Sunday, December 31st, 2017

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Alma 7:11

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 10:8-34

*What blessings did Moroni teach would come to those who have faith, hope, and charity? 

What spiritual gifts should we seek?

Elder Gene R. Cook discussed the strength of discovering and using the spiritual gifts given to each person: 

"One of the greatest processes you go through in life is to discover yourself. to find those gifts and capacities God has given you. He has given you great talents, the smallest part of which you have just begun to utilize. Trust the Lord to assist you in unlocking the door to those gifts. Some of us have created imaginary limits in our minds. There is literally a genius locked up inside each of us. Don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise" (Trust in the Lord, In Hope, 1988, 90-91).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 38:42

And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen.

General Conference

The Voice of the Lord

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"I promise you that as you prepare your spirit and come with the anticipation that you will hear the voice of the Lord, thoughts and feelings will come into your mind that are customized especially for you. You have already felt them in this conference, or you will as you study the messages in the weeks ahead."

Happy Birthday Kim!

Kim and Brian were sick this year and not

able to come up to celebrate her birthday with us at the cabin.

We really missed them. We are so grateful for them and

there example of love and service.

Next year Kim, and there better be snow!!

Sheri, Ben, Max, Evan, Michael and Joshua all joined us at sacrament meeting this morning. The Applegate family spoke about the "Light the World" initiative. It was enjoyable. I especially liked Jimmy telling about how Shelly has been able to visit his brother, who is a non-member, on her mission. She asked her dad, Jimmy, to send him a Book of Mormon with his testimony in it.

I had both classes today in Primary. The lesson was on tithing and testimony.  These are the kids who attended: Colter, Curtis, Chism, (Bishop Miller's nephew), Zemira, and Talena. 

James had a bad coughing spell during Sunday School and had to go outside so we went home after the second hour.  

When we got home Sheri was cooking bacon, and lots of it. I had some bacon and frozen waffles for "brunch."  After we ate James and I went in to take a nap. Sheri knocked on our door and said they were leaving so I got up to take a picture. Joshua was going to go with them but he wanted to stay and since he was feeling better I told him he could.

 Alex and Shayna left first.

James seems to be photo bombing this picture.

This one too. Max is hiding behind Ollie.

I made a chocolate bundt cake for Brother Wilhelm's birthday, which was yesterday but he was gone to Prescott to a wrestling match. James gave it to one of the kids because John and Sandra were still asleep.

Drop off at the Wilhelm's

I made Joshua some chicken noodle soup and a peanut butter sandwich with a glass of milk for dinner.  James and I just snacked.

We watched a new Hallmark movie this evening, "A Royal New Year's Eve" and then we said goodnight to everyone and went to bed.  Happy New Year!

An enjoyable hedgehog massage.

The Elmer Family

Jillie and her family had their baby blessed today.

They came from Houston to visit.

I wish I could remember the baby's name.

It is a girl.

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy Birthday Kim!

Moroni 10:8-34

GC:  Repentance: A Joyful Choice by Elder Dale G. Renlund

" Changing our behavior and returning to the "right road" are part of repentance, but only part.  Real repentance also includes a turning of our heart and will to God and a renunciation of sin.

Yet even this is an incomplete description.  It does not properly identify the power that makes repentance possible, the atoning sacrifice of our Savior.  Real repentance must involve faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith that He can change us, faith that He can forgive us, and faith that He will help us avoid more mistakes.  This kind of faith makes His Atonement effective in our lives."

Happy Birthday!

Kim and Brian got in to a snow storm on their way up today. 

Kim took this picture and wrote underneath:

"Happy Birthday to me!"

James and I went to town again today.  I needed to get some throat lozenges and we also got a snow shovel.  We brought back some cough syrup for Evan who has a cough and congestion.  

I got Kim's Texas sheetcake made before she arrived.  When Kim and Brian arrived our guest list rose to 14.  

We played games

And sang Happy Birthday

And ate birthday cake.

We played games...

And went on Razr rides in the mud

and snow.

