Our First Sunday At Church in the T or C Branch

It was an interesting day at Church today. We are in a Branch and the Branch President was very kind to us and wanted to find the water as soon as I told him Larry was not a member. The Missionaries were sitting right next to Larry and their eyes lite up when they heard what the BP said. A new couple were the speakers and they were very good talks. Especially the Elder. He is a return Missionary and he gave a powerful talk about how service helps us to overcome our own hard trials. I wish I had written down some of the comments the husband made because they were very insightful and full of truth. It felt so good to take the Sacrament today. I miss doing that and renewing my covenants with the Lord. It helps me to remember to live the Gospel better each day. It has been a very hard few days. There is so much to learn here in the office and I have been unindated the last couple of days. I had my world turned upsidedown when I booked a gay couple into one of the rooms. I felt my Spirit just grieve. It was such an astounding feeling as I have always been very careful to accept everyone at face value. But the arrogance and pride that accompanied the young men was emotionally disturbing to me. I felt the pain in my Spirit for hours after I left.

Larry and I talked about giving Jake our notice and staying long enough for him to get another couple. He has had a talk with Jake about the long hours and how unfair it is for us. The RV space is nothing more than a small lot full of rocks and there are 5 of us jammed into here. We do have utilities but it is not worth if we were even just getting 7 dollars an hour. We figured at just that rate we would be making about 1800 dollars a month. We do have full use of the hot springs but not enough to make it worth it. I think after suffering yesterday and last night and finally after Church talking to Larry about my feelings, he ask me what I wanted to do if we leave here. I just want to go to Arizona and spend the rest of the Winter. At least Geneva and Gerald and Patty and Gary are there and we would have family around us. I was so happy that Larry was so understanding and wonderful about it. When he asked me why I was so upset, I told him if I started to tell him I would cry and he said well maybe you need to cry. But I fasted today for Elizabeth and Calvin and Nat and didn't break my fast until afternoon. I was praying for direction also for us and what we should do. To have Larry listen and be so caring has made it all worth the pain I have felt the last couple of weeks.
I really miss the little ones. I knew I would not see them for over 6 months if we stayed here until April. So if we decide to leave T or C, we will go home at the end of March. The weather has been so wonderful here. We have had one rain storm and the weather man said we have a pretty good storm coming in the next few days. But after cool mornings it is around 70 to 80 during the day. I love the Sunsets in the Desert. The are just incredible.

There is a beauty no matter where you are in the world if you just look for it. We have travelled every three days off to someplace. We have been to Cloride and followed a Jeep trail for several miles. We have gone to Ruidoso
and it is a skiers haven. A lot like Park City in Utah. But a lot bigger. Very rich. We went to a few antique stores and it was so fun. We stopped at a place called four corners, Carrizozo. There was an old antique store there and the front doors and wood furniture were absolutely beautiful. The old man that owned it was so fun to talk to and he put his arm around me like my grandpa used to do. It made me feel my Grandpa Peterson was very near me. He was so cute with me. I wish we needed a door as I would love to have bought one for our home. We also spent a day driving to Pie Town, NM. If you blinked your eyes you would miss the whole town. But we did stop and have a piece of Mexican Apple pie. It had green chillies in it and it was pretty darn good. I have 4 new recipe books. The one from Pie town is really a good book.

I broke one of my contact lenses and had to get an appointment in Las Cruces because they don't have anyone here in T or C that does contact lenses. I love the Dr. I had in Las Cruces. I have never had such a good vision test. I have been there twice and it looks like at least 2 more times. If I don't see well enough he redoes the test and gets a better one for me. It has been my right eye that has not been right. I had some serious tests because I do have some serious problems in my right eye. He has been concerned and is making sure everything is all right. I did have to go to a Doctor here in T or C because my ear was plugged seriously enough that the pain was in the back of my neck and I was in terrible pain. The Doctor was also very good and with the antibiotic worked really well and I am on the mend again. I feel so fortunate to find good doctors. After we get the taxes paid on my home we are going to have our teeth cleaned.

