Thursday, December 28th, 2017

Fort Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Mosiah 4:6

I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, ad his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body -

Book of Mormon

Moroni 8:1-30

*What do you think it means that "little children are alive in Christ?" What do we need to do to become alive in Christ?

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 38:8

But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day.

General Conference

Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good

Elder Stanley G. Ellis

"Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves. Our beloved handcart pioneers came to know God in their extremities. Why did it take two chapters for Nephi and his brothers to obtain the brass plates and only three verses to enlist Ishmael's family to join them in the wilderness? It seems the Lord wanted to strengthen Nephi through the struggle of obtaining the plates."

When I opened the blinds on the dining room window this morning there were eight bunnies eating grass outside. That is the most that I have ever seen.

James is asleep on the couch.  He slept util almost 10:30 at which time I fixed him hot lemon juice with honey, stevia, and cinnamon. I also gave him two aspirin and a Tramadol. 

I am beginning to wonder if we are ever going to get any snow. Not only is there no snow, but it is 60 degrees. 

Sheri's family is waiting to get a valve stem fixed on one of their tires and then they will be on their way up here.  Kim and Brian are not coming because they are both sick. Michael and his friends are coming tomorrow.

Sheri, Ian, Ben, Max, Evan, and Ollie arrived around 6:30 with Alex and Shayna a few minutes behind. I had just taken three loaves of pumpkin bread out of the oven. After eating KFC for dinner, Max and Sheri had some bread. 

Ollie ran around sniffing everything which makes Sheri a little nervous. She took him outside, just in case.

James and I watched the end of "Broadcasting Christmas."  

The boys turned on the Houston - Boston basketball game. Houston was ahead the whole time until right at the very end they won 99-98. Everyone was happy, at least here in Vernon.

Hallmark moon in Switzerland

I guess penguins are curious.

James says this is a baby otter

I showed this to Joshua and he said he didn't

believe in Santa. How sad.

Is Addy the favorite child?

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

Copenhagen, Denmark

118th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2004

By:Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Luke 22:44

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Book of Mormon

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! Mormon's account of events during his days have 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.

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 11:17

And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

General Conference

Fear Not To Do Good

President Henry B. Eyring

" The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept Pres. Monson's invitation to plant in our hearts a testimony of Jesus Christ, we gain the power, the desire, and the courage to go to the rescue of others without concern for our own needs."

We left around 10 o'clock this morning to go to the Thanksgiving buffet at Hondah. Hondah is on the reservation on the other side of Pinetop. If we were to go through Show Low, Lakeside-Pinetop, it would be about 38 miles. James convinced me to go on the backroads and it was exactly 1/2 the distance, 19 miles. We arrived at 10:45 and went inside the restaurant where there was already a long line at the buffet. We thought maybe it was still for breakfast so James went to check it out. It was for the Thanksgiving luncheon. James reserved us a table and joined me in line. The food was decent but nothing to write home about. I couldn't eat all of mine.

They also had prime rib but we didn't get any.

Look at the big bowl of whipped cream in the middle

of the pie table.

James said it was just like the first Thanksgiving because the Indians served us. 

It was a perfect day weather wise here in Vernon. It was 66 degrees and there was no wind. On the way home we finished reading our book, "Once an Heiress."

Today I baked 48 rolls, a sweet potato casserole, cranberry salad, and an apple pie. We are having dinner here with Kim and Brian tomorrow.

Today's Christmas movies: "Christmas Incorporated," "Window Wonderland," "A Perfect Christmas," and with James a new one, "Mistletoe Inn."

The Turkey Trotters

My steps today

Darrel and Trina's kids had a fun day.

Ruby with her braapstick

Nick Goodman's post

Our friends the Glemsers

Last year the day after Christmas

I love seeing that big snowflake!

This years Rhodes rolls don't look as good

as last years did, but they taste great!

A better picture of James in his jacket

Admiring his work

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

I am so excited that we get to study the life andB
teachings of President Hinckley this year in
Relief Society and Priesthood!

1 Nephi 3:9-31

Why do you think Sam willingly followed Nephi while Laman and Lemuel persecuted him?

DC 1:31-2:3

What great promises in these verses spoke to me today?

*Verses 31 and 32 - Repent and be forgiven.

GC:   Fourth Floor, Last Door by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The problem was not a lack of prayers or a shortage of faith.  She needed only to understand that, as painful as it might be for our Father in Heaven, He will not force anyone to choose the path of righteousness.  God did not force His own children to follow Him in the premortal world.  How much less will He force us now as we journey through this mortal life?  God will invite, persuade.  God will reach out tirelessly with love, inspiration and encouragement.  But God will never compel - that would undermine His great plan for our eternal growth."

  

Today is the day I actually sent out the family email regarding the reading of the Book of Mormon.  Each day I will send the reading assignment and a question to Stacy, Paul, Kim, Brian, Sheri, Ian, Jared, Kacey, Darrel, Trina, and Ben.  I got positive responses from both Sheri and Kacey.  I am excited that our entire family will be reading the Book of Mormon together if everyone will accept the challenge.

Today we had 27 elk in our yard.

Here are just a few.

James is in the valley working for Jerrod Bowen.  Today he took Max and Evan to Lois's to do yardwork.  Ben would have gone too but he is quite sick.  The boys don't go back to school until next week.  

Because I am sick I tried to cancel my infusion but no one called me back.  Meanwhile, while Adam is driving for Uber he has an accident on the freeway.  No one was hurt but the Scion was towed by a company located in Apache Junction.  The sad thing is that Adam does not have collision insurance.  

