Lessons from the week.......................

We keep learning wonderful things from our friends and ward family here...........we are fascinated with their stories and weep at their heartaches........

We had a few people bring into the office beautiful arts that they have created.......we wish we had the money to buy from each one of them as they try to support families in this way. We did learn that into each piece of art - rug or whatever it may be, they leave one or two mistakes. This is just to recognize that there is only one who is perfect and that is God.........

One of our sisters in the ward - Johanna Henderson - is going to take us this month on a Saturday up to her family's canyon where they actually have some little ruins............we are excited to go. She wants to tell us some Navajo stories - but she said "Not in the summer"....."I can't tell them to you in the summer." She said she has to tell them in the winter when it is cold and frozen over so that the evil spirits can't come out to hear them." Isn't that interesting? So some cold and snowy day this winter, we will have Johanna over for a day to tell us some more Navajo Traditional Stories....................we are anxious for that.

We have ordered a couple of small rugs...........one from Nellie Begay who was the first little lady that was baptized (on the blog pictures), and one from Wena Jesus' mother......they will be making them when they have time since we aren't in a huge hurry. We also had a young womabn come into our Career Workshop this past month and we have been working really hard with her to try to get her a job. She is educated and has lots of experience........so something good will come soon we are sure....she also weaves and is doing a rug for us. She needs money until she gets her job.

On Thursday the Elders and missionaries from Ganado came and asked if I would come upstairs and play the piano for their baptism............what a delightful experience. There were two little boys (probably about 9 years of age) who were cousins...........I am so sorry that I didn't know before hand so that I could have taken pictures. Wonderful spirit there. I left uplifted with just the goodness of our Heavenly Father and the love between all the people attending. It was a blessing to my day!

Sister Martinez (the Seminary teacher here) gave a talk a few weeks ago and I asked her for this quote - I thought it was wonderful..............their talks were about families............(it was on Father's Day that she gave it).........."Govern your family as you would cook a small fish.......very gently."

School starts here this week and Seminary begins on Wednesday at 6:00 am........they have a trailer by the church.........

Our addiction recovery meetings was great this week...........we had another man come for his first time..............the spirit is great there and we feel people are strengthened by the program and are making progress....................it is reawarding for us and for them.........

Our trip to Gallup on Friday was interesting..............we thought Wallmart was a zoo before - but add to the "end of the month madhouse" the "get ready for school buyers" and it was something else!!!!!!!! We only had to get a few things there, but that was enough! We are doing more grocery shopping at Safeway there now rather than Wallmart and like it better............Of course we had to get our 3 huge water jugs filled..............we were almost dry!

Saturday was Juliette Etsitty's baptism..............she turned "15" on Wednesday...........She is on her second discussion with the elders and has set August 22nd for baptism. She is a very loving and sweet girl............Roberta was so worried because she didn't have the money to do the party and they asked if they could come here to do the party...............so we did it in the church - more room than our house.............What a "FUN" party............made we wish that all of our family was there...........the games were really fun and every age had a ball. I have written all the games down so taht we can try to bring them home to do...............they are very creative people......We just were so impressed that from small to Grandma and Grandpa had a great time. Of course the Elders are always competitive and get into everything................I took the tomatoes, Walla Walla Sweet's, lettuce, punch, and three birthday cakes to the party...................and we bought some little things to fill a bag at Wallmart - she was delighted. But especially she was thrilled for the card and what we had written............

Victor and Roberta made Elder Hafen a necklace (with the arrow head) and a bracelet to match............He really looked pretty classy......................he wore them to the birthday party!