!!!! WHAT A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!