Tuesday, May 17, 2016

A beautiful sunrise this morning.

James left for the valley around 6 a.m.  The Oregon/San Tan

job is finally starting.  Oregon, because the guy who is doing the job is from Oregon, and San Tan because that's where the job is located.  It's a tenant improvement on a dentist office.  

James had a meeting with Allen, the guy who is doing the job.  Gail will be working on this job too.  He will be coming down on Thursday with Seth.

Sandra Wilhelm posted this picture on Facebook today:

Talon with the cowboy hat, Jackson with the Cubs hat, and 

Tyler Tedder, the boy who died last year.  So sad.

I miss seeing him pass the sacrament.

Today's scripture study included Alma 1:15-33.  Here are some verses I felt were significant:

22 - ... there were many among them who began to be proud (members of the Church), and began to contend warmly with this adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.

24 - For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God.  And also many withdrew themselves from among them.

25 - Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of god, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.

27 - And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

29 - And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need - an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth

30 - And thus in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked or that were hungry , or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

I read about the Church's view regarding capital punishment in the Book of Mormon Student Manual.  This is in regard to verse 18 of Alma 1 where it says: . . . he that murdered was punished unto death.

*The law of God is "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Genesis 9:6).

Alma 1:26-31. The Affairs of the Church Estabished

*President James E. Faust explained that establishing the Lord's Church requires more than performing baptisms:

"We recognize that the process of establishing the Lord's church encompasses much more than baptizing people.  In the first chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon we find an instructive sequence of events outlining the way by which the Lord's church is established. 

"Let us take note of this process:

"First, the doctrines are taught (see Alma 1:26).

"Second, members esteem each other as themselves (see v. 26).

"Third, they all labor; they work and earn that which they receive (see v. 26).

"Fourth, they impart of their substance to the less fortunate; they serve one another (see v. 27).

"Fifth, they discipline their own appetites while at the same time caring appropriately for their own needs (see v. 27).

"This mighty change happened, not because the people were given things, but rather because they were taught and began to help themselves and to care for those who were less fortunate.  It was when they gave of themselves in the Lord's way that their circumstances began to improve.

"This process of establishing the Church can apply anywhere" (Ensign, Nov. 1979, 91).

Texted James Hayden asking him to release Delphia, Laura and Isabella Strickland's temple cards.

Finished watching DWTS.  Took a nap and then cleaned and polished the wood floor upstairs.  It rained a little this afternoon.  

I had a really yummy lunch today.  A tomato, cucumber, avocado salad with lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.  Delicious!

I love the talk I listened to today.  It was President Uchtdorf's priesthood session talk entitled "In Praise of Those Who Save."  

Today is Monte and Tasha's 21st anniversary.  I wished them a Happy Anniversary!  

James arrived home this evening with Adam.  He brought me a green chili mixed burro from Burger House.  He said Adam ate his so he didn't get one.  I guess Adam saw three in the bag and though two were for him and one was for James.  

Adam also fried some potstickers and ate them after arriving here.  I could smell them all night while I was trying to sleep.  

James made me a fire and I read to him from "A Lady's Favor."  Afterwards we watched Karen Kingsbury's "A Time to Dance."

Jenny Garth.

We were in bed by 10.

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

My husband left for the valley this morning, so I went shopping at

Walmart by myself. 

Another beautiful 65 degree day here in Vernon and Show Low.  I enjoyed my shopping trip into the Walmart in Show Low.  I bought a calculator for James, a trash can with a lid, a dish drainer, and some tree decorations.  I get back after dark and miss going to the monthly Relief Society activity.  

 I love President Monson!

Today I paid bills and also found time to watch a couple of Christmas movies: "Once Upon a Holiday", and the other shall remain unknown because I didn't write it down before I erased it.

An upstairs view of our tree and fireplace

A closeup view of the tree.

I slept on the recliner tonight after watching my Christmas movies.

 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Happy 60th Birthday Dawn!

Dawn is the baby in this picture.  Sad to
say I don't have any recent pictures of her.

James left for the valley this morning a little after 6am.  He picked up Mike Malone, a member of the Vernon ward, and gave him a ride to Mesa.  

Sheri texted me this morning and said there was lots of water at our house in front of the fence.

 She thought maybe the people who are building in the orchard were using our water.

James checked this out, and the neighbors were not using our water. The water problem was due to a broken sprinkler which James fixed.

I was sitting out on the porch reading the Ensign when I looked up and two antelope were walking across the property.  I watched them until they disappeared in the trees.  

James says it was close to 110 degrees in the valley today.  It was in the low 80's here.  

James and I both finished reading the Book of Mormon for the 3rd time this year.  We will start again tomorrow and will finish by the end of December.  Here is the schedule we use.

I also finished the April 2015 General Conference talks for the 6th time.  

I watched two Mystery Woman movies tonight.  One was called "At First Sight", and the second was "The Wild West Mystery."

At 12:15 I got up to use the bathroom and heard a noise outside.  There was a bull elk near the porch railing and five more a little further out.  I wish James was here to see  them.

