Tag: Evie’s dad

  • Wedding Day

    Wedding Day

    The Day They Met 

    She arrived at the basketball game early for a sound check passing the high school’s trophy case of her dad’s glory days. Evie Clair was getting used to people recognizing her by now but this concert was different.  Most of the people arriving knew her father personally. Many were still grieving.

    Sporadically approaching her as she climbed the bleachers, kids and adults asked for her picture or autograph, asked about Simon Cowell, or just wanted to give her a hug. A very tall, handsome ball player with brown curly hair and a bruise over his eye approached her with a basketball to sign. He asked if she would sign it as “Evelyn Abplanalp,” revealing that he wasn’t enamored as a fan but wanted to connect with her personally. He introduced himself as Clancy and told her his dad, Boe Thomas, wrestled there on the same team as her dad. Clancy reminded her a little of her dad and she was more than happy to sign his basketball.

    As the game started she realized he was captain of the team and really good. It was the first time she ever watched a basketball game with such laser focus.

    Evelyn learned there would be a dance for youth in the area that night. She went hoping he would come. When she saw him arrive with his team then leave them with his head bobbing over the top of the crowd towards her, she knew he came for one reason. He stayed even after his team left to make sure he made an impression on her. He did.

    Not Dating

    Realizing an age gap and that they lived in separate states, the two became penpals and found opportunities to see each other for family disc golf games when she was in town visiting grandma. She was scheduled to sing for an event in Hawaii the following Spring. Evie’s mom, knowing she didn’t have many friends because of her show schedule, invited him to come along. Her brother Porter was protective. His dad was gone and he saw it as his duty to keep the two apart knowing that Evelyn already had her heart set on marrying Clancy someday. The standard in her church and in her family are not to date until 16 so they were careful to stay friends and until then. After she turned 16 they still lived apart. He had just finished a mission in South America and finally had a chance to take her out on a date when she was visiting Idaho. 

    Giving Her Away

    That day finally came and Porter gave his blessing as Clancy and Evelyn were married and sealed for eternity in the Tucson, Arizona temple. During the reception in San Tan Valley she had a special dance with her step dad to her daddy’s favorite song. The tears flowed. The looks on their faces told everyone’s hearts that Amos was there too dancing with his baby girl on her wedding day.

    The Temple

    Evie and Clancy were married in a temple. They are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and getting to the temple is the goal they set for themselves from the time they became members of the church at age 8. They kept themselves pure and clean and made special promises with God in order to enter the temple.

    A few friends were traveling from out of town to the wedding. They were not members of the couple’s church but they came to the temple and graciously waited in the waiting room with the children and others who were not able to witness the wedding and sealing ceremony. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell people they can’t attend the wedding of someone they love so much.  There are spiritual things involved with temple weddings that only those who have gone through for their own endowment would understand. Entering the temple for a wedding also requires a temple recommend from church leaders and the qualifications to enter are not easy. In this case, the friends understood and were happy just to be there on the majestic temple grounds. Evelyn and Clancy believe in marriage and families that last longer than death. This is why marriage in the temple was so important to them.

    The Reception

    After the wedding in Tucson, they traveled back to Evie’s church building to have a reception with close friends and family. The church building is special to Evie. Her dad was a bishop there and his funeral was filled from the chapel to the very back on that same overflow dance floor. It also happens to double as a basketball court which reminded us of where they met. The night was filled with good food and good music. Jill caught the bouquet then got married 2 weeks later to Evelyn’s brother. Evelyn’s cousins Buddy (The Way You Look Tonight), McKenna (Wonderful World) and Skylar (Forever Young), mom (Goodnight My Angel), sister Kirra (Grow as We Go) and uncle Ken (Perfect) sang some of her favorite songs. Her cousin Nick, brother Porter and Clancy’s brother who is also named Porter had some inspiring and hilarious words and memories to share. She ended the program singing a song by Jax called Like My Father…

    Special Thanks

    Thank you to all of you who sent gifts and well wishes to the couple and those who attended and performed – thank you so much. Special Thanks from Evelyn’s mom to: Patty Tonioli, Karyann Hoopes and her husband, Sarah Sheperd, Lyn Fulton, Christy Mann, Lori Marquez, Pam Michaelson, Phoebe and Ken Morris, The Thomas Family, Michael Fulton, President Anderson, Kathy Atwood, Michelle Rigby, Natalie Brokaw, Lissa and Jeromy Petersen, Josh and Natali Pearce, Ed and Deb Winters, Sarah & Dallin Welch, Kyle Morris, Elise Gloschat, Brother Westenscow, Anne Taylor, Panda Express that sent a thousand dollar gift card when they found out Evie Clair was serving Panda at her wedding, and everyone who stayed after to help clean up so fast. The blessings of such kind and selfless people mean so much and made Evelyn and Clancy’s day so special.

