There and Back again: Week 34 HOT WET and HOT!

Welcome to the Midwest Summer! Muggy and Buggy. I've been bit up especially around my elbows for some reason. I don't think we've sweated this much in our whole lives. BUT life goes on!

I spent three hours mowing the Bushnell property and the engine overheated. I sat in the hot wet shade of a lovely tree and waited 20 min then finished mowing with the blower blowing hot air (to take it off the engine) It was in the mid ninetys but "felt like", according to google, 110! Maybe the steam/humidity factor had something to do with that?? I don't know where they get their "feels like" information. If YOU know please leave a comment and enlighten me. No I don't want to google it. LOL

Observe the lettering on this monument. MANY of the letters are filled with dust and birdpoop because the top of the monument was pooped on and then a light rain drizzled down spreading it evenly among the letters...ugh Because it's a monument we can't just scrub away at it because it will wear away the gold leaf/paint. So I have to get my handy dandy soft tooth brush.

The one I use to clean but not wear away the surface below...and feather brush with distilled water about 20 times...so lightly that it doesn't touch the actual paint if I can help it.

As I patiently feather away the filth in the lettering on some days I think many thoughts. Like, how grateful I am for heavy rains that wash it all away for me...and then...how the storms of life can really be a blessing. They knock off the dead and weak branches, wash away weeks of dead leaves hiding in the bushes, and clear the gutters or concentrate the mess in easy to pick up spots, like the drain grate. How is that like my life? Horrendus trials drive me to the Savior. Many times my trials are brought on by my sins and weaknesses and even if not...they expose my weakness for sure. THIS is a good thing. If you can't see what's wrong with yourself IN A GOOD WAY and be excited to change for the better WITH JESUS's HELP, you won't be ready to meet Him when he shows up. He's coming very soon. I hope all of you get a chance to come out to Nauvoo and Carthage and take the tours and see the shows and bask in the lovely peace and fun here. Here's the finale song of one of the Sunday performances called "The Savior of the World"