Sunday, June 19, 2016

Darrel took his kids hiking at the Natural Bridge

last Saturday and I forgot to post pictures.

I am a little nervous about Ruby standing so close 

to the edge.

Happy Father's Day to
my sweet hubby!

I love this picture!

Making chocolate covered bananas for our

Father's Day treat.

Gospel Study: Alma 18:24-19:11

How do common beliefs help us share the gospel?

"God wants all of His children to 'be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true.' We will have help preaching the gospel when we seek it.  As we bring God's glorious message to others, we give them the opportunity to have 'the dark veil of unbelief to be cast away from their mind, and the light of the glory of God, which is a marvelous light of His goodness."

I was up early to finish preparing for my Primary lesson about the scriptures and how important they are in leading us back to Heavenly Father.

The scriptures are like a treasure map

that lead us to eternal life.

Our sacrament meeting went something like this today: Talon Wilhelm was the youth speaker.  He spoke about the Find, Take, Teach program and taking family names to the temple with his family. He says he has not done the Teach part of the program but is looking forward to doing so.

Pete Stock came as the speaking companion to Mike Hall (Harry Lynn and Geraldine's son), who is on the stake high council,  and he spoke about fathers.  Pete is a natural born storyteller which makes him an excellent speaker.  He talked about working on his grandpa's ranch and getting paid with an old pair of spurs, and gathering flowers at the request of his grandpa for his grandma.  Joe and Ruby Stock were his grandparents.  I heard those names many times while growing up.  He also shared some memories of his dad and gave a couple of quotes from Elder Christofferson's talk on "Fathers."

Mike Hall was the final speaker.  He and Pete are first cousins.  He spoke about the temple and the Find, Take, Teach program.

Kacey, Braylin, Curtis, and Zemira attended Primary today.  We talked about the importance of scriptures and they loved the treasue hunt and going outside!

On the way home from Church I saw this smoke from the fire and thought it seemed closer to us than before.

The stake presidency has ask us to fast and pray one day this

week for the curtailment of the fire, the safety of the firefighters, and for needed moisture.

James went home teaching with Brother Lauritzen to the Scott's and Virgil Cooper.  Today in Primary Talena, Jace, and Jaden all made candy neckties to give to Virgil.  Their father passed away and Virgil is their uncle.

Our home teachers', Dave Westbrook and Colton Carroll came to visit and share a message with us.  Brother Westbrook spends the week at his ranch in New Mexico.  He told about rounding up calves and two wild ones that took him and his neighbor on a real chase.  He told about how he roped one and his neighbor the other.  It was something out of an old wild west adventure.  I love this kind of home teaching.  Colton did give the First Presidency message and we had a good discussion about that too.

After a nap and working on my blog, I made James one of his favorite dinners, meatloaf, baked potatoes, and green beans.

I have so many pictures of James eating.

I guess it's a hobby of mine.

Happy Father's Day gifts:

1 - The Book of Mormon in

America's Heartland

2 - Two books by Timothy Ballard volumes 1&2

The American Covenant

3 - Moroni's America

4 - DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon

North American Geography

This is a DVD.

5- Maps of possible sites in North America

After our father's day celebration we spent the rest of the evening until bed time working on our lessons for next Sunday.

Before I "sign off" I wanted to share some pictures I found on Facebook regarding fathers and good men.

This man traveled 1,200 miles to deliver 49 crosses to

Orlando, Florida in commemoration for those who lost

their lives last Sunday in the worse mass killing in our

nation's history.

His message says it all.

Gail holding his newest granddaughter,

Adalynn Milburn, Jasmine's baby.

Paul's dad Gilbert with four of Paul's boys and

his son.

Gilbert passed away a few years ago.

Mario Ray and his son Peter.

Peter is now a dentist with children of his own.

Mario on July 12, 1990

Sunday, April 24, 2016

I love this picture of the angel visiting Alma

the younger, and the sons of Mosiah.

Andy Wilhelm gave his first talk in sacrament meeting today.  He told the story of Nephi obtaining the Brass Plates. 

Kaeli Nicoll, our Relief Society president spoke on rescuing others and giving service.  Before sacrament meeting started she told me she got a call from Deana McNeil thanking her for her mom's visiting teacher, (that's me).  Her mom is Jean Howard.  I took her to lunch in Chandler last month and we had a great time.

John Wilhelm was the last speaker.  He spoke about saving our marriage.  He mentioned President Uchtdorf's talk in conference.

Curtis and Zemira and I had a nice lesson about Alma and Amulek preaching in Ammonihah.  Just before class was over Lannie brought Izabell Miller in.  She said she is moving in a little while.  Right now her mom is in Flagstaff and so she and her brother and sister are staying at the Wilhelms from Sunday to Wednesday.  

Becky Skousen did it all in sharing time.  Alicia wasn't here today so she did music time and sharing time.  Today is the last day that the Crane's grandchildren will be with us.  We will miss them.

James went home teaching after church.  I came home and warmed up some chicken tacos and then took a nap on the couch.  James came home, ate, took a short nap and then went out again to visit the Hunsaker's.  I gave him my phone sim card to give to LeeAnn.  

Our home teacher's, Dave Westbrook and his grandson Colton Carroll came by for a visit.  Brother Westbrook has a ranch in New Mexico.  He told about the wolves killing people's calves and also his neighbors stealing his cattle.  After seventeen years he is ready to sell and retire.

I spent most of the afternoon working on my Primary lesson for next week.  

We lost another friend today.  Steven Westerman, who was married to our friend Karin Gonda, passed away.  He had a brain tumor and has been suffering for quite some time.  He was valiant in his fight and was an inspiration to so many.  Last year he and Karin spoke in the Galveston Third ward when we were there, before they moved to Gilbert.  People were paying tribute to him on Facebook.  Someone quoted him as saying this: " Whatever it is that you may feel like you are lacking, rather it be love, friendship, happiness, go out and offer that exact need and watch it return to you."

Steve & Karin on their wedding day.

A short time later as he battled cancer.

Steve and Karin's dog, Sophie.

This evening we watched a movie on the Up channel called, "Love Finds You in Sugarcreek."  It's about a drifter and his five year old son who end up in Sugarcreek, Ohio working for three Amish women.  Their niece, the town sheriff is a little leary of him, and wonders what he is running from.  It was a good one.  I love the Amish people!

 This is Kelly McGillis who starred in 

Top Gun with Tom Cruise.

She made a good Amish aunt.