Showing posts with label wrap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wrap. Show all posts

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Tuesday, December 24th, 2019

Hermosillo, Sonora
72nd operating temple
Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah
Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Book of Mormon
Moroni 1-5
New Testament
Revelation 14-15; Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual


Oct 2019 General Conference
"The Second Great Commandment"
President Russell M. Nelson
"It would be impossible to calculate the amount of service that Latter-day Saints render around the globe every day of every year; but it is possible to calculate the good the Church as an organization does to bless men and women - boys and girls - who are in need of a helping hand.
The Church's humanitarian outreach was launched in 1984. Then a Churchwide fast was held to raise funds to assist those afflicted by a devastating drought in eastern Africa. Church members donated $6.4 million on that single day."

 I went shopping in the rain this morning. I returned two tops that I bought yesterday at T.J. Maxx. One should not by things for oneself at Christmas time. All money is to be spent for the enjoyment and pleasure of others. I have decided to give blankets to Harold, Vickie, Dennis, and Denise. I need a couple of more and T.J. had none that I liked. I went to Ross and meh. I struck it rich at Marshall's. I'm a happy camper. Plaid is in. The blankets I showed yesterday were actually bought at Marshall's. I drove home with a smile on my face.

Sheri, and her boys including Michael and Joe hiked "A" mountain as they normally do on Christmas Eve. Afterwards they went to lunch at a pizza joint.

Darrel, Trina and their kids usually go with them but this year they waited until afternoon when the rain stopped. Afterwards they went to Firehouse Subs for lunch. 

I wrapped blankets this afternoon. I even had enough, I think I bought 40 in all, to give blankets to Rebecca and Brent. When I was finished wrapping we loaded all of the packages in the car and began making deliveries. 
Our first stop was at the Ross near Darrel and Trina's as I am still checking out the blanket scene. I saw a pink banded watch I really liked but no blankets. We also went to Deseret Book where James bought me a new Sunday journal and the first volume of The Joseph Smith Papers. There are going to be 30 volumes before they are all done but at least I have a start. 

We dropped off 3 blankets at Kim and Brian's. We made Kim and Brian open theirs while we were there. Joe will open his when he comes over tomorrow morning.  Kim absolutely loved hers and Brian was very gracious about his. They said they wanted to give us our present, so we said, of course, that would be great! Lo and Behold, it's a new TV. Oh my goodness. I happened to mention one time when I was here watching a Hallmark movie what a great picture their TV has. Brian picked up on that and bought us a TV just like theirs. He said he already measured the opening at our house and knows it will fit. Wow! Such a thoughtful, sweet and totally unexpected thing to do. I hope he doesn't think I was hinting when I commented about the picture on their TV.

Next stop, Paul and Stacy's. Paul, Stacy and Joshua opened their blankets. Michael was asleep upstairs and the other boys weren't there. Stacy loved her pink heart blanket and Paul liked his black plaid full sized blanket. Joshua seemed to love his tiger one.  
Michael actually texted me later and told me he loved the yellow blanket we gave him. He said, "Gramma, yellow is my favorite color! 

At Sheri's Max, Evan and Sheri opened their blankets. Evan liked his polar bears, Max his orange, gray, white striped, and Sheri was gracious about her peach tie-dyed blanket. We left Alex and Ian's blankets for them to open later. 

We stopped at Dave and Laura's and saw them along with Jon and Lexy. Jon's son Logan is visiting Kevin's son Bremen. Kevin was here a couple of weeks ago and bought Bremen a car. I can't believe Bremen is old enough to drive. Jamie, Jon's wife was asleep in the other room and I told Jon not to wake her. We gave Dave and Laura their First Vision calendar but didn't ask them to open it.

On to Cathi and Terry's. They were having their annual Christmas Eve family dinner with their kids and grandkids and invited us to eat with them but we declined. We visited with Cathi, Terry, and Cathi's daughter Wendy a few minutes, gave them their calendar and were on our way. 

Our last stop was at James's mom and Dawn's. Of course the first thing they wanted to do was feed us. We had goodies galore including Carmen's wonderful caramels with pecans. We also tried out a foot massager that Dawn bought for her mom at Costco. It felt so good on my feet! James insists he is going to buy me one. Dawn says she will go back to Costco and if they have one she will pick it up for us.

They opened their blankets and Amazon gift cards and thanked us. No one can ever outdo Lois in the gift giving department. We saved our load of gifts to open  tomorrow at Darrel and Trina's.

After saying our goodbye's we headed back to Darrel and Trina's in east Mesa. Here is how the evening went:
Darrel, Trina and kids read Luke 2 together. Each of the kids look for their pajama packages which are hidden somewhere in the house. They open their pajamas, put them on, and then open their blankets from us and wrap up in them. That cotton candy pink blanket of Addy's is still my favorite. Lola loved her unicorn blanket. I guess the unicorns name is Jojo and she loves him/her.
Next they left gingerbread cookies decorated by the kids out for Santa, and some carrots for the reindeer. The kids go to bed, Santa comes, and all is well.




Carol Ray-Decker grandkids


Darrel and Trina this year



 Hayden and Cheryl Lambson Family


As we look for the tender mercies of the Lord in our lives,
we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

 Kevin, Wendy, Teresa, Charlotte, Jon, Sandy, Pat

I can't wait!

 Frozen pajamas Elsa or Anna?

