"The rains came down and the floods came up"

These words of the Primary song came to mind during Sunday School two weeks ago. The lesson was about Noah, the story we all know well. At least I thought I did. But I was surprised by a number of things. First, were you aware that not all of the animals came to the ark "two by two"? Just the "unclean" ones. The "clean" ones, including the fowls, came "by sevens".  I was surprised by the specific dates in the story. The rains and floods began "in the second month, the seventeenth day."That would be February 17 on our calendar--TODAY. The ark came to rest on Ararat on "the seventh month, seventeenth day," or July 17. Perhaps we should commemorate that day, or the next one noted when the "tops of the mountains" could once again be seen, "the tenth month, on the first day," or October 1, surely a big event in that day.

OK, another question - which bird did Noah first send out to explore? If you said dove, you're wrong, as I was. He first sent out a raven. It doesn't say why he next upgraded to a dove. Next question, how many doves did he send out before one, equipped with a GPS, I suppose, never came back? Three.  (The olive leaf one was number two.) If you're struggling here, you might review in Genesis, Chapters 7 & 8.

Final question, when "was the earth dried"? "Second month, on the seven and twentieth day"--Feb 27.  Now there's a date we might celebrate. They were on that ark more than a year!

I enjoyed the lesson, and would welcome any comments. Mom has already scolded that they obviously were on a different calendar. I'm not so sure. The calendar that Noah carried fell overboard and was lost.

 

Denny's Strikes Again

For the second Super Bowl in a row, Denny's decided to give away breakfasts as a promotion. Last year we were in the East Shore RV park near Auntie Pat. We took advantage of the first promo at the Denny's in Glendora. Yesterday (2/9) we got our free "Grand Slam"breakfast at the Denny's in Mesa. There was a waiting line outside, like last year. But we were ready with a folding chair, things to read and the camera for blog pictures. It was fun to be a part of the excitement, and the food was good.

Railroad Garden

Following is our first blog movie, the fun G gauge model railroad city at our RV park:

How's Valle del Oro?

Yes we are staying some place new. The last time we came to Mesa, AZ we stayed only one night in front of Heidi's parent's house.  This time we came to Mesa to see Ganon and Heidi and the 3 little ones.

    We picked the "Valle del Oro" and liked it so much we decided to stay for 2 months.  The spot they picked for us is not far from the office where there is a post office.  Becca and Papa go together to pick up the mail.  The ladies in the office carry on a conversation with Becca like they were old friends from the pre-existence.  In 2007 we stayed in an RV park called "ORO" that had nearly a thousand slots.  It was wonderful.  This Valle del Oro has 1739 slots.  I keep thinking that it's like a small town.  I'm reminded of the campus at UCLA.  One time I wandered away from the College of Music and got lost.  I missed 2 dances because they were not announced in any of my classes.  I asked how I was supposed to know what was going on and I was told that I should read the Bruin newspaper.  At Valle del Oro there is a different activity every night. And we won't know about them unless we read the calendar and newspaper.  This week Papa went for a ride on his bike and discovered that there is a minature train set up outside.  Men staying here are making little houses and office buildings to decorate the track.  Tuesday we went to a dinner sponsored by the Tennis Club.  There were probably 300 people there.  There is a "Mac Lab" that offers lessons in Photoshop Elements and Photoshop for professionals.  There are 2 pools--Becca loves that.  There was a Country Store this morning and Papa bought some rhubarb jam.  Next Tuesday there's going to be a guy here that will replace the battery in any watch for just a dollar.  Thursday there will be a fashion show.  Every Saturday a different professional entertainer to do their thing for the RV people.

     Papa went out to scout one morning and found a band rehearsing in a room with a stage.  The four people were preparing for a play that will take place in February.  On that same trip he discovered that there is a softball league and the team for here plays teams from other RV parks.  There is a field right here on the property.

     The freeway is close by and allows us to travel quickly to the large and modern shopping center that is only a mile or two away.  Papa found a novel haircut place there called Sports Clips.  They specialize in men's haircuts and show game footage at each carrell and in the waiting room.  The chairs in the waiting room are not regular chairs but stadium seating.  I thought that was a nice touch.  Becca and I were able to get our haircut in a little shop right here by the pool.

     With a little research we found that we would be members of the Ellsworth Ward while we were living here.  The ward house is about 2 or 3 miles away.  We were assigned a Home Teacher and I found out that he and his wife live in the "small" RV park that is on the oposite corner from ours.  The ward has an active Family History class that meets during Sunday School time.  I've been invited to join the choir at both the Ward and the RV Park.  Apparently they have a Church service here too and there is also a choir.

      The Ford Dealer and Camping World are about 8 miles away.  We have an appointment at both of them next week to get some work done.  Even in Salt Lake these to places are further away than that.

     Last but not least there is a Costco (that serves Popping Pink Lemonade) just 2 large blocks away.  The first building they occupied was further away but they thought better of it and abandoned that building and put up another one 4 blocks closer to the Valle del Oro.  The first building still stands empty.

      Mesa, AZ has welcomed all the Winter Visitors and we feel very happy to be here.

Back in the saddle again!

Today we took Becca to ride a horse at the stables near here. For Becca that ranks right up there with Christmas and Halloween with Walker.

Becca getting to know her horse "Gabby"


Overheard toward the end of the hour lesson: Teacher "How are you doing Becca?" Becca "Okay but my okole is hurting." Teacher (laughing) "You'll be walking like a cowgirl after this!"


Good bye from Gabby and me to all of you horse lovers