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.

THE CHINESE FARMER
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
A Chinese farmer lived on a farm in a small village. He had one son who was old enough to help him with the hard work he had to do in order to make a humble living from the soil. He was very fortunate that he also owned one horse, which did much of the heavy labor in the fields.
One night accidentally, as they finished working and put the horse into the pasture, the gate was left unlatched. During the night, the horse went out through the gate. Next morning the farmer discovered his horse was gone. His neighbors were asked but they did not know of its whereabouts. His neighbors expressed their sadness for him and further mourned that without his horse he would not be able to earn a living. “You will be without means, how unfortunate, all is lost for you,” they said. The farmer replied, “I do not know that. I do not know that there is no hope. I am not wise enough to know those things.”
Several nights later, while the farmer and his son were sleeping, his horse returned to the farm drawing with him a herd of wild horses. They went into the unlocked pasture and were there in the morning as the farmer arose. These fine animals were now his. When they learned about this good fortune, his neighbors came and exclaimed, “How fortunate you are. You are a wealthy man. Oh, how blessed you are! Now you can have anything that you want.” The farmer replied, “I do not know if this is good fortune. I do not know that these things will be. I am not wise enough to know this.” And he continued his work.
His son was attempting to train the new horses. One day there was an accident and the boy was thrown from a wild horse. He received a very serious injury to his leg. He was unable to work and suffered great pain. The neighbors came to the farmer and said, “Oh how tragic, your son will never be able to walk. He cannot help you with the work as before. You will not be able to enjoy a bounteous harvest. You are most unfortunate.” The farmer replied, “I do not know if this is bad fortune. I am not wise to know if what you say will be so.” And he continued to do what he could do.
Then one day, a warlord of the providence in which they lived sent out a decree that all young men of the providence would be conscripted into his army, to fight his enemies of a neighboring land. Soldiers were sent into the farmer’s village. They gathered all of the young men of the village. Because of his injured leg the farmer’s son was of no use to them so, he stayed home with his father.
Within a short time, news of a fierce battle was received in the village. It reported that all of the young men from this village had been killed.
Are any of us wise enough to know what good fortune is and what is not?

Here are a few of the wild flowers we have seen this spring. Aren't they beautiful! See what a lot of water can do.

These are the visitors for this week. The Wagoners came out of their way to visit. We so enjoyed being with them! These people are world travelers and we felt quite honored that they would come to see us. The two men sat outside for hours solving the problems of the world. We gave them a shot of our hot humid weather, which was too bad because it has been so lovely until just the day they came. They will be glad to get back to Arizona.

It felt so wonderful to spent time with my dear friend, Lori. She is so wise and helps me see the world through clear lenses. It just seems like we talked and talked. I was so happy to get to share our experiences with her. If you want a treat, check out Lori's blog. She always has something fun to share.

So often when we have a church leader that we only see in his dark suit and white shirt, standing in front of a congregation, we think that they are always that way. I can remember when people would be surprised how fun Tom Jones would be at a party after thinking of him has their spiritual leader. Pres. Wes Wagoner showed his "other side" while visiting us. He is having his turn on our swing.

"We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."
L. Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It with Simplicity," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 7

We received two calls that there were two calves out of the fence. The farmer when we have called him before doesn’t show much concern. He said that when they get hungry enough, they find their way back to their mothers. The sister that called us was practically in tears, so Lloyd said that he would go see if he could get them back. We drove down there and sure enough, the calves were out and the mother cow was bawling at them. The calves kept running back and forth along the fence line. Lloyd really did not know what to do. We just drove back and forth along with them. We were there about fifteen minutes and we could see no way to get them back. There was no way that they would let Lloyd just catch them and lift them back over. It was getting dark by now. I just thought the Lord know how to get them back. I started saying a prayer out loud and just explained the situation and asked Him to help them get back. Lloyd said amen. It was not 5 seconds and one of the calves just hopped through the fence and was gone. Lloyd said we are going home. It was a wonderful answer to our prayer.

Our latest visitors were the Dastrups. Jeff and Sherry were traveling with Jeff's parents helping them celebrate their 50th wedding aniversary. It is always fun to get our arms around people from home.