Tuesday, June 30th, 2020

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Revelation 19:9

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 24 with James; 

Lambson Study Group

God is Merciful

Inklings

Healthy benefits of beans

We left for the valley at 5:15 this morning. Our first stop was in Globe to get gas and then in Miami to pick up a Tony's Special breakfast burrito at Burger House. Masks are required, no public restrooms, only three customers in the building at a time. Such a downer.

Burger House Heist

One taste of this breakfast burrito we shared and we

knew it was worth any hardship. Delicious!

James's two houses failed inspections again. There are three contractors that are supposed to come back and deal with problems. None of them came. James has to reschedule an inspection for the third time. 

I dropped James off at Sheri's to work while I went to my infusion. Stacy came by to pickup some pills from me and ended up taking me to my appointment. James needed to keep the car to pick up some materials at Home Depot. We both wore our masks in case she is still contagious although by this time she should not be. It's been almost a month since she came down with it. 

My infusion went quickly. They called me back and I got started at 10:30. My appointment wasn't until 10:45 but I was early. I was done by 11:30. I can't call while I'm in the infusion center so I kept texting James but he never answered me. I went outside and called when I was finished and he said he had not seen my texts. I told him I was going to walk across the street to Freddy's and he could pick me up there. The only thing open at Freddy's was the drive-thru window so I waited outside in front on a bench sitting in the shade until James got there. We drove back to Sheri's and I picked up Max and Evan and took them to Jersey Mike's to order some lunch. We had to wear masks and the dining area was not open so we took our sandwiches home to eat them. I love the Jersey Shore Special, Mike's Way. Max and Evan were thankful that I bought them some lunch. We also saw Alex when we got back to the house. He said he is taking Max fishing near Saguaro Lake on the Salt River tomorrow morning for his birthday. 

James didn't quite finish at Sheri's. He tried to call Sal and Greg Hatch but could not get a hold of either one of them for a meeting. He said he had to go to Peoria to meet with someone whose job he and Sal are starting this week. We drove 45 miles across town so James could meet with this guy for about 10 minutes. He lives in a nice neighborhood and has retired at a young age. James was impressed with him. Aaron is the guys name and he had requested to meet James. 

Next stop was at Dobson Ranch where James has done lots of work. Some guy named Don wanted James to look at something that might be a potential problem. James took a look and told him what to do and that was it. 

My friend Barbara had surgery on her shoulder yesterday. I texted her and ask if I could pick up anything for her at Costco. She wanted sweet plums, Barbacoa beef, and Quaker granola cereal. Before going to the Gilbert Costco we stopped in at Deseret Book which is right behind Costco. I got a new Book of Mormon, triple combination.

I have my reasons

James helped me shop at Costco. We thought Barbara wanted fresh plums so we picked up a bag. I got the last package of Barbacoa Beef, and then we easily found the Quaker's granola. After we had checked out I looked at my phone and realized these are the plums Barbara wanted. 

I texted this picture to Sheri. She is going to get these plums and bring them up when she comes up on the 13th. In the meantime Pierce and Barbara will have fresh plums to eat. 

Our best deal at Costco was a big bag of walnuts for twelve dollars. From Costco we drove to Darrel and Trina's. No one is home. Darrel is on his way but he is a long ways away. I got the garage code from Darrel and we broke in and left Lola's birthday present on the table. I also stole (I asked) one of Darrel's caramel protein shakes.

Loved it!

From Darrel's we headed for home. We didn't roll into our driveway until 9 p.m. James's first concern was feeding Luna. I helped him unload the car and we got the Barbacoa beef and some green chili pork into the refrigerator. It felt so good to be home! 

I took a shower and changed in to my comfy clothes. I did not get all of my steps today but I will make it up the rest of the week. We will deliver to the Goodman's tomorrow. James made a spinach, pineapple, banana smoothie and shared some of it with me. I forgot how much I love them!

Somewhere near St. George, Utah 

Friday, February 8th, 2019

Cochabamba, Bolivia

82nd operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

John 1:34

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:22-3:5

What do I learn about joy in these verses?

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Temptation; "Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You" Gordon B. Hinckley, October 1989.

General Conference

"Firm and Steadfast in the Faith of Christ"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"The temptations and tribulations we experience, plus any testing that the Lord sees fit to impose, can lead to our full conversion and healing. But this happens if, and only if, we do not harden our hearts or stiffen our necks against Him. If we remain firm and steadfast, come what may, we achieve the conversion the Savior intended when He said to Peter, 'When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren,' a conversion so complete that it cannot be undone. The promised healing is the cleansing and sanctification of our sin-wounded souls, making us holy."

