Arizona Time

With things very stressful and unsure in my life, I needed a break.  I felt the prompting that I needed to go back to my AZ home and visit with family and get some fresh air.  I know I'm quirky, and I just needed to be around my 'quirky' family to remember who I am and what I know to be true.  It was a nice time to catch up on some sleep and put on some needed pounds, and gather a few spiritual books from my dad's extensive library.  

Because I was going to be gone, I wanted the kids to know I loved them even when I was away.  I took the time to write each child a note for every day that I was gone.  They had something to open up each morning with a treat inside to make them smile and know that I love them.  It was worth every minute.

While out in AZ, my parents were deciding on granite countertops.  Now, remember, my parents have been in this house for about 40 yrs!!  It's old and out dated...I love it!  But I love how they keep improving the place and making it home from their own hands.  So I went with my mom to look at the granite they picked out.  It was fun being with my mom.

My brother, Dan, and I headed up to my parents cabin that weekend.  I wish I lived closer to utilize that wonderful place.  So any chance I can get, I'm going to take it.  Saturday we did some hiking up by the Mogollon Rim.  Then later we headed to Woods Canyon Lake (love that lake as a kid and still do) for a picnic lunch.  Oh how serene it is up there.  Lots of people, but it still brought back great memories.

creek on our hike...then on our way to woods canyon lake we saw elk and the one in the water was playing and teasing the other little calves...so cute.

Later we headed to Willow Springs Lake close by.  We just wanted to sit and read.  As we did this, it was fun to watch the storm roll in.  I can't get enough of nature.  Wish I could do so much more to see the beautiful earth the Lord had made for us.  I feel so close to him when I'm here.

Sunday we stayed to visit the Christopher Creek Branch.  Most people that live there are retired.  I love that place, because I've gained such a love for elderly people.  They are so wise and full of knowledge...and even their goofy personalities (whether grumpy or long winded) I just love to smile and watch their body language.  I also love seeing their cute wrinkles.  Weird, I know, but seeing their weathered, spotted, skin it reminds me how much history they have lived and experienced...and all of their hard work they have endured.  I admire their stories and talent.

Don't mind my weirdness, but this is Wanda West Palmer.  She is in my family tree, I'll save the navigation of that tree, and is so talented.  I don't know her well, but I had to get a picture of my heritage.  She helped write a lot of the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant and many other musicals in the church.  What a great lady.

I also had the fun time talking to...oh I forget his first name, but Mr. Rore.  This man, so long winded and full of theories of government conspiracies.  So entertaining to listen to.  Anyhow, this guy, loved his powder blue suit and drives a Prius.  Can't be more opposite then that...but love the contradiction.  Such a good man.

On the drive home, I had to get a snap shot of my beautiful, desert Arizona.  We drove to my brother, Ben's, house for the Palmer monthly fast Sunday dinner.  It was so good to see everyone.  How I miss seeing my family.  Love them so so much.

Next morning, at 2am I woke up to down pour of rain and major thunder...I loved it!  It was nice to listen to and go back to sleep to.  But when I did wake up, it was still raining hard!  So hard it was flooding all over the valley.  Cars were getting stuck in underpasses on the freeways, drains were overflowing, retaining feilds were filling up... luckily my parents yard is equipped for holding water (irrigation) so there wasn't any damage to them.  of course my dad snickered that he will have to mow again soon...poor guy :)

This is about 8am.  The rain didn't really slow down and stop until 10am.  They recorded a record of close to 6 inches of rain.  For a desert not equipped for rain, this was pretty significant.

This is later in the day, the streets were just overflowing with water.  This retaining feild was just full all the way up to the tree branches, you can see heads of people swimming over to them...there was a full size soccer goal (out of the shot) and the water was all the way to the top of the goal bar.  What is that...8-10 ft high?  Crazy!

My brother Dan was so good to me while I was there.  He took me to lunch and such, and then took me shooting.  It was fun to try out three different guns at the facility.  Thank you Dan for being such an awesome brother...kind of glad you aren't married, so I can have you all to myself when I visit ;) wink wink

Finally, I had the amazing opportunity to do an early morning session Tuesday and then a double session Wednesday before leaving.  I have names a lady here in Utah gave me and I wanted to finish their work.  With my parents working in the temple those days, I decided, what better place would I be?  Traci joined me for the last session.  Then my mom took us to lunch then back to the airport to face reality again.  I love the temple dearly, and can't imagine my life without this knowledge I have.  I love the lord and all He's done for me.  I feel the words of Ether 12:27 in my heart.  Weaknesses are manifested, but I feel humble and feel I'm stronger and a better person.  This strength that I've obtained has been a painful journey and continues to be, but I stand as a witness that he is with me and makes my burdens light Mosiah 24: 14-16.  I know my eyes aren't equipped to see the spiritual beginning and end as our Lord has, but I know I will be blesses D&C 54: 2-4.  I know I know that this gospel is true and that the Lord Jesus Christ is our only way through Salvation.  I love the scriptures and I am learning "the mysteries of God" through study and prayer.  He leads me and guides me.  I'm human, so I will make mistakes, but I learn and feel His spirit keeping me on path that is best for my own growth and progression.  I know my Savior Lives and Loves me Too.

Gassing up the car on the way to the airport, I saw this...  I couldn't believe they are still around!  We would see RoadRunners all the time in our pasture growing up.  But the city has grown all around that I didn't think they were nearby.  It was fun seeing this little token of my childhood.

It was great getting back to my kids.  I missed them terribly and needed to be back being their mom.  I still have a long journey, but I know who I am and what is necessary for me to have joy in my life.