This picture was actually taken a couple of years ago.

Monday, December 8, 2014

"He was born, a long time ago - nearly Two Thousand years ago - at a place called Bethlehem. ...And then the Angel told the Shepherds to go to that Stable, and look at that little child in the Manger. Which they did; and they kneeled down by it in its lseep, and said 'God bless this child!'"

-Charles Dickens

Sunrise

Darrel left for work around 7.  James and I left shortly after to go to Hatch's so James could rent a car. We saw two nice bull elk just standing by the side of the road.   I dropped James off and drove through the fog to Walmart. The fog went from Show Low to the church in Vernon and from there to our house it was clear.  

I got home and put groceries away and took a couple of aspirin.  I worked on General Conference "catchup" most of the day and watched Christmas movies.  I also fixed a chicken pot pie for dinner using a recipe I found in one of my "Food Nanny" cookbooks.  

Jared texted today and said he is going to have to rent a van or truck to come for Christmas.  I immediately got a card with some money in it and sent it to him.  

Robert did not show up to fix the truck today.  I am beginning to think we can't believe anything he says.  He certainly is dragging his feet.  

James had to fix a broken water line under the asphalt at work.  He acted like it was no big deal.  He never ceases to amaze me.

Sheri is worried about her boys and frankly, so am I.

Max is a tough kid.  He plays football with the big boys and comes out looking like this:

 

 

Sunday, July 27, 2014

But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

 Morning sunrise over Sierra Mentosa

James left around 5:15 for high council and told me to go out and look at the sunrise.  I am so glad he did.  After high council and then he will be speaking in the Pinedale ward at 11am with Jimmy Applegate.  He said Jimmy gave an excellent talk.

Our speakers in the Vernon ward today were Maddie Carroll, and Chris and Kaeli Nicoll.  Maddie spoke on faith and used the "For the Strength of Youth" manual.  She said we need to pray and read our scriptures daily.  We must never lose hope and always exercise faith in Jesus Christ.  Strong faith is especially important for youth in today's society.

Kaeli is our RS president.  She has been a member almost four years.  She based her talk on a talk by Sister Burton: "Wanted Hands and Heart to Hasten the Work."  How can we be better disciples of Christ.  Disciples serve others through home teaching and visiting teaching.

Chris Nicoll spoke on the Priesthood.  The priesthood is the power of God delegated to man for the salvation of the human family.  Moses 1:39 is accomplished through the priesthood.  Temple covenants, the whole armor of God, and the Holy Ghost are some of the blessing of the priesthood.

In Sunday School we discussed Solomon who was a man of wisdom and a man of foolishness.  Part of the lesson was Solomon's building and dedicating the temple in Jerusalem.  Here is a quote from the lesson:

"In the peace of these lovely temples, sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life.  Under the influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there.  Temples are places of personal revelation.  When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers.  These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

Here is one of my very favorite temples:

Gilbert, Arizona

Today in Young Women's Trenda Wilhelm was set apart as the Laurel class president by Bishop Miller.  Trenda has been gone for the past two months and we are so grateful to have her back home.

Sister Ruth Wilhelm, or nana as she is known by Trenda and Alice, gave our lesson today on why we need the Holy Ghost.  These are the young women who attended: Hope and Heaven Lootans.  Heaven brought her American Girl who looked like her and was dressed like her.  They funny thing is Heaven had on 5 inch heels.

Shelly and Jordyn Applegate, Alice and Trenda Wilhelm, Maddie Carroll, and Kelly Reynolds were also in attendance.  We had three visitors: Karly Reynolds, Noelia Muniz who is Hope's friend, and Shaylyn who is Tina and Steve Allen's niece from Boise, Idaho. 

When I got home from church I was glad I had put a roast in the crockpot.  It was a tasty lunch and when James got home he was starving too.  After lunch we had a nap.  I had a meeting to attend at 2:30 and I woke up from my nap at 2:16.  I had to hurry to get to the meeting less than five minutes late.  The meeting was with the RS presidency, Kaeli Nicoll, Ann Miller, and Tamara Applegate and the RS activities director Wendy DeWitt.  We discussed the upcoming activity on August 23rd which is a clothing exchange.  The young women have been asked to help setup and then run the dressing rooms.  They will have first choice of the clothing available.

 When our meeting was over a storm had blown in and it was raining when we left and rained for several hours afterwards.  James took a picture of our thermostat outside which was at 60 degrees and sent it to Brian in Chandler.  When he saw it he said: "You are killing me!"

I read to James and then he left for the valley.  Usually he doesn't leave until Monday but since he has a pour at 6am he had to leave this evening.  It was a lonely Sunday evening for me.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Lavender field in England

 "We apply the Atonement when we receive the Holy Ghost, feel it's sanctifying power, and become more like our Savior."

-Brad Wilcox from 'The Continuous Atonement', p.99

James left for the valley this morning.  He has Adam working for him now and he's trying to keep him busy and train him since Adam has no construction experience.

