Saturday, January 14, 2012

I read the following in Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon Volume 4:

"Zion shall begin to be built before the time of Christ's second coming in glory. The Saints who are gathered in all nations shall live for a season in love and peace (despite the degenerative condition of the world) prior to the Millennium. Because of the goodness of those who have given thenselves fully to the Lord and his cause, their meetings shall be pentecostal outpourings: the Spirit of God shall truly burn like a fire in their hearts. Prophecy and revelation and healings and angelic ministrations shall abound, for the faith of the Saints shall have rent the damning veil of unbelief and opened the heavens to the gifts and wonders enjoyed by the former-day Saints." Wow! I am looking forward to that day. Can you imagine being in a sacrament meeting where the Spirit is so strong that prophecy, revelation, healings and angelic ministrations abound?

James and I went to both Ben and Max's flag football games today. Ben caught a touchdown pass and two extra point passes. Although his friend Ian Wanlass was player of the game Ben was right up there with him.

Max carried the ball several times in his game and that boy can run. I think he might have some "Maxwell" speed genes.

Hallelujah! I finally finished racking up all of the leaves! Now I've got some major weed killing and cleanup to do outside.

I had a carne asada burrito from Filiberto's for dinner. I saved half for tomorrow. It was quite delish.

Alex helped James finish getting our toy hauler ready for sale. The people came and picked it up today. They are so excited to have it but not as excited as we are to have the money from selling it. Now if we could just sell a couple of lots.

Friday, January 13, 2012
Today is Friday the 13th. My Mom always said it was her good luck day. I think that's because her birthday was on the 13th. I'm going to call it my good luck day too in honor of my Mom.
I read an article about Elaine Dalton and her love for running. It went something like this: Question - You love running: what first got you hooked on it?
Sister Dalton's answer: "I didn't always love to run. When I first started it was hard. I would run ten steps and walk ten steps. But I persisted and it is in the daily habits that we gain strength and power. I never dreamed I would run a marathon, let along 17 of them. But looking back, it was the daily habit that made the difference. Anything we persist in doing becomes easier. Now I can't imagine my life without a morning run. It makes me happy."
Sister Dalton is the Church's General Young Women's President. Because of her I am going to start incorporating a morning walk/run in my routine.(Who am I kidding, I can't run.)
Friday is my errand day. On my way to do my grocery shopping I went by the Stonebridge apartments to drop off a birthday gift for Allison Warren, a sister in our ward whom we rarely see. I talked to Allison on the phone and left the gift at the door. I hope that she knows that we in the Relief Society love and care for her.
James is trying to get our house re-financed in order to lower the monthly payment. He is "jumping through hoops" for the bank and asked me the amount of money I took in draws last year. It was around $48,000. My goal this year is to lower that to $39,000.
James and I watched one of our favorite T.V. shows this evening, "Person of Interest."
We were in bed and ready to go to sleep by 9 pm.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I just cancelled the landline phone that we have had for 41 years. No more 480-963-7444. It was a classic, but like Brian says, the only people who use landlines are telemarketers.
It was cool outside today. I went outside to work and put on a sweater. Once I got working I took the sweater off. I love working outside in good weather!! Thanks to Dallin and Michael and Adam for picking up most of the leaves from our trees. I filled 3 bags today and there are still some left. I wonder how many total bags we have filled. Probably around 15-20.
James made steak and gravy for dinner and I made biscuits and broccoli. Joshua was so excited for the broccoli. He sniffed it as I put it in the bowl and said: "Oh that smells good." What kid likes the smell of broccoli? He ate two bowls.
Adrienne, Diana and I had RS presidency meeting this evening. Billy, Adrienne's cocker spaniel came and laid down at my feet, and then passed gas. Billy's a sweet dog, but not so sweet smelling.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

To walk or nap that is the question....today the nap won. Maybe it's because I had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Maybe it's because I knew I was going to work in the yard and I needed to conserve my energy. (Which, by the way, I didn't end up doing.)

