Sunday, May 18, 2014

Show Low downtown chapel where I first gained my

testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My testimony led me to the temple and my own eternal family.

Gilbert temple

I had scriptures and prayers with James before he left to give his talk in the Clay Springs ward.  I prayed that through his faith and dedication he would have his voice to give his talk so the people would receive the message the Lord would want them to hear.

Wayne Todd Mayfield went as his speaking companion.  I continued to pray for him throughout the morning.

I got a text last night from Sean Hunsaker asking me if I would teach his Book of Mormon class tomorrow.  I said I would.  I will have to prepare for it this afternoon.

I went to my meetings by myself this morning.  Mel West and Jason Owens from our stake were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Jason serves on the high council.  Brother West posed these two questions to us in his talk: 1.) Are we carrying the right load for our salvation? and 2.) Are we helping others with their loads?. 

Brother Owens said that the Savior helps us pull our load. 

In Sunday School we learned about the prophet Balaam and his double mindedness.  I am reminded of a quote from Elder Ridd's talk in the priesthood session of general conference: "If you chase two rabbits, you won't catch either one."

We have a new 2nd counselor in Young Women's, Ruth Wilhelm.  We have needed someone for awhile and we are happy to welcome our 4th Wilhelm into Young Women's.  Oh yes, and our priesthood advisor is Brother John Wilhelm.

Today Sandra Wilhelm gave the lesson on prayer.  We had six girls who stayed for the entire lesson: Jordyn and Shelly Applegate, Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker, and Alice and Trenda Wilhelm.  Coty Iannoli was here for a few minutes but then she left.  Coty's dad lives in Show Low and she goes back and forth between Show Low and Vernon.  

After the block I attended BYC with LeeAnn, Shelly and Jordyn and the bishopric and young men leaders along with Talon Wilhelm and Jace Applegate.  The bishop wants you class presidents to call every young woman before every activity.  We haven't been calling Hunter, Alex, or Arizona but we will from this point on.

When I got home James had a delicious lunch of steak and gravy prepared for me.  Afterwards we had a nap and then I prepared to teach the Book of Mormon class.  We studied 2 Nephi 5-6.  The class went well.  We read five verses at a time and then we discuss them.  Those attending: Lorraine Vaught, Audrey Guerrero, Ellen Kustusiak, Paula Johnson, Elder Russel and Elder Scott, James, Lorraine Tieman, Nadine Singleton and her daughter, Robert who is an investigator, and Analee Hunsaker.  Ellen is also an investigator and wants to get baptized but has some habits she is having a hard time overcoming.  We need to pray for her.

James and I had FHE from Preach My Gospel and then we read from The Book Thief in front of the fire.

I forgot to mention that James did great on his talk.  Brother Mayfield says he is a "masterful orator."

 

 

 

Friday, April 18, 2014

The view outside my window this morning

Mosiah 11:1-15

What can we do when people all around us are living unrighteously?  Would we be like Abinadi and stand for

truth and righteousness? "When the wicked rule, the people mourn.

-D&C 98:9-10

"Through my own experiences and trials, I have learned that life's challenges are meant to change us and turn us to the Lord in faith."

-Amy Schauers,

April 2014 Ensign, p. 49

We made a trip to town today to return a hair product I ordered called Keranique that is supposed to restore hair loss.  I ordered the free 30 day trial only to find out if I keep it it will cost me $80 a month.  I couldn't wait to get that package sent off.  I was surprised to find that I still had not received my thyroid from Foothills Pharmacy.  I called and they said it should be here if not today, then tomorrow.  I have been out of thyroid since Monday.

After making a deposit at the bank we stopped at LaCasita for lunch.  I brought an Easter card with a pass along card inside for our favorite waitress, Charlotte.  As we were leaving she came up and thanked me for the card.  Inside I wrote a message which went something like this: "Charlotte, thank you so much for your friendliness when we come in to eat.  You are like a ray of sunshine and a bright spot in our day."  My goal is to work up the courage to invite Charlotte to take the missionary discussions.

Walmart was a mad house, I guess because it's the Friday before Easter.  I said hi to Mary Swift and Jordyn and Tamara Applegate.  James went to Home Depot and found a replacement bulb for our wax warmer, night light.  They do not have 15w ones at Walmart.  On the way home I read from The Book Thief.

 This is a picture of my brother

Dennis's grandson Sammy.

He reminds me of Dennis's son Tyler, and Dennis at that age.

James read my talk for stake conference this afternoon.  Although he said it was good he thinks that my intensive gospel study may discourage people and maybe I shouldn't share quite so much.  I will make some adjustments because I respect his opinion and advice.

James went for a Razr ride this afternoon while I was revising my talk.  He saw elk, deer, and turkey.  We also saw turkey on the way home from town today.

For dinner we had broccoli, cauliflower, and strawberries.  Afterwards we sat by the fire as I read some more from The Book Thief.

Paula Johnson sent out a fire restrictions letter from the fire department which goes into effect April 22, 2014.  It applies to more of northeast Arizona.  I quote from that letter: 

"Fire conditions in many regions are at historic maximums, meaning the vegetation that feed wildfires is or will soon be dry or drier than any in recorded history for this region."  James is going to call in the morning to see if he can burn a few piles of brush.  

It looked like rain this evening, but never quite made it.  

Evan taking a nap before his

flag football game.

 

Friday, March 28, 2014

The Hunsaker family

on their cruise.
 
