Friday, March 21, 2014

Misty Morning, The Dark Hedges,

Ireland.

Got up and slept in the recliner until about 6:30. I can't remember when my knees have ever hurt this bad.  While I was studying this morning, James made me some breakfast.  He is so very thoughtful and it was yummy!

Around noon James and I made a trip into town to transfer money from National Bank to Chase.  We stopped at Wendy's for lunch.  I wanted to get a salad and try their burger on ciabatta bread with roasted tomatoes but we couldn't find it on the menu.  I ordered a BBQ Ranch chicken salad to eat later on for dinner and James and I both got a single burger.  We both ate our burgers but I'm afraid we complained for these reasons: 1.) They were too expensive, $3.99.  We thought we were ordering small burgers. 2.) They had cheese, we did not order cheeseburgers, and they had mayo, not a favorite condiment of ours.  Oh well, we managed to get them down without too much of a problem.  

On the way back home I read to James from The Book Thief.  We are beginning to like it even though we know it's going to be sad.  I finished all of my gospel study.  I was way behind so it took a good part of the day.  I am determined to finish all of the October 2013 General Conferences addresses before the end of the month.  When I do, I will have read them each six times.  I was so behind in my Old Testament reading that I read 10 chapters from Deuteronomy today.  

Today's Conference Goals:

"Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ"

Elder Richard G. Scott

1.  Recognize the power of the Atonement by studying it

more deeply and striving to live by its principles in my life.  Also, express gratitude for it daily.

2.  Fortify my weaknesses to create strengths.

3.  I need a humble, lifelong commitment to forsaking my sins.

4.  Make weak things become strong by removing temptations.

(Got rid of most all of the candy in my life).

5.  Make sure my repentance is thorough and complete.

6. Fill my life with service.

"I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee"

President Thomas S. Monson

1.  Don't complain, especially over Church assignments.

2.  Be patient.

3.  Make the gospel the center of my life.

4.  Be grateful.

5.  Endure well, to the end.

6.  Become more spiritually refined.

 

 

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

James is doing amazingly well going up and do the stairs.  He does have his "boot" on and uses a cane.  So far he hasn't had much pain.  
 
I studied this morning until about 11 when I got ready to go somewhere with Kim.  

Conference Goals:

"Be Ye Converted"

Bonnie L. Oscarson

1.  Be true to my covenants.

2.  Be truly converted so I can experience a

mighty change of heart. (Msh 5:2)

3.  Make righteous efforts to follow the Savior.

4.  Live the gospel and make sacrifices for it.

5.  Live the law to gain a testimony of it.

6.  Feel the confirmation of the Holy Ghost

with decisions I make.

7.  Testify boldly to others.

"The Strength to Endure"

Elder Richard J. Maynes

1. Develop spiritual strength.

2.  Honestly and sincerely repent.

3.  Make Christ-centered choices inspired

by the Holy Ghost.

4.  Have dedication, perserverance, and self-discipline.

5.  Study, learn, and live the principles

of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

6.  Consistently Choose the Right.

It is still Chandler's spring break and that's why I was lucky enough to get to do something with Kim today.  The first thing we did was go through the drive-thru of Chik-fil-a to get some lunch, and then

we headed for the new Sweet Tooth Fairy on Baseline and Greenfield, right across the street from Hobby Lobby.  Kim was sweet enough to go into Hobby Lobby with me to look for my lightbulbs.  There were none but they were stocking the shelves and one of the workers told me to come back tomorrow morning.

At Sweet Tooth Fairy I got a vanilla cupcake with strawberry frosting and a frosted oatmeal cookie.  I ate the cupcake which was very delicious and took the cookie home to James.  I am so glad I got to spend some time with Kim.  When she dropped me off I decided to finish my quest for lightbulbs.  I stopped by Sweeties and got some more Lemonheads.  The last ones I got weren't Lemonheads they were Lemon Sours and they don't fit inside my lightbulbs.  On to Ahwatukee Hobby Lobby where I had no luck.  I also did a little shopping at Target.  I needed to get some M&M's because I am babysitting for Darrel and Trina's kids this afternoon and we are going to watch the movie Frozen.

At 3:45 Trina dropped Addy, Rowan, and Ruby off on her way to work at Gilbert Mercy.  Joshua had been waiting to see Rowan all day.

 Waiting for Rowan

Of course Max and Evan came down to join in the fun.  The boys ran off to play and Addy, Ruby and I sat down to watch "Frozen."

