Thursday, December 22, 2016

I am grateful for my family!

Ether 15:1-17

What caused Coriantumr to have a change of heart?  When have you experienced a change of heart?

GC: The Blessings of Worship by Bishop Dean M. Davies

"Sometimes our attendance at meetings and our service in the kingdom may lack the holy element of worship.  And without that, we are missing an imcomparable spiritual encounter with the infinite - one we are entitled to as children of a loving Heavenly Father."

James helped me finish wrapping presents this morning.  Here he is wrapping the guys flashlights.

I am so grateful for his help and that he didn't complain

that I was so far behind schedule.

He originally wanted to leave at 7 a.m. for a 10:30 meeting but it was obvious we were never going to make that.  We ended up leaving around 12:30.  We stopped in Show Low for gas and to wash the mud off our car.  Dennis called and ask if there was a time they could meet us in town to give us the cookies Denise always makes us for Christmas.  I ask if he could meet us at the Circle K across from the park in about 20 minutes.  He said yes.  We went to the valley with lots of Denise's special Rice Krispy with chocolate and peanut butter cookies.  Thank you Denise!

We went the Salt River way so we could stop at Burger House and get some burros.  It was raining so we had to watch for rocks on the road through the canyon.  Thank goodness they were all small.  At Burger House we ended up getting a dozen burros. We are two, took four to Brian and Kim and gave the rest to Cathi, Terry, Darrel, Trina, Sheri and Ian.  Jared and Kacey went through Miami and got their own.  

This evening we met the kids and grandkids at Lois's where they sang Christmas carols to her.

 13 out of 18 grandkids sang.  Jared, Dallin, Joe, Adam, and

Alex all had to work.

Everyone is looking somewhere else except Lois and Ruby.

After exchanging gifts with Lois and Dawn and them serving us refreshments, we left for Trina and Darrel's.  I think next year we will open gifts at this party if we stay in Vernon for Christmas.  We gave everyone their gifts but only got to see Jared and Kacey and Jared's kids open theirs.  This party was Stacy's idea because she wanted to do something while Jared and Kacey were here.  Those who wanted to shared a talent and then we shared Christmas memories.  

Joshua played Jingle Bells.

Rowan played his recital piece

and so did James.  Rowan was mesmerized by

James's playing.  He was really good.

Addy and Emmy sang a song about grandpa shooting an

elk.  Addy wrote the song.  It was funny.

I didn't get a picture, but Stacy sang "Silent Night."

It was beautiful.

It was a fun evening and everyone was there except Ian and the five boys who had to work.  Thank you to Darrel and Trina for hosting the party.  

We were exhausted when we got back to Cathi and Terry's and went straight to bed.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Forgiveness is such an important part of the gospel

of Jesus Christ!

Ether 14:8-31

* In what ways has the enabling power of the Atonement transformed your weaknesses into strengths?

* In what ways does the book of Ether serve as a warning to the nations of the earth today?

* Anger and hatred played a major role in the destruction of the Jaredites.  What role do you see anger and hatred playing in the world today?  How can you combat this in your own sphere of influence?

*  How has your faith or spiritual resolve been tried?  How did these trials of your faith bring you addition "witness" of Jesus Christ or understanding of eternal truths?

GC:  To Whom Shall We Go? by M. Russel Ballard

"Never abandon the great truths revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Never stop reading, pondering, and applying the doctrine of Christ found in the Book of Mormon."

 I talked to my niece Jenifer today and told her how proud I was that she had graduated from college with a degree in social work.  She was telling me that there are several opportunities in her town for work that she was going to look in to.  Jenifer is legally blind and depends on others to do many things for her.  This should make her more independent.

I love this picture of the Provo temple.

James is still trying to fix his trailer.  He thought he had it fixed but the spring he put in keeps popping out.  He went with me this evening to visit Jean and to make a delivery to Claire, two of the sisters I visit teach.  I was at Jean's for quite awhile and he just waited in the car.  Jean's daughter Deana and her friend Denice are my visiting teachers and they gave me a lesson while I was there and a gift.

Popcorn and apple cider in a cute

Santa container.

James set up a meeting for the job he is doing for Jerrod Bowen at 10:30 in the morning.  I told him there was no way I would be ready so he offered to clean upstairs while I finished wrapping gifts.  

We went to bed before I was finished wrapping.  I was too tired to finish.

Family and Friends:

This picture was taken three years ago at 

Chocolate Lake.  To me it looks like Addy is

pulling Ruby.

Carol and her second husband with

Brennan's kids.

