Friday, March 31, 2017

Fresno, California
78th operating temple

Bettylea Maxwell
Sept. 13, 1930 - March 31, 1999

Today is the 18th anniversary of my mother's death.  When she died she was 68 years old, the same age as I am now.  I still miss her.  Up until my marriage, she was the most important person in my life.  She was kind, non-judgmental, and she loved country music.  Her favorites were Marty Robbins, Charlie Pride, and Vince Gill.  She was a great Pepsi lover until her grandson Brian went to work delivering for Coca-Cola at which time she drank coke to support him.  She always returned the shopping cart to it's proper place.  She was very thoughtful and caring.  I want to be like her. I love you Mom.

Omni 1:1-11

Why is it important to keep family records and journals?

Alma 58

Helaman, Gid, and Teomner take the city of Manti by a strtagem - The Lamanites withdraw - The sons of the people of Ammon are preserved as they stand fast in defense of their liberty and faith.

DC 50:1-12

"That which doth not edify is not of God."

1-5, Many false spirits are abroad in the earth; 6-9, Wo unto the hypocrites and those who are cut off from the Church; 10-14, Elders are to preach the gospel by the Spirit;

How can we remain humble so that when we ask of God, we are prepared to receive His help?

General Conference

Repentance:A Joyful Choice

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"Even as we feel godly sorrow for our actions, when we choose to repent, we immediately invite the Savior into our lives."

I usually get up before sunrise.  When it starts becoming light outside I open the blinds.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the window and it was a winter wonderland outside.  It snowed off and on for a few hours and accumulated 2 inches of snow.  By afternoon, the snow was all gone.  So weird.

It might be my last chance this year to

take pictures of snow.

James made the bed this morning.  It was a

sweet gesture and he did a great job,

except for the pillows. 

This afternoon James and I went in to town.  He needed to get his truck lubed and I needed to get some things for our dinner tomorrow night.  The Giles's are coming over for the priesthood session of conference tomorrow and then afterwards we are having dinner.  While we were waiting for James's truck we sat in McDonald's and read from our book.  I also had an ice cream. I just can't seem to resist.  

I made shredded beef tacos for dinner.  They were good, but James liked the beef better in a sandwich with mustard and pickles.

After dinner we watched the last two episodes of "When Calls The Heart."  When Elizabeth sang "O Danny Boy" it really got to James.  He loves that song.  It really was beautiful.

Fun Photos

Fossil Creek with:

Darrel, Trina, Lexy, Bryce, Lacey, Westley.

Sheri looks so sweet and I was proud of her

for being brave enough to stand under that goat.

James and his bear.

Vernon, June, 2014

A day at the beach.

James, working on his tan.

Anna working on her tan.

I am not sure what Emmy is doing.

Molly and Emmy at an Angel's game.

Emmy, James, Anna, Molly

I wonder if James forgot his sunglasses.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Happy Birthday to my beautiful mom!

I got a  message from Veleda Penrod Willis who was my

mom's best friend in high school.  She said:

"Thinking about your Mom today! I made such wonderful memories with her.  She was such a big part of my life.  She would have been 85 today.  I am sure she is happy where she is!!!

Hug to you."

Kim attended sacrament meeting with us today.  It was high councilman day.  Paul Wyatt, who was just released from the high council today, was the speaker along with his wife Pandora.  Pandora is an avid family history researcher and she spoke about the importance of doing family history work and connecting with our ancestors.  Paul spoke about his family and Pandora.  You can tell he is really proud of her.  She has two passions: horses, and family history.  

Alice Wilhelm was the youth speaker and do a great job speaking about gospel standards. 

My lesson in Primary today was on the day of Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  My class included: Braylin, Zemira, Kasey, Ashten, and Talena.

I gave Patsy Tedder a hug today and told her how sorry I was about her grandson Tyler who passed away a couple of weeks ago.

Today was a beautiful overcast day with a little bit of rain.  I think the rain was for Kim.  She loves it almost as much as I do. 

  Rainy days and Sunday

This afternoon after naptime and lunch I did some more coloring in my new book.  I had a nice visit with Kim before she left for home around 4pm. 

Sweet Kimmy

James and Brother Rick Lauritzen went home teaching to the Wallace's today.  Sister Ruth Wallace has had some serious health issues recently.  One of the things that she deals with is severe anxiety.  George, her husband, has heart problems and has been in and out of the hospital.  That may be what she has anxiety about.

This evening we watched a Hallmark movie called "A Wish Come True." 