After the movie the girls wanted to go outside.  We spent about 20 minutes looking for one of Ruby's shoes but never found it.  She said she only needed one because she would put the other one on the scooter.

One shoe off and one shoe on.

Love that smile.

Addy on the "pump" scooter.

Ruby insisted that we go to the park across the street and of course the boys went with us.

Notice everyone is barefoot except Addy

and Ruby, who has one shoe.

I had so much fun with these kids and am so grateful I got to spend some time with them today.  

For dinner we got takeout from Pei Wei and so did Stacy's family.

Facebook find:

Alaska

 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Beautiful morning sky over Mt. Vernon.

Conference Goals

"To My Grandchildren"

President Henry B. Eyring

1.  Teach my grandchildren about the 

plan of salvation.

2.  Teach the first two great 

commandments. Matt: 22:36-38

3.  Feel the joy of forgiveness

through the Lord's Atonement.

4.  Encourage my family to accept and magnify

every calling they receive.

5.  Plead for the companionship of the

Holy Ghost.

6.  Look for the miracles as I serve.

7.  Have a marriage free from discord.

8.  Remember, angels are watching over us.

9.  Someone I love will seek and feel

the power of the Atonement.

10.  God has devised a plan to save

all His children.

11.  Remember there is joy guaranteed

for the faithful.

"No Other Gods"

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

1.  Remember the Ten Commandments.

2.  Put God first in my life.

3.  Follow the Savior's example.

4.  Be careful of spiritual apathy and

undisciplined appetites.

5.  Base my priorities on the commandmnets

and the Plan of Salvation.

6.  Make my family my ultimate treasure.

7.  Teach the Lord's law of morality.

8.  Remember my covenants to love God

and keep His commandments.

9.  Have the courage of my convictions

It's another fun day Monday.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 Chandler friend

Lynette Braddock

Around 5:30 James and Alex got up and left to go fishing at Silver Creek.  Here is just a sample of what they caught.  

 Alex caught 10 fish!!

 James caught two.

It was a great day for these two fishermen!

 

After Sheri's run we watched last night's episode of The Mentalist.  She, Ben, Max, and I played Five Crowns.  I won my third game in a row.  I won two yesterday.  I beat Max by only two points and he was quite sad.

Sheri and I got ready and went into town. At town I made a deposit at both Chase and National Bank and then we went to Walmart.

I got Evan a pumpkin pie because last night when Max said something about making him into a pie Evan said: Pie?  Are we having pie?  I want pumpkin.  I also got James a pecan pie.  

Sheri had to make a run to Circle K and then stopped at Little Caesars for a couple of pizzas and some breadsticks.  

We played one more game of Five Crowns.  This time Sheri won.  I felt like everyone was against me.  

Sheri asked Evan if he wanted some macaroni and cheese and he said: "Not unless you have italian cheese."  He watched Pioneer Woman yesterday and that's what she used in her homemade mac & cheese.

Did I mention that Evan is an artist and a writer.  He wrote a book and drew this picture.

 This is a picture of a robot.

Evan likes robots.

Sheri talked herself into going home this evening.  Here are her reasons: 1.) She needs to take Max to the dentist. 2.) We are leaving early in the morning.  So they packed up and left.  I was a little sad but totally understood why.

Sheri and her handsome boys.

James and I watched The Mentalist before going to bed.

Facebook finds:

Wish I would have wrote down

where this was taken.

I love this!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Conference Goals

President Eyring: "Bind Up Their Wounds"

1.  Act upon those compassionate feelings I have.  Ask the Lord for compassion if needfull.

2.  Be willing to sacrifice to serve others and the Lord.

3.  Pray to know who to ask to serve others.

4.  Rescue those with spiritual wounds.  Invite them to feel the warmth of the gospel.

5  Treasure up continually the words of life . . .

6.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God because I have treasured it.

7.  Develop greater charity.

President Monson: "True Shepherds"

1.  Visit each sister I am assigned and pray with her.

2.  Prepare a handout.

3.  Bear testimony and teach and inspire.

4.  Bring the Spirit.

5.  Understand sisters' challenges.

6.  Become friends with sisters I visit.

7.  Be a good listener.

8.  Be persistent and dedicated.

9. Remember Christ's example. 

I wanted to share a little something I read in Numbers 35 today: Murderers were to be slain by the Revenger of Blood.  Cities of refuge were established for those who committed manslaughter.  Revenger of Blood was the nearest relative of the person who was murdered.  

It snowed for a few minutes today but of course nothing stuck.  We did get some rain and some ominous clouds all around us.  I love looking at the wide open skies and mountains around us. 

For lunch we ate enchiladas, James loves them, and watched Elementary.  Afterwards we argued who was going to use the computer.  I can't remember who won.  Probably James.

I made a trip to town to deposit a check.  James put air in my tire before I left.  I checked it in town before going home and it only had 10 lbs. of air.  I put air in and left for home on a wing and a prayer.  It was cool and overcast and the mountains around Vernon had snow on them.   

When I get home I sit down in my designated chair at the dining room table and land on the floor when the leg breaks off under me.  James glued the leg and let it sit.  He will put it back on tomorrow.  

While I typed James's talk for Sunday, he made kale and butternut squash stirfry for dinner. It's a recipe I got from watching The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.  His talk is entitled: "Priesthood Ordinances & Covenants."  While I am typing I watched two episodes of The Walton's.  

We went to bed a little after 8.

Facebook finds:

 Sheri and Evan are feeling a little under the weather.

 Puffer makes a good catch.

 Aint' it the truth.

 Water Tower Plaza, Chicago.

 The Seattle Temple.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

General Conference Goals

Elder Randy D. Funk "Called of Him to Declare His Word"

1.  Believe in the power of prayer.

2. Be humble and obedient and listen to the Spirit.

3.  Make sure I fully repent.

4.  Partake of the sacrament with a humble and repentant heart and spirit.

5.  Be healed through the Atonement and feel peace.

6.  Think pure thoughts continually.

7.  Through obedience and service receive power from God to do more that I could by myself.  Feel the enabling power of the Atonement.

8.  Trust in the Lord that He will bless others through me.

9.  Memorize Joseph's words at the First Vision.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"You Can Do It Now!"

1.  Use effort and discipline to overcome my weaknesses.

2.  True repentance is about transformation, not self-loathing.

3.  Turn my heart and will to God and give up sin. 

I Can Do It Now!

4.  Remember who I am, a child of God.

5.  What would Jesus do?

I also read the article in the month's Ensign: "Faith and Fortitude - Women of the Old Testament."  I loved this article and am including the concepts I learned from reading in it my meditation journal.

After finishing Jacob 5 and family prayer, James left for the valley.  He has a meeting at Camden apartments and will hand in the contract he has already signed.  The job is scheduled to start next week.  He also wanted to get some work done on our house but none of his guys showed up.  You can't blame them for getting another job, but it's disappointing.  

I wasn't a good day for James.  He went to Fry's to get some fried chicken and cranberry celebration and his credit card was declined.  I was in the middle of paying bills and discovered the credit card was maxed out so I paid $500 on it.  By the time he went to get gas the card was usable.  He decided to come home and on the way he stopped at the Fry's in Globe and got some fried chicken and cranberry celebration.

The sky looks ominous this evening and it might rain during the night.  James had some enchiladas for dinner, one of the reasons he came home and then we sat down and watched an episode of Castle.  We were in bed before 9.  It's what old people do, especially when they get up early.

Facebook finds:

  Bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan.

Napali Coast, Kaui, Hawaii

I'm trying to break this habit.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Conference Goals

President Uchtdorf - "Come Join With Us"

1.  Feel the power of the Atonement.

2.  Grow closer to the Savior.

3.  Become a better person through the Atonement.

President Packer - "The Key to Spiritual Protection"

1.  Be not afraid, only believe.

2.  Keep my covenants.

3.  Make the Holy Ghost a moving force in my life.

4.  Repent in my personal prayers.

5.  Teach principles from the Book of Mormon.

6.  Be happy, find hope, turn toward the light.

7.  Unlock protection and redemption in the scriptures.

 Up and ready to go to the valley.  James was supposed to be at Dr. Moffat's office by 8 am.  We got as far as the middle of Vernon when I realized I left my phone.  There was no way I was going to the valley without it.  We called Dr. Moffat's and told them we would be a little late.  James got three prescriptions for his laringytis, two antibiotics and one steroid.
While James was at his appointment I made a trip to Walmart to get a printer to keep in Chandler. 

