Wednesday, September 28th, 2016

Name this temple

Helaman 11:21-38

It can be very easy to forget Heavenly Father and fall into wicked ways  What are some safe guards to help us from doing the same thing as the Nephites?

Karen:  1.) Seek to surround yourself with righteous people.  Those who will uplift you and make you better.  Avoid those who will lead you into temptation and sin.  2.) Avoid contention.  Seek to have the Spirit with you at all times.  Always have a prayer in your heart.

3.) Focus on true doctrine and the Plan of Salvation.  All men must come unto the Savior, gain faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure in faith until the end.  True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior.  4.) Understand the power of covenants.  Look forward to taking the sacrament and worshiping in the temple.  5.) Prepare to receive personal revelation through prayer, scripture study, and listening to the prophets, apostles, and other church leaders.  6.) Be humble and teachable, not prideful.  7.) Love God more than man.  Put Him first in your life.  8.) Keep the commandments.  9.) Daily repentance.  10.) Be truly converted through gospel living because conversion leads to commitment. 11.) Love one another.

Back in the 1960's and 70's there was a cartoon character called Pogo.  He was a wise little possum.  This is what he said:

"We have met the enemy, and he is us."

This saying of Pogo's could certainly apply to the Nephites.

According to Elder Neal A. Maxwell "Significant moral decay can happen within a single generation - whether in a family or a nation."

GC: 'The Power of Godliness' Elder Kent F. Richards

"Temple work is . . . of as much benefit to the young and the active,

as it is to the aged, who have laid behind them many of the 

burdens of life.  The young man needs his place in the temple even

more than his father and his grandfather, who are steadied by a 

life of experience; and the young girl just entering life,

needs the spirit, influence and direction that come from 

participation in the temple ordinances."

Great advice from Elder Holland.

Braun Rogers, a returned missionary in our book Millennial Glory gave an amazing lesson in Brother Anderson's Gospel Doctrine class on the 6th and 7th Seals as discussed in Revelations by John.  James and I both learned some things we didn't know. I think I like futuristic fiction.

James discovered a problem with the Razr as he was changing fluids yesterday.  When he tried to put one of the screws back in the end of the liquid holder it would not tighten, indicating that the threads had been stripped.

Screw and new threads

What looks like a simple problem to solve has turned in to a nightmare.  You can't get to it without disassembling the machine because the tools won't reach the position to re-tap it.  You can't get to it without taking the whole frame off.  You can loosen or tighten the screw, but you can't fix it.  Somehow, someway, I know there is a solution to this problem and that James will find it.  He was gone three hours to town today looking for parts and tools and came back and worked another three hours to no avail.  It is frustrating because he feels like he wasted his entire day.  I told him it wasn't wasted that he had just eliminated the things that wouldn't work.  Now he just has to find out what will work.

Ferrunginous Hawk

Our friend who lives in Vernon by the church posted this

picture on Facebook.  When her daughter Trenda, who lives in the valley now, saw it she said:  "This is one of the things I miss about living in Vernon."

Trenda

I found an interesting quote as I was listening to an article in the New Era called 'Digital Dark Ages.'  

"Distraction is one of Satan's biggest and most effective tools."

This is definitely true in the world today.

This afternoon I made two loaves of zucchini bread to deliver to two of the sisters I visit teach whom I was not able to make an appointment with.  One is out of town so I will deliver it to her family, and the other does not answer her phone.

We may have to wait until tomorrow to make my 

deliveries.  I want James to go with me but he is too

busy with the Razr today.

Wednesday, September 28th, 2016

Name this temple

Helaman 11:21-38

It can be very easy to forget Heavenly Father and fall into wicked ways  What are some safe guards to help us from doing the same thing as the Nephites?

Karen:  1.) Seek to surround yourself with righteous people.  Those who will uplift you and make you better.  Avoid those who will lead you into temptation and sin.  2.) Avoid contention.  Seek to have the Spirit with you at all times.  Always have a prayer in your heart.

