OUR FAMILY: November 2023

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Thursday, November 23, 2023: The valley for Thanksgiving, Visit D's family & cranberry celebration, Sheri's for dinner, Stacy & Paul's, home to Vernon

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 5:1-12

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 28:7-8

Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. And there shall also be many which sha say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God-he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow e die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

Come Follow Me

2 Peter 1:1-11 Through the Power of Jesus Christ, I can develop my divine nature. Also read 1 Peter 4

October General Conference

"More Than a Hero" by W. Christopher Waddell

We left for the valley around 7:45 this morning. We are going through Salt River Canyon because our first stop will be at Darrel and Trina's. We arrived at there house at 10:45. The first thing we noticed was a group of boys in the green belt playing football. I mentioned to James that Rowan was probably one of them. He said he didn't see him. I couldn't imagine that boys would be out playing football in front of Rowan's house and he not be with them.

Lola answered the door. She is getting so big I always have to stop and make sure it's actually her. After giving her a hug Ruby was right there to hug us. Darrel and Trina were in the family room and we hugged them too. Addy was out running, and sure enough, Rowan was outside playing football.

For the first time in years Trina didn't go to the Turkey Trot. She is just getting over Covid and still has shortness of breath. Addy didn't go either but both of them ran at home. Sheri, Ben, and Michael all went to the Turkey Trot and they all got great times.

Dedicated 10K Turkey Trotters!

I got to talk to Lola, Ruby, and Addy who came in before we left. Here are some things I found out: Lola loves math and hip hop dance. Ruby got 29th out of 150 runners in the state for cross country. Not bad for a freshman. Seminary is her favorite class along with social studies. Addy said Calculus 2 is very hard. She is still working at Firehouse and she loves Institute.

I thanked Darrel for going to four Fry's to get our cranberry celebration. I also noticed that Darrel is getting gray hair. It makes him look distinguished. I wanted him to do Tri tip for our family Christmas party but he says he is working that day. Darn!

After saying our goodbye's we headed for Chandler. Sheri texted and asked us if we could stop and get three bags of ice so we headed for the Circle K on Fry and Arizona Avenue. James went in and grabbed the ice and we were gone. I did notice that Fry's is open today but who knows if they would have had any cranberry celebration. I'm grateful Darrel got ours yesterday. I didn't realize it was such a hot item.

James cut up our turkey and we added some chicken broth and put it in a crockpot where it would stay warm. Betty also brought a turkey. Hers was beautiful. I also put the gravy in a crockpot to warm up and the sweet potatoes. Sheri had stuff for a charcuterie board. She asked Sariah and Cayli to help her put it together. It looked great!

Sariah and Cayli are cousins who work at Chandler Eyecare. They are both from Washington state and Cayli is Ben's girlfriend.

Those brown ovals are not olives, they are

chocolate covered almonds. Sheri would

not forget the chocolate on her charcuterie.

I wish I would have taken a picture of Betty's bird. It was a beaut, perfectly golden brown all over. Ian started to cut it but didn't want to mess with its beauty.

Here is a picture of my plate of food.

James and I ate outside with Sheri, Ben, Cayli,

Sariah, Alex and Shayna.

Those still inside: Ian, Max, Evan, Betty, Sean and Matea, Sean's 13 year old daughter. Here is what was served for dinner:

Turkey, stuffing, yams, corn, potatoes and gravy, two kinds of mac & cheese, one was gluten free for Shayna, pink salad, pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie, key lime and apple pie and a gluten free chocolate pie for Shayna which looked beautiful. Sheri got the pies at Pi-fection. The key lime was so much better than the one we got from Village Inn.

James collected $3,000 from Armando while we were eating. Armando brought it buy. James also spoke on the phone to his mom, Dawn, Aunt Faye, and Connie who is in town. Aunt Faye was sad we weren't coming over to Lois's. She says that James is her favorite.

Betty, Sean and Matea left a little early because Matea was going over to her mom's to spend part of the day with her. Sean and Megan are divorced.

It was after Betty, Sean and Matea left that we took pictures which is a shame. We didn't get any of them.

Namera, Dallin and Michael's dog.

She is like a miniature Husky

The Child family

Alex, Max, Ian, Sheri, Ben, Evan

Tanner, Summer, Charlie, Kacey, Jared

Summer and Tanner

Clint and Janet Andersen family

Sariah, Cayli, Ben

Cayli and Ben

Alex and Shayna

After we cleaned up at Sheri's and said our goodbyes, we headed for Stacy and Paul's just to say hi. We skipped Kim and Brian's because they are coming to our house tomorrow.