Waterfall between Miami and Superior

James came home this afternoon bearing gifts: burros from Burger House, homemade soap from Rebecca, and a Family Proclamation plaque that Darrel and Trina made.

Of course Lola is always right there to assist Trina.

 This evening was another evening of movie watching.  I am trying to finish up all the Christmas movies.

Family Pictures:

Michael on the run.

Addy, Lola, Ruby, and Rowan.

Some of the cutest kids in the world!!

Monday, May 4, 2015

So sweet, yet very sad.

 

James and Bob put trim on the outside of this door this morning before 7am.  Lots of pounding.  Poor Dallin and Michael.





Where's the window?

I had an appointment for my arthritis today.  Thank goodness!

Dr. Caldron and Tiffany consulted together and decided I needed to continue on the Remicade, 8 methotrexate, and they added Tramadol for pain because they said it is less harsh on organs than Ibuprofen or aspirin. They think some of my pain is caused from previous flare-up and probably from some osteoarthritis. 

 

It took two hours after seeing the doctor for my infusion so I was there for a total of 3 hours.

 

I drove back to Chandler and went to Jersey Mike's for lunch with James and Dallin.

 

At 2pm I drove to Darrel's to watch Lola while he had a meeting at Fry's.  She was asleep when I first got there and when she woke up and saw me she seemed puzzled and surprised.  We got along fine and when the kids got home from school she was very happy to see them.  Rowan wanted me to play chess with him.

Rowan told me I could go first but I told him I couldn't remember how to play.  Ruby was giving me instructions.  Thank goodness Darrel came home before we could actually play.

 

Back in Chandler James, Seth, Alex, and Ben finished cleaning up most of the mess from the storage shed.  Brent and his assistant are still working on the sprinkler system.  At least we are making some progress.

 

I  had a pulled pork sandwich from Boston Market for dinner.  It was quite tasty.  For FHE we listened to Elder Renlund's conference address: "Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying."  We both enjoyed it.  He has a very soothing voice.

 

I felt good when I went to bed this evening.  Here is hoping it lasts.





Friday, April 19, 2013

An update on the Boston Marathon bombers.  They determined it was two brothers originally from Russia.  They shot and killed the older one and they are doing a door to door manhunt right now looking for the younger one who is 19.  They eventually found him in someone's boat.  He was hurt and they followed his blood trail.  He is now in the hospital getting treatment.
On Curious George this morning George was making band instruments out of things around the house so Ruby decided she wanted us to do the same thing.  Here we are playing our instruments:

I played the guitar.

After playing our instruments Ruby wanted to play zoo.

 Ruby getting out the zoo animals.

Luckily grandpa came and helped Ruby build the cages for the animals.

Grandpa used his building expertise.

James brought me some lunch but I needed to run to get something for Ruby.  When I got back this is what I found:

Watching "Lady and the Tramp"

For dinner tonight Addy and I walked to Zupas and Panda Express.  She made this comment:  "I really don't like being outside very much."  I was surprised and said: "What?  Your Mom loves being outside.!"  Addy's comeback was: "Yeah, I don't even know how we are related."  

After dinner Addy and I went to Blockbuster to rent a couple of movies.  I looked for Arthur and the Invisibles but they didn't have it.  Instead we got Alpha and Omega and Hoodwinked 2.  We went home and watched Alpha and Omega and had popcorn and M&M's.  The kids were going to watch Hoodwinked 2 but James and I didn't stay.

I love these kids:

James's sister Connie and her husband Cal have retired and bought a motor home.  They are going to travel around the United States seeing the sights.  They have been in the valley visiting with family.  Today they headed for Vernon.  They were going to spend the night on our property in their motor home until we got home tomorrow.  James got a call from Connie.  He had given her very specific instruction on how to find our place but they had gotten lost.  They said they were giving up and going on to New Mexico.  We were looking forward to our visit but I guess I understand that manuevering a huge motor home when you are lost isn't that much fun.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

James has been getting ready for his Mountain Man Rendezvous for the past couple of weeks. Today he wanted me to go with him to an army surplus store. It was tiny, it looked like it use to be a convenience store but it was packed full of some interesting things. He bought a wool blanket, a coonskin cap and a shirt that I think is going to be too small. I wanted to buy a cast iron skillet but the ones they had were either too big or too little. I want a 12" one.

We hurried home because Darrel was at our house with his kids. Sheri and I took Ruby shopping at Walmart. When we drove in to the parking lot she said, "What is this place?' When I said Walmart, she said, "Oh, it's not Sprouts." On the way out I bought her a Happy Meal because My Little Pony was the toy. She got a pink one, one of her favorite colors.

Addy is excited because her cousins Kiley and Kayla get to spend the night tomorrow night. Rowan was happy to play Legos with his cousins Max and Evan.

This evening while James was busy making a medicine pouch out of leather for his 'rendezvous' I went to the Pleasant building to help Dave and Laura serve the food at Kiley Booth's wedding reception. Adam is good friends with the Booth's so he was there too. He looked very handsome in his suit. He and Dave were the runners. They took the food in to the refreshement tables while Laura and I stayed in the Primary room cutting brownies, lemon squares, and putting the other goodies on plates. My favorite goodies were the thumb print cookies Gary Booth's sister made. It's funny because I don't usually like thumb print cookies so I wasn't even going to try them. I am glad they did. They were flavored with almond extract and they were yumdelicious!

It was almost 10:30 when I got home.