Showing posts with label Thanksgiving dinner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving dinner. Show all posts

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Sunday, November 17th, 2019

Chicago, Illinois
35th operating temple
Dedicated: 9-13 Aug 1985
By: Gordon B. Hinckley


Jesus Christ, Head of Church
DC 124:41
For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Book of Mormon
4 Nephi 1:23-49
New Testament
Review Hebrews 7-13


10/19 General Conference
"Covenant Women in Partnership with God"
"Speaking to sisters, President Russell M. Nelson gave a wonderful summary of the Lord's call to you to join Him in His work. President Nelson described your call in this way: 'The Lord said, 'My work and my glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' (Moses 1:39) So His devoted daughter-disciple may truly say, 'My work and my glory is to help my loved ones reach that heavenly goal.'
"To help another human being reach one's celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing Saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting."

Day 6: Obedience - Hebrews 13:17
Jesus says, "'If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). Pride keeps us from submitting to God. There is freedom in obedience. When we give our whole souls unto God like it says in Omni 1:26, we find joy and peace.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Help me teach obedience to Max by my example. Help me to show my love for thee and thy Son by keeping thy commandments.

Today was the Primary Children's Sacrament meeting program. Kacey, Jared, and Charlie sat by us. Kim and Brian sat on the other side of the chapel in the back. Ed Miller had to take some time for stake business. He said he was grateful to be in his home ward on what he called, "Grandparents Day."

At the end of every song, Charlie clapped and say Yay! It was so cute. Here are some of the songs the children sang: "Come Follow Me," "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," " Faith is Knowing," " I Wonder When He Comes Again," " Jesus Walked Upon the Water," " Choose Him Again." The last song is new and it was beautiful!

Lannie Gillespie got up at the beginning and introduced the program with this scripture: 2 Nephi 25:26 - "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Lannie said the program was based on the children's testimonies of the Savior. She said it was based on the "Come Follow Me" course of study for this year, the New Testament. The children would share their favorite stories from the New Testament and testify of them.

My favorite story was told by Traven Westbrook who is 8. He told the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and what a miracle it was. He told the story without looking at a paper, in his own words in detail. It was so good. You could tell that he loved the story.

My second favorite was my sweet friend Andyn Miller. She told the story of Jesus's baptism. At the end she said that Heavenly Hosts came down from heaven to attend Jesus. Her closing statement was, "and Heavenly Hosts can come down and attend us too."

After the program was finished Bishop Miller got up and spoke for a few minutes. He told about a book, "The God Who Weeps." He also quoted from 3 Nephi 17 when Jesus wept and blessed the children. 3 Nephi 17: 11 - And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought. 12 - So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him. 13 - And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground. 15 - And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him. ... 18 - And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome. ... 21 - And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. 22 - And when he had done this he wept again: 23 - And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones. 24 - And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

The bishop also talked about being quick to forgive and told the story of Corrie and Betsy Ten Boom. He said, "Be quick to observe and obey the voice of the Lord. Show love for our enemies or those who abuse us and we will have angels round about us to bear us up, as Andyn said in her talk." It was a great meeting! The only thing I missed was the Grapp kids. Liana had a big part and she would have been great but the family is in Idaho today. Also, Charlie didn't get to meet Leland like I hope she would.

Kim and Brian went home after sacrament meeting. Jared, Kacey, and Charlie and I went to the gospel doctrine class taught by Brother Judd. The lesson was from Hebrews 7-13: "An High Priest of Good Things to Come." Jared made a comment during the lesson he said in Omni there is a scripture (vs.26), that says we need to give our whole souls unto God. He said that is personal and unique to each individual person. It was such a good comment. I was proud. Kacey was out in the hall with Charlie so she didn't get to hear the comment.

This afternoon was spent getting ready for our Thanksgiving meal. As soon as we got home from church and changed our clothes, James and I put the turkey in the roaster oven. Kim made her pumpkin delight dessert, and the stuffing. Brian brought two containers of cranberry celebration from Fry's. One for the family and one for James. I made mashed potatoes, gravy, and smothered green beans. Kacey made the mashed sweet potatoes with butter and pecans. James made his famous punch. Jared and Kacey bought the ingredients yesterday. Yesterday I baked the rolls, and I'm glad I did. Everything was delicious and it was wonderful to sit down to a nice meal surrounded by two of our children and their spouses and little Charlie. 