Paul wasn't feeling well so he kept his distance from us. I hugged Dallin, Michael, Adam, Joshua, and Stacy. Jared Ammon hadn't arrived yet. They had not eaten and were just about ready so we didn't stay long. We just wanted to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

It was around 4:00 when we headed home. James has me convinced the Globe way is faster so that's the way we went. We were home by 7:10.

James fed the animals and then we washed our three crockpots together. We then walked for 30 minutes and then watched a movie for 30 minutes, alternating until the movie was over and we finished our 10,000 steps.

The movie we watched was called, "Catch Me If You Clause" starring Italia Ricci and Luke McFarlane. I like both of them but I can't say I liked the movie all that well. It was a bit weird although there were some funny parts.

All in all it was a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are filled with gratitude for our many blessings!

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Wednesday, November 22, 2023: Chase response to electronic letter refund our money, LaCasita, Wlmrt, HD, Trac Sply, sweet potatoes, freeze apples, cook turkey

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 4:1-23

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 32:42-43

And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Come Follow Me

1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:1-6 The gospel is preached to the dead so they can be judged justly.

October General Conference

"The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We got an electronic letter from Chase today. They have reimbursed us the last $5,000! I hope that never happens again!

James and I went into town today. We had lunch at LaCasita. I had a chicken enchilada with red sauce and James had his with green sauce. We each had a side over of beans although I couldn't eat all of mine.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to get something at Home Depot. After we were both done with our shopping we stopped at Tractor Supply on the way home to get some horse feed.

Back at home I took a short nap and then began my work in the kitchen. I made a sweet potato casserole minus the three tablespoons of flour it calls for. Sheri made sure I knew that Shayna can't eat flour and she loves sweet potatoes. I peeled, sliced and froze some apples and then got the turkey ready to cook. James went to bed around 9:30 while I stayed up with the turkey until passed midnight.

I watched a good Hallmark movie earlier this evening called "A Season for Family" about two singles adoptive parents who find out that their sons are biological brothers. The parents end up falling in love and they end up as one big happy family. That's what I like about Hallmark movies, most all of them have a happy ending.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023: Sleeping pill, Roger Wallace's stroke, Darrel goes to four Fry's for cranberry celebration, Family party discussion w Stacy, Kim sick, walk w/ book

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 3:1-22

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

3 Nephi 12:48

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Come Follow Me

1 Peter 1:3-9; 2:19-24; 3:14-17; 4:12-19 I can find joy during times of trial and suffering. Read 1 Peter 2

October General Conference

"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

I woke up at 3 am and couldn't sleep so I took a sleeping pill and then I slept in until 8:30. Wow! I never do that.

As I was looking through Facebook this morning I noticed a post about our friend and fellow Vernon ward member, Roger Wallace.

He had a stroke and was flown to St. Joseph's hospital in Phoenix. Roger played Santa last year for our ward Christmas party. He has a beard and a jolly countenance. I sat by him when we went to dinner at Pasta House and really enjoyed his company. He is Ralph Sedig's brother-in-law. We will be praying for Roger and his sweet wife Lynn.

Darrel called today and said he had been to three Fry's and they were all out of cranberry celebration. He said he would check at work tomorrow and see if there was any at that Fry's. I said that was fine and if he couldn't find any I would call Brian and have him check the Fry's in Chandler.

Darrel called me a few minutes later and said he found some. He heard a rumor, I guess lots of people are looking for it, that they had some at the Fry's on Power and Baseline. Thanks Darrel. I offered to Venmo him $20 but he said it wasn't nearly that much and I didn't need to Venmo him anything. Thanks Darrel!

Stacy and I have been talking about our family Christmas Party where we normally eat and play the White Elephant Game. Stacy doesn't like the game. She says it's gift taking not gift giving. She says she won't play but if that's what everyone else wants to do, that's fine. I was watching a movie where everyone drew a name for Secret Santa and I suggested we do Secret Santa instead. She liked that idea and she is going to talk to her family and I am going to talk to everyone else and see what they think. The only thing I said was that if someone draws a name, they are committed to buy a gift for that person and come to the party. She agreed. Now we have to see how everyone else feels about this change.

I finally felt good about 4 p.m. today. That's when I actually got out of the bedroom and did some chores. I made some dinner and brought some apples in from the garage to freeze. James and I got the turkey out and I put on a dry brine and then we wrapped it in Saran Wrap and stuck it back in the frig.

