Thursday, September 27, 2012

     I got a call from my visiting teaching, Alicia Hunsaker, this morning.  She is coming by for a visit tomorrow morning. 
     I cleaned and waxed the wood floor today.  It looks so beautiful when it is newly waxed.

Can you see the shine?

     I also worked downstairs unloading boxes and cleaning.  I didn't take any pictures.

I "talked" to Laura today via texting and she thinks James and I should sell the cabin instead of the house and then we would have more money to retire on.  I mentioned it to James but he didn't seem too keen on the idea.  We will talk more when he gets home.  I don't want to sell the cabin either but I do want to get out of debt.

     In the way of gospel study I read Alma chapters 18 and 19 and 1 Nephi 2.  I also began writing a message about how faith has helped me to live the law of tithing for Personal Progress.  In the book I am reading, "Rescuing Wayward Children" I read about the importance of personal righteousness and sanctification as a means of saving our children.  How did Jesus sanctify himself?  We can find the answer in the context of John 17.  He sanctified himself through strict obedience, partaking of the sacrament, fasting, making a sacrifice, and offering mighty prayer.  In the process He saved us, all of His children.  We can help save our children through our obedience, sacrifice and mighty prayer.

 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

James left for the valley early this morning.  He had a doctor's appointment at 9:00 to get help with his sinus infection.  This afternoon he showed our house to Michelle and Ross Thompson.  He also is getting materials together to start a driveway and fence for the Yoshimini's, and he also has a small project he's doing for Jared Bowen.

I stayed home alone and stared at this and the TV most of the day.

This is where I sit to study, drink, and do my nails.

I read an article in this month's Ensign and would like to share some of the highlights. The name of the article was: "Repentance That Brings Conversion" by Elder James B. Martino of the Seventy.

Brother Martino talks about the Lamanite converts who became the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's.  When these Lamanites recognized that their traditions were wrong, they realized they had to change.  They decided to take their weapons of rebellion and "bury them up deep in the earth" (Alma 24:17).  In other words, they took away their temptation and placed it where it could not get to them.  What about us?  Do we likewise remove "the temptations and the sins which do so easily best us"?  

Key Points

Lasting repentance requires that we

*Replace bad habits with good habits.

*Remove temptations from our lives.

*Remain faithful to our covenants.

     The converted Lamanites' hearts were changed, which moved them to action.  They remained faithful to their covenants.  And what was the result?  Their righteous traditions helped the rising generation become righteous; in fact, their sons became a legend of faithfulness. (See Alma 53:15-21.)

     For both new and old members of the Church, here are five practices that can change our lives.  These are commandments of God and will help us remain faithful, even in the face of trials and temptations.  If we follow them, these practices will allow the Holy Spirit to continue to strive with us and strengthen us as our testimonies grow:

 1.  Hold personal and family scripture study.

2.  Hold personal and family prayer.

3.  Hold family home evening.

4.  Pay an honest tithe.

5.  Serve others by fulfilling Church callings.

     

     If we establish the traditions of a righteous people, we will overcome our weaknesses, progress in our faith, and not fall away.  

     Repentance is the process of changing and doing and becoming what He wants us to be so that we can return to His presence.  (My FHE message for the week!)

I got this card from the Young Women and some of the Young Men in our ward.  It made me happy.

I still have a big purple bump under my eye.  It is the most prominent feature on my face right now.

 

Tuesday, Setember 25, 2012

I've decided I didn't like the Castle season opener.  It's so hard to find TV shows that adhere to gospel standards.

I started the day out by drinking some herbal tea.  I really did feel like Christmas!

Yummy and delicious!

 Reminded me of Kim & Brian.

I told Sheri I was going to get an x-ray today.  Before we went James talked to Trina and then Sheri.  Sheri happened to be with Karin Gonda, a friend of ours who is a physicians assistant and has worked for a plastic surgeon.  When Sheri told her we were concerned because I still had a golf ball size knot on the cheek bone, Karin said that was pretty normal.  She said to wait another week or so and see if it goes down before becoming too concerned.  Since I was all dressed and ready to go to town I went in with James.   He's going to be gone for the next couple of days so we got a supply of food (BBQ chicken pizza and green chili burros) to last me while he is gone. I saw this sign and took a picture.

