Mary, Ryan, Maggie, and Libby came to visit this week.  They arrived Sunday afternoon.  Some of us went to our neighbor's choir concert that evening.  She is in an ecumenical choir and wanted us to come to their concert.  It was at the Bella Vista Lutheran Church.  It was a huge facility and it was packed....with old people.  The choir was all old people, and if Mary hadn't been there, I would have been the youngest person in the audience.  I'm not mocking old people, because we are in their ranks, but seriously I've never seen so many of them all in one place.  It might have been a little creepy.

Monday we went to War Eagle Mill and then found the Duggars house, the Duggars of reality tv.  It made Mary's day!

Tuesday we went to the drive through Safari and had a great time.  How about these peacocks in the rain? And can you see a baby kangaroo nursing and one in the pouch?

Wednesday Mary and I went shopping while everyone else went to the pool.

Thursday we went to the Pea Ridge Civil War Battlefield Park and for giant ice cream cones.

 

Thursday evening for the 4th of July we went to a concert and fireworks.  It was the Northwest Arkansas Symphony and I don't know if I've ever heard anyone so good.  We only paid $10 each and that concert was worth way more.  The conductor was so cute and fun.  They played amazing and exciting music.  Wow! 

Funny Story

Friday afternoon I needed to go to the office to get some things done.  Mary went with me.  While we were there I got a text from the president that he wanted to put 4 sisters in Springdale on July 17.  I needed to get a new apartment because the sisters apartment there only holds 2.  I suggested we just switch the sisters with the 2 Spanish Elders because that apartment will hold 4.  He agreed it was a great idea.  When I called the sisters they begged me to give them the Marshallese elders apartment instead.   I said I’d think about it and discuss it with the president, but I have no idea why they’d want to move in behind 4 elders.  Seriously!  I bet Xan and Isaac could vouch for that.  Anyway, we decided the best plan was to stay with the original one to switch the sisters and the Spanish elders.  I decided I’d wait a little while before I told the sisters “no” to the Marshallese apartment.  Exactly one hour later my phone rings and it’s one of the Marshallese Elders.  He says, “Sister Johnson, I just have to talk to you about something that might happen.”  I said,  “Hmm, sounds like you heard a rumor.”  He says “Yes, I did.  And I have to talk to you and beg you not to do it.”  I said, “Give me your best shot at it..”  He then tells me I just can’t move them.  A.  It’s been a Marshallese apartment for 8 years.  B.  He just can’t finish his mission anywhere else.  C.  There’s a long tradition in this apartment.  D.  His heart has been pumping hard for an hour.  He’ll die if I move them.  E.  The Spanish apartment is much nicer than the Marshallese apartment (so true).  He went on and on.  I was laughing the whole time and kept saying, “You are making some great points.”  But then I finally told him I never had any intention of moving them out.  He was so relieved.  He thanked me so hard and so long.  It was seriously hilarious.  I asked him how he heard about it so fast.  I guess they were all at the church for a meeting or something and the sisters told them.  Missionaries and their rumors.

To the Rescue

When Mary and I were driving home from the office we passed two ladies on bikes.  Mary yells, “Hey, they are missionaries.”   So I pulled over and stopped.  We got out of the car and when they got to us we asked if they wanted a ride.  It was raining, I should add, but not hard.  They were thrilled so we put down the seats and put their bikes in the back of my car and they just squeezed in wherever they could.  About that time the sky let loose and it was a torrential downpour.  I could barely see to drive.  It was raining so hard there was immediate water running across the road and down the sides of the road.  It would have been dangerous on a bike and they would have drowned.  We were all glad we gave them a ride.  While in the car, Mary starts talking to them and she starts bawling and telling them how mad she was that I was on a mission but she’s actually really glad I’m there and I could rescue them.  The sisters hardly knew how to respond.  It was pretty funny. 

Great Week!  God Bless America!