Snake in the grass

Is this a rattle snake or is this Megan planning her next Scrabble tactic? Hmmm. Hard to tell.

Click on the picture to see her beautiful little beady blue eye!

Corn at rest

Or should I say, Night in the Garden. It just keeps growing!

In the time of the butterflies

This is what makes us extremely happy. The beetles are back!!

They are flying right in to the back door just to accomodate us in our lazy collecting. I can scoop them up off the patio!!

Can you see the little pale green, almost white butterfly? It looks like butterfles we have caught in Mexico, but I have never seen them here before.

And this is Steven although he is really out of the picture. You have to look closely but the tree is covered with butterflies. Steven caught ten with one swoop. Such fun!

Isn't this the way that summertime makes you feel? What could be better? They're everywhere. Let's get out there with our nets! Or we could just dance in the monsoon.

The Proposal

We went to see the movie The Proposal with Sandra Bullock. I really enjoyed it. Having gone with no expectations I was just delighted. A fun scene in the movie has the couple recounting their proposal in front of all of the family and friends.
I just read that the way a couple remembers the beginning of their courtship is an indication of marital happiness, kinda the marriage legend.
What do you think??
I have been thinking about relationships lately--parents and children, husbands and wives. I read an article about a couple with a handcapped child, and how the birth changed each person's self image. Then I started thinking of the things that handicap people in more subtle ways. But before I start getting too deep I will stop here.
The movie is definitely not deep. Enjoy!

Notes to myself as I read

Contemplating Isaiah

“Why should ye be stricken any more?
. . .the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it;
but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores;
they have not been closed, neither bound up,
neither mollified with ointment.”
Isaiah 1: 5-6

When you hurt yourself , break the skin, or are cut deeply the first thing you do is to clean the wound.
Why, even when it is painful to do so, do you clean and scrub the injury? Why do you cover and protect the torn flesh?
Because you know that to heal properly dirt, bacteria, and filthiness must be removed.
Sometimes, if left unclean, as an injury scabs over it fills with pus.
Pus is formed by the body’s internal defensive system, as it surrounds and isolates
Those foreign elements which may cause great harm to the body.
So, the scab must be lifted, the injury drained and washed, and healing salve applied.

Again, this may cause pain, but we do it because we know it is necessary.
We do not hesitate because we understand the importance of healing our body.

Why then, when in the course of life we suffer spiritual wounds, breaks with the spirit, deep cuts—
surrounded by the impurities of sin and missteps—are we reluctant to take those steps necessary for proper healing?
The first thing to do is to clean the wound;
Remove ourselves from impurities, wash and purify the spirit so that healing can begin.
Our spirit works within us to protect and guide us, to incapacitate and isolate those elements that would bring us to destruction.
And so, we must lift the scabs, drain the pus and be clean.

Just as with a physical break, to heal spiritually we may need outside help—
The fellowship of others seeking to walk in the ways of the Lord,
The counsel of inspired leaders, the strength found in renewing our covenants as we contemplate and partake of the sacrament.

Prayer offers us healing balm leading to repentance; cleansing, comforting, healing the spirit.
Scripture study, like a clean bandage, protects tender feelings, bringing comfort and wholeness
as we grow in strength.
Finally, none of us can become truly whole until we turn to the Great Physician,
Even Jesus Christ,
Turn to Him. Seek His love and support which never fails. His arm is stretched out still.
Repentance and healing are always possible, and with the Saviour there are no scars.

“Wash ye, make ye clean; learn to do well.
Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow.”

Isaiah 1: 16-18

What more could we ask for?

Fond memories. . .

I got a fun surprise today--a ballpoint pen drawing of your great Granma Mae's house in Mt Vernon from Dad's cousin. Dad remembers this house well. He said he wished he could see the doorbell in the picture and was assured that the doorbell had been removed and saved before the house was sold. Funny the things that make memories, that people notice and remember. Maybe some of the older kids will remember this house from the picture. Mae lived there just about forever--I think from the 1930's.

I wish I had a photo of Tui and Bob's house, or the house I grew up in--where I lived for about 10 or 11 years--from 5 years old until I was 16. I might have some pictures somewhere. I will try to find them. I wonder what I would take from those 2 houses if I could . . . . I don't know that there was any little special piece that would have been a perfect recuerdo. I think in both cases it was the entire package--the land, the landscaping, the uniqueness of the houses. But in both cases the houses have been bulldozed and the landscape has been radically altered.

I think Mae's house is still there in it's own spot and you could drive by and take a look. In the meantime, enjoy the drawing. I did.

Family

It is true. I am obsessed with dead people.
Suddenly our ancestors are popping up everywhere. I am adding hundreds of ancestors and tying them into our line every week.
And Yes, it is exciting. Last night I found a family whose father was born in the 1500's in England. His children were born in Leidan, Holland, but he died in 1620 in Plymouth, Massachusettes.
Remember your history? That was the year the Mayflower Pilgrims established the city of Plymouth. His wife and children died in Plymouth also. Many years later.
Now. Don't you think that is just a little bit exciting too???

Who signed the Declaration?

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 but it's so much more than that. On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk.Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment. By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government. They became marked men, and willingly so. Here are some interesting facts about these men. Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, stop to remember the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans.Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for "regular" Americans to change the course of history, remember: The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim. Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants. They did it anyway, and God bless them for it.

Happy Independence Day

Before the heavy rain--I love the summer skies.

Last night we watched a storm approach. On the news they said there was a huge thunderstorm over Green Valley with winds of about 60 miles an hour. It was moving south at about 5 miles an hour. Sure enough, 25 minutes later the rain started pelting the north side of the house. I had to close the back door because the rain blew straight in under the covered patio and into the house. It was great. Lightning, thunder, wind, and water. I was worried that there would be rain for the flag raising at the church this morning. But we woke up about 5:45 and the day was clear and clean. Mike spoke on what it means to be an American, the scouts put up the flag and then we all went inside and ate pancakes. And juice, and fresh fruit. It was very nice. I bought 100 heavy duty paper plates and we ran out. I felt just like Megan working at the restaurant. Well, maybe not quite the same. . . I was expecting about 50 people but I am sure we had nearly double that. The ward is growing, Rio Rico is growing, and we had lots of fun. Now, for a mid-morning nap! Fireworks tonight!