.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Ether13:19-14:7

Coriantumr had devoted a great deal of time to studying "all the arts of war and all the cunning of the world", yet he rejected the simple message of Ether, which would have brought him peace in a way that all his military skills could not.  Not the prophet Ether's promise to Coriantumr in Ether 13:20-21 as well as its fulfillment (see Ether 15:1-3, 26-32; Omni 1:20-22).  Coriantumr and Shiz allowed all their followers to be killed instead of ending the conflict.  We cannot fully comprehend the horror of the final Jaredite battle in which even women and children were armed and sent to war (see Ether 15:15).  This does, however, provide a graphic picture of what people become when the Spirit of the Lord withdraws and no longer strives with them (see v. 19).  Anger and hatred played a major role in the destruction of the Jaredites.  What role do you see anger and hatred playing in the world today?  How can you combat this in your own sphere of influence?

GC:  The Great Plan of Redemption by Linda S. Reeves

Amulek testified, "I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; ... if ye will repent .... immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you."

I finished the last two stockings for the kids in my Primary class and delivered them today.  I also bought a dozen tamales from my friend Rosa.  She makes the best tamales!  

James Facetimed with Jerod Bowen today about the job he is going to do for him.  When we go down on Thursday he will go and look at the job and take measurements.  

In commemoration of Michael's sweet sixteen birthday three years ago I had to post this picture taken at Olive Garden.

James had to go to town to get some stuff to fix the gasket on the pump.  He brought me back a chicken taco from Alibertos.  I stayed home and started wrapping blankets.  While wrapping I watched a Christmas movie starring Yannick Bisson.  James and I watched a new Christmas movie starring Cameron Mathison, "A Christmas to Remember".

Tonight was Michael's birthday party at Organ Stop Pizza.  Paul made a video of Stacy that I really enjoyed.

Taylor's wedding was today at the Gillbert temple.

Megan also got her endowments today as she is leaving on her mission in January.

Ruby made this family board for her mom for Christmas

because she knows how much her mom loves her family.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Ether 13:1-18

Ether 13:1-12 describes what a great seer Ether was.  Ether was shown many marvelous things by the Lord, including the establishment of a New Jerusalem prior to the Second Coming.  Note what Ether said about the New Jerusalem:  1.) It will be the "holy sanctuary of the Lord" (13:3).  2.) It will be built on the American continent for the remnant of the seed of Joseph (vv. 4-6).  (This is our heritage!).  3.) It will be a holy city like the Jerusalem built unto the Lord (vv. 8-9).  4.) It will stand until the earth is celestialized (v. 8).  5.) It will be a city for the pure and righteous (v 10).  How can we better cultivate the characteristics that will help us to be worthy to dwell in this glorious city?

GC:  The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy by Peter F. Meurs

" Our sacrament meeting experience can be enhanced when we arrive well before the meeting and ponder as they prelude music is played."

Friends and memories:

Andersen's daughter returns from her mission.

The little tree was for Joshua

Sunday, December 18, 2016

I honored the Sabbath by attending my meetings and partaking f the Sacrament.

Ether 12:22-41

Ether 12:33-37 speaks of this love called charity.  The Savior showed the most perfect charity or sacrificial love when He gave His life and atoned for each of us.  We must pray that we "may be filled with this love" so we can inherit eternal life (Moroni 7:48).  Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what it means to have charity: "Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself.  And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again.  Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet.  Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped.  Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us.  Charity is expecting the best of each other" (Ensing, May 1992, 18-19).

GC:  Joy and Spiritual Survival by President Russell M. Nelson

"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives."

The oldest Westbrook boy was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting today.  I have never heard him speak before and he did a great job.  He spoke on honesty and integrity.  "Live by high standards, even when no one is watching."

Rusty A. spoke on The Light of the World, the Savior honored the Sabbath and so can we.  "We should do things on the Sabbath day that will help us remember Him."

Brother Green from the high council was the final speaker.  He spoke on joy, using Elder Nelson's talk from the last general conference.  "The future is as bright as your faith." Pres. Monson.

Curtis, Kacey, and Sister Skousen's grandson Christian were in my class today.  The lesson was, "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ."  Zemira was sick.

In sharing time the kids got to make nativity ornaments.  After the block some of the Primary children went to the Scott's to sing Christmas carols.  They are leaving for Utah this week and might not be back for a few months.  James and Brother Lauritzen took them a gift from the Primary and some pumpkin bread.  I missed seeing the kids sing because I was waiting for James to finish home teach Brother Cooper.  I was sad and frustrated because it was my idea to do it in the first place.

Deana is my visiting teacher

I delivered pumpkin bread to the Crane's and James delivered the rest of the loaves.  I also made a stocking for Lej, a boy in my class who does not attend and delivered it to Teresa Smith at the church while she was waiting for tithing settlement.  She will deliver it to Lej when she goes visiting teaching to his mom.

