Saturday, December 8th, 2018

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981

By: Marion G. Romney

Jesus Christ, Death of

1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 6:12-30

*We learn that the Jaredites were taught the importance of humility. Modern revelation also teaches us the importance of humility:'Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers.' (DC 112:10). Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explained that 'humility is the recognition and attitude that one must rely on the Lord's assistance to make it through life.' (CR, Oct 2004, 110).

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 15-3 Nephi 1

Old Testament

Nahum 3-Habakkuk 2

General Conference

Firm and Steadfast in the Faith of Christ

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"To persevere firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ requires that the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrate one's heart and soul, meaning that the gospel becomes not just one of many influences in a person's life but the defining focus of his or her life and character. The Lord says: 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

'And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

'And...ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.'"

I ordered James an omlet with tomatoes, onions, ham, spinach and cheese and a side of O'Brien potatoes. It looked really good as I ate my yogurt with berries.

I was going to help James with a bath but an x-ray tech came in to take him for a chest x-ray. I told the aide on duty that I was leaving, hoping he would help James with a bath...no such luck. 

I went home to Kim's to take a shower and to do some laundry. 

Kim has turned her kitchen into a cookie factory. She is making 25 cookie plates and each plate has five or six different kinds of cookies. I hope she doesn't wear herself out. 

While Kim was baking Brian was doing errands and I was washing clothes and reading. Brian had a lunch date at Dickey's BBQ and he brought Kim and I back some lunch. We had brisket that was so tender that it melted in your mouth, macaroni and cheese, beans, and rolls. It was delicious! He also went to the store and asked if there was anything he could get me. I asked if he could get some Slimfast shakes, dark chocolate, for James. He said yes he could.

Stacy came over for a few minutes this afternoon. She brought Jared Ammon's dog, Sophie with her. The dog was shaking but finally calmed down. That dog needs a mani/pedi.

I went back to the hospital and Sheri met me there. James was awake but he had not had a bath. He was practicing blowing on one of his devices.

 Sounds like a sick elk

That container in front contained some of the

brisket I brought back for James.

Nurse Ana came in to say hello. She was happy to know that James is off the oxygen and is on the mend. He is breathing fine on his own.

The top one is his oxygen saturation level.

Sheri brought dark chocolate covered Cello cherries, 2 boxes for James and Ghiradelli milk chocolate squares filled with caramel and a Sonic cherry limeade for me. 

Sheri and I walked over to Marshall's and did a little shopping. Sheri also went to the DSW store to look for shoes. She has always been a shoe buff. 

After Sheri left we watched the Hallmark channel and I stayed until Kim and Brian got home from seeing Jim Gaffagin. I don't want to go to their house when they aren't there because of their fancy alarm system. 

 I love everything about this girl!

 Very pretty!

Stacy and Paul high school memories:

Adam's baptism, 20 years ago.

Why get this close to 10,000 and not finish?

Monday, December 11th, 2017

Quetzeltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ Atonement through

Hebrews 5:9

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Book of Mormon

Ether 8:18-26

*What warning did Moroni issue to the people of our day, and what are the consequences of heeding or ignoring that warning?

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared: "The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power."

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 27:2

For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory - remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.

General Conference

Repentance Is Always Positive

Stephen W. Owens

"We can try to change our behavior on our own, but only the Savior can remove our stains and lift our burdens, enabling us to pursue the path of obedience with confidence and strength."

The Eternal Everyday

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Alma asked a question in his day that is pertinent today:'If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?'

Alma continued, 'Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time,...that ye have been sufficiently humble?'

Every time I read about Alma the younger relinquishing his role as head of state to preach the word of God, I am impressed. Alma clearly had a profound testimony of God the Father and Jesus Christ and felt accountable to Them completely and without reservation. He had the correct priorities and humility to give up status and position because he realized that serving the Lord was more important."

James made an appointment with Dr. Moffat this morning and talked me into going to town with him. While he was at the doctors, I did some shopping at Walmart. I had lunch at the McDonald's inside of Walmart after I was done shopping. James had to take 3 prescripttions to CVS and while we were waiting for them to be filled he had lunch at Arby's. 

It was 50 degrees and sunny today. We are praying for snow. On the trip home we read from "A Touch of Scarlett." 

When we got home we too naps. I then turned on a Christmas movie while I worked on my blog. These are the movies I watched today: "Christmas in Vermont," "A Prince for Christmas," "Christmas in Mississippi," and "Maggie's Christmas Miracle."

The last one was the best. I am going to save it to watch when Sheri and Kim come up.

For F.H.E. we listened to Elder Cook's conference address, "The Eternal Everyday."

