2153 Hwy 200

Rehearsal

Eller's Blueberry Farm: 2153 Highway 200

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Sabbath Restoration

Mission Church Service

The bridal party will be conducting and attending church at the Clark Fork Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 700 Pine St, Clark Fork, ID 83811. Bible study will begin at 9:15 AM and church at 11:00 AM. Plan to bring your instruments and join in the song-services; also plan to stay for a potluck-style haystack lunch.

Our Story

Our Wedding

Your Trip

Merging Adventures

Growing up, Phoebe and Ray lived very different lives. Phoebe was born and raised in an Adventist home with the dream to be a missionary nurse when she grew up. Ray became a Christian in 2010 on a mission trip to Bolivia, and since then, mission work has been in his blood! In the spring of 2012, Phoebe was living and working as a nurse at an emergency department in Tennessee. Ray arrived after building churches in Mexico for a while, to help Jeff (Phoebe's brother-in-law) load a container for Belize. That was the first time they met and it was not love at first sight for either of them. He hung out some with Phoebe's family, worked hard loading the container, and that was about the extent of their friendship. He returned to Mexico, and in May, he went to Belize. That fall, he went back to Tennessee and worked with Jerry (Phoebe's dad) on a chainsaw contract, and Jerry noted that Ray was a very hard worker.... As 2012 was finishing up, Phoebe was getting antsy and wanted to live her dream -- going to the mission field. As she was looking at different options, Fawna and Jeff invited her to work with them in Belize. As she prayed about it, it seemed more and more like a good option (little did she know): Her sister, husband and three kids were there; she would be able to teach health; she would be able to learn Spanish, etc. People told her that she was crazy to leave a place like Collegedale, TN with so many friends and "prospects" and go to the mission field single (little did they know)! Well, Phoebe looked at things very differently. She responded that she had been there long enough, and that if God wanted her to get married, He could bring Mr. Right to where she was, even to the mission field! What she didn't know is that he was already there! So, January 16, 2013, she arrived in Belize! Her mom, dad, and little sister accompanied her on the beginning of an exciting journey. Well, in Belize, it wasn't love at second sight, either. The missionary team worked together pretty closely with some things, and although Ray and Phoebe didn't get super close on a personal level, there was a mutual respect that started to grow. The whole team was almost like a big family, so don't mess with any one of them! :) Sometimes the thought would pass through Phoebe's head, "Hmmmm, Ray's a nice guy, a missionary, hard working, etc.... But, nahhhh, he's just a good friend". Ray didn't really think much about Phoebe that way either, because he didn't think that Phoebe would ever like him. Working in the mission field has a way of showing weaknesses in character and things that one needs to change in their life. As time continued passing by, Phoebe and Ray made mistakes, learned from their mistakes, made tough decisions, worked very closely with others, grew, and drew closer to God. A little over 2 years later... classes in Belize started the middle of February 2015. Phoebe was down in Belize, but Ray was in Tennessee working on his pilot's license. Neither one was thinking much of the other until one morning, a phone started ringing in the girl's dorm during worship. "It's Ray calling," said one of the girls. "Who has Ray's phone?" Nobody knew, and neither did they answer the call. Fawna ended up answering her phone, in her house, and found out that Ray was back in Belize, right at the end of the road! For some reason, when Phoebe found that out, she was kinda excited! But why should she be excited? She couldn't figure it out. "Oh, it's good to have all the staff members back. Yeah, that must be why I'm excited." A couple days later, Phoebe took all of her students in a little truck to the next village to visit some people, but on the way.... They broke down! The main mechanic was in Mexico, so who could she call? Ray! Oh yes, she could call Ray. So, thankfully there was signal where they were, and she called him. He wasn't very sad to go and rescue the teacher and her students. He came riding up on his motorcycle, of course prepared with a backpack full of tools, and saved the day by fixing the truck! Phoebe did think a little bit about how nice it is that he could be there to rescue her, and could fix the broken down truck, but didn't think too much more about it. One day as Phoebe was visiting her sister, Fawna asked her, "What do you think of Ray?" (This conversation had come up before, but the answer was usually just that "he is a nice guy, but nahhh".) This time, Phoebe didn't focus quite so much on the "nahhh" part of it, but a little more on the "he is a nice guy,... but he wouldn't like me". Fawna didn't agree. She told Phoebe that she thought Ray had been watching her and that maybe he did like her. Phoebe didn't know what to say! Each class has a cultural presentation where all the students present countries and make interesting food to represent them. The date fell on March 8. After it was over, Phoebe noticed a pair of sunglasses that had been left behind. She saw green tape on them and recognized that they were Ray's. So, she decided to do a neighborly thing and tell Ray that they were there, so that he