Some of us read scriptures.

Kim brought her DoTerra medicine kit.

Even though Lola wasn't here I had to post

some pictures of her and Evan.

Somebody has a crush on Evan.

James and I went to bed early but some people stayed up until midnight, including Kim, Brian, Ian, Alex, Shana, Michael, Alexis, Daniel, Connor, Ben, and Max.  They went outside and built a fire and let off fireworks.  

Happy New Years!

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Happy Birthday Kimmy!

 2014 at Christmas time.

Brian and Kim were going to come up and celebrate her birthday at the cabin but they were both too sick.  Stacy and Paul are sick too.  Stacy has bronchitis.  

Jared took James, Emmy and Molly skiing today.  Anna and Amanda preferred to sleep in.  The kids had a blast skiing  Jared said Emmy was a natural. 

  Jared, James, Emmy, and Molly

Sheri and I watched "The Christmas Kiss", and then I made cherry chiffon desert.  Sheri made ham and rolls for everyone.

Ian takes charge.

Darrel and Trina joined us this afternoon.  Trina made seven layer dip to go with out ham and rolls, etc.  

After dinner James and I drove Anna and Amanda to the youth New Year's dance at the Show Low stake center.  

James got a ticket coming down the hill to the Y.  We were still in Apache county.  He was going 64 in a 55 zone.  The officer said he was wasting finite resources. (The worse excuse I've ever heard for giving someone a ticket.)

.Anna and Amanda had a blast at the dance.  James took them in and introduced them to some of the kids from Vernon.  Tamara and Jimmy Applegate said they would bring them home.  I am grateful to the boys who ask these two out of town girls to dance!

Back at the house we played games, had snacks, and made smores in the fireplace.  We sat talking by the Christmas tree until it was time for the fireworks.  

Molly didn't quite make it until midnight.

The kids loved playing chess

The Lambson cousins and Amanda

Headbanz is always a popular game

 

After the fireworks it was past midnight so most of us went to bed.  Joshua slept on our recliner.  I counted.  There were 24 people who stayed here tonight.  Addy said she looked for a bed but couldn't find one so she and Emmy slept on the couch.

Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy Birthday Kim!

Kim usually spends her birthday at the cabin but this year Brian got tickets for them to go see Brian Regan, so they won't be coming up until tomorrow and we will celebrate then.

We love you Kim!

Brian Regan show

James fixed a nice breakfast for Darrel this morning but Darrel tricked us and left early.  Luckily there were people here to eat the food.  Goodbye Darrel, see you next year.

After breakfast James went on a hike near elk hill and saw 80 head of elk.  It was a good way to start his day.  When he got home he went out to chop some firewood.  Evan put on his coonskin cap and went with him.  James chopped and Evan loaded the chopped wood into the back of the Razor.  Evan never stopped and he said to grandpa: "I feel sorry for my brothers just laying around in the house watching TV while I'm out here having all this fun."  Not only did he have fun, but also earned $5.

Evan in his coonskin cap

Sheri and I made a trip to town to Circle K and Walmart.  It was cold and windy.  It is raining in Chandler and there is snow in north Scottsdale and on the desert.  

It snowed this afternoon.  We stayed inside and watched movies and played games.  Sheri and I watched "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" and "Christmas on the Bayou."  Ian, Alex, Ben, and Max sat in front of the fire and played "Magic".

This could be a game of Yahtzee.

That's Evan's hat on the table, not a dead animal.

James, Sheri and I watched the movie Kim gave me for Christmas, "The 100 Foot Journey".  We loved it.  After the movie Sheri and I went into the kitchen and heated up all the appetizers we could for our New Year's Eve celebration.  James and I were supposed to go to the DeWitt's for a party but I still have a cough and didn't want to go out in the cold.

After "dinner" James watched the move 'Lincoln' and then we went to bed.  Ian stayed up and did his own fireworks show. 

Christmas cards

 Patrick and Heather's boys

Curtis and Hillary's girls

Jared & Diana and kids