A wedding and mini vaycay

At the beginning of the month, we went to Vegas to celebrate my cousin Joy's wedding!  It was a lovely occasion, and I was finally able to meet her (now) husband.  He is a great guy and I think he will be able to handle our crazy family well.

After a few days in Vegas, Wolfgang and I decided to spend a few short days in Phoenix! We had a great time relaxing in the perfect, perfect weather {think 70s, people!}. I even wore shorts and sandals one day. I could have cried.

Wolfgang's old "Marriott family" at the Camelback Inn took very good care of us for two nights, then the last night we stayed with some friends. We were both able to visit with old friends and co-workers, and quickly realized how much we missed them, and how much we miss our desert livin'. We really did have it good in Phoenix in many ways. 

Also, I was finally able to take a picture of my favorite sign!  

Isn't that great?  It's on the drive between Vegas to Phoenix. And literally, there is nothing around. There are some interesting podunk towns outside of Phoenix, and now Wolfgang and I decided that when we are feeling sorry for ourselves, we are now just going to say, "It could be worse, we could be living in Wikieup."

A few weekend thoughts

Yesterday we traveled north about 1 1/2 hours to go to a friend's wedding reception. It was so good to see her. She was one of the very first people I met in Hawaii, and from there we shared major classes and class projects. She's a great person and I highly value her friendship. I was so mad at myself, I brought my camera and forgot to take pictures! Rats.

Anyway, along that journey heading north on I-17, is always a treat for me. Yesterday evening it was, yet again, and it made me think, "The Phoenix pioneers must have had a lot of fun naming things around here." And this is why.

There is a:

"Happy Valley" (town)
"Bloody Basin"
"Horsethief Basin"
and this is a new one that I discovered,
"Big Bug Creek."

Isn't that great? I seriously wish I was around for all that fun and games.

2nd thought/ experience for the weekend {and on a completely different note}

Today in church, a native from Pakistan spoke in one of our meetings. He informed us that The Book of Mormon is currently being translated into a Pakistani language! {by him! and I'm sure others too.} I was so touched and moved by his incredible abbreviated story of how he fled from Pakistan to come to the United States. He didn't give specifics, but he left everything, including all of his family. I'm sure becoming a Christian for him was incredibly difficult, especially since in extreme cases in Muslim nations, you are killed if you convert to Christianity.

This just reminded me of how blessed I am to live in a country where I am free to chose what I want to believe, and can also worship freely; I definitely take that for granted. His bravery and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ inspired me.