My trip to Arizona

Two weeks ago I spoke at efy in Flagstaff. I wanted to speak in Show Low, AZ, but when they called and asked if I would speak in Flagstaff instead, my immediate thought was it was the next best thing. Flagstaff is where I did my first efy 9 years ago. I spoke in a gym that was an awful place to try and teach the gospel. It was much better this time not being in a gym.


I was most excited about my trip to AZ to make a road trip two hours to the southeast of Flagstaff to a place I still miss. It's a place all my children call "home" even though they don't have many memories of living there. Although I was not born there, I feel it is home to me in many ways. It had been five years since we last visited Snowflake. When I arrived on Tuesday evening, it looked the same, and yet it looked different. I dropped off two of the other teachers who were speaking with me at the temple and I headed to visit some dear friends.

I first went to visit our good family friend Sandy Carter.

It was so good to see her and spend about 45 minutes just catching up with her. She was like a mother to my wife and a grandma to our children. When my two daughters visit next week, she will be in shock at how grown up they have become. When we moved from Snowflake to Orlando Meghann was only 8 and Courtney was 6. Now they are 14 and 12. They are no longer the little girls she knew when we left. Our family loves Sister Carter a lot. She is an inspiration to us. From time to time I hear my wife repeat a Sister Carter-ism to my daughters. "My momma used to say..."

With about 45-50 minutes left, I crossed main street and pulled along side the Hiatt's and Willis ranch. I was hoping to catch both families home.
I saw Phil out in the garden and I saw Robin on the other side of the garden. I got out the car and started to walk down the driveway. When Phil got up and finally recognized who I was, I wish I would have had a camera as the look on his face was priceless. His mouth was as wide as his eyes when he recognized me. I gave him a big hug. It was so good to see them too. Robin quickly came over and we hugged. Soon RomaLee and LaMar came out. We visited about family, memories, the ranch, the corn maze, and just enjoyed being together. I love both of those families very much. They will always be special to me. Soon it was time to go get the other teachers from the temple. I didn't want to leave. It can't be another five years before I see them again.

I finished up my efy session on Wednesday afternoon. We drove down to the Valley to drop off the other teachers. I immediately turned around and drove back up to Snowflake. Ug! I forgot what a "fun" drive that was. I have gotten used to the flat roads and scenery here in Florida. I had forgotten how up and down that drive is.

I arrived Wednesday evening around 9:30 p.m. and stayed with the Peterson's.
It was so good to see them again. I couldn't believe how big Blake was. Haylee reminded me of a younger Andrea she had grown up so much. Hunter was at BYU at a basketball camp which worked out nice since I was able to use his bedroom while I was there. We visited for a short time on Wednesday night, but it was late and I was tired so I went to bed.

Thursday morning I drove around to find people to visit. I knew my seminary colleagues were out of town until Friday and I knew it was a work day, so I tried to keep that in mind. I stopped by White Mountain Physical Therapy to see if my good friend Lynn Johnson was there. I was directed up to his Taylor office and luckily he AND his wife were there.
I spent a couple of hours just visiting with them. It was a slow day for them, so I was able to visit quite a bit with them. I love the Johnsons. I didn't realize that Lynn is actually BISHOP Johnson. I wasn't surprised.

Dallas told me to be home at noon for lunch. When I arrived I saw this...

Oh Baby! BITS!!! I was in heaven! THANK YOU BRENDEE! I have yet to find a pizza like Bits!

After lunch I headed over to Beth and Woody Peterson's to visit. I just missed Beth who went for some physical therapy, but I was able to have a delightful visit with Woody. He told me a couple of times how much he loved me. The feeling is very mutual. He was sad that Beth was not there and was taking so long at physical therapy that day. I think my fondest memory of visiting with Woody was telling him about how we found Aunt Kelly out here in Florida and how I think the Lord directed our paths to reunite two families that were separated a long, long time ago. I could tell that the story moved Woody and he said something that made me feel good. He said he feels better now about us having moved to Orlando after hearing that story. That reminded me of a comment he made when we visited about one year after we moved. When I was introduced in church and I said I was from Orlando, he quickly corrected me and said, "He's from Snowflake, but he lives in Orlando." That perfectly summarized how I actually felt.
When I finally had to say goodbye to them, Woody told me again, "I've told you this before, but I love you Brady. I consider you as one of my own sons." That made me cry a little bit because I know how much he loves his sons.