This evening we watched the Face to Face with Elder Gong regarding the new youth program. It was quite long, but very good. Afterwards everyone wanted dessert. As Kacey was putting Coolwhip on her pumpkin delight Charlie looked at it and said: "I want some." It was clear as day.

Brian and Kim put the finishing touches on the tree. Here is my favorite picture of the week. Charlie is looking at Brian putting the star on top of the tree. Kim took the picture.

I love how she's holding an ornament and the look on her face,
and her little foot. I love everything about this picture.
The magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child.

Kacey studied the "Come Follow Me" lesson for next week. She subscribes to the Redheaded Hostess lesson helps. I listened to and watched "Teaching with Power" for James 1-5, next week's lesson.

Charlie loves steps and stairs. She also loves to
carry this basket on her arm.
Here she is sitting in the basket.

 Sunday with adorable Scarlett

Throwback Memories:

My friend Chloe


 This is Jordyn, one of my former 
young women.

Trenda, another of my young women, and
her husband Emery.









Friday, November 25, 2016

Thursday, November 24, 2016




Mormon 5:13-6:5
What does it mean to you to be "in the hands of God?" (v.23).
* Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy explained some blessings suggested by being in God's hands: "To be in the hands of God would suggest that we are not only under His watchful care but also that we are guarded and protected by His wondrous power.  Throughout the scriptures, reference is made to the hand of the Lord.  His divine assistance is evidenced over and over again.  His powerful hands created worlds, and yet they were gentle enough to bless the little children ... Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of the Lord.  We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone. How do we learn to extend our hand an connect to the comfort provided by the Lord?  Hear are four keys: Lean, Listen, Seek the Spirit, Pray always. The Lord will supply sustenance and support if we are willing to open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance.  Imagine the wounds in His hands.  His weathered hands, His hands of torn flesh and physical sacrifice giving our own hands greater power and direction.  It is the wounded Christ who leads us through our moments of difficulty.  It is He who bears us up when we need direction, or even more courage to continue.  If we will keep the commandments of God and walk hand in hand with Him, we will go forward with faith, and never feel alone."
A beautiful start to the day.

GC:     "The Blessings of Worship" by Bishop Dean M. Davies
'Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.  And behold, I am the light and the life of the
world." (3 Nephi 11:10-11).
"And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:
Hossanna! Blessed be the name of the 
Most High God!" 
(3 Nephi 11:14, 16-17).


After reading Bishop Davies talk I realize that daily worship is critical to my spiritual well-being.  
Today is the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.  How appropriate.
Also, Donald Trump posted a Thanksgiving message on Facebook asking the American people to set aside their differences and come together to make America great.

James helped me get things ready for our Thanksgiving guests.  I put the turkey in the roaster oven and it was done in 2 hours instead of 3.  Kim and Brian got here before noon and we were ready to eat by one.  James's friend Virgil who he home teaches joined us for dinner.
Happy Thanksgiving
Before we began eating James ask everyone to tell what they were
most thankful for.  I said I was thankful for my family and the gospel.  James said he was thankful for me.

I am also thankful for good food!

Sheri started her day out at the Turkey Trot was
Connor and Michael:
Gotta make room for the turkey.

Jared went to Arkansas to have Thanksgiving dinner with Kacey's family.  I told him to send some pictures.  He said he doesn't like pictures and would avoid them at all costs.  I told him that Kacey could take his picture when he took his food coma nap.  This is the first picture Kacey sent:
Food coma nap

Cute couple

This is what I feel like after Thanksgiving dinner.

I call this one Watcher in the Woods.

I love this picture.
This is a good one too.
I have not had this many pictures of Jared since
he was a kid.





Jared, Kacey, Tanner, Autumn, and Summer.

Here are some Thanksgivings memories from years past:
Two years ago

Two years ago James and Alex joined us for Christmas with Kim, Brian and Joe.  Jared and Anna were here for a few minutes but had to leave to rescue Tricia who had a roll over accident with Molly and Emmy.  Luckily no one was hurt.


Two years ago.

In 2012 Alex caught the biggest rainbow trout ever!

2014 Evan loves pumpkin pie!

Last year at Sheri's house.
Fun outside
Addy, Lola, Molly

Darrel, Emmy, Rowan, Evan, Trina, Addy

We spent the afternoon and evening just hanging out at home watching Christmas movies and the Disney Christmas Special.
We watched "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade," and "Love Always, Santa."
James built a fire, decorated the mantle, hung the 
stockings and turned on the tree lights for atmosphere.

Sedona