New PJ's


 Cardinal's blanket

 Cotton candy pink, kitty, and Jojo blankets

Leopard and white for Darrel and Trina

This blanket makes lying on the floor feel comfy

 Ruby showed us her newly decorated room. She loves
her swing.

 Goodies for Santa and veggies for reindeer

Scarlett



Such sweet boys because of a sweet mom


Cousin Christina's kids

We love our friends in Chandler, the Lueck's
We remember the kids when they were young and little

If you heard about the elder in British Columbia who was
killed in an accident you will remember Dallin. He was
this elder's companion and has suffered with head injuries
since the accident. He was sent home to recover.

With this post I end today.  A recovering missionary who has
experienced the tender mercies of the Lord in his life.

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Sunday, December 23rd, 2018

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

Jesus Christ, Death of
Alma 21:9
Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood.
Book of Mormon #1
Ether 15:18-34
Book of Mormon #2
Ether 3-6
Old Testament 
Finished!
General Conference
The Correct Nme of the Church
President Russell M. Nelson
"Consider this from His perspective. Premortally, He was Jehovah, God of the Old Testament. Under the direction of His Father, He was the Creator of this and other worlds. He chose to submit to the will of His Father and do something for all of God's children that no one else could do! Condescending to come to earth as the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, He was brutally reviled, mocked, spit upon, and scourged. In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Savior took upon Himself every pain, every sin, and all of the anguish and suffering ever experienced by you and me and by everyone who has ever lived or will ever live. Under the weight of that excruciating burden, He bled from every pore. All of this suffering was intensified as He was cruelly crucified on Calvary's cross.
Through these excruciating experiences and His subsequent Resurrection - His infinite Atonement - He granted immortality to all and ransomed each one of us from the effects of sin on condition of our repentance."



We attended the Galveston 3rd ward sacrament meeting this morning at 9 a.m. and the Highland Ridge sacrament meeting at 11 a.m. Addy was speaking at the 11 o'clock meeting and we did not want to miss it.

Max and Evan both passed the sacrament in the 9 o'clock meeting. We sat by Cathi, Terry, Dave, and Laura. It felt like home. 

"Once in David's Royal City"

Mike Ellsworth was the first speaker. He told a childhood memory from the life of President Monson regarding a neighbor that his family helped, old Bob. President Monson's uncle gave him a house and President Monson's mother had him take old Bob dinner every Sunday. All of the Ellsworth family was here, Dane, Audrey and her husband and baby, and Marissa and her husband and baby, and Adrianne. The only one missing was Grady who is serving a mission in Ecuador.

The choir sang: "Silent Night"

Clint Allen, the other counselor in the bishopric was the next speaker. He started out by quoting Moroni 10:26 - "And wo unto them who shall do these things away and die, for they die in their sins, and they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God; and I speak it according to the words of Christ; and I lie not."
He then proceeded to talk on how to be an effective giver and the joy of giving. He asked us to think about gifts that we can give to the Savior.

"Angels We Have Heard on High"

After the meeting was over we went back to Sheri's for a few minutes and then drove out to Darrel and Trina's ward. Darrel had to work and Trina walked in with Ruby and Addy. Addy went to sit on the stand and Trina and Ruby sat by us. Trina said Lola got sick and threw up all over her Christmas dress just before they left. Rowan stayed home with her.

One of the things I love about coming to church during Christmas is the singing of Christmas carols. In this second meeting we sang, 
"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," and "Away in a Manger." The Primary children sang "If I Were a Shepherd." Ruby of course sang with them. 

Here are some of the notes I took of the meeting:
Addy's talk: -Christmas is a celebration of Christ's life, example and Atonement. Moroni 7:41 - And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.(She bore her testimony, which was amazing!)
Everyday I strive to become more like Him. As I grow so does my testimony in Him. (She quoted from 'I Stand All Amazed). DC 19:16-19: For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, tht they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit - and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink - Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
I was so proud of Addy and her talk. It is so wonderful to know that she has a testimony of the gospel and can express it so well.
Maya Turner, another youth: We should try to be kind to everyone.
Zach Olsen - Be a generous giver and a gracious receiver.
Kari Sandstrom (the ward organist) - My favorite part of Christmas is the nativity. I love looking and thinking about that first Christmas. 
Bishop Florence was the last speaker. 
We have 106 YM/YW in our ward. Peace in Christ is this years theme for YM/YW. DC 19:23 - "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me."
How does Christ speak to us?
Through the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, and the living prophets.
Be better than we were yesterday. I love you brothers and sisters. Be good to each other. 

This was a really great meeting but the highlight for me was Addy's talk.

We went by Darrel and Trina's to see Lola and Rowan. Lola looked a little pale. She said to me: "I think I'm going to be sick for Christmas."

Back at Sheri's we had ham, potatoes, broccoli and rolls for lunch. Thanks Sheri. Afterwards James took a long nap while I put bows on packages.  This evening we visited Lois and Dawn. 

Sheri, Ian, Max, Evan, Kim, and Brian tried to go to Zoo Lights but it was more crowded than Disneyland. Those were Kim's words. They went around town and looked at Christmas lights instead.

The same thing happened to Darrel's family. I guess Lola was well enough to go but it just didn't happen.

I like this picture of Lois and Jack

A Christmas tree quilt


I think these two really like each other

The Wanlass's in Idaho.
Guess who they saw?


Such sweet faces!

 I love this family photo!

Holding fingers


 Oh Lola!

 Sweet couple!


The First Christmas present

Reunited and it feels so good!