Happy Birthday Stacy!

47 years ago Stacy made me a mom.

2018

A few years ago

James: "It's 18 this morning, up from 10 yesterday. We're gettin' up there." My own personal weatherman.

I had a lunch date with my friend Pam today. She suggested that instead of eating at the hospital where all the sick people are that we go to Panda or Wendy's. I chose Panda because I have been craving orange chicken for awhile. James doesn't like Panda so I haven't had any for awhile. 

Pam's lunch looked much healthier than my orange chicken over friend rice. 

While Pam and I were lunching James was taking the car to Jiffy Lube to be serviced. They told him he was back too soon. The synthetic oil should last 7,500 miles. He got the car washed, got gas, rabbit feed, and Dr. Pepper 10. 

Pam and I really click. I was sad to miss Jenny who went home sick but Pam and I talked about President Nelson's fireside, missionaries, and other topics we probably wouldn't discuss if Jenny was with us. Pam said she wishes she had tickets to see the Nelson's. I told her I wished I had known, I probably could have gotten some for her. 

James and I listened to a talk today by President Hinckley from the 1989 women's conference. It was called, "Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You." It was so great to hear President Hinckley's voice. He counseled women in three areas: 1. Educate your hands and your minds 2. Keep marriage and motherhood in proper perspective. 3. Walk with prayer and faith, with charity and love.

By the time we got back home our car was muddy again. I guess we are just destined to have a muddy car until the weather dries out. 

I needed a rest and some Tramadol when we got home. I finally got around to blogging. I blogged for last Sunday and it took awhile. 

James is in the market to buy a scanner for our book business. He ordered one tonight. We are going to take it to the library with us and scan books which will give us their sales rank and how much they should sell for.

 Old time Chandlerites,

Cleora Ellsworth and Florence Cluff.

 Love this picture of both of them.

 So cute!

 Sandy and Teresa

Teresa and Stacy, and yes 

she has wet pants. 

 I keep finding these peg people from the Life game.

 So cute!

Thursday, December 27th, 2018

Buenes Aires, Argentina

39th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-18 Jan 1986

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Death of

Alma 22:14

And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.

Book of Mormon

#1- Moroni 7:35-48

#2 - Ether 15-Moroni 4

General Conference

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

Matthew L. Carpenter

 "Through His ministry, Christ taught that He had power over the physical body. We cannot control the timing of when Christ's healing of our physical ailments will occur. Healing occurs according to His will and wisdom. In the scriptures some suffered for decades; others, their entire mortal lives. Mortal infirmities can refine us and deepen our reliance upon God. But when we allow Christ to be involved, He will always strengthen us spiritually so we can have greater capacity to endure our burdens."

I blogged through December 19th today. I wonder if I will ever catch up. My problem is that my internet is so slow and it takes forever to download pictures.

Stacy is coming today so I had to do a little cleaning. I vacuumed our bedroom and the family room. I dusted and cleaned bathrooms upstairs and did some laundry. 

After cleaning, James and I went to town. We had lunch at Los Corrales because Maxine told me they had a lunch special for $6.95. I got a chicken enchilada plate with rice and beans, which is the lunch special. James splurged and got the Los Corrales enchilada and it looked like this:

Pork with bell peppers, onions, and sour cream sauce.

I tasted it and it was delicious!

We picked up a prescription for James at CVS and then did some shopping at Walmart. I bought squash, broccoli, asparagus, two roasts, steak, spinach, bread, pineapple, bananas, eggs, milk, cheerios, shakes, ice, diet Dr. Pepper, and toilet paper and paper towels. That ought to last us a couple of days.

When we got back to Vernon Stacy, Michael, Joshua, Shipley and Vader were there. I guess Paul decided not to come. It took me forever to carry in all of the groceries. Michael was carrying in wood with Joshua.

We have more snow. While it was snowing outside Stacy, Michael, James, and I played Hearts. James ran them at least twice and Michael ended up losing. 

For dinner Michael made us Gordon Ramsey steaks and Stacy made fingerling potatoes with parmesan cheese. I made some asparagus and squash. Everything was delicious. 

Stacy and the boys watched Harry Potter while I watched a Christmas movie in the bedroom. I also walked.

 Zoo Lights

 The Whalen family

 The Thompson family

 The dogs love Michael

They love Joshua too, especially when he

shares his apple with them.

Such a big girl!

 I love that smile!

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?