Old Friends and Beautiful Places

Hi to All! 

Yes, its that time of the week that I need to look back and evaluate if we accomplished anything worthwhile.  Well, Bruce was on fire and gave several Books of Mormon and had discussions with a few people who were really interested in the Church.  His salesman personality was in full bloom and he had a very successful week.  Me, I took the phone call at the Visitor Center with the woman who wanted to know all about food storage and where she could get it.  After 20 minutes of trying to explain she could call the cannery or go on-line and check out the commercial companies, she told me she wasn't a member of the church but only trusted the "Mormons" and their supplies. She then wanted to know what else we were encouraged to store or other measures we were to take to ready for emergencies. Oh Yes I did, I told her about 72hr kits (why can't I learn to stop talking) and after 30 minutes (no lie) I finally convinced her to talk with one of her Mormon neighbors and ask them about Relief Society.  Maybe they will have more success than I did.  My week not so successful.

But this week was all about "old friends" and "beautiful places"

First our old neighbors, The Edwards, caught up with us at the Visitor Center and we were able to go out to dinner with them.  It was so fun catching up after 9 years.  We spent 3 1/2 hours remembering and talking, talking and remembering.  Then Friday night we received a text from our friends, Shanna and Kerry Tobin.  What a treat.  These are friends from our first days in Cache Valley UT.  We had our first babies together and Bruce and Kerry carpooled to work for several years.  They have great stories about driving Bruce's 1951 Truck.  (Not very reliable transportation)  It is true, "Make new friends but keep the old.  One is silver and the other is gold."  We have been so blessed with wonderful friends in every place we've lived.

Now for "P"-Day.  We got up early and drove through Cedar Breaks to Bryce Canyon.  We have lived in Arizona for 24 years and grew up in Utah and never took the time to stop at this magnificent National Park.  I remember when I was very little, my family taking a vacation to Bryce and Zion, and the entire drive to Bryce, there were signs advertising Ruby's Inn, and my sisters and me begging mom and dad if we could stay the night at the Inn.  We arrived and there were small cabins where we spent the night with all the mice and other critters.  I don't remember the canyon, just my mother and dad being so upset with the accommodations.  And now Ruby's Inn is a beautiful Best Western.  Don't know if it still comes with mice, but we will find out and let you know.  We decided we are going back to hike to the bottom of the canyon.  It was so beautiful. The beauty of Southern Utah and Northern AZ never grow old.

Well, that's my epistle for the week.  We pray all is well with all of you and miss you like the dickens, but are so enjoying our mission.  We are a little more comfortable with all the history and facts, but still working very hard to make sure we aren't telling lies or urban legends.  Be safe and happy.

Love, Bruce and Dawna