in the top of the mountains

After being away from home for so long, I appreciate it more. No longer do I fee the need to move away from here. I know we will, but I'm not in a hurry anymore. A few specific events seemed to have woken me to my folly plus a change of attitude.

A dear friend, who is dying of cancer, called to tell me our little group has been waiting for months to have another game night. When we're gone, they don't get together. She asked if we might have it at our house, since another friend, who is remission at present, broke her foot and can't manage lots of stairs. We love getting together with these people for potluck and games. When we moved here, we didn't know anyone or the history of family feuds. We just invited 4 couples over to play games that we liked. Some of these people don't especially like each other, wouldn't seek each other out--but now they cling to "the group" as if it was written in stone. I guess, we were sort of unsuspecting peace makers. Next Saturday we are set for a night of fun. I'll make BBQ chicken sandwiches--they'll bring the rest. "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" Ephesians 2:19

The St. George Temple has a special feeling. We've attended there for so long on Saturdays, that we know most of the workers by sight or name. This is sort of unusual, because not a lot of talking goes on in there. It's a peaceful place for meditation and contemplation. We were greeted like long lost friends. I love other temples, Hawaii, Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix, but St. George just feels like home. After moving from Hawaii, I never thought I'd feel this way again, since the temple on Oahu holds a dear place in my heart. I love to worship in any temple....but some hold a home feeling. St. George is one.

Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic because of the wonderful weather here in summer. After the bitter cold of last winter, I decided to never complain about heat again. I'm now making a commitment to do the same about cold and snow. If I must live with them, I might as well learn to like them. There is one bright light on the winter horizon though. I won't be here for the worst of it from January through April. Seattle is cold and damp, but there isn't usually any ice on which to slip.

For awhile, I'll enjoy the lack of traffic, good friends, the library and grocery in walking distance, the weather, and the St. George Temple. "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established , and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. " Isaiah 2:1-2