I got a text from Kim saying she was sick. Joe had it first and shared with her. This is what she said: "My whole body hurts like it's on fire. Massive headache, sore throat, congestion, chills. I did not do my lesson Sunday. I tried, but I had different issues last week - dizzy, off balance, my eyes kept blurring in and out. I tried, but I could not read or write anything for longer than 20 minutes."

She said she and Brian probably wouldn't come up until Saturday instead of Friday. They were bringing a big dinner: Ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls, stuffing, gravy, punch, pecan pie and pumpkin dessert.

Joe says he doesn't think he and Michael are coming up because Michael wants to stay a week and Joe can't miss that much work.

So we went from company to no company, at least on Friday.

Listened to Lynne Hilton Wilson as part of my "Come Follow Me" study. James and I walked and listened to "A Not So Distant Love."

Courtney's cranberry pistachio cake

I love old houses!

Mt. Baldy, Arizona

Alice Wilhelm got married

to Trace Brown

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Monday, November 20, 2023: Dusting of snow on trees, officially cold, James going crazy over state sales taxes, 2024 Planner arrived!, gingerbread house boxes too, JCP, Walmart, Firehouse Subs, pies @ Wilhelm's, "A Paris Christmas Waltz"

Oquirrh, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 2:17-29

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Mosiah 3:19

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Come Follow Me

1 & 2 Peter "Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory"

Read 1 Peter 1

October General Conference

"Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ in Word and Action" by Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella

Inklings

"The Power of Jesus Christ in Our Everyday Lives" by Elder Joaquin E. Costa

I got up at 5:30 this morning. There was a dusting of snow on the trees this morning. It is officially cold!

James is trying to work things out with the state of Arizona regarding state sales taxes. They say he owes $5,700 and he says he already paid the taxes at point of purchase. He has tried to call but only gets automated messages and when he goes online they don't accept his deduction codes and they keep saying he still owes the above sum.

The online site locked him out so he wrote them a letter and we sent it off when we went to town. We also mailed some bills that I paid.

When we stopped to get the mail I received the 2024 planner I ordered and the cute cardboard treat carrier gingerbread houses I ordered. The houses are so cute, all 20 of them.

When we got to town our first stop was at J.C. Penney's where I bought two more blankets. While shopping at Walmart I picked up two little Christmas blankets for Charlie and Scarlett. They will get two blankets. While I was shopping James went over to Home Depot to pick up something. He also picked up a Firehouse sub for us to share. I reminded him that I had pork chops in the crockpot at home. I guess we will have them for tomorrow.

On the way home we stopped at John and Sandra Wilhelm's to pick up pies I ordered from her. There is a key lime one and a banana cream. When we got home I had a piece of banana cream and James had some key lime although he said it wasn't nearly as good as the lime pie that I make.

We walked and then watched "A Paris Christmas Waltz."

Oh I forgot. We bought a new comforter for our bed at Penney's today. James doesn't like the new one I bought because it has too much white on it. The white on his side is more of a tan now.

A future fashion designer

Joshua and his friend Alana got the sportsmanship

awards for their cross country team.

Congratulations!

Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf starred in "A Merry Scottish Christmas." Will Kemp had a cameo and asked Lacey to do a Scottish dance with him. She said: "Oh no, I can only do the waltz and the tango. (They made "A Christmas Waltz" together and "The Dancing Detective." In one movie they did the waltz and the other they did the tango.)

Sheri's cookie exchange invitation

Sunday, November 19, 2023: Up @ 5:30, Cold, rainy & windy today, flurries of snow,, High Council Sunday Knippers & Reagan. Signup to clean temple, James 1:5 a ham sandwich, "A Christmas Love Story", Facetime J's family

Draper, Utah

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 2:1-16

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 9:28-29

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

Come Follow Me

Sunday School Class Discussion

October General Conference

"Walking in Covenant Relationship" by Sister Emily Belle Freeman

I got up around 5:30 this morning thinking about the box of apples that I bought from Sandra Wilhelm last week. I put them in an ice chest out in the garage. I went out to check and make sure they weren't rotten. They are okay but I need to do something to preserve them. I think I am going cut most of them in slices and freeze them in baggies. It's something I've not done before but I looked it up and it is totally doable.

Today is high council Sunday. Dr. Knippers was the high councilman who spoke in our ward. His companion was a young man, J.J. Reagan who is a return missionary from the Bentonville, Arkansas mission.

