Funeral Fun

 There was a lot of funeral prep. This from the family that does it all themselves - builds the casket, lines the casket, dresses and makeups the body. My task was to rearrange a piece of music so it had a better alto line. So I spent most of Sunday and Monday doing that and trying to learn how to play it. I did well enough. 

An evening stroll to the "stream". 

This week was Quest. Finally. I went over on Wednesday night and it took me about 30 minutes longer to get there and find the campsite than I had planned. Which was good, because they were an hour behind schedule. I sat and chatted with the girls and helped troubleshoot some crafting. And then we went to the Tree of Life. 

That was kind of a cool event. They led use along a rod of light through an unsuspectingly long tunnel of smoke where we could see nothing. We passed the great and spacious building, which really didn't look too tempting. Then we went along various stations that would light up and play a little clip about things we can do to hold to the rod. Then at the end was the tree with little popcorn balls that we got to eat. 

The kids had a good time and it would've been fun to hang out longer. As an adult, I am amazed at how many people are available. Do they just have a lot of vacation days? Or do they have nothing better to do? I'm not sure how it works and neither does anyone in my presidency yet. 

I ended early on Friday (squeezing one patient in SUPER last minute), so that I could drive up to Snowflake to get to a temple session. Afterwards, we went to grandma's old house down the road. Everyone was very upset at the state of disrepair. But we made it through and did all the funeral prep needed - included convincing the town that the plot purchased 30 years ago would be a great place for the burial. Which seems unnecessary, but they weren't about it. 

Baby Ellie loves me since I gave her a whopping 
glass of chocolate milk. 

On Saturday, the funeral went off well. There was a viewing and I think most of the town came. I played that piano piece while Roger's sisters and cousin sang Softly and Tenderly. We had a couple of good speakers and we got our escort over to the grave. The cousins had fun throwing flowers and playing cards into the grave and casket. 

We got some grub real fast before booking it straight up to Page for another conservation banquet we reserved seats for a while back. Kelsey and the Knights were a party, as always, but we were a little disappointed Brandt and Becky couldn't make it to use our extra tickets. We had some good grub and had fun in the only type of gambling I'll condone - where all the proceeds go to help with animal conservation locally. We got a nice new rangefinder and Jeff's family left with 3 new guns. Would do again. 

Then we drove straight back to Flagstaff, getting in after midnight. So I could attend ward council the next day. And have one of our young women tell me she wanted to do a shorter lesson - only to be let out of church early due to a new wildfire. It was caused by an arsonist this time and it spread quick. But it rained a few days ago and hopefully the fire dept is better prepared this time. We'll see.