I am still feeling pretty lousy and so is James.

James bringing me Pero and turning on the fan.

We are watching a movie together.

This is almost a nightly occurrence for him.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Phoenix temple.

Christlike attribute:

"Diligence"

 I work effectively, even when I'm not under

pressure or supervised."

D&C 58:26-27

I focus my efforts on the

most important things.

Matthew 23:23

I was up at 4 am to study.  I missed going to the temple with the youth this morning.  They met at the church at 5:30am.  

At 8am I started pumpkin bread for James's home teaching families: John & Sandra Wilhelm, Owen & Donna Peeler, Sean & Stefani Hunsaker, and John & Lorraine Vaught.  I didn't have enough eggs for four loaves so James had to make a trip to the Stanford store for some eggs.  We have a bit of a misunderstanding and don't speak for awhile.  Finally I tell him what he has done to hurt my feelings and he is very sweet the rest of the day.

After making four loaves of pumpkin bread I ask myself the question: "Why is there that big dent in the middle of each loaf of bread?".  I start to Google this question but realize it's getting late and I will have to find my answer another time.  I start getting ready for my week long trip to the valley.

I have some empty storage boxes upstairs that I break down to take with us.  Part of my plan is to finish emptying the cupboards downstairs in Chandler and bring stuff home or give it or throw it away. I call and tell Sheri I won't be making it to the Trunk or Treat.  She is sad but understands and sends me some pictures.

All four of her boys are in this picture and

one extra guy.

 Joshua and Evan.  Star Wars buddies.

Trina and Darrel's ward also had their trunk or treat tonight.

 Lola was an ASU cheerleader

 Elsa, Hermoine, and Harry join Lola.

We arrived at the house in Chandler after dark, around 6:30.  We unloaded the truck and then went grocery shopping at Fry's.  It's still 87 degrees outside!  

We visited with Joshua, Michael and Stacy and Paul a little while before going downstairs to go to bed.  We had to move Adam's bird Lukesy out of the basement.  

James still has laringitis and now he can't hear.  He pokes around in his ear with pens and other sharp objects and now it is infected.  He's never been able to hear very well out of his other ear which is cauliflowered from his years of wrestling.

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I made a camp bag for Alex Jones this morning.  It's pink.  I hope she likes it.  The other girls made theirs on May 22nd with the Relief Society. 
I made another trip to town this morning for my prescriptions and some last minute stuff for the pedicures.  Kaeli got some cheap flip flops for the girls to wear around camp after they get their pedicures.  I picked her up and we rode up to camp together.  We got there in the early afternoon just about 20 minutes or so before the girls arrived from their hike.  Brother Curtis and Brother Skousen filled up our wading pool and had it ready for the girls when they arrived.  They loved soaking their sore feet!

Kilee says thumbs up!

More girls join in the fun.

Kilee likes the camera.

This little pool served it's purpose.

That's Jordyn in the background painting her toenails.

After the spa treatment, it was time for lunch.  Sister Theresa Smith, Diana Curtis, and Judy Hunter had made chicken salad for us served on croissants.  We also had chips and watermelon, grape salad.  It was quite a yummy lunch.

After lunch Karla and Brother Reynolds left.  We wanted Karla to stay but couldn't convince her.  

Sister Sherry Swansey helped the girls make leather bracelets.  Julie Wilhelm had ordered the mocking jay symbol from The Hunger Games for the girls to put on their bracelets.  

Working on bracelets.

LeeAnn made a bracelet for me.

Trenda forgot her sleeping bag so after she made her bracelet I took her home to get it.  The girls camp is only 8 miles from Vernon.  We had a nice visit.  According to Trenda the hike was a little too long and she thinks we should have prepared for it by doing some hikes before camp.  She also got very cold sleeping on the ground last night.

When we got back it was time to set up the two tents the girls will be sleeping in.  It took awhile for Julie, Kaeli, Brother Applegate, and I to determine what the tent assignments would be.  Because Alex Jones is openly gay it was decided that two leaders should be in the tent with her.  Here is what we finally came up with: Tent #1: The leaders - Julie Wilhelm, and Kaeli Nicoll, Alex Jones, Jordyn Applegate, Madalen Carroll, and Trenda Wilhelm.  Tent #2: Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker, Hope Lootans, Kelly Reynolds, Shelly Applegate, and Mary Swift.  

I am exhausted and anxious to see if Sheri, Ian, Nate and Mandy have arrived at my house so I leave a little before 5.  I miss dinner and Judy Hunter's history of the camp.  I think I pretty much hear the history the day Judy brought us up to show us where the camp was.  

