Friday, March 22nd, 2019

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Mark 5:7

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

Book of Mormon

Jacob 5:19-34

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Luke 8:16-56

Planting Gospel Seeds of Spirituality

Elder David B. Haight

General Conference

"Wounded"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"My brothers and sisters, it is my promise to you that increasing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will bring you added strength and greater hope. For you, the righteous, the Healer of our souls, in His time and His way, will heal all your wounds. No injustice, no persecution, no trial, no sadness, no heartache, no suffering, no wound - however deep, however wide, however painful - will be excluded from the comfort, peace, and lasting hope of Him whose open arms and whose wounded hands will welcome us back into His presence. At that day, the Apostle John testifies, the righteous 'which come out of great tribulation' will stand 'arrayed in white robes ... before the throne of God.' The Lamb will 'dwell among us ... and God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes.' this day will come. I so witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

We sold the "Lost Encyclopedia" last night. That is book number 30. 

James surprised me with breakfast this morning, scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast.

We got ready to return my book, "Statistics for Economics and Business." It is in good shape but it is a looseleaf book in a binder and will not sell for the same price as a regular book. I got the seller's address off of Ebay where I bought the book. I packaged it up and we were ready to go. 

Our first stop was LaCasita. It's obvious that I am in a rut. Again I ordered a chicken enchilada with red sauce and rice and beans. 
LaCasita's refried beans are the best that I have ever had.

James is in a rut too. He loves LaCasita's green chili sauce. He got a chicken enchilada with green sauce and beans only. I guess when LaCasita sees us coming they could start making our food.

After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart to pick up my prescriptions: metoprolol, hydrochlorithiazide, and tramadol.
The first two are prescriptions from my primary care doctor, Dr. Moffat and they were ready for pickup. The tramadol is my pain med and is prescribed by my arthritis doctor, Dr Caldron and his PA's. When I was in for my infusion on March 1st, Edith, a PA, asked if I needed refills and I said yes. I picked up my methotrexate refill but never picked up tramadol and now Walmart has no record of a refill prescription being called in. I was not able to resolve this issue today but will wait until Monday as I still have a few tramadol left. 

James went to UPS to see how much it would cost to ship my book through them. USPS was $5.87, UPS was 18.78. Quite a difference so we had to go to the post office to mail the book. James took it in and mailed it for me. Thanks honey.

We had to make a trip to the distributor center in Snowflake so James could buy some temple shoes. He still has not found his temple bag which also had his recommend in it. 
While James was at the distribution center I was shopping at the Walmart in Taylor. I am taking dinner to the Skousen's this evening. Becky is the RS teacher who has pneumonia. 

On the way back to Show Low I was checking my email and saw that the seller on E-bay had sent me a message.  The message was that his address had changed and he was giving me the new address. Yikes! What to do? 
James said we needed to go back to the post office and see if they could find the package for us so we could change the address.
Again, James went inside for me. 

I walked across the street to see my dream car, a Range Rover, to check out the price. No price listed. I like everything about this vehicle except the brown color. I am assuming it has four-wheel drive. I am also assuming I can't afford it.

Back at the post office, James was successful! The clerk was able to find the package and James added the new address.

When I got home I stuck 3 packages, six rolls each, of Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls in the oven. These are to take to the temple tomorrow.

Next I started browning the stew meat for my stew I am taking to the Skousen's. This really should have simmered longer but there just wasn't time. I added the other ingredients and let it simmer for as long as I could. I bought some croissants to go with the stew. We loaded up the car and were on our way, a little later than I had planned. 

We arrived at the Skousen's around 6:15 just as Brother Skousen arrived home from work. I walked in to say hi to Becky but didn't get too close.  I was glad we had plenty of stew because I had forgotten that Brother Skousen's mother lives with them.

Some other things that happened today: 
- I got a sweet text from Jared that helped make my day happier.
- Sheri, the kids and Ollie went hiking and Sheri and Shayna saw a rattlesnake.
-I left a message asking Sister Lauritzen to teach RS on Sunday. I never got a response. 
- One of the books James ordered came and it turns out to be an instructor's copy which we are not allowed to sell so he has to send it back.
- A Hallmark Christmas movie was seen by Karen and James.

 This sweet girl loves to be outside!

 I am so happy about this!

 Aaron's former brother-in-law

Wednesday, March 6th, 2019

Snowflake, Arizona

108th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 March 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Acts 9:20

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 26:12-30

How do you recognize the subtle flaxen cords around your neck before they become too strong?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 8:18-27; Mark 3:31-55; 4:35-41

"Spiritual Healing:," James E. Faust, 4/1992

General Conference

Truth and the Plan

President Dallin H. Oaks

"Our loving Heavenly father wants His Children to have the joy that is the purpose of our creation. That joyful dstiny is eternal life, which we can obtain by pressing forward along what our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, often calls 'the covenant path.' Here is what he said in his first message as President of the Church: 'Keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere.'"

Jesus performed more miracles in Capernaum, the Savior's own city, than anywhere else. Jesus used the title "Son of Man" 80 times in reference to himself. 

We left a little after 9 for the valley this morning. We stopped at Walmart in Show Low to pick up the shakes James left in our cart on Monday. I go for a little walk and get a drink at McDonald's while James is getting the shakes

On our way we stop at the McDonald's in Globe so I can use the little girl's room. This is what we saw in the parking lot.

So many motorcycles on the road. I said to James that a lot of 

people in Globe love to ride and he said I will bet most of them are from out of state. Sure enough, I started checking, Ontario, Canada, New York, Minnesota. I guess that's one of the reasons people like to come here in the winter.

We met Sheri and Kimmy for lunch at the Cafe Rio in Chandler. Stacy couldn't come because she had a doctor's appointment. James ate lunch and then left for his doctor's appointment at the Southwest Sonoran Spine center in Tempe. 

After lunch I saw a set of missionaries go in to Mechie's frozen yogurt next door. Sheri said they were the missionaries from their ward and she had just fed them the other night. She went in and paid for their yogurt. While she was doing that I tried the mango and lemon yogurt mix. It was delicious!

Kim and I dropped Sheri off at work and then went to park on Washington St. by the high school to wait for Max to get out of school. There was a house for sale and I thought it would be perfect for James and I when we come down to stay. Too bad we don't have any money.

This is the next door neighbors yard.

On the way to take Max home Kim tells a funny story about when she and Brian were in Nebraska for his grandma's funeral. They were out in the middle of nowhere when the neighbor lady came out and rang a bell. Kim said hundreds of cats came running and she doesn't know where they came from. She looked at Brian and said, "What just happened"?  Anyway, it was funny when she told it. I guess you had to have been there.

While I a waiting for James to pick me up from Kim's I scanned a few of her books. She has some nice art books but she doesn't want to sell them. 

After James arrives and picks me up we drive to Scottsdale to Shea Honor hospital to see if our friend Donna from Vernon is out of surgery. She is not but we visit with her husband Owen and our neighbor and Owen's good friend Chuck. We stayed over an hour waiting for her but then we had to get back to Darrel and Trina's to keep an eye on Ruby and Lola. Addy, Rowan and Trina are all going to Mutual and of course Darrel is at work. Trina was just called as the Young Women's president. When they moved from their old ward she was the Primary president. You just can't get away from the fact that you are pretty awesome Trina.

We took Ruby and Lola to Peter Piper Pizza. They had already eaten dinner and weren't hungry for pizza so we ordered a cinnamon dessert pizza and played some games.

I guess Max is pretty upset that we aren't leaving for the cabin tomorrow night.  We promised Owen we would come back tomorrow and see Donna and we won't be able to go until evening because we are babysitting and picking up kids for Darrel and Trina tomorrow. Darrel was supposed to have the kids but one of the guys he works with needed to switch with him. Darrel says this guy always accommodates him so he wanted to do this for him, hence I said I would babysit.

 Susan is a friend from Chandler. James used to

do repair work for her at her house all the time.

Her daughter Christine was married to Cody Birch.

 Our dear friends the Tolman's and their grandchildren.

 Lola lookin' good in a blue sports car.

 Darrel & Trina's rental house. A few more

weeks and they will be gone from this house.

I brought each of the kids a surprise egg.

The frog is Lola's and the bunny is Ruby's.

Rowan got Star Wars and we aren't sure what

Addy's was.

 Love this face!

 She's waving!

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Snowflake, Arizona

108th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 March 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Mosiah 15:7

Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 11:1-20

*I these verses the Nephites did being "to remember the Lord their God." What blessings have you seen come into your life when you choose to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? How do you feel when you ponder about what the Savior has done for you?

- I feel like going to church is like going to the hospital. We are all hurting or sick in some way. I feel healed as I partake of the sacrament. I know that as I repent and re-commit to keep the commandments the Savior forgives me and accepts of my offering, and I feel His love for me. I have the strength to face the challenges ahead of me for another week. During the week when I feel myself losing it, I offer a prayer to calm me down. I ask for peace, comfort, strength and love and to have the Spirit to be with me. I need Him every hour. I also try to repent immediately or at night during my prayers. 
Old Testament
Isaiah 34-36
General Conference

Behold the Man!

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The Savior's refining light saturates our souls. His grace uplifts us. Our burdens are lightened, our peace deepened. When we truly behold the Man, we have the promise of a blessed future that inspires and upholds us through the bends and bumps in life's journey. Looking back, we will recognize that there is a divine pattern, that the dots really connect."

James worked at the Howard's most of the day with Anthony. After work they came here, showered, and we had dinner with the missionaries. When I say "they" I mean James and Anthony.

I made stew, rolls, and a salad for dinner. James made lemonade. The stew cooked all day in the crockpot and made the house smell so good. I got a call from Stacy today, and Charlotte, which means I was on the phone listening for a good while today. 

I finished my book "The Lake House." I loved the ending. 

James has been waiting for his check from National Turf. They said they mailed it Monday but we have not yet received it. I hope they have the right address for us.