I call Dr. Cullimore and get my prescriptions for after my surgery called in to Walmart today so I can pick them up and take them with me tomorrow.  That way I don't have to stop and get them after my surgery when I probably won't be feeling or looking to great.

Alberta, Canada

I made a trip to town to pick up prescriptions, do a little shopping, get gas and pick up something to eat at Arby's.  I got a chicken pecan wrap which was pretty tasty but I made the mistake of ordering onion rings along with it.  Not the wisest health choice plus they were pretty taste less and made a hu

ge mess in my car.  

I got a new blouse from Walmart.  I really like it but it's just a tad too small which has motivated me to want to lose some weight.  

I came home and worked on my blog and watched The Next Foodnetwork Star and then went to bed around 8pm since I will be getting up at 3.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

I had scriptures and prayer with James this morning before he left for the valley.  He didn't want to go. I reminded him that I would be down on Thursday.  Some notes from my gospel study:

"The strength of a family comes in large measure from how completely it's members are united in 

righteousness."

"The greatest service we can provide to others in this life...is to bring them to Christ through faith and

repentance." - President Thomas S. Monson 

I found my appointment card for the arthritis center.  I thought my appointment was for March 4th but it's not until March 14th.  I gave myself my last Enbrel shot on February 9th and knew I couldn't wait that long for some kind of medication, so I got on the phone and called to see if I could change my appointment.  I talked to someone named Sasha.  She said the only appointment she had available was tomorrow at 9:15 with Dr. Caldron.  I told her I would take it.  So now instead of going down on Thursday, I am going this afternoon.  

I left Vernon around 3pm.  When I arrived in Chandler James had a Jersey Mike sandwich waiting for me.

He was happy to see me.  

Facebook photos:

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

"Be not afraid, only believe." - Mark 5:36

James left for the valley this morning.  I am going to miss him.  This morning I finished cleaning our bathroom and bedroom.  I love my Norwex cleaning cloths!  The one that cleans windows and mirrors, called the polishing cloth did an amazing job on the mirrors.  

Before going in to town today I paid some bills so I could mail them.  I also mailed Jared & Tricia's box of Valentine's and candy.  James called me on my way to town and said he found the temple handkerchiefs.  They were under one of his notebooks downstairs on the air hockey table.  Stacy had looked there twice and failed to see them.  She called me and apologized.  I think she was quite embarrassed.  

I made a deposit at National Bank and then stopped at the Book Barn, Show Low's answer to Deseret Book.  I got two volumes of the Old Testament Made Easier and a new tote for my scriptures.  Happy Valentine's to me.  

Did some shopping at Walmart and then headed for home after stopping at Taco Bell for dinner.  At home I watched American Idol and Wind at My Back.  That last show is on BYU TV and is a story set in the 1930's in a little mining town called New Bedford which is located somewhere in Canada.  I like it.  It reminds me of simpler times when technology didn't dominate everyone's life.  Like the Walton's it teaches good family values.

Facebook finds:

Florence Cluff, a dear friend from my years in Chandler.

Her daughter Tammy took her to the Gilbert temple open house

for her 92nd birthday.

Snowy owl

Shirley Temple passed away today.

She was in her 80's.

 I love the family tree!

Fields of flowers in Japan

Kaytlynn, Zachary, and Quentin

Jacaranda trees

Monday, February 3, 2014

Took a picture of the gorgeous sky this morning.

I love mornings like this!

James left for the valley this morning with a bottle of water and a Jimmy Dean ham and cheese croissant.

I am home alone and I'm already feeling lonely.  This afternoon I paid some bills and took them to the Vernon postoffice.  I went into Show Low to deposit a check and ended up at Walmart.  It was cold, cloudy, and we had a little snow today, but not enough.  I had Taco Bell for dinner.  

I talked to Stacy this afternoon.  She had to tell me about the Super Bowl and how excited Michael was that his team finally won.  This is the first Superbowl win for the Seattle Seahawks.  She said she felt sorry for Peyton Manning, the quarterback for the Broncos.  Adam came over for their "Superbowl party."  Not that he likes the Superbowl, he sat and read a book the whole time, but he was anxious to eat some of Paul's burgers.  Jared Ammon had to work but they took him a burger at work.  Dallin was a no show.

  I wish I could say I took this picture,

but I didn't.  I found it on Facebook.

Monday, January 27, 2014

James left for the valley this morning.  His job at Lake Park Village starts today.  I felt better this morning.  My sweet neighbor, Kathy Crane, brought me some homemade chicken noodle soup and some homemade bread, and cookies.  Delicious!

By this afternoon I had the stomach flu.  I couldn't get out of the bathroom.  I didn't feel like doing much so in between trips to the bathroom I caught up on my American Idol watching.  They are in the tryout stage and went to seven cities across the U.S.: Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Austin, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Omaha.  There are 212 contestants who made it to Hollywood.  The judges this year are: Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick, Jr.

I talked to Diana Curtis this morning and told her I was better.  I guess I spoke too soon.  I miss James.

Facebook finds:

Jani Huso Johnson posted this picture of the Snowflake temple.

It was taken in December.  It looks like the water is frozen.