3.) Focus on true doctrine and the Plan of Salvation.  All men must come unto the Savior, gain faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure in faith until the end.  True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior.  4.) Understand the power of covenants.  Look forward to taking the sacrament and worshiping in the temple.  5.) Prepare to receive personal revelation through prayer, scripture study, and listening to the prophets, apostles, and other church leaders.  6.) Be humble and teachable, not prideful.  7.) Love God more than man.  Put Him first in your life.  8.) Keep the commandments.  9.) Daily repentance.  10.) Be truly converted through gospel living because conversion leads to commitment. 11.) Love one another.

Back in the 1960's and 70's there was a cartoon character called Pogo.  He was a wise little possum.  This is what he said:

"We have met the enemy, and he is us."

This saying of Pogo's could certainly apply to the Nephites.

According to Elder Neal A. Maxwell "Significant moral decay can happen within a single generation - whether in a family or a nation."

GC: 'The Power of Godliness' Elder Kent F. Richards

"Temple work is . . . of as much benefit to the young and the active,

as it is to the aged, who have laid behind them many of the 

burdens of life.  The young man needs his place in the temple even

more than his father and his grandfather, who are steadied by a 

life of experience; and the young girl just entering life,

needs the spirit, influence and direction that come from 

participation in the temple ordinances."

Great advice from Elder Holland.

Braun Rogers, a returned missionary in our book Millennial Glory gave an amazing lesson in Brother Anderson's Gospel Doctrine class on the 6th and 7th Seals as discussed in Revelations by John.  James and I both learned some things we didn't know. I think I like futuristic fiction.

James discovered a problem with the Razr as he was changing fluids yesterday.  When he tried to put one of the screws back in the end of the liquid holder it would not tighten, indicating that the threads had been stripped.

Screw and new threads

What looks like a simple problem to solve has turned in to a nightmare.  You can't get to it without disassembling the machine because the tools won't reach the position to re-tap it.  You can't get to it without taking the whole frame off.  You can loosen or tighten the screw, but you can't fix it.  Somehow, someway, I know there is a solution to this problem and that James will find it.  He was gone three hours to town today looking for parts and tools and came back and worked another three hours to no avail.  It is frustrating because he feels like he wasted his entire day.  I told him it wasn't wasted that he had just eliminated the things that wouldn't work.  Now he just has to find out what will work.

Mississippi Kite

Our friend who lives in Vernon by the church posted this

picture on Facebook.  When her daughter Trenda, who lives in the valley now, saw it she said:  "This is one of the things I miss about living in Vernon."

Trenda

I found an interesting quote as I was listening to an article in the New Era called 'Digital Dark Ages.'  

"Distraction is one of Satan's biggest and most effective tools."

This is definitely true in the world today.

This afternoon I made two loaves of zucchini bread to deliver to two of the sisters I visit teach whom I was not able to make an appointment with.  One is out of town so I will deliver it to her family, and the other does not answer her phone.

We may have to wait until tomorrow to make my 

deliveries.  I want James to go with me but he is too

busy with the Razr today.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Ruby and Addy rode with us to church this morning.  Since this is a holiday weekend, the Vernon ward was packed.  We finally found seats in the first overflow with Jared and Camie.  Darrel, Trina, Rowan and Lola come late and sit in front of us.  When Trina had to take Lola out, James went out and took over for Trina so she could back in to fast and testimony meeting.  

We saw our friends Dave & Tammy Montgomery.  Tammy is Florence Cluff's daughter and Dave worked for James years ago.  

We also spoke with the Skinner's a couple from Tempe who have been attending the Vernon ward this summer.  They know the Montgomery's and serve with them in the Gilbert temple.  The Skinner's are building a home in Gilbert.

Today in Primary I taught a lesson on The Mission of Jesus Christ.  Addy and Rowan attended my class as did Ashten, Carson - a visitor, Talena, Zemira and Joelee.  I love my class!

During sharing time Addy and I saw two dogs outside.  At first Addy thought one of them was a little bear because he was so shaggy.

