At the first of March 2012 Mother and my sisters Nancy and Toby came and spent a few days with me at our home. It really was the first time we had just been together. It was a wonderful time of mostly visiting and sharing our lives. We went out to eat a couple of time and remembered the good times. We only wish our other sister, Amanda, could have been with us...maybe she was on the other side of the veil.

I was trying to show Bethany how my blog was not working and letting me post pictures, and then here was the picture.
So here is the first thing we saw as we crossed the desert and came into Arizona is September. This desert stuff is a far cry from the green of Missouri.

Jesus loves me, this I know
Jesus knows me, this I love

Happy Report:
I am happy to report that I had a pain-free night! Yesterday I went to the dentist in Gallatin. He determined that I had a cracked tooth and needed a root canal job. The sad part to me was that it could not be done for another eight days. I was feeling just terrible. There was plenty of medicines that our son-in-law, Rob, and the dentist here had prescribed for me, nonetheless they were just making me sick to my stomach because I could not get any food in my stomach first. I was in quite a whirlwind.
Some of the sweet sisters here brought over some soft food: rice pudding, Jello, and potato soup. I was able to eat enough to settle my stomach, the pills stayed down, and I was able to sleep throughout the night. Life looks so much more hopeful with a good night's sleep.
Rob called last night with some suggestions. He is such a wonderful son-in-law! I appreciate his tender care so much.
So I off this morning trying to get caught up with housework.

Once again my blog will not let me download any pictures. I would have shown you the float that Lloyd and I rode last weekend. This is the second float I have been on since coming on our mission! Who would have thought!
I have been suffering from a toothache for a couple of weeks. I do not know if I can last until my appointment with Dr. Matthews. This is not any fun. Then there are all the people that are wanting to say goodbye to us by having us eat with them...eating is no fun these days. With my luck, I won't even loose weight from all this.

A-Z's all about me
A- Age: 61 (for a few more days)
B- Bed size: king, of course
C- Chore you hate: Cleaning the shower, Lloyd has taken over that task
D- Dad's name: Lloyd
E- Essential start of your day: scriptures
F- Favorite color: red
G- Gold or Silver: I like them both
H- Height: 5' 8"I
- Instruments you play: Piano a long time ago
J- Job title: Mom
K- Kids: 5
L- Living arrangements: with my family
M- Mom's name: Marjorie
N- Nicknames: Grammy, Woo Hoo
O- Overnight stay in a hospital other than your birth: when kids were born- I have spent about 5 night there
P- Pet Peeve: People mispronouncing the word "Ensign"
Q- Quote from a movie: " We're walking, were walking"
R- Right or left handed: left
S- Siblings: 5 bro, 3 sisters
T- Time you wake up: 5:15 a.m.
U- Underwear: yes
V- Vegetable you dislike: Eggplant
W- Ways you drink your coffee: I don't, but I love really good hot chocolate
X-rays you've had: Lots
Y- Yummy food you make: cookies
Z- Zoo favorites: Giraffes
Now pass this on to three friends you want to get to know better.
I am tagging: Nelly, Paige and Lori (You are the only ones that I know that look at this. Sorry)

We got to go to our annual trip to the temple in Nauvoo this last weekend. I was surprised to discover these sculptures that had been added to our experience at the Visitors' Center. These pictures do not do them justice, but you can get an idea what they are like. There about a dozen of them depicting moments in the Savior's life. The details are just marvelous. Even the expression on Christ's face changes with what is going on. The work is done by a woman named Angela Johnson. I was told she is from Gilbert. After watching our daughter, Paige, work on some sculpting and the time it takes, I just cannot believe anyone was able to make these in one lifetime.

A few months ago when Elder Joe J. Christensen was at our home for dinner, I made my Navy Bean Soup. He liked it so much he asked me to fix it every time he comes. I have respected his request. I have never had a recipe for it. Many people have asked me for one. Today when Sister Christensen asked me to please write down some instructions, I just to do my best. I am putting a copy here on my blog. Let me know if you ever make it and how you like it.

Navy Bean Soup

Soak 2 cups of Navy Beans over night. Rinse the beans in the morning. Cover with about 2 or 3 inches of water. Put on stove and heat until the water boils. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add a ham hock, chopped onion, 1 grated carrot, and 2 stocks of celery. Cook for 3 or more hours. When meat easily comes off bone and beans are soft, remove ham and cut into bite size pieces. Return ham to soup. Season the soup with garlic salt and pepper. I often add a chopped green pepper and chopped basil or parsley.

Let me introduce you to Jeremy Hunter shown here with his two children, Lewis and Blythe.
I actually have written about him earlier. He was the person who had a "run-in" on the property here. He has a marvelous story, that we will be happy to share with you when we get home. We have had a great experience getting to know him and introducing him to the Church. He worked side by side with the men for two weeks. He became an honorary missionary, attended the Tabernacle Choir concert with us and is shown here on Father's Day at our home after lunch.

This is a test to see if things work.