Larry reminded me to add that we went to Silver City and then on to Gila Petrographs. It took us most of the day to get there as the road was windy and very slow. We got there just in time to watch the Ranger lock the gate and we couldn't get in. If it hadn't been so funny we would have been upset. But we did get to drive down to a place we found a cave that had been and Indian dwelling and we also got to see some petrographs. We had a wonderful time anyway.

We do have some celebrities come to the Hot Springs. One fellow, Roalf von Shilling is an actor who is in a movie called, "contagion." Although he did say they may change the name of the film. He said it was being directed by the same man who did the "Oceans 11," films. He also told me there were some big name actors in it. I didn't pry but it was fun to listen to his German accent. His wife's name is Angela and she was indeed like an Angel. So pretty and tall and thin. She was so soft spoken and mystical in a way. Really, really lovely. I also met a lady by the name of Yolanda Acosta who is an Author. Her book is out now and it is her life story. She was also a delightful person. So it has been fun to meet all the people. I have been given a tip and had many people tell me how kind I am. It is nice to have other people appreciate you. I love one of our maids. Her name is Cassie. She has had such a hard life and I have kind of taken her under my wing and listen to her. She has two children and her husband is out of work and she is cleaning rooms and houses to support her family. She told me the other day that she loved me. I love her too. The other maids are Rizzy and Diane. They, too, are very good maids. Diane is Rizzy mom. They all do a wonderful job of cleaning. I am grateful for this experience to meet such wonderful people.

Well, it is time to close for today. It has been a wonderful year. Our beautiful tree in front of our home in Idaho split off one third the day we were to leave and Larry and I spent Sunday before we left cutting it up and cleaning the front yard. It was 1.5 tons of tree that we took to the limb dump. I can't believe we did it all by ourselves. Grace just called me and said it had been windy there but the tree was standing tall and withstanding the wind. I guess when I think about it there have been some very trying moments this year too. It keeps me humble and helps me to set resolves in my life.

The thing that hurts the most is when those closest to you say terrible things behind your back. For years I have just put it behind me and forgiven and moved on. This last time I was crying and decided, because of my sweet husband words, to once again forgive and forget. I had prayed very hard about it and on our way to see them some incredible things happened that prevented us from getting there. It all of a sudden came to me that Heavenly Father decided that it was time to move on with my life. Not to be hurt anymore. It was as if Heaven opened its doors and blew fresh spring breezes and smells and told me to go on home and let go. I feel a huge weight off my heart. I am so tired of being the brunt of lies and enuendos. I was beginning to feel like a fighter, going down for the last time. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who does indeed take care of us and tell us when it is time to let go. I have a wonderful family in Larry's sisters. They are appalled at some of the things that have happened since I married Larry. But they are so supportive and loving and it is so wonderful to see a family that puts one another first and defends one another to the death. I have never heard a word of gossip from one of the family. I feel so blessed to be in this Family. Their support of one another is what I always thought that family was for. Larry is my Prince on a white horse. He came into my life and taught me how love and life is supposed to be. I feel many times like I have died and gone to Heaven.

I just want to tell Skyar, Crew and Ryde how much I love you. I am so proud of the kind of children that you are. How kind and loving you are to me and to your mom. I am proud of the way you have handled the difficult life you have come into because of your dad. You have a wonderful mom who has given her all to see that you have all you need to have a wonderful life. She is dedicated to you and I hope as you grow in wisdom and years you will realize how blessed you were to have her for your mommy. Ryli, I have missed our closeness. You are growing up and are so adorable. I think of you often and miss your little girl years. You too, were blessed with an incredible mom. She is the best woman I have ever known. I hope you understand what she has done with a very difficult life. She should be your example. I hope some day we can be as close as we once were.