Happy 4th of July -Sunday, July 4, 2010

Getting up at 6:00 wasn't hard after our busy day yesterday. Rich planned on going to the office around 8:00 to run off some things for his temple class today. I followed about 45 minutes later.

The weather was still unbelievably warm and we even had our window cracked open last night. Towards morning we had to throw the heavy warm blanket off our shoulders to cool us off a bit. Throughout the day it was around 73 degrees. This surely can't last!

Relief Society always starts with about four or five sisters and by the time it is over, the room is filled. The door is opening steadily throughout the lesson with sisters finding a seat. Cute little Iris Florentin, a counselor, gave the lesson and on the board she wrote Sus Manos meaning His Hands. It was from one of the April General Conference addresses. If I would have known she was going to teach from a conference address, I would have brought an English Liahona with me to read the message. I guess I should just carry one with me.

Our temple prep class is always good and fun. Today we discussed the steps one needs to take to get ready to go to the temple. More in depth will be discussed next week.

A steady stream of members came forward to share their testimonies today in Fast and Testimony meeting. Six young women came forward following the example of the YW President. We have a good group of young ladies in the branch.

After coming home and eating dinner, I settled down to writing two journal entries so I would be caught up. Rich taking a nap on the couch made one for me seem irresistable. I was trying to avoid it so I wouldn't be up late doing my updates, but I succumbed. I was so sleepy and was just going to rest for an hour. Two and a half hours later I came back to life.

In our travels yesterday, we came upon a flower shop by the fruit and vegetables. These brilliant colored lilies caught my eye. Just gorgeous!!

We asked the owner if we could take her picture and she was pleased to comply. Her shirt reflects that she has her priorities in order.

We had a conference skype call with Marianne and Melissa, then called Urban back because he had something to show us -- a brand new Spider Man bike that he got for his birthday. So cool!

We learned yesterday that the visas are on their way for the Gulbrandsens, and their flight plans came through stating they they will leave on Wednesday and arrive on Thursday. The flights for the Argyles are set for Thursday night. When the elders went to the office yesterday to do their internet on P-day, they saw them on the emails and called us with the news. The President also called Rich about it too. So it looks like this is the real deal!

I missed singing Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies today in church. I love that song!