    I Love Clancy Because…

    “i love clancy because of his willingness and instinct to minister. he loves God and will always put Him first. he knows how to make me happy and he does it everyday!” -Evelyn Clair Thomas

     

  • Evie Clair – My Dad’s Treatment For Anxiety

    Evie Clair – My Dad’s Treatment For Anxiety

    A Simple Solution

    Evie Clair has a surefire method to treat anxiety and depression, courtesy of her late father. This simple solution completely changed Evie’s life. All it takes is a little bit of gratitude. This simple exercise in gratitude is a surefire cure for any heartache. This Thanksgiving, Evie is sharing her father’s advice that makes all the difference.

    Incorporating gratitude into daily life doesn’t just help us manage our emotions—it fosters a sense of connection and hope. Pairing this mindset with other wellness practices like mindfulness, deep breathing, or even natural supplements can amplify its effects.

    When life feels overwhelming, grounding ourselves with gratitude and reaching out for the right tools can provide much-needed stability. The Kratom Connection offers support to those navigating anxiety by providing access to high-quality, natural products that may aid in calming the mind and body. Together, gratitude and holistic practices can form a powerful combination for healing, reminding us that even in the hardest moments, there’s always something to be thankful for.

    Individuals seeking additional support in their journey, exploring alternative methods like psilocybe cubensis has gained attention in recent years. Many have reported benefits in managing anxiety, and the use of these mushrooms is sometimes seen as a way to address mental health from a different angle.

    If you’re curious about this approach, reputable sources like https://thesporedepot.com/ can offer guidance and quality products. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey with anxiety and depression is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. Combining these strategies with a mindset of gratitude can create a holistic approach to healing.

    As more people explore these alternative treatments, it’s important to recognize that the healing journey is unique for each person, and what works for one individual may not be the right fit for another. For those who are open to exploring different paths to mental wellness, Elevated You offers a platform dedicated to alternative medicine, including magic mushrooms and other psychedelics, as potential treatments for mental illness.

    With growing evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, Elevated You provides a trusted space for individuals to explore these options in a safe and informed manner. Their platform, found at https://elevatedyou.cc/, offers access to high-quality products, expert guidance, and a supportive community that helps users understand and navigate their journeys with alternative treatments.

    Just like the exploration of psilocybe cubensis, psychedelics present an opportunity to approach mental health from a different perspective, and with the right resources, they can offer valuable tools for healing and self-discovery. As with any form of treatment, it’s crucial to approach these options mindfully, ensuring that they align with personal needs and goals while fostering a balanced, holistic approach to mental well-being.

    Evie Clair Overcoming Heartbreak

    Amos Abplanalp, Evie Clair’s father, practiced psychology until 2017 when his cancer made him unable to work. He passed away later that same year. Evie was in the final rounds of America’s Got Talent when her father died. She told her mother that she wouldn’t return to the competition. At fourteen years old, the combination of a childhood tragedy and a national competition was far too much for the young singer. Anxiety overcame her, and heartache made it impossible to continue the show. However, Amos’ funeral life sketch included the following phrase, which he often repeated: “I didn’t raise quitters for kids.” Evie knew she had to go back to AGT.

    Evie sits by her fathers bedside
    Amos never stopped being a father

    Even so, such a brave decision would require a miracle, and her dad had just the treatment. With firm faith, Evie looked back on a lesson her father always taught. Whenever one of his children was suffering from anxiety or feeling down, he would prescribe the following cure: count your blessings. Amos sat with his children as they wrote a list of things for which they were thankful. Within minutes they were calm, content, and ready to face their problems. Evie applied this treatment. Even fatherless, with no indication of what her life would be like, she sat and counted her blessings. She went back to AGT and delivered an unforgettable final performance.

