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 

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020

Regina, Saskatchewan

65th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Nov 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, King

John 19:14

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

Alma 5:15-26; "Don't Miss This"

Personal Study

"Stand Forever" by Lawrence R. Corbridge

Family Study Group

"Choose Happiness" by Larry. R. Lawrence

April General Conference

"Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause"

President M. Russell Ballard

"Joseph came to realize that the Bible did not contain all the answers to life's questions; rather, it taught men and women how they could find answers to their questions by communicating directly with God through prayer."

"Return and Receive"

M. Russell Ballard

April 2017

"Time to Prepare"

Joseph B. Wirthlin

 April 1998

Spent the morning working on my blog, paying a bill, and studying. "You cannot be better than what you know." 

At ten o'clock we left for my infusion appointment which was at 10:45. Frances called me right back and Ang started my infusion with no problems. I was in and out before noon. James said he was twenty minutes away so I crossed the highway and waited for him at Freddy's when I was finished. I ordered a small diet Dr. Pepper and a Chicago dog. Just as I got my order, James walked in. He helped me eat the Chicago dog and then we were on our way. We had planned on stopping at Elmer's Tacos for lunch so I called in our order. The Chicago dog was just an appetizer. We ordered two machaca tacos, a machaca burro, three bean and cheese burros, and an order of strips. Elmer's had set up a drive-thru outside. We drove up, told them the name the order was under, and we were finished within less than five minutes. 

From Elmer's we drove to Darrel's to pick up Ruby and Lola to take them back with us to the timeshare. Addy and Rowan were both doing things with friends, Addy was going to Sun Splash. Ruby had a friend over, Chloe. We shared lunch with Darrel, Ruby, Lola, and Chloe. Rowan and Addy did not want anything. Trina was at work today.

After lunch I went in to use Darrel's printer to print out the label for the book that I sold and have to ship by tomorrow. The name of the book is, "The Art of the Long View" by Peter Schwartz. I tried to find this book at a local bookstore but it is too old and the ranking is around 14 million so no one had it in stock. James said he would go to Vernon and get it tomorrow and mail it. This might sound extreme but my reputation as a bookseller on Amazon is at stake. It is not the money that I will make from selling the book, but my reputation that matters. 

We loaded up the girls and headed for Scottsdale. After unloading at the timeshare we went back to shop at Walmart. It was a little after five and Walmart was closed. What is going on? I would have imagined they would close by seven, but five? We drove through Chik-fil-a and got the girls some dinner and then we drove over to Fry's on north Hayden. Thank goodness it was open. 

 We bought peanut butter and jam, white and wheat bread, cherries, Captain Crunch cereal, goggles, and donut tubes for the pool. We also got frozen cheese pizza, macaroni and cheese, Sprite, and mint chocolate chip Blue Bell ice cream. 

Back at the timeshare in rooms 1016 and 1015 we colored butterflies in our new coloring book. Ruby took a shower and then helped Lola take her shower. It was her first. Ruby is such a good sister. Oh one thing about Ruby I forgot to mention. She has lost her glasses so she has been squinting a lot. Lola wanted to call her mom and dad and tell them all about the room. We FaceTimed and she gave them a tour. She showed them the puppy towel on the bed and how Ruby ate the eyes. She showed them the patio, and told how the couch makes in to a bed. I am sure they were riveted in their seats with the thrill of it all. I love seeing things through the eyes of a child. They have such an appreciation for the simplest of things. 

We had family prayer together and then the girls laid in bed and watched TV while I walked and then watched "Lark Rise to Candleford" with James. I kept thinking they would go to sleep. When they didn't, I went in and told them to turn the TV off after the show they were watching. It was late when we all went to bed.

A deserted resort in the desert

Lola was afraid of the water a couple of

years ago. Now she swims like a fish.

James bought a yellow watermelon.
It was quite tasty.