After my visit with them, I continued down the road to the seminary. Thankfully Wanda was there unloading curriculum orders. She let me in and we talked for quite some time. It was a little surreal being back in the seminary. There were so many good memories tied up in that building. I went back into my classroom and looked around. Wanda took my picture. Wanda wouldn't let me take a picture of her that day because she didn't look good. I was able to get a picture of her and Bro. Davis on Friday morning before I headed back down to the Valley.
I was sad to drive by Dr. West's office to see that he was out of town until the 1st of July. I really wanted to see him and Debbie as well. I will always remember our first Sunday in Snowflake that they invited us over for dinner. A great friendship grew from there.

As I drove around taking pictures of things, trying to decide who to visit next, the distinct impression came to me that I should visit one of my old home teaching "families." I put that in quotations because this is a family of one -- a widower who was already in his 90s when I knew him. He will be 98 in March. I loved to go over to Leo Webb's and visit with him as his home teacher.
I went to his home and found the TV on but nobody was answering the door. I knew he probably wouldn't remember me. I have called him every Christmas and birthday since I have moved here to Orlando. The last time I called, he couldn't recall who I was. That's OK. As I was hollering in his door, I heard on the TV that Michael Jackson was found dead. I'll never forget where I was when I found out that news. I was about to peek my head in to see if he was there when I saw him walk back in the room. I think I startled him a little bit. I told him who I was and he didn't have any memory of me. He still invited me in and wanted to visit. I told him about me coming over with Brother Nichols (who was also old at the time) and they would talk about the good old days. I told Leo that since Brother Stratton passed away, he was the oldest resident in Snowflake. I asked him about his arrow head collection, something he would always show me when I visited. He took me out to his garden and we looked at the corn coming up. I could always find Leo out in his garden. He told me that it is his kids who use the garden now.

I was grateful when the lady who comes to care for him at night arrived. I explained who I was. She recognized me as the one who sent him a Christmas card every year. I was grateful because she was able to take our picture together. This was an emotional visit for me. I love Leo and I knew that this would probably be the last time I would see him in this life. Even though he didn't remember who I was, I was grateful that I was able to spend about 30 minutes with my good friend Leo.

I think one of the most emotional times for me was actually driving by our old home for the first time.
This is where we lived for about 8 of the 9 years we were in Snowflake. The garage was added after we left and of course, the road was not paved. There were so many memories in that home that it brought back a flood of memories that all poured out my eyes.

That evening was just spent at the Peterson's. Brendee spoiled me and bought me the only other thing I really would have liked from Snowflake, and that was a peanut butter pie from Trappers. The next day I was able to see the Bonham's and visit briefly with them as well. I sure love Dave. He is always good for a laugh. I miss he and Bro. Davis and all the good memories. I especially miss our seminary teacher band, the Preach Boys
I was also able to visit with my good friend, Howard Coltrin and Keith and Pam Webb. I went into Ed's to see if Kipp was working, but he was not. Bro. Mowers was and it was good to visit with him briefly. I was able to learn what was going on with his family and even catch up with Rashel on Facebook. I tried to stop by Kipp and Shug Peterson's home, but they were not there. There were so many more people I wished I could have seen like Arno Hall and Jerry Smith. The Abbotts and the whole clan that lives right there. It would have been nice to have visited on Sunday and it would have saved me some time, but that's not how it worked out this time.

Well, that sums up my road trip to Snowflake. Thanks for reading. I'm sure it was more meaningful to me as these were people who I shared my life and family with for nine years of our lives. I love Snowflake. I keep telling my wife I want to retire there. We'll see... To all of my friends from Snowflake (ward members, students, and friends), I love you. The only bad thing about my visit was that Stephanie and the family were not with me. Maybe next time. It can't be another five years though. That was too long.