What a week of events! The big news in Rochester this week has been the mountain lion. So many memes have been created from this event. One fellow was interviewed for television and he is so funny with his retelling of the encounter. People are taking advantage of this rare event to promote their businesses.

The mountain lion was even made a parade marshall in a meme. In western Canada we wouldn’t have this much fun with a big kitty but hey, let’s enjoy the fun of it all.

On Wednesday, we decided to attend the Concert on the Beach to hear the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. One of the temple matrons, who heard our account of going to the park for the 60’s & 70’s band, said, “I told you guys not to go!” There is so much police presence now, that I think the ruffians are kept at bay and there were so many people who came to listen. I did a rough guestimate and came up with a couple thousand people. The theme for the night was beach/ocean music. They were so good and the conductor had a good sense of humor. People were wearing a paper headband that looked like a shark with an open mouth. That was my clue that we were going to hear water themed music. When the orchestra did the “Jaws” theme near the end, all the orchestra members put on the paper shark hats.

Did you know that you can use Google to identify not only photos of things but also use it to identify songs? Press the microphone button in the search bar and then press the search for songs or music icon. Bingo, bango, bongo…the song is identified and you feel so smart, hahaha! I used it to identify some of the songs. I recognised the song from “The Little Mermaid”, Under the Sea. My girls watched that VHS movie over many times and could sing the song, which I’m sure many kids from the 80’s could do. The theme from Pirates of the Caribbean was very well done as was all the music.

Erik had cut up a watermelon to snack on during the concert and we had a great time. We managed to get to the farmer’s market which is only a block from us and we met most of the vendors and chatted about their goods. Erik bought a little basket of Black Caps.

These are also known as Thimbleberry berries. They are wild and tiny in the woods. The berries had been picked by a young girl, and Erik wanted to support her entrepreneurial spirit. The family lived on a farm, and her dad told us about their family and his dreams for them. They are trying to be more self-sustaining by raising beef and are looking to add lambs to their mix. This little gal was the oldest of the children, and she wants a greenhouse for next year. The dad said that groceries are so expensive, and to raise a family, it isn’t easy. When he goes to the grocery store for breakfast items, he’s stressed about how much it costs. We commiserated with him and explained the steep rise of groceries in Canada as well. Dad sells one beef cow a month during the markets as well as pork. I love that they are working hard to figure out how best to live and survive.

I was also at a Mexican family’s stand, buying a big honeydew melon. The granddaughter was slicing chunks to give taste testers a try. I talked to her grandfather and discovered a Mexican run restaurant in Sodus. We will be going there. I told him that we were disappointed in trying to find good Mexican food and he gave us this tip. I looked at the menu and it does look promising.

We met a family from Alberta on the temple grounds. This is my first close encounter; the grandmother is from the same Ward (congregation) as our son, Lyndon and his family. Our cousin Janice (Wayne) Bunny are also in that Ward. The rest of the family is from the Riverbend Stake in Edmonton. Erik was able to take family photos of them in front of the temple.

This week EFY (Especially for Youth) was here at the temple for a couple of days. These youth come from all over the USA, including Hawaii. Again, I am in awe of their faith and reverence in the temple. I had the opportunity to talk with a couple of small groups about the Sacred Grove and the significance of symbols on the outside of the temple. As I am able to share some of my experiences with the youth, they are always grateful. I talk to them as if they are adults and treat them as adults. They appreciate that I don’t talk down to them or treat them like little children. Aren’t we all like little children to the Lord? We can all have spiritual experiences if we slow ourselves down enough to listen and to earnestly want to know what the Lord has to tell us. Many times, I think that we know what He’s going to tell us and then we don’t bother asking. You may be very surprised at what His answer would be. If I told you how many times, I am trying to wrestle out a problem and find a solution and the Lord reminds me, “Your ways are not My ways.” Then, I stop and ask what His solution is. Our hurry scurry lifestyles aren’t conducive to hearing His voice.

On Tuesday evening, we decided to go for a little hike but forgot that we came home from our shift later than usual and as we were driving, Erik notes that it’s already 8 pm. We went to a little hike along Ganargua Creek. It’s simply idylic and at spots you can get to the creek’s edge. It was hard to stop for longer than 20 seconds because the mosquitoes were out in full force and they were eager for a meal. Erik wanted me to take photos to identify some plants and I said, “Get your own app, I don’t want to be eaten alive!” Then he was randomly picking berries and popping them in his mouth!!!! AHHHHH; I thought he was crazy! He asked me what they were after eating them. Good heavens! The flora here is very different from out west and I think that we should err on the side of caution. We met a couple along the trail and Erik asked them if they knew what he was eating. We decided that the berries were Black Caps. As it was getting darker, we thought it prudent to head back to the car. Seeing the woman that we met previously, she explained that she had lost her key fob to the car and asked if we had seen it. Knowing the length of grass, I knew it was going to take a miracle to find them. We immediately started praying to find the key fob. I found a black axel cover but no fob. When we were at the cars, Erik looked around and under the car to see if it could possibly have fallen at the beginning of their hike. As I asked the Lord if the fob was near me, He said, “No.” Shortly, the woman appeared at the trail head and told us that she had found her key fob on the trail!! She told us that she had been praying for it and I told her that we were praying as well. She only had one key fob, but we were prepared to drive them to their home to get something figured out. Alls well that ends well.

I don’t have time to make cookies very often but this week I decided to try a new recipe. I’m not a fan of raisins so what I like to do is chop up dates into small pieces and replace the raisins with the dates in a recipe. They are amazing in cookies and it has been a happy experiment.

• https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/recipes/one-bowl-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies/

I had to lend my guardian angels to Erik this week. He still isn’t feeling on top of his game. The sore throat has continued for far too long. He went to get it checked and it isn’t Strep throat. Maybe it’s the use of air conditioning when we aren’t used to it. I also asked for his ministering angels to get to work, please; swords and shields at the ready!! He felt much better the next morning and was able to work our shift at the temple.

The joy I felt when a member of our branch came to the temple with his dad, his son and a recent convert to the church! The dad wanted his grandson to perform the baptism by proxy for his brother that had passed away a few months ago. The dad told me that it was very exciting and emotional for him and brought tears to his eyes. When William, the new convert saw Erik in his white suit, he was in awe and impressed. We have watched the transformation of William since he started learning about the gospel. He has hope now and a sense of purpose. Being able to officiate in the sacrament ordinance has been very special for him. His wife will be getting baptized this coming Saturday. Their faith has grown by leaps and bounds and has made me appreciate how the Lord can work in each of our lives.

I am trying to listen and tune out the world. I know that what the Lord says and promises will come to us.

When you feel like you are hanging on to the last thread, it’s time to step back and take some deep breaths. Reflect on what God has promised you. I find great solace in reflecting on the covenants that I have made with God and what He promises me as a reward for keeping up my end.

In this world of turmoil and confusion, we can rely and must rely on the arm of God to lead us through it all. Look for the light which is the light of Christ that gives us all hope, peace and joy.

Stay well, be safe and show love where ever you can.