It was birthday cake week with Karen. She comes and makes cakes in our trailer for all the sisters who have birthdays in the month of February. She knows where everyone lives--so she is better than Google maps because even it takes us to the wrong houses. We only delivered five because the sixth sister had moved to Globe. Because of her I got the good graffiti shots--she knows where they all are. She also pointed out that the poppies are starting to bloom and made Quinn pull over so I could get pictures. While I was taking pictures, she was pulling some up to give to me. Quinn said to her, “Are you sure it’s OK to pull those flowers?” Her response was, “I can. It’s my reservation.” Good point. She had told us earlier she attends another church to read the Bible in Apache on Wednesday evenings. Quinn asked her why she went if she already knew how to speak it. She told us she never learned to read it growing up and that it has only been a written language for 75 years, so this helps her learn the Apache alphabet and how to read it.
I told her before I go home I want to take home a tufa stone. She made Quinn pull over to look for some, but they were all really big. Now that she is on the hunt, I’m sure I will get a good stone. We had more success delivering cakes this time, but we pulled up to one house that was damaged by fire. She hadn’t realized the sister’s house had burned, but she thought a moment and said, “I think she might be living with my cousin.” What?! So we drove to her cousin’s house, honked the horn, and who should come out the door, but the sister. Karen is like witching rods for finding people.
Monday I got a haircut in Globe. I thought at one point I would grow my hair out until the end of this mission, but it was driving me crazy and I am in a much better mood now. We took three passengers to Globe for FHE: Karen, John, and Sister Curley. It was supposed to be Karen’s turn to teach the lesson, but she forgot, so she turned it over to us. We winged it, but luckily we have been keeping up with Come Follow Me.
Tuesday I got an appointment with a dermatologist in Mesa because I have had a rash and redness on my eyelids and nose since I left on this mission. His suggestions are working--and so far are cheaper than my normal routine. We stopped at Deseret Book before leaving for home and I bought some pictures and Quinn bought a cheap Book of Mormon even though he didn’t need one and he is only half through the one he is marking now on ‘faith’. As we were headed home, we got a call from the sister missionaries that there was a man in the hospital at San Carlos who would like a Book of Mormon and could we take him one. Well, it just so happened we had a copy and we drove straight there. He was from Bylas, was a former veteran and had some of each foot amputated, knew Brother Boni (who doesn’t?), and was very grateful, and a gentle soul. He isn’t a Latter-day Saint, but he likes how “we carry ourselves”. We had a nice visit, he asked me to say a prayer for him, and we left. Sent the missionaries to follow up the next day and they were impressed with him too and hopefully the missionaries in Bylas can seek him out because it is in the Tucson mission not ours.
Friday we had to take the car to a Chevy dealership in Safford because a check engine light was on and it needed a part replaced. Since we were there anyway, we went early to attend the Gila Valley Temple first. Stopped at La Casita Mexican food restaurant to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We drove by San Carlos High School when we got back to ask if the team was playing in either of the games that night and found out the girl’s team was playing for district champions. School sports are big in this little town, so we came back and there was a line outside the school waiting to pay to get in. We were worried about finding a seat, but when we got to the door and were looking in, Sister Curley spotted us (she was on the top row) and motioned us to come up. We got great seats and could lean back against the wall. The girls team beat Globe. Then we watched the boys game which was between Miami and Saint Augustine. Miami has a player who is the son of the second counselor of the stake presidency. It was just fun to enjoy the games and root for the home teams.
Saturday we headed to Globe for our usual shopping trip and we stopped at Apache Gold Casino because John thought there was a rodeo going on. Turns out it wasn’t a rodeo, but a team roping competition and it was free. We sat and watched that for a while. Met several LDS--funny how these badges attract people to us--one was on horseback and a competitor who stopped while riding by. Upon hearing where we were from, he told us he is a cousin to Charles Dansie who served as bishop the same time as Quinn. Such a small world.
Listened to two great talks in Sacrament meeting today. Afterwards, I was in the room waiting for Sunday School with Sister Shorten when Quinn came in and said she had asked us to get things started because her “grandson” (he is actually her sister’s grandson--but lines are blurred here on the rez) was getting ordained for the Aaronic Priesthood. Once again we winged it, but we were sure glad to see Sister Shorten come in. Her testimony is amazing! She gives a little of the lesson, but mostly testifies of the Book of Mormon and it is powerful. We had some extra guests for dinner because the senior sister missionaries had come to our ward today. They are free to attend any ward or branch they want and they just rotate. After dinner, the neighbor across the street came and asked for a plate too.
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| This roadrunner is often spotted on the hill just outside the church fence. Since I have been able to observe him, I didn't know they puff themselves up like in the picture below. |
The poppies have started blooming. The ones on the right are the ones Karen picked for me. They are still blooming in a glass on the kitchen counter
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| Every so often you see amazing graffiti like these painted on the sides of buildings--unlike the normal gang tags that pollute the scenery. |
Wall quilt top finally done. Taking it to the quilter's tomorrow in Mesa.
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