We left for the valley around 6:06 this morning. I said a prayer for us in the car. We got gas in Payson at Speedway for $3.12 a gallon because Circle K was $3.19. Speedways restrooms were closed so we went across to Circle K and their restrooms had not been cleaned. From the sounds of it the men's was worse than the women's. We should have gone to the Splash n Dash in Show Low, gas there was $3.07 a gallon.
Teresa & Wes Smith also attended. They are in Vernon in the summer and in the valley in the winter. Teresa teaches line dancing in Vernon and she said on the way home she would stop by and see Catherine and they developed a friendship. We visited with Wes & Teresa before the program started. There were chairs set up and Kerri invited us to sit down, which we did. The program consisted of a welcome, the opening hymn, "I Need Thee Every Hour", Catherine's favorite hymn is the same as mine, an opening prayer by her grandson Matthew, brief remarks by Kelly Halcomb, dedication of the grave, Kenny Halcomb, song: "I Am A Child of God", and the closing prayer by another grandson, Michael Halcomb.
Catherine would always tell me how sad she was about her daughter Kathy who left the Church and the family, whom she hadn't seen or heard from in years. Kathy was at the funeral and Kerri told me later that she went to lunch with her, her brother Kenny, and his wife Theresa. This would make Catherine so happy!
We said our goodbyes and left for Costco where we bought Pom juice, two kinds of protein shakes, Perk, and walnuts. I had a hotdog at the food court and James nibbled on the bun while I ate. He said he would wait until later to have lunch.
Earlier this week Sheri asked James if he could give Ben a blessing. He said he would do it when we came down Saturday. When we called Sheri she said Ben needed a blessing that day and so Brian had done it. She told James to call Ben and see if he wanted another one. James called Ben and he was his usual cheerful self when he speaks to us. He said he didn't need another blessing and looked forward to seeing us next weekend when he and Cayli come for a visit. We continued on our way to Sheri's as she has my new glasses.
The glasses have dark frames, quite different from my wire framed ones. I ask Sheri how much I owed for them and she said, "I paid for them." I wanted to pay her but she would hear nothing of it. Thank you Sheri.
We arrived at Sheri's around 11:30. She had already run 11 miles, made baked ziti for the missionaries whom she is feeding this evening. She made them a batch of her chocolate chip cookies and Evan asked if she would make some for his co-workers who love them, so she made another batch. She made crust for an apple pie for her grandmother and a blueberry pie for the family. Oh yes, Max works 12 hours on Saturday and asked her if she would make him some chicken tacos, she was shredding the chicken as we talked. I am amazed at how much she has accomplished already today! Kim & Brian are coming over to watch an episode of "Trader's" at one. I wish we could stay but James is anxious to get home and talk to Dave Elkins about buying the 22 acres.
I told James I was okay if he wanted to go home the Globe way. It was not faster this time. They were working on the 202 so we had to exit and go down Germann. We turned north on Higley, got back on the 202 to the 60, the freeway going to Superior, Miami and Globe. The 60 was backed up both ways because of the Renaissance Festival. People don't mind being outside in the 90 degree heat if it's in a medieval village I guess. Finally we break free!
We stopped in Globe at Fry's for corn tortillas and cheese so I can make tacos with the pork tenderloin and salsa I have at home. We also bought a Hershey's with almond candy bar for me and a bag of Hershey kisses for me to put on my desk at home. James got a dark chocolate bar with hazelnuts and a container of cranberry celebration, one of his favorite treats.
In the car, as we are leaving James mentions he almost bought a half rack of spareribs to eat but didn't think I would want him to eat them in the car. Crazy person that I am I convinced him to go back in and buy a full rack so he could share them with me. He did and we ate some on the way home, using his pocket knife to cut them free from the rack. We stopped eating around 2:20 as we remembered that tomorrow is fast Sunday and we have been asked to fast & pray for moisture for our area and for the war in Iran that is going on right now, involving both the United States and Israel.
It was 70 degrees when we arrived back in Vernon. Dave Elkins called. He wants the 22 acres and will pay $10,500 an acre. Our prayers have been answered. I am grateful for Heavenly Father and an inspired husband. James will look into getting the land surveyed, which may take up to 30 days. No realtor will be involved so we won't have to pay those fees. We are putting the reverse mortgage off, at least for awhile.
James called Jimmie Applegate and he will have a check ready for him on Monday. Another blessing and tender mercy.
We walked and rested with Tom and were in bed by 9:00.
