Beautiful Ohio

Hot and cold. Hot and cold. Hot and cold.

No, these are hot flashes - it's been that kind of a summer in Ohio. I've never quite seen one like this in the 54 years I've been celebrating summer. When it's hot - which has only been a couple of times this summer - it's really hot.

But today, I'm just plain cold.

My week began with another MRI, with another one scheduled for tomorrow. I have now been MRI'd from head to tail. I learned that there are many people with tattoos that cannot have MRI's because of the type of ink they use. They can get burned. This would be especially important for those that have tattooed eyeliner, brows, etc. My tests have been coming back relatively normal, for which I am grateful. But, there are still some problems to be addressed that I hope they can find an answer to. Kerry and I hope to serve a mission someday, and I don't want to be held back because of health problems.

After a dental appointment on Wednesday, I journeyed to Greenwich to have lunch with a group of friends. I took the long way up there, traveling through some beautiful Ohio farmland. In the scriptures, we learn that all things testify of Christ - and I looked around in amazement at the things that do. Let me list a few:
The corn was rich and full, and pointed straight up - just like we are to be upright and be thinking heavenward.
The skies were gray and full of clouds, but there were patches of blue and bits of sunshine streaming through - just like our lives can be gray and burdensome and heavy, but if we choose, we can let the Light penetrate.
A train was speeding along through the country side - just like we need to stay on the right track. If we vary just a little bit, we can go miles out of our way.

A little deep, but those were my thoughts.

Lunch with my friends was so nice. It was good to be together. Pat, the host, is my visiting teacher. (For non-LDS: each adult woman in the ward is assigned visiting teachers - usually 2 - to visit each month with a spiritual message. They look out for you and the needs for your family. Men also have the same assignment for each family in the ward - a spiritual message and seeing to your needs.) This month, she invited the women she visits to come to her home for the message and lunch. It was great!

I took the long way home again. Again, beauty is everywhere.

Following a busy day at the temple on Friday, Kerry and I went to the Blueberry Festival in Lexington (the town where he also works at the Post Office). It was delightful! We enjoyed pulled pork and had a delicious blueberry/peach cobbler. Oh, my! The next morning they had a blueberry pancake breakfast, but I didn't quite make it to that.

Saturday evening, we attended the annual Corn Roast at the Clearfork Ward (formerly Galion Branch). Since I have been a member of the church in the area all my life, I think I know just about everyone. It was wonderful seeing friends that were friends of my parents and sisters. We reminisced about old times and many expressed gratitude for my family and the service they gave through all the years. We brought home some of the corn - courtesy of Sam Breedlove - and enjoyed it for dinner after church today.

I have been surrounded by good people all of my life. Mom always told me that I would find exactly what I was looking for - that if I looked for good, I would find it. If I looked for bad, I would find it.

I have chosen to look for good.

Last week's newsletter was so long that I was afraid AOL wouldn't send it if I added much more to it. But, I wanted to be sure to include a picture of the beautiful prayer shawl that my friends made for me. It touches my heart every time I even think about it. So many loving hands went into making each square, with the final product being assembled by Waunita Wharton - my friend that moved here when I was just ten years old. Here is a picture of it:
It even has a pouch/envelope to keep it stored in - and I can even sit on it for softness. I wish you could see the stitches. Each color is a symbol - and they are so special to me I have chosen not to list them here.

Last Sunday was a special day for Betty's youngest son, Justin. He has always been such a nice young man. He has begun going to the same ward as his mom - in Wadsworth - and they have just LOVED having him there. He gave a talked a few weeks ago that was just outstanding.

Well, last Sunday he was ordained an Elder in our church. This is nothing to be taken lightly, for with this ordination comes power and responsibility. It's not an automatic ordination. One has to qualify and be found worthy. This may help you understand: http://www.mormonwiki.com/Elder

I am so proud of him. He will have the power to bless his family immensely.
He and his wife, Erin, are good parents to Baby Vanessa.

Here comes another week! At the end of it, Kerry will have a week off and the temple will be closed for deep cleaning. I have a feeling we will enjoy ourselves, as usual. We love being with each other and keeping the love we share connected.

Here are some good thing sent to me by others:
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT Hang in there SAINTS.....................................One day a young lady was driving along with her father. They came upon a storm. The young lady asked her father what should she do, he said "keep driving".
Cars began to pull over to the side, the storm was getting worse.
What should I do the young lady asked, "keep driving" her father replied.
On up a few feet she noticed eighteen wheelers was pulling over also.
She told her dad, I must pull over I can barely see ahead. It is terrible out here everyone is pulling over.
Her father told her not to give up just keep driving.
Now the storm was terrible but she never stopped driving and soon she could see a little clearer.
After a couple of miles she was on dry land and the sun was out.
Her father said now pull over and get out. She said "but why now?"
He said "get out look back, at all the people that gave up and is still in the storm".
You never gave up and now your storm is over.I thought this was a testimony for anyone of you that is going through something.
Just because everyone else, even the ones that appear to be the largest and strongest gives up.
You don't have to, because if you keep going, on up ahead your storm will soon be over and the sun will shine upon your face again.
Everything is always okay in the end, if it's not, then it's not the end.