Monday, January 16, 2012
MLK day so the kids were out of school.
It was nice and cool when I went on my walk to Walmart. I warmed up by having a fruit and oatmeal cup at McDonald's for breakfast. You are right Sheri they are yummdelicious!
I had an appointment at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology today. It's just my routine that I have every 4 months where I see the doctor and then have my blood drawn. (They took 4 vials today). My blood pressure was 112/62 and I'm not mentioning my weight. Let's just say I need to loose some.
In high school Stacy had a friend named Cindy Ganado. Cindy was a devoted Catholic girl and Stacy tried inviting her to Church activities but she was never interested. When they were 16 Stacy gave Cindy a Book of Mormon. Cindy ended up joining the Church and marrying a good friend, John Teasley, who also happens to be Mormon. Stacy got a Christmas card from John and Cindy this year (they live in Carlsbad, Calif.) with the following letter from John inside:
"Stacy, I wanted to share an experience with you that I had today at church. I teach Sunday school to the 14 year olds (including our 14 year old, Alyssa). This year we will be teaching from the Book of Mormon. Cindy has such a powerful conversion story, I asked her to come share her experience with how she came to know that the Book of Mormon is true.
Stacy, as you know, it was the Book of Mormon that you had the courage to give to her when you were 16 that she read when she received a spiritual witness as to the truthfulness of that book. As she related her experience of how the Book of Mormon was the foundation of her testimony, and how it was the something that she couldn't deny when deciding whether she should be baptized or not, I got to thinking. I started to think about what would have happened if you hadn't given her that Book of Mormon. When she began to have a mild curosity about the church when we were dating as freshmen in college would she have reached out to me or someone else to get a copy of the Book of Mormon? Probably not. She didn't even tell me that she had been reading it until she was well into the book. Other questions flashed through my mind such as: If that book that you gave her wasn't easily within her reach, would she have been baptized? Would we have been married? Would we have had kids born under the covenant? Would our lives and the lives of our children have been the recipients of the rich blessings that we have received over the years as a result of the gospel? Maybe, but maybe not. Regardless, it hit me like a ton of bricks today that I owe you a huge debt of gratitude for loving her enough and having the courage to write down your testimony and giving her that Book of Mormon back in high school.
Though she would never admit it, or even necessarily agree with it, today, Cindy is a force for good in the gospel. She is one of the most noble and valiant spirits I have evern known. She has affected so many lives through her example, love, and service. She has faithfully served in many callings. She has served in the Young Women's program, as a stake missionary, and as a Primary President. Currently she is the Relief Society President in our ward ministering to the temporal and spiritual needs of many. Most importantly, she keeps me on the right track, and is an amazing mother to our 4 children.
Please know that your single act has had a major impact for good in Cindy's life, my life, the lives of our children, and the lives of countless more. Thank you again, Stacy. I guess we sometimes wait for years to realize the impact of sharing our testimonies with others.

Sunday, January 15, 2012
I made mini-cupcakes using my new Babycakes appliance this morning. The cupcakes are for our Relief Society board meeting. Frosting them took way too long and I wasn't completely happy with the results, especially when I got to the meeting and saw the 'professional' look of the cupcakes Melanie Bentz made. The meeting went well. We are grateful to be fully staffed. I have the privilege of having 3 teachers for our Sunday lessons: Cathi Lambson, Julie Johansen, and Morgan Skeen. Janny St. Onge is the chorister and Karen Schneider our piano player.
Bishop Danny Conway, now a high councilman, spoke in sacrament meeting today. The theme was faith. We need to exercise faith in spite of our doubts and trials and move forward and the Lord will sustain us. Trevor Howe was his speaking companion. Stacy said he used to be in our ward when we were in the Cooper building. I don't remember him. He's Adam's age and Adam did remember him. Kim and Joe were in our sacrament meeting.
Ben passed the sacrament for the first time today. I am so proud of him!
Right after sacrament meeting we all went into Bishop Wilson's office for Michael's priesthood advancement ordination to the office of a Teacher.
Those attending: Bishop Wilson, James and I, Mary and Marvin and Nicole Johnson, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Sheri, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, Joe, Stacy, Paul, Adam, Dallin and Joshua. Paul ordained Michael and gave him a wonderful blessing. All of the Melchizedek priesthood holders in the room were in the circle: Marvin, James, Bishop Wilson, Brian and Darrel. Michael shook hands and gave hugs afterwards. It was one of the special family times and the Spirit was strong. Michael is loved by everyone who knows him.
Stacy made her kids favorite dinner tonite, fried pork chops, and then had FHE with them. Jared Ammon and Danielle were here too.

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.