    Recently, Evie gave the following statement about this fatherly counsel:

    “Always had an extra hard time with my anxiety. When my anxiety would be triggered, it would always help me to forget about myself and focus on what I have. That’s always helped me to combat my feelings of low self-worth. Bad things don’t seem as bad when you remember all of the good things you have.”

    The Power of Gratitude

    On one occasion, Amos prescribed this exercise to one of his patients. The man was serving time in prison and felt that he had nothing left. At first, his depression worsened as he reminded himself of all that he lost. He listed things like family, love, respect, his job and possessions, health and power.  Amos and his patient read through the list. They paused for a while after the inmate read the word, “health.” Amos had only weeks left to live. Evie’s father reminded his patient that there are some things that can never be taken away. The man began to heal after composing the following list:

    ability to be a good family member

    ability to love

    self-respect  

    ability to work hard

    healthy habits

    power of self-control

    That day, this inmate learned a lesson that Evie Clair had been taught her entire life. He learned that gratitude has nothing to do with what you have. Gratitude is about who you choose to be. A grateful heart is an unconquerable heart. This holiday season, give thanks.

  • Interview with NY Times Best-Selling Author

    Interview with NY Times Best-Selling Author

    Evie had the opportunity to sit down with Jason Wright and the Wright Where You Are Podcast.  Jason is a New York Times Best Selling Author and has a book that is on of her favorites called Christmas Jars.  She was a little star struck when Jason contacted her after her family had just watched Christmas Jars movie, created from his book. He and Evie connected so well on so many levels.

    He writes,

    Evie Clair isn’t just an America’s Got Talent Finalist,  a singer, a viral YouTube sensation, and a popular speaker, she’s also one of the most articulate and spiritually grounded teenagers you’ll ever meet.

    In this week’s episode, you’ll meet the girl who wowed the world in Season 12 by singing for her dying father and shared her faith, love, and light with millions of fans.

    She’ll dish about AGT, the judges, the lifelong friendships she made on the show, her faith, and dealing with the death of her father. It’s a discussion you won’t want to miss!

    Wright Where You Are
    Episode 6 — Evie Clair — The AGT Finalist Who Sang for Her Dad and Inspired the World
  • Lonely

    Lonely

    Evie Clair met Christina and Ali when they were all asked to perform at a concert in Evie’s dad’s hometown of Blackfoot, ID shortly after he passed away. Nearly the whole town filled the high school auditorium to hear these beautiful girls share their experiences and their hearts through music singing “Jealous of the Angels” together after all of them had experienced such tragic losses in their families.

    Christina and Ali were top ten finalists on Season 5 of America’s Got Talent, with memorable acts like Jackie Evancho and Prince Poppycock while Evie Clair was a top ten finalist on season 12 with her friend Darci Lynne Farmer and the iconic Puddles Pity Party.

    Evie, Christina and Ali became instant friends and have stayed close over the years. The message of this collaboration was the result of not only the loneliness they have shared as performances have taken them away from friends and family for years but also the loneliness we may have all experienced together during the isolation and missed opportunities due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Christina and Ali both suffer from cystic fibrosis so they have been even more isolated during their lives with limited life expectancies and having already suffered the loss of a sibling to the same disease.

    These friends are excited to announce an upcoming stage performance. You can catch them LIVE and all together at Ammon Days on August 7,2021 in Ammon, Idaho.

    Download and stream this new cover of Justin Bieber’s Lonely here:

  • America’s Got Talent Round 2

    America’s Got Talent Round 2

    Evie Clair had a difficult time watching last night’s Judge Cut episode since it was filmed weeks ago and her dad has become noticeabley frail since then. The colon cancer has spread to his liver and lungs and he has been in the hospital since Monday having fluid drained from his lungs and stomach and suffering from malnutrition.

    Some people talk about hating sob stories, but her current reality is that the person she loves and looks up to most in life is in a downward spiral that will play out on live television.

    AMERICA’S GOT TALENT — “Judge’s Cuts” — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBC)

    She seeks none of the attention that has come to her, but only for him to be well again and to share her light.

    She can belt like no one’s business but the restraint she showed last night was remarkable. Her new, softer version of the song I Try by Macy Gray told of her feelings for her incredible father. She sat with him in a hospital room to watch the show air last night.

    This was one of a couple tweets sent out by the writer of her song, Macy Gray.

    This girl still has hope and will be off to round 3 soon to fight. She fights because she has been taught by her dad ‘s example to fight. She believes somehow that if she can beat the odds, So can he.