Gospel Study
General Relief Society Meeting
October, 2013
"The Power, Joy, and Love of Covenant Keeping"
Linda K. Burton
1.  Bind myself to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through my covenants.  It is an expression of my love for them.
2.  Show my gratitude for the Atonement by keeping my covenants.
3.  My covenants should remind me to live, think, and act in a certain way.
4.  I will go where, say, and be what the Lord wants me to be.
5.  Be strengthened, empowered, and protected by my covenants. (1 Nephi 14:14).
6.  Have the courage and strength to bear others' burdens.
7.  Encourage family members to pray for each other.
8.  Encourage my family to keep their covenants.
9.  Teach children to keep simple promises in preparation for baptism.
10. Help my children establish the goal of having a Christ-centered home where love abounds and covenants are kept.
11.  Use Sister Burton's list (p. 113) for FHE discussions.
12. Remember keeping covenants is essential for true happiness.
13. Covenant keepers are commandment keepers.
14. Rejoice in the privilege of taking the sacrament.
15. Remind family: Always remember the Savior, always keep the Sabbath day holy, always have family prayer and scripture study and FHE.
16. Teach that ordinances and covenants are spiritual milestones.
17. Realize and be grateful for the blessings I receive because of the redemption of Jesus Christ.
18. Am I prepared for this question from the Savior on judgment day: "Did you love me?" (John 14:21)
"We Have Great Reason to Rejoice"
Carole M. Stephens
1.  Write notes praising others - express gratitude.
2.  Keep covenants daily by being kind and showing love.
3.  Teach others what the Holy Ghost feels like so they can recognize his influence in their lives.
4.  Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ with perfect love for God and others.
5.  Strengthen others with my testimony.
6. Strengthen my ward through reaching out and serving others.
7.  Exercise faith regarding missionary work.
8.  Pray each day to know who needs my help.
9.  Act on promptings I receive.
10. In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things.

I was hoping when I woke up this morning the swelling in my hand would have gone down, but it had not.  I woke up at my usual time and did my gospel study.  When James got up we discussed what we should do about my hand.  In the family prayer I offered I asked the Lord to let us know what to do.  We wanted to exercise faith in the blessing James gave me so we weren't sure we should seek medical help.  We prayed that if we weren't to seek medical attention we would know because the swelling in my hand would go down.  If within an hour we saw no improvement we would go to the emergency room.  Also, James called Dr. Moffat on his cell phone.  (He's the only doctor I've ever known who gives his cell phone number to his patients).  He is out of town but when he saw the picture of my hand he said I needed to go immediately to the hospital emergency room.  He said hand infections can be a nightmare.  

In one hour my hand was no better so we made the trek to the ER. The physicians assistant who saw me ordered bloodwork, an xray, and an ultrasound.  Bloodwork to check for an infection and to check my sedrate.  The ultrasound to check for a blood clot.  

Alpine view, Salzburg, Austria.

(Serenity now!)

The final diagnosis was cellulitis.  They gave me Benadryl via a drip to stop the itching and an infusion of an antibiotic and sent me home with a prescription for Kflex.  The final blow was when they had to cut my wedding ring off.  It's interesting in the report they wrote up they said it was my right hand.  Who wears their wedding ring on their right hand?  It was my left hand!

James stayed with me the entire time.  When I was released all we could think about was getting something to eat, so we headed for LaCasita for lunch and a visit with our favorite waitress, Charlotte.  After lunch I did a little shopping at Walmart.  On the way home I read to James from The Book Thief.  

At home after putting the groceries away I worked on my blog.  James has had to sign him and Lloyd up for dust control classes for this Camden Apartment job.  So many regulations.

We had razzleberry pie for dinner and watched Person of Interest (James did) before going to bed.  Maybe this picture will help me to have good dreams.

Turquoise Lake, Sierra Nevada, California.

The swelling in my hand has gone down significantly!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Morning Sky
I never saw the sun again for the rest of the day.

Gospel Study

Numbers 15

A man stoned to death for picking up sticks on the Sabbath.

He was a sinner who refused to obey.

Moses clearly taught that one who violated the Sabbath would be put to depth.

General Conference Goals

"Be Meek and Lowly of Heart"

Elder Ulisses Soares

My goal: To become more meek and humble.
"Do We Know What We Have"
Sister Carole Stephens
My goals:
1.  To allow the Atonement to fill me with hope and faith.
2.  Exercise faith in God's plan and respect priesthood ordinances and authority.
3.  Keep my covenants so I can receive greater personal revelation.

James slept in today.  Something I rarely see him do.  I think it's that darn sinus infection he has.  
We were going to go into town to get my tire fixed, it has a slow leak, but James had a patch kit and was able to fix the leak.  The tire had a screw in it  I love having a husband with skills!

James had a doctor's appointment at 4pm with Dr. Memon's PA, Eric Olson, so we ended up going into town anyway.  He has to get clearance for his surgery on March 18th.  While he was at his appointment I went shopping at Walmart and I also picked up my three month supply of folic acid and blood pressure meds.  The store was so crowded, and picked over.  There were no grapes, unripe strawberries, and they have no fresh pies.  I was hungry for apple pie so I bought a frozen Sara Lee pie instead.  

On the way home I read to James from The Book Thief.  We had baked apple pie for dinner.  It was quite good but James said it gave him heartburn.  

James and I are both suffering from blocked sinuses, I guess it's allergies, so we have nasal inhalers all over the house.  I even put one in my purse.  

Today I watched The Walton's and Wind at My Back.  James is starting to enjoy Wind at My Back.  In bed before 9!

Facebook finds:

I could do this!

Interesting thought

Snow, and a barren tree,

two of my favorite things!