I actually got to spend some time with Sheri today. It was her day off and we went to lunch at Arby's and then shopping at Target. I love my girls! (And my boys too.)

Trina had a doctor's appointment today about the "spot" on her lung. The doctor says it is benign but they will check it every six months just to be sure. Trina's kids were here and at Sheri's this afternoon.

I worked on family history and scrapbooks today. It's always fun to look back a few years and see how much the kids have changed. Today I went back to 2007 when Evan, Rowan, and Joshua were a year old. It was the year Jared Ammon had his long hair. He looks so much better with short.

This evening I went to the stake family history center to help the young women in our ward sign on to new family search. I helped Kristin Miner. Hopefully she will have lots of names for baptisms because her mom's family are all non-members.

James had a not so fun night with the young men. Dave Miner was teaching them at the Del Rio building about how to interview their ancestors and Dallin misbehaved. James had to come home and report it all to Stacy and Paul. Not a fun situation for a Grandpa to be in.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Things that Evan ate at our house today: 3 cinnamon rolls, a hamburger, and a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch.
Walked to Walmart again this morning. It's not as far as I thought. It's only a little over a mile one way.
I began cleaning out the laundry room today in preparation for our upcoming move. Who knew so much stuff could be stored in such a small room. I took 5 bags of stuff to Goodwill and I'm only halfway done!
Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire primary and the Iowa. Two down, 48 to go.
James installed a new toilet at aunt June's and now she can't close the bathroom door. Well, she does live alone so it should be okay, right? Jk, he has to try and take it back to Home Depot without the box, which he took to the dump.
As much as I'm enjoying the nice weather I sure would like to see some clouds and rain.

Monday, January 9, 2012
I read last week in an article in LDS Living that Elaine Dalton, the General Young Women's President, has run 17 marathons. I was inspired and motivated by her so today I decided I was going to walk from our house to Walmart and back, a distance of about 1 1/2 miles each way. The weather was beautiful, about 60 degrees and I didn't even have to wear a sweater. I bought a Justin Bieber book and calendar for Anna's birthday and headed for home. I felt so good I think I'll do it again tomorrow! (Also ordered her a JB blanket and had it sent directly to her hourse.)
Paid bills today. I'm always grateful when we have enough money in the bank to pay our bills for another week!
James worked at aunt June's again today. Not only is he putting in a new kitchen floor, but he is also doing some remodeling in her bathroom.
This evening James and I went by Sweet Daddy's and got a cupcake for Edonna Wells's 8 year old granddaughter Megan. Her birthday was on New Year's Day. She came to church with us yesterday and now she says she wants to get baptized. That would be wonderful!
Evan and Joshua had preschool this morning. I guess Joshua sang the Miser Brothers Christmas song for his class. Evan fell asleep on the couch today waiting for his Mom to pick him up after work.

Sunday, January 8, 2012
Cathi, Stacy, and James all bore their testimonies today in our fast and testimony meeting. I am grateful to be a part of such a wonderful family.
We have been waiting for years for Elliott Hall to join the Church. He has been coming faithfully with his wife Jackie to sacrament meeting for the past year. Today he came to our Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class. I think he is preparing for baptism. What a day that will be!
Cathi gave the lesson in RS. She said it was partly because of my testimony that she decided to join the Church. I had no idea. She is such a wonderful example to me and I never realized I might be in some small way an example to her.
We had FHE with our kids and grandkids this evening. There were 18 of the 29 of us in attendance. We talked about obedience and how Lehi and Nephi were obedient to the Lord but Laman and Lemuel were not. How can we learn to put the Lord first in our lives?
Joseph shared a scripture from Deuteronomy about the rewards for keeping the commandments and the consequences for breaking them. Addy recited the First Article of Faith. Ben gave the opening prayer and Joshua sang with great enthusiasm the song from "The Miser Brothers Christmas." Thanks Sheri for the delicious chococlate chip and cranberry oatmeal cookies!