wouldn't lose them forever! Ray told her that he would come get them, and she said she'd bring them half way. He was thinking that it was kinda strange, because they are just sunglasses. He began to wonder if maybe, just maybe, she did like him? They met in the middle and he asked if she had seen the walls for a house that they were making for her Bible study contact. No, she hadn't, so he took her to see them. Then, since they were in the shop, he showed her the truck (the one she always used to go to her village) that he was fixing, and he showed her the airplane that he was making. Now it was Phoebe's turn to think it was a little strange, because Ray doesn't show just any girl all the stuff that he's making or doing in the shop! As the days and weeks passed, many reasons arose for Phoebe to need to go to the shop (such as putting motor oil on her dog's little patch of mange, a local Belizean remedy; taking care of sick people--she's the nurse, ya know; sharpening machetes, etc.), and Ray would always end up helping (and talking to) her when she arrived. Of course, he was just being a gentleman... On Wednesday evenings, the Belizean church that Ray attends (Chan Pine Ridge) has prayer-meetings. One Wednesday, Phoebe's friend who lived in Chan Pine Ridge, sent a message to Phoebe saying that she really wanted to see her. So, Phoebe decided to go along. Just 4 people ended up going, and Ray was the last one to get on. As he climbed on the little bus, he got a big grin on his face and of course Phoebe noticed it. Ray was happily surprised that she was going to prayer meeting. They talked the whole way home! Around the beginning of April 2015, Phoebe went to the shop to sharpen her machete and Ray was working there, and was a little more nervous than usual. As they were talking he disclosed the fact that he was interested in her. Phoebe was almost speechless, although not quite. As he didn't pressure her for an answer, she told him that they needed to talk it all over first. As they parted ways, he told her to just let him know when a good time would be. Almost a week went by before they had a chance to talk. They chatted it all out and at the conclusion of the walk, there was not really a conclusion reached, besides that they liked each other and they would keep praying. There were more morning walks and talks, and then a few weeks later, Ray headed to the States to work some more on his pilot's license. Since they couldn't walk together anymore, Skype was utilized practically every day, although the signal was at times very frustrating, to say the least. "Can you hear me now?" Ray intended to go visit the Eller's farm and spend some time with Phoebe and her family that summer. But, between bad weather and mechanical problems with the plane in which he was training, plans started changing. Ray realized he wouldn't be able to take his flying test in time to go, so he was unable to fly commercially to Montana on the scheduled day. They were both disappointed, but realized it was better for him to finish his flight training. So, Phoebe arrived in the Northwest by herself at almost midnight in June. Her mom picked her up at the airport and they spent the night at her brother and family's house, and the next morning she went to Vacation Bible School with her bro and his kids. She thought it was odd that her mom opted to run some errands, but oh well! They returned from VBS and walked into the house. She felt a squeeze on her shoulders and turned around, and... THERE WAS RAY! Phoebe was so shocked to see that handsome grinning face once again, she was almost speechless! Ray had passed his flying test the day before, gotten the ticket that night, and flown out early the next morning. Unbeknownst to Phoebe, he had secretly arranged the whole surprise with Mom. Boy, was it nice to be together! Ray was a bit nervous to be with Phoebe's family again, but they all loved him, including the kids. The kids loved him so much that they all turned against him during the water fight and soaked him! He was a good sport. During the week that he was there, Phoebe and Ray had a great time. Not only did they enjoy their time immensely, but everyone around the Eller's farm got to know Ray better, too. On July 3, 2015, he asked her to be his girlfriend. She, super duper happily, said yes. :) They had to part ways a few days later, Ray going to Bolivia and Phoebe staying in Montana for a while longer. They both arrived back in Belize a little over a month later. Working at a school keeps them both extremely busy, but they found bits of time to spend together. Their respect deepened and their love continued to grow as they were working around and with each other, spending time with the students together, going to prayer meetings and visiting people together, and praying together. As class was coming to an end in November, there was a need in the States for someone to work on an airplane. Ray decided he would do it. A couple days before he left, November 9, 2015, he took Phoebe on a date. They went to a gorgeous little lake for a picnic. They ate their yummy food under a cute little thatched roof. After their meal they were talking and Ray popped the question.... "Will you be my private nurse forever?" Of course she said YES! We hope that you enjoyed the first little part of a story of how God took the adventurous lives of two missionaries and started merging their paths! As our story continues to be written, we look forward with great excitement to the adventures around the world that God has planned especially for us! "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth 1:16

