Friday, December 23, 2016

I am grateful for those people in my life who are peacemakers.

I had an opportunity to use this gift as a mother when

my children were growing up.

Ether 15: 18-34

What consequences can anger have for an individual or a family?

GC:  The Righteous Judge by Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"The natural man and woman in each of us has a tendency to condemn others and to judge unrighteously, or self-righteously.  This even happened to James and John, two of the Savior's Apostles.  They were infuriated when the people of a Samaritan village treated the Savior disrespectfully (Luke 9:51-54).  And when they saw this they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did?  But He turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (verses 54-56).

Kacey and Jared took Anna and Addy to the Gilbert temple this morning to do baptisms.  It was Addy's first time and they did family baptisms.  Thank you Kacey and Jared!

James wrapped Michael's GCU blanket we bought from Sheri and we delivered it this morning.  We left it on the porch because no one answered the door.  Michael texted later and said he got it.

Sheri ask us to take donuts to her house so we stopped by the Bosa Donuts south on Arizona Avenue and delivered a dozed donuts to Ben.  James, Joshua and Rowan were all there too along with Max and Evan and Alex.

Speaking of Evan, I got this picture off my phone.

It was taken a couple of years ago.

Our next stop Charlotte's to deliver Christmas presents and then Sonic to pick up a drink on our way south again to IHOP for breakfast.  I had fried eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and pancakes.  Of course I couldn't eat it all and shared with James.  

Grand Canyon

Next I MapQuested James's job for Jerod Bowen and we headed for Tempe to a tenant improvement James is doing for a medical office.  He took measurements, etc. while I waited in the car.

  

We wanted to find some fresh oranges to take home with us.  I told James they might have them at the new Fry's Artesian Marketplace on Ocotillo and Gilbert road so back to Chandler we headed.  

While at Fry's I got a ham and some chuck roasts (3), that were on sale.  Their oranges were way too expensive.  We drove out towards Queen Creek where James remembers getting oranges at a stand years ago, but there was no farm stands in that area.  I told him to drive up Power Rd.  I remember on my way to Dr. Allen's on Power and Baseline passing a farmstand somewhere just north of the 202.  Sure enought, it was there!  Vertuccio Farms.  We stopped and bought four bags of oranges, some strawberries and what turned out to be very delicious banana nut bread.  James was so excited!  Now we can head for home.  Since we were already on Power Rd. we went the Globe way home and stopped at Burger House for lunch.

We got home, unloaded the car, and settled down to watch a Christmas movie.  Jared, Kacey, James, Anna, Emmy, and Molly arrived way after we went to bed.

Family and Friends:

Niece Christine and her family, Jon, Eden, and Ander.

Kacey and her kids Tanner, Autumn, and Summer.

Christmas caroling at Lois's a couple of years ago when

Lola was a baby.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Houston temple.

Mormon 5:1-12

What lessons can we learn and apply to our lives from the writings of Mormon?  Why do you think he documented all of the wars and sorrows of the Nephites for us to read?

* We can learn from Mormon's writings that wickedness never was happiness!w  Mormon's accounts of events during his days has been full of sorrow and despair and unfortunately, because of their wickedness, life did not improve for the Nephites.  Mormon takes time in this chapter to explain what he thinks we should learn from this tragic account.  The Book of Mormon came forth in our day to persuade us that Jesus is the Christ.  Mormon sorrowed that his people did not repent so they could be clasped in the arms of Jesus.  Mormon increasingly looked beyond the tragedy before him to a people he hoped would profit from their mistakes.

GC:     "To Whom Shall We Go?" by Elder M. Russell Ballard

'Our precious relationships with families, friends, the Lord and His restored Church are among the things that matter most in life.

Because these relationships are so important, they should

be cherished, protected and nurtured."

I can do this!

I made a trip to town by myself this morning.  I picked up James's three month supply of Nefediprin and then went on to Walmart to do more shopping for Thanksgiving.  I also stopped at the post office to mail a temple name to Jared, and some bills.  The last stop was at the gas station to get gas and wash the mud off of my car.

I carried in and put away all the groceries.  James was grouting the stone outside and couldn't stop to help me.  When he finished he came in and ask me to read him a chapter from "The Justice of Alliction."  Afterwards James went back to work and I sat down on the couch to "rest" and watch the last part of the "DWTS" finale.  I knew Laurie had won, but I wanted to see it anyway.

Laurie and Val

I worked on my blog, watched "A Princess for Christmas," and ate my bean burro from Burger House.  

Monument Valley

James came in and made a fire and I read from "Justice of Affiction."  After reading we watched a new Christmas movie starring Daniel Lissing called "December Bride."  Daniel plays Mountie Jack in "When Calls the Heart."

Super moon tight rope walking.

I love these pictures: