Wed., Mar. 12 - Thu., Mar. 13

Yesterday marked Day Ten after the date we had been told that we would hear C.G.'s decision yes-or-no. When Jeremy called up there for some news, he was informed that the decision was made not to ask us to move there. Evidently the concern about Jeremy not wearing a tie on Sunday evening and the fact that (although he asked if it was a problem and it was communicated that it wasn't) Jeremy didn't speak from 'on high' ... up about five or six steps on their elevated platform -- waaaaaaay away from the audience -- bothered too many people. (Details upon request) From their recent past experience, I guess a number of them now believe a man who is confident, assertive, pro-active, and direct can not also be loving, understanding, humble, and gracious. Jeremy's natural personality sounds a lot like the personality of their former preacher who did them so wrong; praise God for the work Jeremy is allowing God to do in Jeremy's heart!! We are happy to have the answer to our prayers, although we were very surprised about it! :) It is fun to look forward to what the Lord will reveal to us in the coming weeks and months regarding Jeremy's work!!

On Wednesday I had completed two main dishes before 2pm. lol It was my only day this week to make the main dish I want to take to potluck on Sunday!! (Can you say, "Full schedule"??) N was a good helper to me in the kitchen ... when, that is, she wasn't playing outside with Justus. :) The gorgeous weather continues. Justus got a good nap on Wednesday, thankfully (because he didn't get one today, Thursday!), and he was able to behave wonderfully during a 45-minute long adult Bible class Jeremy taught, for which Justus had no 'immediate' supervision!! He 'took notes' during the class, with the paper and clipboard Jeremy had provided. From reading what Justus wrote on his papers I learned the subject headings for each of Jeremy's Power Point presentation. :) Natasha did wonderfully in the Ladies' Bible class, too!! She kept right up with the rest of us, and even added a thoughtful comment, about how the story of Adam and Eve reminded her of Jonah. (She certainly got everyone's attention!) "Because Jonah hid from God when he did wrong, just like Adam and Eve did!"

Today was a big day because it was Wedding Day for Mary (Shavon's sister) and her fiance Freddy ... both of whom we have grown to know and love during our 18 months here, even though Freddy & Mary live in Phoenix!! They come down on a regular basis! Well, originally there was the option for Jeremy to perform their wedding; it would have been his first. However, in AZ there is the option to have a covenant marriage v. a regular marriage. Jeremy decided from the get-go that he would do only covenant marriages, since they require premarital counseling and there are different legal requirements for the dissolvement of the legal agreement. Well, Freddy & Mary didn't have time to do the counseling, so they opted for a friend of Shavon and Mary's mom and step-dad to marry Freddy & Mary; his name is Tipi because he lived in a tipi for seven years. The wedding was a pretty private affair, held way off the beaten path at the home of an 'eccentric' friend of Shavon and Mary's folks; the friend's name is Robert. Besides Robert and Tipi, the four of us were the only other people invited; everyone else is their close family members. We felt privileged to share the occasion!!! There will be a big reception this weekend in Phoenix.

Over the past 12 years, Robert has turned what used to be a horse barn and pasture into an ideal place for a single man to live comfortably!! Robert was welcoming and hospitable, and we enjoyed getting to know him a bit! This is a picture of the former horse barn that is now his house; all the plants in the picture (except the trees and the saguaro) he has planted. He told us that when he bought the place, it had all been cleared.

Here is N with Robert's PRECIOUS 2 1/2yo rottie/chow mix, 'Jane'.

There in the background you can see the little 'personal chapel' Robert built. He said it was better than therapy, which was his other option. lol

Here is a picture N took of J and me standing beside a Desert Giant that has to be about 150 years old. Amazing.

Here is N by that same saguaro.
And a close-up.

This picture N & J asked me to take of them by this smaller, 'baby' saguaro. :)

I am not smart enough to know what kind of tree this is, blooming ssssssso gorgeously, but -- WOW!

Robert's chapel all dolled up for a wedding; the pots of petunias were there already. Ssso pretty.

FINALLY, when Mary, Shavon, and Teah arrived, I surprised them by taking this picture. I kind-of played wedding coordinator a bit. :) It was fun.

Here is the processional; music was played from a CD player with an external speaker. It worked perfectly!
Here is the wedding party afterward! Mary, Freddy, Teah, Tommy, Shavon, and then Tipi in the background.
The wedding was a big deal to 'grandpa' Jim (Blount). In addition, everyone (including us!) had been instructed to keep it a secret from Jim, as it was a birthday surprise for him. Here he and Mary are talking about how happy Jim is that Mary and Freddy are married now. Jim's wife Lillian, looks on.
The bride and groom. :)

I am sad to say that on the way home we were super-tired from hanging out in the sun for the previous 3 1/2 hours, and we were hungry! But, of course the car 'chose' (ha) that moment for the alternator to seize. It was on FIRE under the hood by the time we got to a safe place to stop!! Oh my.... We were in the BOONIES! In the first ten minutes we sat on the side of the road, probably only five cars passed us. But then one man offered to make the call for us to Elaine, for her to come pick us up. And then, Jim & Lillian arrived on the scene, having followed the same route on their way back home. After all Jim & Lillian's help (including letting us borrow their truck for the next couple days 'til Jeremy can get a new alternator installed), we were so happy to be able to end up sharing our Crock-Pot supper with them tonight!! [AAH! The Crock-Pot to the rescue!!] Additionally, BIG FUN >> for our salad tonight we got to begin the harvest of our garden!! We ate a homegrown spinach salad. It was just so appropriate, since it was so much of Jim's very own sweat and blood which made our garden possible this year. :) :) :)))))