Bishop

As many of you know my next door neighbor is my Bishop and he and his sweet wife are dear friends to me. But he really pulled a sneaky one on Valentine's Day. They came over to visit and brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers that he had picked out, and while they were here he had the nerve to give me a new calling. I think that is just really mean, how could I turn him down when he brought flowers! His poor wife was flaber-gassed, she had no ides he was going to do such a mean trick, and to be honestI don't think he did either. Because Karla Carlson is busy taking time and care to spend with Dave (see previous blog) she is unable to fill her calling as a Ward Family History Consultant so the Bishop called me to take her place. It's been several years since I worked in Family History and I have no idea how to use the computer programs anymore, so I guess I'll have to do some more studying and get back in the grove. I do remember how to do research so that will be helpful. But I still think it was a sneaky trick for the Bishop to pull!

Card's with Dave

Yesterday I played cards with a man from our Ward named Dave Carlson, and a couple, who are retired, named Larry and Mellonie Groman. We have been getting together and playing cards for several weeks, sometimes we play Spades, sometimes it's Phase 10, but most of the time we play Hearts. The thing that important about it is that Dave is dying. He has terminal cancer. It started in his bladder and has inch by inch spread into all parts of his abdoman and now has invaded his spine. He is going tthrough Radation right now to try to remove a tumor on the spine, he's had so far 3 rounds of Chemo and they went in and shored up his spine this week, it is disintregating. But with all this going on he is still so very upbeat and positive. He says he is ready for what ever happens. He's just a really great man!
My heart aches for his wife and children. His wife must continue working as shes the one who carries the insurance, and yes, their children are all grown, but that doesn't make it any easier for them.
So I go play cards with him and the Groman's every time we can, it's not much but I hope some how this helps him pass some of the hard times. May God bless him and his family!

My Swimming Pool

I have a nice big pool in my back yard again today. It started raining last night just before midnight and rained off and on almost all night, so today I have a pool. And we expect more rain today and tomorrow, I just hope it doesn't flood my house. It seems funny that we go for months and months without rain and then Bam we get a whole bunch at once. At least now I won't have to go out and water my trees this week.
I really enjoyed a quick visit with Lonna and Steve yesterday and then I went to Jordan and Betts's house. Their son Mark was visiting with them and we all went out to dinner, (mexican) and the went back and played "Mexican Train". They were really great hosts and allowed me to win both games. Of course last time they were at my house I was a great host and allowed each of them to win a game. It was lots of fun and it was good to see Mark again. The only thing bad a bout it is driving home alone late at night, oh well, I guess I'll get used to that someday.

Sunday

As I was going to church today, I was looking around at some of the yards in my neighborhood and noticing all the flowers in bloom, the trees budding out (they only lost their leaves last month), the sun shining, ducks on the lakes, dogs and people out everywhere, and I couldn't help but think that spring is just about to come to The Valley of The Sun. How different it is in other parts of the country, horrible ice storms, tons of snow, and people freezing to death in their own homes. How blessed I am to live in this warm valley. I just don't think I could stand living somewhere it was so cold all the time, I guess I'm spoiled!
The theme (if there is one) in sacrament meeting today was mostly about the priesthood. So many got up to bear their testimonies about the priesthood and how grateful they are to bear it. I got to thinking about how much I miss having the priesthood in my home now. I am so gratful to have sons and grandsons and home teachers who come and bring the priesthood back into my home. The strength and comfort I receive from having the worthy priesthood holders in my home are just so over whelming. I am so grateful that I know that Bill holds that priesthood and is watching over me. It is much harder to get a blessing when you have to call on someone to come to your home and I really miss the knowledge that the priesthood is always here in my home when I need reassurence and strength. The power of the priesthood is worth more than anyone can put a price on. Stay true and worthy to it always.