Sunday, June 29, 2014

"How tragic that God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, and the world is so blind and apathetic that it does not care.  It turns away from the gift as if it were of no consequence whatever."

-Elder Gerald N. Lund

A smokey sunrise.

Although James said he knew that our home would be okay and we would survive the fire just as a precautionary measure he went around yesterday and took pictures of almost everything in our house of any value at all.  

President Williams, our stake president, spoke to us in our sacrament meeting this morning.  He was there to bring comfort and lend his support.  He said that within just a few hours after the fire began on Thursday he received a call from Church headquarters in

Salt Lake asking him what could be done for the people of Vernon.  I have to say that really got to me.  I know that we are loved by a kind and gracious Heavenly Father and we are in His hands.  I know that He wants us to take care of each other.  What a comfort it is to know the Church has a system in place that makes this possible.  

Jordyn, Shelly, and Hope sang "Come Unto Christ" in sacrament meeting today.  They were accompanied by Elder Stott.  It was beautiful!  

Our home teachers, Chuck Crane and Collin DeWitt came by for a visit this afternoon.  The first presidency message was on family history work and Chuck shared some stories from his family regarding family history.  It was a nice visit.  

At 4pm James and I both attended the Book of Mormon class taught by Sean Hunsaker.  We read and discussed 2 Nephi 9:25-2 Nephi 11.  We met Juanita.  We had a discussion about suicide because of a question Ellen Kostusiak had.  Ellen comes faithfully but she is not a member because she has a word of wisdom problem.  

James went home teaching to the Hunsaker's and the Wilehelm's and then we went to watch the fire.  The back burn was like an early fireworks show.  James and I rode the Razr down and watched it for awhile.  It almost looks like they may have done too much. 

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."

 

 

 

Sunday, March 30, 2014

I love this quote!

Gospel Study

Today I wrote from memory the first two sentences of The Family Proclamation:

"We, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All Human Beings - male and female - are created in the image of God."

I also memorized the first two sentences from The Living Christ:

"As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.  None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth."

I also memorized the first line of Joseph's testimony of the First Vision:

"I saw a pillar of light, exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me, ..

I wrote my testimony in my Testimony journal. 

I also wrote a letter to my family, I do this monthly, encouraging them to keep the commandments.

As I was working on the family letter this morning I realized it was too long so as I was getting ready for Church I began devising another idea in my head.  I would break the letter down; Parents, Young Adults, Young Men and Young Women, Primary baptized, Preparing for baptism, and Jr. Primary.  After my meetings, breaking our fast, lunch, and a short nap I went to work on a new letter.  Here again I only had an hour to work before I had to stop and get ready for Book of Mormon class.  James wanted me to go with him and it's one of my goals as a way to fellowship new members, and investigators, so I had to stop again.  

Speaking of family, here is a picture

of Marvin Johnson with his kids.

We left the Book of Mormon class early so I could take James home and be back at the Church by 5:30 to pick up and take Shelly Applegate and Haily Lootans to the youth camp leaders camp meeting at the stake center.  During the meeting I got a call from President VanWinkle asking me if I would speak in stake conference on Easter Sunday.  The topic: "How I Come unto Christ and how I help my family Come Unto Christ."  I am a little nervous but grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony of the importance of coming unto Christ. 

I got home after 8pm.  I had a snack and went to bed with my sweetie who is leaving for the valley early in the morning.

I forgot to mention that during the third our of our meetings today the bishopric spoke to us on the importance of strengthening families.  It was really good.  Afterwards I had James get a Family Guidebook from Bishop Hall.

 Looking at this peaceful setting in England should help me to have good thoughts as I sleep tonight.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

James had high council meeting in Show Low at 6:00.  He left after we had family prayer around 5:20.  He made it back in time for us to attend our Sunday meetings together. 

 I have a thing for light and clouds.

Aaron Windsor was the youth speaker.  He spoke on the importance of using good language and "taming your tongue."  The Diewalds', Jim and Linda spoke on their service at the cannery.  They were just released from a two year service mission.  

In Sunday School we discussed the Abrahamic Covenant, one of my favorite gospel topics.  

Denice Hall, the bishop's wife, gave the lesson in Young Women's.  We watched a video about making choices where a girl explains to her friend why she doesn't believe in a woman's right to have an abortion.  It was one of the best answers I have ever heard.  She said that Heavenly Father gave us the powers to create life and it would be going against His purpose to then destroy that life.  She spoke about how life doesn't begin or end in this life and of the sanctity of marriage.  It was great.  

After the block we had a song practice with the young women in the Relief Society room.  Dianna brought some snacks and Tamara Applegate helped the girls practice their song "Come Unto Christ" which they are singing at New Beginnings on Wednesday.  

There is one table easel in the library and we need 8 more by Wednesday.  I am so grateful I have a husband with some carpentry skills and that he is going to be home to help me make these easels.  
When I returned from our song practice our home teachers were visiting, Collin Dewitt and Chuck Crane.  After they left we had lunch and then a nap. 

At 4pm we went to the Book of Mormon class.  We finished through 1 Nephi 15.  Afterwards I went with James to visit the Peeler's, a family he home teaches.  The Peeler's are a retired older couple.  They are both temple workers and Brother Peeler is the Stake Sunday School President.  Sister Peeler's back was bothering her.  She said she would be going to the chiropractor's tomorrow.

My sunset picture

James's sunset picture.

This evening James and I watched a movie we have already seen but really enjoyed called "Love's Enduring Promise."