 Ronald A. Rasband

 Mailing the old Razr engine

Monday, April 6th, 2020

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sept 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Jesus Christ, Judge

Revelation 19:2

For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"

General Conference Review - I listened to all of the Saturday sessions as I was traveling to the valley

April General Conference

"Deep in Our Heart"

Brother Douglas D. Holmes

"The Lord is trying to help us - all of us - to get His gospel deeper in our hearts."

James left for the valley this morning somewhere between 5:30 and 6:00. He drove his truck and was pulling a trailer with the Cat on the trailer. He is taking to Armando on the Chacon job. When it's not being used it will be parked at Bill Valentic's construction yard in Chandler.

I left about 6:45 in Lexy. We stopped at the Splash and Dash in Show Low to get gas and to get a car wash for Lexy. I was not the only one washing my car this morning so it took about 30 minutes. I'm glad I left a little early. 

Of course James went the Salt River way and I went the Payson way. According to the sign over the highway the Payson way is a little faster. Not according to James though.

I stopped at the Circle K in Star Valley to use the little girls room. It was interesting to me to see that they had tape on the floor marking where people could stand, six feet apart. There was a glass plate up in front of the people at the register. Glad to see they are taking this coronavirus seriously. I wore disposable gloves into the store but I did not put on my purple bandana. I brought it to use as a face mask but will only use it if I am asked to.

I arrived at the AARA, Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, at 10:30 for my 11:00 appointment. 

The girls behind the desk did not have face masks on but everyone else did, including patients and workers. I was called back by Ange from the infusion center. It is so quiet and very few people here for a Monday morning. Ange says that's because none of the doctors are seeing patients. They are only seeing infusion appointments today. When I got on the scale I was happy to see I had lost a little weight.

I missed seeing Frances. I guess she had the day off. Ange had to poke me four times before she finally found a vein that would work to fill me with Actemra. She said, "You are going to go out of here looking like the wounded dead, and I don't like that." I think she was a little embarrassed. She was so shaken when she was finished with me she just left. Usually she puts my feet up, gets me a cold water, and a pillow. I certainly didn't blame her for my stubborn veins. The one vein that worked was one on the outside top of my right hand. I watched a show called "Two Chicks and a Hammer" about a mother and daughter team who restore old homes for people.

After my infusion I met James had Sheri's house. Ian was there in his UPS van. He gave James some things to store at the cabin including some guns he got from his grandpa. 

James and I went down to the corner of Willis and Arizona Avenue to Culver's to have some lunch. We ate there in the parking lot. When we got back to Sheri's, Sheri was home and talking to Ben on the phone. I guess I should say Elder Trezise. I guess he had just finished doing his exercises because he was dressed in what James called a "white tank top."  We talked about conference and other talks by General Authorities and mission presidents. Ben and his companion are doing a study about pride because Ben says that is the most difficult thing to overcome in the mission field and in life in general. Pride leads to so many more sins.  

Max was in the room with his guitar. He played and sang "The Sound of Silence" for us. It was really good. He is quite talented.

We also got to see Alex, Evan, Ziggie and Ollie. Ollie is obsessed with Sheri. The entire time we were on the phone with Ben, Ollie was starring at Sheri. Every time she talks to him he turns his head to the side as he listens. 

We were going to spend the night at Sheri's but decided to go home instead. James left to go try and get a check from Mario, which he did, and I left a few minutes later. We met at the job and then left for home. Yes, I went home the Salt River way. James's truck dies while he is driving it and I wanted to make sure he made it home safely. 

We got home around 6:15. There is no place like home! I was surprised I could make it without falling asleep, but I did. 

I had less than 3,000 steps when I got home and had a little over 7,000 when I went to bed. I ran off the three talks on faith that Brian wants us to read this week and then listened to all of them on my phone while I walked. James was able to get over 10,000 steps. 

I sold four books today! Total sales: $144.00!

 These are the notes Sheri was referring to.

I love Cowboy Elder Trezise!

The map Elder Bednar used in his talk to show temples

around the world.