As we finally leave town we decide to go the Globe way so we can stop for lunch at Burger House.  Our decision to stop instead of ordering our food to go is based on the fact that their burros are quite messy.  
The only part of the "Globe way" that I like, besides Burger House, is our descent down into the valley.  The desert flowers are starting to bloom, and with the mountains in the background the scene is quite beautiful.  
Our first stop in Chandler is at CVS to fill James's prescriptions.  
I got a text from Laura, Lois is out of the hospital.  We were going to go see her tonight but will wait until tomorrow evening when Darrel can go too.  
James and I went to Olive Garden for dinner.  I ordered a new chicken dish and was quite disappointed because my chicken was tough and dry.  
I went to two Hobby Lobby's and only got 14 lightbulbs for my Light of Christ visiting teaching handouts.  I have now decided to do them for the Young Women and my grandkids so I need a total of 46.  More Hobby Lobby's tomorrow.

The printer I bought this morning doesn't have a scanner so James said it wouldn't serve his purposes.  While he made a trip to Home Depot this evening I went to Staples and bought another, more expensive printer.  It's a wireless and it took me an hour or so to set it up, but it works!

Facebook finds:

Snow tunnel

On the Run

Sheris fieldtrip with Max

to the state capitol.

Gilbert temple at night

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Gospel Study

Numbers 16

Don't be deceived when the wicked (wanted to replace Moses) persuade many to believe that wickedness is good and righteousness is evil.  Three families swallowed up in the earth, others who tried to offer incense were killed by fire, and 14, 700 died in a plague because they murmured against Aaron and Moses.  

Numbers 17

Aaron's rod blossomed to show that the Lord had chosen him to officiate in the priesthood.

My General Conference goals:

Pres. Monson - "Welcome to Conference"

1.  Work with missionaries and pray for those they are teaching.

2.  Contribute to mission fund.

Elder Hales - "General Conference: Strengthening Faith and Testimony"

1.  Promise to youth if they watch General Conference.

2.  Send family letter

3  Ponder and pray to understand what I have been taught in General Conference then go forward and do His will.

 Elder Soares - "Be Meek and Lowly of Heart"

1.  Stive to become more meek and humble.

2.  Use my agency to please God.

3.  Depend on the Lord and desire to do His will.

Sister Stephens - "Do We Know What We Have?"

1.  Remember the Savior's Atonement and be filled with hope and faith.

2.  Respect priesthood ordinances and authority.

3.  Keep covenants so I can receive personal revelation.

Elder Dube - "Look Ahead and Believe"

1.  Stand as a witness of God wherever I am.

2.  Find peace, comfort, and joy in the Savior.

3.  Hasten the work of salvation by inviting others to come unto Christ.

Elder Bednar - "The Windows of Heaven"

1.  Keep a budget, track expenses.

2.  Practice provident living.

3.  Be grateful and content with what I have.

4. Save $200 a month.

I love this promise from Elder Bednar's talk:

"I promise that as you and I observe and keep the law of tithing, indeed the windows of heaven will be opened and spiritual and temporal blessings will be poured out such that there shall not be room enough to receive them." 

Apple pie and diet Pepsi for breakfast along with some Smart water.  I sounds like I need the Smart water so I can make better food choices. 

Lois is in the hospital with a stomach infection.  Hopefully it is nothing too serious.  We will be down tomorrow and go see her.

I attended Young Women presidency meeting at 5:30 pm before Mutual.  The next few months are extremely busy!

 In Mutual we planned next week's mexican dinner at my house and then worked on Divine Nature value experience one.  Those attending: Trenda, Alice, Coty, LeeAnn, Kilee, Hailey, Hope, Heaven, Kelly, Shelly, and Jordyn.  I signed Kelly and Alice off on the experience.

Today I watched The Walton's and Wind Behind My Back.

Facebook finds:

 Tulip fields in Oregon

Insightful quote

 First Place, Flag football, regular season play

Kaeli Nicoll and one of her missionaries

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!

Monday, March 3, 2014

October 2013 General Conference

President Monson's opening address:

1.  Help the missionaries in your ward.

2.  Pray for investigators.

3.  Contribute to the missionary fund.

Elder Robert D. Hales

Ponder and pray about what you have learned in General Conference and then apply the truths to your life.

My right knee is swollen and hurts, and my right middle finger is itchy and swollen twice it's normal size.  Come on Remicade, start working!

Today I paid bills, did laundry, and cleaned our bedroom and bathroom.  

James gave Lexy a bath and then worked on clearing some brush.  It was clear and sunny today.  The high was around 50.

I should have done a before and after picture.

This evening James and I drove to the Stanford store to get me some diet Dr Pepper.  We got there a few minutes before 7 and they close at 7.  

We watched Castle when we got home. 

Facebook finds:

I've never seen a ponies wearing sweaters before!

Waterfall in Japan

An illuminated sandcastle in Australia.