Facebook finds:

I have a thing for castles and snow.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

James leaves for high council at 5:20 this morning.  I got up and ironed his shirt for him and then stayed up to prepare a backup lesson for Young Women's just in case.  At 7am I attend ward council in place of Diana who is not going to be here today.  By attending ward council you find out what's really going on behind the scenes in the ward.  I was excited to get Elder Russel and Elder Westover's report on who they are teaching.  Now I can pray for these people by name.  I wore my purple skirt and the purple scarf that Lorraine Vaught gave me today. 

James met me at church before sacrament meeting.  The messages were on missionary work.  Trenda Wilhelm was the youth speaker, and the main speakers were Steve Allen and Mel Wilhelm.  In Sunday School today I got to read a quote by Elder Scott to parents of wayward children.  It was really good! 

Randa Covert gave the lesson in Young Women on the premortal life.  We only had five girls attend.  I wonder where Maddie, Kelly, Hope and Heaven were.

Rosie Lauritzen gave me a valentine card and a candy bar today.  So sweet of her! 

James took citrus fruit to Lorrain Vaught, Sean and Sefani Hunsaker, John and Sandra Wilhelm, and the Crane's.  Kathy Crane was so exicted.  She says citrus fruit is one of the things she misses since moving away from southern California.

As we were going in to our Book of Mormon class Analee Hunsaker said to me: "It feels like spring."  It really does.  It is in the 60's here and in the 80's in the valley.  Where did winter go?  I guess back east.

After our Book of Mormon class I came home and fixed what I call one of our "years supply" dinners.  I used Stovetop stuffing, canned chicken, chicken broth, and cream of chicken soup.  James loved it!

We watched "When Calls the Heart" this evening. 

Facebook finds:

Cathi's daughter Wendy with

Kenny Chesney.

 Old Man Winter.

This looks like something Carmen would do.

Carmen?

Rusty Allen from the Vernon ward just put

his mission papers in.

Rusty is one of the nicest young men

I have ever met.

From Richard G. Scott's message in the

February Ensign.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

The left side of my face still has some swelling.  I wasn't going to go to church but I layed down and put an ice pack on my face and it looked a little better.  Diana and I had planned on visiting less active girls today after the block to invite them to the Gilbert Open House on February 1st.  It was because of this commitment that I went to my meetings.  I went by myself because James is speaking in the Cibeque branch today with Sean Hunsaker. When I got to church the first person to speak to me was Jimmie Applegate.  He asked me to say the closing prayer in sacrament meeting.  How could I refuse?

Another reason I needed to come today was to give Linda Diewald her birthday present, a jar of homemade jam, vanilla sugar body cream and a bag of peanut M&M's.  If anyone noticed that the side of my face was swollen, no one said anything.  I sat next to Kathy and Chuck Crane during sacrament meeting.  Cole Davis, a high councilman from Clay Springs was our speaker.  The topic was missionary work.  Alice Wilhelm gave her first talk in sacrament meeting.  She did a good job.

In Sunday School was studied the creation as recorded in the book of Moses.  Brother Wilhelm gave me something to read and made the comment that he loves to hear me read.  How nice!
Diana Curtis gave the lesson in Young Women's on Heavenly Father.  Her lessons are always good.  After the block Diana and I visited Alex Jones, Arizona Hill, and we went to Coty Iannoli's.  She was at her father's today so we told Brother Kuper about our trip to the temple.

James and I attended Sean Hunsaker's Book of Mormon class.

I am excited about our trip to the valley tomorrow to tour the Gilbert temple with Dennis and Denise.

Gilbert Temple

Sheri posted this picture of Ian helping Evan with his Egyptian pyramid project for school.

The pyramid was amazing!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

We had prayer before James left for high council this morning at 5:15.  We are fasting for missionary work and reactivation of family members.  

There was a beautiful sunrise this morning a little after 7.  I really need a new camera that would caputure the colors a little better.

For part of my gospel study I read Elder Holland's conference talk on mental illness and depression.  I am so grateful for the Savior and how He helps people with ailments and gives them hope.

James made it back in time from high council to take me to church.  I wore my new black sweater and blue blouse.  I love them!  We had fast and testimony meeting today because last Sunday was Sadie Westbrook's farewell.  I bore my testimony.  I talked about how strong the youth are in our ward and said that I knew that Jesus Christ was the Only Begotten Son of the Father, that he atoned for our sins, and that someday we will be resurrected because of Him.  

When we got home from the block meetings we broke our fast with our burros from Burger House.  I kept my Sunday clothes on because Kilee Hunsaker is coming over to index and then we are going to the Book of Mormon scripture class.  

James went home teaching with Westin Hall to the Wilhelm's today.  He took them some grapefruit and oranges.  He said Trenda answered all the questions he asked and I told him that sounded about right, just like she does in Young Women's.  

Kilee went with us to the Book of Mormon class which is being taught by her dad.  When I helped her get a username and password for indexing her password was daddysgirl45.  Brother Hunsaker is such a nice man!

There was a good turn out to the class and James and I really enjoyed it.  The elders were there because this is part of the ward's effort to do missionary work.  After the class was over James set apart Stefani Hunsaker as the Stake Primary secretary.

This is what the sky looked like when we came out of the church around 5:30:

.Beautiful!

It was a very enjoyable sabbath day.  To top it off we watched "Ultimate Treehouse Masters."  Pete, the treehouse master, builds an adventure treehouse in the Pocana mountains of Pennsylvaion.  It was so awesome, I saved the show!

Facebook finds:

James says this was true of the raven he had, although he 

never held a grudge against James.

 I want to make these bubbles

when the grandkids are here next time.