James went home teaching and then we watched, "Love at Christmas" and then got ready for tonight's marriage class.  This is the last session tonight.  The lesson is "Enriching Marriage."  

After the class I gave all the women a pair of Christmas socks.  James and John visited in the kitchen and Anne, and Sandra and I visited in the family room.  The Grapps' went home.

I love these snowman cookies made by my friend Kaeli.

Christmas and Friends:

Former bishop, stake president and mission president.

This couple waited a very long time for this little boy!

I love this pretzel house!

Saturday, December 17, 2016

I know Mary wasn't Joseph's mother, but I am grateful to

him for his loving support of her.

Ether 12:1-21

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught concerning the need to center our lives on Jesus Christ: "We live in a world of uncertainty.  For some, there will be great accomplishment.  For others, disappointment.  For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living.  For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow.  We do not know.  But one thing we do know.  LIke the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives.  He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith" (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 107; or Ensign, May 2002, 90).

GC:  The Perfect Path to Happiness by President Thomas S. Monson

"In the film 'Man's Search for Happiness' a depiction of our premortal life is given, along with an explanation of our purpose on earth.  We witness a touching depiction of the passing from this life of an elderly grandfather and of his glorious reunion

with loved ones who had preceded him to the spirit world."

This is a picture of the house Kacey and Jared rented in San Antonio.  Kacey and her kids will be living here and then when she marries Jared he will join them.  

This morning on our trip to town James and I stopped by to visit my aunt Gene and to give her a small Christmas present.  She seems to be doing very well.

After Aunt Gene's James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot and then to Panda Express to get us some lunch.  

I missed going to the temple today but I just feel overwhelmed by all the things I have to do to get ready for Christmas.

I wonder how this would work.

I came home this afternoon and made six loaves of pumpkin bread.  Four loaves are for the families James home teaches, one loaf for his companion, and one loaf for our neighbors, the Cranes. He insisted that I put pecans in all of the loaves.

This is a Christmas memory of last years white

elephant gift exchange.

While baking pumpkin bread I also worked on my last Primary lesson for this year and finished up the kids Book of Mormon cards and Article of Faith notebooks.

Sheri, Max, and Evan went ice skating with Sean, Megan, and Mattea.

I think they had a good time, although I am not

sure about Mattea, she doesn't have a smile on her face.

Today was Sadie and Aaron's wedding and wedding reception.  The reception was in Snowflake this evening and we did not go.

Here are some pictures posted online:

Pictures from their wedding announcement

Leaving the Snowflake temple

They look very happy

Maddie is the blonde, I don't know the next girl,

then Sadie, Mary, and Brooklyn.

Sadie has seven brothers and one sister.  Mary is

on Sadie's left.  Here are some of her brothers and her Dad.

The two guys without hats are Sadie's brother Sam and

her dad, Dave.

Cutting the cake.

In other news, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford

recently got married.

A long time coming.

Friday, December 16, 2016

I called and wished Ben a Happy Birthday!

Ether 11:1-23

Ether 11 clearly demonstrates the consequences of not heeding prophetic warnings.  Consider what President Henry B. Eyring said concerning the cost of rejecting prophetic counsel and the safety that comes from heeding prophets: "Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith.  When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that they hear only a wise man giving good advice.  Then if his counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with what they want to do, that take it. If it does not, they consider it either faulty advice or they see their circumstances as justifying their being an exception to the counsel.  Those without faith may think that they hear only men seeking to exert influence for some selfish motive.  Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm's way.  Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 32-33; or Ensign, May 1997, 25).

GC:   That He May Become Strong Also by President Henry B. Eyring

"The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the spiritual blessings of the Church."

GC: Principles and Promises by President Thomas S. Monson

"Those who are obedient to the Lord's commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health, and added physical stamina."

  

Happy 17th Birthday to one of the nicest young men I know, my grandson Ben!

Ben is kind, compassionate, fun-loving, and loves 

to help and serve others.

I love you Ben!

It was cold, rainy and windy today.  I didn't care because I stayed inside where it was nice and warm and where my sweet husband makes sure a fire is always going.

The part James ordered for the water pump came today, delivered to our door by UPS.  He says now the pump is barely leaking.  

James also spent time trying to fix the axle on his trailer.  He still needs it to pick up more stuff at the construction yard in Chandler.  

I wrote and addressed Christmas cards today, worked on my blog and read to James from "He Is Coming."  

Did I mention that this morning we looked outside and

there were 52 antelope in our yard.  How fun!

This evening we watched "A Nutcracker Christmas" starring Amy Acker.

Our friends the Whalen's.

Last year, playing games with Lois and Dawn.

The first Relief Society.