This is our friend Evan.
First thing you notice when you meet him-he is hilarious. He has a great, dry sense of humor. The kind of guy who passes off jokes without a crack of a smile, (until we're done laughing). You're immediately comfortable with him. He's very open, and out going. He has a love for music. And he's not afraid to ask for what he wants. (i.e. for his mission farewell, he wanted the group, Afterglow to perform. So he asked, and they came! I loved that.) His wife Julie is beyond darling. They've been sweethearts for a long time, and they're the kind of couple that seem like they're still newly weds.
Evan has a great love and respect for his friends. Oh, and his friend tally is pretty high too. But it's pretty easy to see why people love Evan.
Oh, and Evan has cancer. He's very open about it. He knows that one day soon, it'll take his life. But he's the kind of person that has taken this trial in stride. And despite (or maybe because of) this challenge he and Julie have faced, they are both glowing with their testimonies. It's very, very clear how they feel about this Gospel, the plan God has for them, and their acceptance. Just amazing, amazing people.
We had the privilege to do a concert for Evan, Julie, and their loved ones. Evan called it, "His going away party". He joked that, since he wouldn't be able to hang out with them at his funeral, he decided he would throw himself his own shin-dig. (Although he made it clear he wasn't going anytime soon-he's too stubborn for that!) As I looked around that room, you could almost feel the love these people had for Evan and Julie. It was an incredible night, and we have made a couple of life-long friends. Thank you for including us Mattingly family, it was an honor.
Evan and Julie.
We had to add this one-Evan's brother looks just like Kenny Loggins! We got a kick out of that.
XOXO
Brooke
What a peaceful spirit Evan must have about him. How wonderful to have a celebration for his life.
ReplyDeleteBrooke, it has taken me about a week to check out your stuff to make sure it was who I thought it was. My name is Chantel Hansen Clinger. I went to Davis too. I knew Megan, and you and I had a common bond of dating a not so great guy named Jake after high school. Anyway, what a great success you guys are having. Music is something that I love and am really picky about. You guys have amazing voices and music. My mom and sisters and I love you. I will definately be passing this on. Thanks for being so spiritually intuned through your music. You are touching many hearts and lives. Keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this! What an inspiration Evan is. I loved how you mentioned that Evan and Julie act as if they're still newlyweds - that is so awesome! I hope that in 15, 20, 50+ years my husband and I are that way still! :)
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather passed away last summer from a battle with cancer, and he very much reminds me of Evan. He requested that after he passed away that there be no funeral - he didn't want people moping around. So he asked my family to throw him a "Graduation Party" after he was gone, in celebration of him graduating this life and moving on to the next. Isn't that awesome? I love people like Grandpa and Evan who have such strong testimonies of the Gospel and who have the kind of faith that strenghtens the rest of us just because we know them.
Thanks again for Sharing, Brooke! :)