Glorious

Dear Family and Friends,

This is very dangerous to write this tonight.  It is very late and I am very tired, however if I don't get this done another week may fly by and I run the risk of not remembering what happened yesterday, let alone 14 days ago.  But as my really close friends know, when I am tired I have a tendency of saying very inappropriate things. But here goes.  Close your eyes if you see anything sketchy.

This has been a crazy two weeks.  It started out with a snow storm on Monday, February the 23rd. Bruce got up and ready for his early morning meeting with Elder Cleverly and opened the door to the white stuff.  He called to me to come see and as soon as I saw it I threw some clothes on and grabbed my camera.  By the time I got out the door, Bruce was picking himself up off the pavement. He was moving very slowly and was soaked.  The snow was wet and slushy, the kind that makes it impossible to walk on.  Well long story short, he cracked a few ribs, plus was badly bruised.  Lots of pulled muscles as well.  After X-rays he's now on pain pills and not laughing, coughing or blowing his nose.  Hopefully this will be a better week for him.  The weird thing is, his counter-part, Elder Clark, fell about 1 month ago while hiking and broke 4 ribs, pulled muscles and hurt his hip.  I guess Bruce didn't want Elder Clark to feel lonely.  Elder Cleverly better be very careful with both of his Assistants on pain pills, who knows what they will do or say.

But my snow storm was glorious.  I drove to the Visitor Center and there encountered the Sisters who were in heaven.  Several of them had never seen snow before and couldn't believe their eyes. Sister Clark from South Africa ran out in her pj's and made snow angels.  She came to the center soaking wet, but didn't care.  I lined them up out in front of the Temple and took pictures. I had the Sisters who have never seen snow raise their hands.  I posted this pic on Instagramand they loved every minute.  I then drove to the Tabernacle to get some snowy pic's and there met a reporter for Fox news.  He interviewed me and said it would be on TV that day.  It aired at 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 5:00 pm.  He said it would be on at 9:00 pm but all they showed at 9:00 was me taking pictures of the Tabernacle and not from my best side. (yes it was my behind)  My 3 minutes of fame not so famous.  But I did have a wonderful morning taking pictures of red rocks with white snow.  It was Glorious.  

 We took the Clarks' to Kanab to Julie Roger's art studio on Friday, February the 27th.  If you haven't seen any of her art work, I strongly suggest you go to her web page and take a look.  It is glorious.  It is very different for an artist who paints religious figures.  Her paintings are very impressionistic with bright colors.  I am totally in love.  I purchased two of her paintings and I could have purchased a lot more.  I just may have to buy a few more before I leave.  We had a wonderful day with Julie and her husband. She is a remarkable person who is so talented and so willing to share her talent with all.  Plus we loved being with the Clark's on this field trip.  I'm not sure if I have written and told everyone that Elder Clark was in the mission field with Bruce way back in the 60's. Who has served two missions with the same missionary?  Bruce and Ron, that's who.  "Small World!!"

Both Bruce and I had great missionary moments this week.  We are both working with people who are investigating the church.  Bruce received a referral and has been working to get the missionaries who live by him to visit.  I gave a tour to a gentleman by the name of Mark along with his two children.  I showed them "Gods Plan For His Family" and he wept through the whole thing.  He has been baptized but didn't realize what was still available for him.  He didn't realize he could have the Priesthood or go to the Temple.  I am in contact with him and arranging for the missionaries to re-establish contact to teach about the Priesthood and Temple ordinances, plus teach his 12 year old son.  He just kept saying, I want this, I want all of it.  So excited for him and his little family.  Glorious experience

And then there is P-Day.  After meeting my sister, Julie and her husband Ken for lunch on Thursday, we took off for Arches National Monument.  Very last minute, but what a day. On Friday morning we started out at Arches and hiked to Landscape Arch, then to Delicate Arch, and onto Double Window Arch.  There are over 2000 arches in this park and I want to see all of them. We then headed to Dead Horse Point.  This is the park with the big Horse Shoe bend in the Colorado River that has been in every National Geographic picture of the Grand Canyon.  It is simply Glorious.

Then Saturday, the sun came out and the snow melted and I looked out the window and what did I see, "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree"  Couldn't resist taking pictures of the beautiful blossoms that are appearing all around town, but these of the Temple are truly Glorious.  (shamelessly pitching David Archaletta's beautiful song)  

So this is the end of my Glorious two weeks. (except for Bruce's ribs)  My hope for all of you is that you have a Glorious day, week and month.

Sending Love to all,

Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister

PS Happy Birthday this week to our handsome, funny, strong grandson, Oliver.  We so miss our grand kids and want all of them to know how much we love them and pray they will be safe.