Just before James went in to take his shower I broke the top off my cake stand and it shattered everywhere. About that time Anthony came in in his stocking feet and I told him to be careful. James went in to take his shower and Anthony helped me clean up the shattered crystal. He said I could probably find a cake platter top at one of the thrift stores in town. I will certainly look because I do want it replaced.

We always enjoy Elder Bernecker and Elder Bingham, and so did Anthony. We talked about lots of different things, including missionary work. After dinner they shared a message and then had to leave. They are teaching Cameron Kenyon. He has had the lessons before but his parents never let him be baptized. Such a nice kid. I had him in my Primary class and he came a couple of times. I felt he would come all the time if he got some support from his parents. The missionaries have challenged them to come to church.

We love and appreciate the missionaries and Anthony!

9 lbs 4 oz of pure joy!

 Love those eyes!

 Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers

 We ready for you Kim!

 This is the family that is moving to Georgia.

I will miss them.

Saturday, April 21st, 2018

Snowflake, Arizona

108th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Mar 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary, "Prayer", paragraph 8

there are many passages in the New Testament that teach the duty of prayer (Matt. 7:7; 26:41; Luke 18:1; 21:36; Eph. 6:18; Philip. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:17, 25; 1 Tim. 2:1, 8). Christians are taught to pray in Christ's name (John 14:13-14; 15:7, 16; 16:23-24). We pray in Christ's name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ - when His words abide in us (John 15:7).We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ's name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man's heart.

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Mark 14:11

And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 12:17-13:4

*How do you "apply your heart to understanding?"

- A great talk called "Learning with Our Hearts" by Elder Gonzalez gave great insight. Some would have you believe that all you need to know is found on the web. But good and bad information is not enough. God has given us another source. He can give us knowledge when we navigate the celestial web in our hearts and minds. We access the celestial source by reading scriptures, harkening to the living prophet, prayer, and taking time to be still. As we follow the celestial promptings (thru the gift of the Holy Ghost) we will feel and see things that cannot be learned with modern technology, but thru the mind and heart.

Old Testament

Judges 20

All Israel arises against the Benjamites, who refuse to deliver up the men of Gibeah - The Benjamites are smitten and destroyed.

General Conference

Small and Simple Things

President Dallin H. Oaks

" We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, seemingly small things bring to pass great things."

I took a photo of the snow this morning before it disappeared.

James's snow picture, a couple of hours 

after mine.

From the Ensign I read an article called, "The Myth of Invisible Motherhood." 

"Even when we think no one sees or appreciates what we do, God sees."

"As you press forward in faith, you testify to your children that Heavenly Father is a God of miracles. Those are the bricks that you lay daily in their temples."

"We never know what impact our everyday acts of kindness may have for others."

I also enjoyed listening to President Nelson's talk from April, 1995: "Children of the Covenant."

James and I had a lunch of leftovers today:

The bread is homemade by Sister Grapp

Trenda texted me this morning and said she was here if I would like to come over and see her mom's baby, Lanel Sheree. I quickly got dressed and grabbed James because I did not want to miss seeing Trenda since she was leaving at 2:30.

Trenda and her husband Emery were both at Sandra's. They live in Flagstaff where Emery is going to school to be a civil engineer and Trenda is working at a doctor's office. I asked her where she was working and she said, Flagstaff Bone and Joint. That just so happens where James has an appointment this coming Friday!

His appointment is with Dr. Flint and Trenda assured him that he was a great doctor.

I got to hold the baby the entire time we were there. We gave Sandra a box of clothes, a blanket, etc. for the baby. George was fascinated with the box and taking things in and out of it. He is going to be three in August.

Lanel Sheree is named after a legend in Vernon,

Aunt Lannie. She is our Primary President,

Aunt Lannie that is, and the assistant superintendent

of schools in Navajo county.

When we returned home it was nap time, walk time, and blog time.

James had to make a trip to town. Something about parts for the tractor he is trying to fix before his job starts on May 1st. While he was gone I heard a couple of ATV's drive up and stop and then someone knock on the door. It was his good friend Owen. Owen said he was camped up on the mountain looking for antlers and James should come up and see him when he gets home. 

When James returned home I told him about Owen's visit and sure enough he went up to see him. Owen said they have been there for over a week and have not found any antlers but they did find several dead carcasses of deer and elk. This could be because of poachers or predators.

While James was gone 4 or 5 elk came onto our property to feed.

Sorry for the quality of the photos but that's

the best I can do with my phone.

When James got home he went outside and scared the elk away.

I worked on my Primary lesson this evening, the last one I will give. It is about Joseph being sold into Egypt by his brothers.

I had a hot bath after my walking and then James wanted me to watch a movie with him so we watched the next episode of "When Calls the Heart."

Mr. Fixit at work.

I love this!

Such a cute picture. I hope I look this good at 92.

What am I saying? I want to be in heaven

when I am 92!

People who complain about

Braylin is going to have a surgery on his arms that will

hopefully allow him to feed himself.

He really is an amazing boy!

My evening meal.

David Archuleta at the Austin, Tx

Aquarium. I'm not sure what that is

he's holding.