Back in Chandler Stacy and Paul attended Nicole's baby blessing.  Nicole is Paul's sister.  They are in the same ward as Karen Schneider.

The baby's name is Max Fielding Schaub

Boy #4 

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

"The willingness to see through each others

eyes will transform 'corrupt communication' into ministering grace.

-Elder Zwick

Throwback Thursday on Facebook

 My mom 

My mom and I

My brother Harold is #27

This afternoon I went visiting teaching with Randa Covert.  We visited Mary Swift and Joyce Malone.  The other sister we visit, Julie Wilhelm is in Montana.  She works for the National Forest Service.  I will contact her by phone.  The message was on the divine mission of Jesus Christ as our comforter.  Here was our handout:

 James got home from the valley a little before six this evening.  I had told Dennis I would meet him and Denise at Aunt Gene's around 6:30 for dinner.  James changed and we left and arrived just a little after 6:30. Here is what the sky looked like on our way into town.

I couldn't really capture how beautiful it was!

 Dennis and Denise were already at Aunt Genes and I guess Harold and Vickie aren't coming.  We visited awhile and then went down to Licano's for dinner.  Licano's was originally the Paint Pony and owned by grandma & grandpa Maxwell.  Aunt Gene was the manager.

Cher, Brian and Colby were there to

watch the ASU game and Cher and

Colby came by for a visit.  We visited with Brian

on the way out.

 Aunt Gene and Denise have a special bond.

 Dennis and Colby.

Dennis did an imitation of one of their neighbors who

sits on her porch and yells bad things about the Maxwell's.

Although the situation isn't funny his imitation

make me laugh!

After dinner we went back up to the house and took pictures of old photographs aunt Gene had.  I have got to come back for more!!

Grandma & Grandpa Maxwell

They were married on 

August 25, 1926

 Sorry this is so blurry. Grandma & Muhammed Ali.

He trained in Show Low and stayed at the Maxwell House.

This picture was taken at grandma & grandpa's

50th wedding anniversary party.

Another wedding aniversary

I can't believe how much grandma

looks like aunt Gene in this picture.

Not sure who grandma has but

grandpa has a couple of fish.

35th Wedding anniversary

Young marrieds

Square dancing days

The family, grandpa, grandma,

my dad - Marlin, and aunt Gene

when they lived in Lakeside.

Aunt Gene and my dad as teenagers

growing up in Show Low.

I love these old family pictures and hopefully I can go back and visit with Aunt Gene again and hear some more family stories.

James was tired and not feeling well but I am so grateful he came with me tonight to enjoy time with my family.

 

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Happy Birthday Mom!

 Today would have been my mom's 84th birthday.

She died On March 31, 1999, and

I still miss her everyday and I always will,

until I see her again.

It was Florence Cluff's funeral and I am afraid I missed it.  She was a dear friend and a great influence in my life.

I went to lunch with James at Chili's and then did some shopping at Bath & Body Works.  That place is amazing.  I was on sensory overload while I was there.

At 3pm this afternoon we attended Rowan's baptism at the Val Vista Lakes stake center in Gilbert.  What a special day for Rowan's baptism.  Not only was it my mother's birthday but it was the day Darrel was baptized 28 years ago.  Life really does come full circle.

 

Rowan and his friend Nate.

Love these faces!

Rowan was baptized and confirmed by his dad Darrel Kay Lambson.  One of the most special parts of the program was Addy and Ruby singing "I Like to Look for Rainbows."  Addy has a beautiful voice, and Ruby certainly is not shy.  The neat things is that on the way home this evening I saw the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen.  It reminded me again about how special this day was.  The only way it would have been better is if Jared and his family were here.

Sheri & Evan entertaining Lola

I love her hair!

Trina and Darrel had a get together at their house after the baptism.  I only had time to grab a brownie and a few bites of watermelon, change my clothes and head for home.  James was in such a big hurry and although we weren't traveling together he was helping me put air in my tire before leaving.  Here are some pictures I took at the party before I was whisked away. 

Kylie and Kayla, Rowan's cousins, made him a

replica of the Gilbert temple out of Legos.

What a great idea and didn't they do a good job!

Welcome to the Gilbert Temple

Someone was just too tired to party.

Kim got Rowan a Harry Potter

scarf, robe, and glasses to go

with the wizard's wand I got him

for his birthday.  He loves Harry Potter!

It was late when I got home around 10pm.  I love my family so much but it's always good to be home, especially when James is here too.