Love Story

Snapshots

Registry

Steve Olsen

Shama Eller

Adam Miranda

Fawna Sutton

Jeff Sutton

Becca Eller

Keila Valenzuela

Justin Peet

Tanzi Lampert

Katie Roddy

Laura Green (Donesky soon!)

Linda Ferguson

Jeanelle Gordon

Wedding Party

Q + A

This is our #1 airport of use, at approximately 2.5 hours away.

Spokane International Airport

We've reserved the complete resort at $99/night per room. You must call to reserve.This is where the wedding will be! <ul><li> Stay in breathtaking Thompson Falls, Montana, in one of our beautiful woodland themed cabin suites. </li><li>Our property borders National Forest, surrounded by state land and adjacent to Noxon Reservoir. </li><li>All our suites have flat screen tv's, fireplaces and kitchenettes and full use of our great game room.</li><li>Just minutes to some of the best fishing, atv riding, hiking, hunting and snowmobile trails. </li><li>We are located on scenic Blue Slide Road, between Thompson Falls and Trout Creek, Montana.</li><li>Stay with us in the woods surrounded by nature. Enjoy our two year-around streams, fresh air and breathtaking views everywhere</li></ul>

Bear Creek Resort

This airport is just over 2 hours away and is also an excellent option.

Missoula International Airport

Approximate rate $85/night for 2 people

Clark Fork Lodge

Rates range from $62-$100/night. 10% off if you call &amp; book with our wedding name.

Trout Creek Motel & RV Park

Also just over 2 hours away, this airport is smaller but is an option as well. This would be a particularly good option if you are interested in visiting Glacier National Park on either end of the wedding.

Glacier Park International Airport

Directions: From Trout Creek travel northwest to mile marker 11.2 on Highway 200, 0.7 miles east of the junction with Highway 56. The Highway 200 mile markers begin at the Montana/Idaho border. Dump facilities, showers, laundry, gas, ice and store are located in nearby Trout Creek. $10.00 daily fee per single site, $30.00 group area per day. 50% discount with US Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access Passes.

Bull River Campground

Travel

If you are interested in taking a family vacation on either side of our wedding, it only takes about 3 hours to get to Glacier National Park. Glacier is a 1,583-sq.-mi. wilderness area in Montana's Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. It is crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Among more than 700 miles of hiking trails, it has a route to photogenic Hidden Lake. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. Diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears.

Glacier National Park

Only an hour from our wedding are some beautiful cedars that make a great place for a picnic and refreshing stroll. Ross Creek Cedar is a grove of western red cedars, some of which are more than 8 feet in diameter. An interpretive walking tour, slightly less than a mile in length, explains the area ecology and history.

Ross Creek Cedars

Less than an hour from our wedding is the gorgeous Kootenai Falls with an exhilarating swinging bridge and a short hike with a breath-taking view. Downstream from Libby, the Kootenai River enters a canyon and flows over Kootenai Falls, one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the northwest. The falls and surrounding area are considered sacred to the Kootenai Indians whose ancestors inhabited the region. A forest trail leads from the highway parking lot down to the Swinging Bridge and makes a nice hike that is not too strenuous. Kootenai Falls was the setting for the filming of the movie, "River Wild".

Kootenai Falls & Swinging Bridge

The greatest place to swim is just across the highway from our blueberry farm. Just ask us for directions, life-jackets, swim toys, and if you're feeling really adventurous, ask us for canoes!

Clark Fork Reservoir Swimming

The best U-pick blueberry farm in the country is right at home in Trout Creek, MT (no, we are not biased!). Some customers drive over 130 miles just to pick from our large variety of delectable blueberries. Plan to take a couple hours during your trip to take advantage of the plenteous supply of berries.

Eller Blueberry Farm

There are an innumerable amount of places to hike and site-see, so if you are at a loss for things to do or places to go, please let us know. This is your opportunity to enjoy some of God's most beautiful creation, so we want you to get the most out of your trip to the great Northwest!

Phoebe & Ray