When we get home everyone is eating so we break our fast a little early.  Fasting is one of the hardest commandments for me to live and I really must do better. I had some macaroni and cheese as did the kids.  It really was quite delicious.  Jared has ribs in the oven and we will be eating dinner in a few hours before Darrel and Trina's family leaves.  

 The ribs were delicious.  Thank you Jared!

Ruby and grandpa have a moment together.  That is Darrel's

Heman laying on the table.

These two really love each other.

Some of the things we did before Darrel & Trina left: Addy, Jared, and Trina played the Train game that Jared brought.  Addy won.

Jared and Grandpa played Rowan in chess.  Rowan lost both games but I told him that the way to get better is to play someone who is better than you are so you can learn from them.  

Ruby beat Camie in the Match game.  Ruby is an expert at the Match game.  

Darrel took Lola for a ride in the car and put her to sleep.

Darrel's family left for home.

Jared and Camie went outside and built a fire.  They read from the Book of Mormon and roasted marshmallows.  

Back at home Ben had a spiritual experience when he got a patriarchal blessing from Patriarch D. Lynn Jones.

Seth called James and said he is coming back to Chandler and was wondering if he could borrow some equipment to do some work for Spencer Wilson to help pay for his wisdom teeth which Dr. Wilson extracted.

It was a great Sabbath day!

 

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

September is James's favorite month in Vernon.  This might have something to do with the fact that September is the month that elk start bugling to gather their cow herd.  The picture of this elk was taken last September in our yard. 

 I woke up to an elk bugling this morning very close by.  Although I never actually saw him, I did see two cows and two calves playing just off our porch.  They were there for a long time until the bull bugled again and they ran off.

I met Harold, Vickie, Dennis, and Denise for my birthday lunch at Licano's today.  I wish I had taken a picture.  We had a great time talking and laughing and just spending time together.  They bought my lunch for me, a chicken enchilada and a taco.

  As we were leaving Dennis went to his car and brought a grocery bag filled with all the pieces of my Precious Moment's nativity set that he had gathered after the Pinedale fire.  They were some of the only things left after the fire. I am not sure what I am going to do with them.

I went to Ross before going home to get a gift card for Sandra Wilhelm.  Trenda suggested that she might like one.

It rained on the trip back to Vernon.

I love the rain!

When I am here by myself I watch more TV.  Today I watched a Hallmark movie starring Jaclyn Smith as a judge who takes in a foster child.  It was called "Ordinary Miracles."  I also watched a movie I had seen before with Dean Cain called "Operation Cupcakes."  

I also did some cleaning.  I cleaned upstairs and put sheets on the bed downstairs where Jared's friend Camie is going to stay.

News from Chandler: Stacy is starting her dental hygiene job today.  Ben and Alex are both scheduled to get their patriarchal blessings.  Ben is the Sunday and Alex the next.

Read Alma 63 - Helaman 2 today.  Now both Helaman and Moroni, two of my heroes, have died.

I love Elder Holland!

 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Happy 8th Birthday to Joshua.

Here he is at the Lego Store playing with

Evan and Max.  Joshua is smart, witty, 

kind and thoughtful and I love him!

I called Joshua this morning just as he was walking out the door to go to school.  I told him I hoped he had a great day and his response was: "Oh, I will grandma!"

Joshua's baptism is this Saturday.  I was going to come down today and take him on his birthday date but Stacy said that tomorrow would be better, so I decided to wait until tomorrow to leave.  I think James was a little disappointed.  His pour at Hatch Hanger for tomorrow was cancelled which means he wouldn't be going to bed at 6pm as originally planned.  I hope he will forgive me.

President Hatch and his family are flying to an island in the Caribbean to go scuba diving.  They leave tomorrow.  James presented him with a bill and he left James a check in his office to pick up when the next pour is done.  He is such a great guy to work for.

I had a nice talk with Jared this morning.  I left him a message last night and he called me back.  His positive attitude and testimony are very refreshing.  

James took Joshua out to eat tonight for his birthday.  I think he was hoping Joshua would chose Golden Corral but Joshua wanted to go to Florindino's to get back ziti.  I am sorry that James didn't get a picture.