OUR FAMILY: Saturday, January 13, 2024: James helps Max get Sheri's car out it takes over an hour, Beef gravy and biscuits, "Love & Lavender", Trip to town Anna's card, Michael's shopping, Evan's new car, shrimp linguine

Feather River California

184th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Oct 2023

By: Ulisses Soares

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 5

21 And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children.

Come Follow Me

"What Has Our Savior Done for Us?" Dallin H. Oaks, April 2021 GC and 1 Nephi 4:5-18 "I was led by the Spirit.

October General Conference

"How Great Will Be Your Joy" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

James helps Max get Sheri's car out of the snow bank it was stuck in all night. It wasn't easy and took them over an hour, but Max was so relieved!

The rest of the guys were waiting for James to come in and make gravy and biscuits. Alex brought up a ton of meat and told me when I went in to offer to help that he was the sous chef. James made me my own special portion. Everyone got some but some people wanted more. Even Michael ate it and he has always said he didn't like it. When James questioned him about that he said he didn't like elk.

I went back in to clean the kitchen and the boys insisted they were going to do it. James and Max did most of the cleaning. While I am there I get a biscuit. I didn't have any with my gravy.

I started another book to read by myself. James and I finished "Lily of the Manor" and now James is listening to "The Heir of Brownlie Manor" with me. The book I am listening to now is "Love and Lavender."

James and I took the truck into town. While we were gone the boys went on a Razr ride. I guess they aren't boys, they are all over 21. They just seem sort of like boys to me.

James's truck was almost out of gas. He used up so much gas getting people, and his trailer and truck "unstuck." He was worried about making it into town but didn't want to stop at Stanford because their gas is so much higher than anywhere else. We made it to Maverick only to discover that all of their pumps except a couple that were being used, were out of gas. We drove down and across the street to the Speedway where gas was $3.13 a gallon.

Lots of kids sledding on the hill in town across from Taco Bell. I told James we should tell the guys about the pit in Vernon where everyone goes sledding.

When Michael found out we were going into town he asked me to pick up a few things for him. His list looked something like this:

2 boxes of linguine, 2 pounds of large shrimp (preferably peeled and de-veined) 12 large eggs, Applewood smoked bacon, regular bagels, fresh parsley, 2 lemons, red pepper flakes, 1 garlic cluster, black pepper (the kind that you twist to crush) 12 pack of canned ginger ale and a 12 oz Red Bull. I realized this became a whole shopping list. if It's too much please be honest and I'll take stuff off the list. I don't want it to be a chore since you are doing us a favor. Also, I am making lemon shrimp linguine and you and grandpa are welcome to some.

How could I refuse when he was being so polite.

They still have no decent greeting cards so I told James we were going to have to go over to Walgreen's to find one. We found one with purple flowers and a purple envelope. I texted Anna asking what her address was so I could send her a card but she never answered so I used the address that Jared gave me. He said it was good a year ago. Anna lives in College Station, Texas.

It was quite warm today, around 50 degrees. James went to work outside when we got home. The boys were all gathered around the dining room table playing cards and they were very loud. I guess they were having a lot of fun. Soon it was Scattergories and it got even louder as they argued whether an overcooked turkey counted as Michael's answer. Everyone had to vote. Not sure what the outcome was.

I made a salad and the French bread Jared made when he was here. It's Pioneer Woman's recipe where you use to cubes of butter. I had a couple of pieces and told the guys they were welcome to have some.

Later Joe told me how delicious it was. There was one piece left in the basket.

It was fun seeing all of the guys in the kitchen helping to fix dinner. Alex was getting his and Nick's steaks ready while Nick was preparing the mashed potatoes. Joseph was zesting lemons for the shrimp linguine and Michael was showing Max how he wanted the garlic chopped for the linguine. Here is a picture I took:

Nick, Alex, Joe, Carter, Max, Michael

Not sure what Carter was doing but he

was in there helping.

When the shrimp linguine was finished Michael came and knocked on our bedroom door and told us to come in and have some, which we did. James liked it, but I loved it. I immediately looked up a recipe and will put it in my file.

Michael told me something interesting about a conversation that he had with Jared Ammon. Jared told him that he just wanted to go back and live with grandpa and grandma and help them. I was surprised. I figured he was pretty bored here. He is kind of a loner and doesn't mind being by himself.

A little bit about Bruce and Numara. Numara loves Bruce and follows him around. Bruce basically ignores Numara. Also Tom met Bruce. They sniffed at each other but that was pretty much it. I don't think Tom met Numara.

I texted Evan today asking him if he would make a commitment to go to church with his mom so she doesn't have to go by herself. This was his response:

"I've been going through some hard things, but I wasn't going to stop going to church. I promise I'll keep going with her."

I love Evan, he is such a sweetheart. He has been struggling lately and Sheri has been right there beside him supporting him in his trial.

I think he realizes that. I told him that she really needs him right now.

James and I watched a new series on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries called, "True Justice." It was good, but not as good as some of their other series. I give it a six or seven.

Some things I read today under Notes & Quotes:

In the Liahona on Self-Reliance:

Heber J. Grant testified that more can be done with the remaining portion of income after paying tithing than can be done with the whole amount before paying tithing.

From the Book of Mormon Seminary Manual, p. 29:

Reading the Book of Mormon for conversion:

"You should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time." Elder D. Todd Christofferson

He went on to say:

Ponder, read again, pray, ask questions, write down impressions.

Other quotes I liked. This one is from the series "Going Home."

"It's not what you look at, it's what you see that matters."

They sing "It Is Well With My Soul" when someone passes away.