Dr. Knippers started out by telling us how much President Beeler loves us and that the stake presidency always prays for us. He then said that we are all representatives of Jesus Christ and that we need to share His love for us with others. He said: Bringing souls to Christ brings joy. He talked about the conversion of Alma the younger in Alma 17. When he met his friends after their missions he was grateful that they were still his friends in the Lord. They had taught the Lamanites who began to obey and buried their weapons of war rather than fight. Alma 23:7 says - "For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren. He then quoted Helman 3:35 which is one of my favorite scriptures: "Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." They went from obedience to consecration. He quoted from Emily Belle Freeman's talk in this last conference: "When I cross the threshold of His house I enter into a deeper covenant relationship. Ask myself: "What can I do to have a more consecrated heart? Obedience and sacrifice. Go from duty to love.

J.J. Reagan - I wonder if he is Dr. Reagan's son. He is from the Rainbow Lake ward. Brother Reagan spoke on the temple and eternal families. He had no notes at all.

There is joy in the temple. #1. The Jorgensen family on his mission. 7 children. I was privileged to attend the temple with the mother and three of their children. She was praying for her husband to be baptized. He is not far from it. #2. Woman who was a Cuban refugee. There is hope and joy in the temple. Hope of an eternal family. This was a family who had no worldly good who are preparing to go to the temple where they will have everything.

Jimmy Applegate taught our Sunday School class on the book of James. We talked a little about grace vs. works but my takeaway was his focus on James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Brother Applegate reminded us of the importance of this scripture and without it none of us would be here as members of the Lord's Church today. Verses 5&6 together make a chiasmus statement where the importance thing is in the middle. He called it a ham sandwich. I should have copied his demo. It was good.

Catherine Halcomb took me aside today and said she was worried about James's neuropathy. She said she wants to have us over for dinner where she will show James some things he can do to treat the neuropathy. She took treatments at the Compass Health Center in Snowflake for her neuropathy and she says it saved her feet. She is always very kind to think of James.

Another thing she talked about was getting the Kostusiak's to the temple. She said there is an article in this month's Liahona that she is going to have Ellen read. She also said she is going to make her a white temple dress. How can she say no to that. My concern is that Dave has not progressed in the priesthood. I wonder if he attends Elder's quorum. I need to ask James.

For lunch James said we needed to heat up the green chili pork I made and finish it off. I heated what I thought was it up and made a burro for James. When he tasted it he said it was awfully sweet and it tasted funny. I tasted it and realized I had used the sweet pork I had taken out of the freezer the other day instead of the green chili pork. I ate James's burro and he heated up the green chili and ate it with some beans.

We finished eating the baked apples with oatmeal that I made. So tasty!

I got a text from Kim this afternoon. They are coming up the Friday after Thanksgiving and bringing a big dinner. She wants to know if I want ham or turkey. James and I vote for ham. Joe and Michael have been planning on coming but I am not sure. I text Michael but I don't here back from here. Joe isn't sure what Michael's plans are.

I text Darrel and ask if he can get us 16 oz of cranberry celebration at Fry's. He says that he will. Since he works at Fry's I didn't think it would be a problem.

James and I watched an older Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movie, "A Christmas Love Story." Kristen Chenoweth and Scott Wolfe. It was a good story and we enjoyed it but I'm not sure watching Christmas movies is a good Sunday activity. I felt a little guilty. I did finish listening to "Unshaken Saints" today.

James built a fire and we had our scriptures and gospel study by the fire. It was nice. After scriptures we Facetimed with Jared, Charlie, and Kacey. Here are some things we learned and enjoyed in this FaceTime with Jared's family:

Charlie had on her Christmas 'jammies. They are red plaid and so cute. I suggested that Jared and Kacey get some to match. Jared didn't like that idea. Charlie showed us the Christmas tree in her room. She sang a turkey song for us and showed us one of her favorite Christmas decorations and also wanted us to see Lovie. In return she wanted to see some snow so James opened the patio door and showed a pile of snow that fell off the roof.

Kacey had on an ASU sweatshirt. I guess their ward is getting a new bishop soon and she thinks it could be Jared. I think he would be a great bishop!

Jared is tired of their ward never doing any activities so he invited the elders quorum over to his house the other night to watch a basketball game. Seven people showed up. I would say that was a pretty good showing for a spur of the moment invite. Jared also told about preparing his talks for sacrament meeting each month and putting Christmas lights on the house. It was a nice visit and we are so grateful for this Facetime chats! We love you guys so much!!