Back at home my guests have arrived.  I go shopping with Mandy and Sheri at Safeway in Show Low.  Since today is Ian's birthday I left him a card on the counter with a gift card inside.  I also bought him two pieces of cheesecake at Safeway, one with cherries, and one plain.  When we return home Ian and Nate have already fixed dinner.  Grilled shrimp, and chicken and some other goodies.  Sheri had brought me a green chili burro from Burger House so that's what I ate for dinner.  We watched Master Chef.  I fell asleep.  I guess I should tell a little about Nate and Mandy.  Nate speaks Mandarin Chinese and works for the government.  Their family has been living in Indonesia the past two years and now they are going to live in Bejing, China for the next two years.  They have 5 children who are very well behaved.  They have 3 girls who are the oldest, and 2 boys, just like we did.  Their oldest is 12 and the youngest 5.  The two boys love Evan.  The names of the Detman children are: Bryn, Rhiannon, Aderyn, Maddox, and Griffin.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I listened to the song "VivaLaVida" by Coldplay today and it reminded me of Marie Antionette and her husband King Louis XVI of France.  James and I are reading their story right now and it is so sad how the people treated her.  She really was not a bad person and neither was Louis.  The French Revolution was started mostly by agitators hired to stir up the people against the King and more specifically his wife.

I love going on my morning walk and listening to conference talks.  I gain such insights and inspiration.  (Did I say that before?  Well, it's true).

I worked on preparing for our Young Women's activity, which will be held here tonight, most of the morning.  I dusted and vacuumed, waxed the floor and cleaned the kitchen.  I also finished preparing for my little talk on Personal Progress.  I started getting worried about everyone getting in here tonight because it rained most of the morning.  For the first time that I can remember I prayed that it would stop raining.  It did.  Thank you Heavenly Father.

Around 2pm James and I went in to town to get supplies for tonight and gas for the Ranger.  I wanted to get some bananas for my shakes and this is what the banana display at Walmart looked like:

Did some monkey come through and eat all of the bananas?

By the time we got home it was almost 5 o'clock and our activity starts in an hour. Yikes!

I could never have done this without James's help.  He is such a sweetie.  He cleaned the grill, put the water bottles in the ice chest, and kept busy the entire evening.  I put groceries away and started making cookies.  I had intended on making the cookies earlier in the day but got busy cleaning and just didn't do it.

At 5:50 Wes and Teresa Smith and the nonmember girl I invited yesterday, China Wadlington, arrived.  What a delight it was to meet China.  She is such a cute, friendly, mature 17 year old who is a senior at Show Low High School and wants to attend college next year and eventually become an attorney.  Her Dad is a member in our ward who is inactive.  China and her dad are friends with the Swansey's.  Sherry Swansey was just baptized and asked us to fellowship China.  It will be our pleasure.

China and Teresa helped me in the kitchen and Wes helped James with the grill.  Soon the others began arriving:  MaKenzi, Leann, and Kilee Hunsaker, Jordyn and Shelly Applegate, Mary Swift, Trenda Wilhelm, and Sister Natalie Soderquist, the Young Women's President.  Natalie brought tater tots for us to cook.  We are having a "Ketchup" on Personal Progress night.  

During dinner part of the conversation centered around creatures we don't like: moths, scorpions, crickets, cockroaches, and vinagerettes.  Vinagerettes?  Isn't that a salad dressing.  Kilee looked confused.  She said her Dad didn't like them.  I was confused too so I ask James if there was a bug with a name similar to vinagerette.  He said:  "Oh, you mean vinagerones?  Yes.  Mystery solved.  

After dinner the men worked in the kitchen while we gathered the girls around the dining room table and talked about Personal Progress.  We found out what each girl was working on, and then bore testimony and challenged them to set a goal as to when they would work on their experiences and projects and figure out a plan as to how long it would take them to finish.  I felt like things went well.  China joined in and even made the comment that she thought she would be baptized and that she would start coming to Church!

I took Trenda and Mary back to the Church and Jordyn and Shelly home.  The conversation in the car went something like this: Trenda: "Shelly and Jordyn I want you to start coming to the stake dances.  There is one next Saturday at the Linden chapel."  Shelly:  "I don't want any boys touching me!"  By the time we got back to the Church I think she was considering going to the dance and maybe allowing a boy to touch her hand.

The girls loved our home and I told them we would have more activities here. Shelly ran from room to room and came back and reported that we had 11 closets. 

I forgot to mention that when Trenda saw James doing the dishes she said:  "That is so cool.  My Dad always makes us do the dishes."