Kyle Thomas was a member of the Del Rio 2nd ward when James was bishop.

I wondered where he went.  

Before going in to town I texted a couple of pictures and asked Sheri if I should venture in to Walmart today.  

She looked at the pictures and said I looked better than 75% of the people in Walmart and to go for it.  Thanks Sheri!

Thank goodness for sunglasses!

Looking a little less like a "battered" wife.

James and I are reading a new Victoria Holt novel.  It's called the India Fan.

Tricia sent me two recordings via a text of Molly singing first "I Am A Child of God" and the "I Love To See The Temple."  Her little voice is so sweet and she is very talented!!

Monday, September 24, 2012

This dessert may not look like much now, but it is lethal.  I can't stop eating it.  It's dutch oven cherry cobbler with yellow cake mix, a stick of butter and chopped pecans.  Instead of my protein shake, I had this for breakfast.

One of my all time favorite desserts.  It's especially good with a

big dollop of Coolwhip!

My face looks a little better but I still have a knot the size of a golf ball on my left cheek bone.  Dr. James thinks I should quit applying ice and try heat instead.  Maybe he thinks the heat has a better chance of melting this growth.  I was going to go to the hospital and get an x-ray but I talked myself out of it.  Sheri wasn't too happy with me.  

The new season of Castle and Dancing with the Stars began tonight.  I taped Castle but somehow missed DWTS but now the dvr is set.  Our favorite show right now is still the re-runs of "The Mentalist."  Love the Patrick Jane character even though he wears the same worn out suit and shoes every episode.

TexyTricia (Tricia) texted me these pictures of Molly at my request.  Performing is in this girl's blood.

Keep those arms in the air Molly!

Practice makes perfect.

Speaking of performances, Ben had his first band concert this evening.  I am sorry I couldn't attend.  

He plays the bells and they xylophone.  He's working his way up to the drums.

Not sure which one is Ben.

There he is one the far left.  That's Ian Wanlass on

the far right. 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

For the first time since I can remember James and I both missed our Sunday meetings.  I did spend several hours in gospel study but it's just not the same.  I miss seeing my young women.  In Chandler they had their Primary Children's Program.  Sheri said Evan and Max did fine on their speaking parts but when Joshua got up he accidentally turned off the microphone.

For dinner we had grilled honey lime chicken with spanish rice and broiled asparagus.  Quite tasty.  After dinner I wanted something sweet besides the chocolate chip cookies I made Friday so I made a dutch oven cherry cobbler.  A big mistake for my diet, but it was so delicious!!  I put pecans in the crust so James had to have some too.

It was a quiet, peaceful Sunday.  The bump on the side of my face is still very large.  It doesn't seem to be going down.  I may have to go in and get an xray.  I am tired of being sequestered.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Fall is here with the high's in the low 70's.  This is James's favorite time of year in Vernon.  Every night he steps outside on the porch and bugles for elk.

This has been one of the laziest weeks of my life. I think I'm going to get something done and then I look in the mirror and lose all my steam.  I have been studying my scriptures and working on Personal Progress.  I feel so sad that I can't participate in Young Women's or go visiting teaching. 

Stacy and Paul put a down payment on an apartment today.  She said they would pay October and November's rent and be out by December 1st unless we sold the house before that.  It still makes me sad to think about selling it.

Ruby had a soccer game this morning.  Sheri went and took some pictures.  Here they are.

Warm up with her coach.

This is about as aggressive as she got.

"I've had enough, and besides, I don't like how Dad did my hair."

Ben went over and mowed Ian's parents lawn.  It's his job.  When Sheri went to get him Ian's Mom had bought Evan a pirates costume.  He loved it!!

Ahoy Mates!

I talked James in to taking me into town this afternoon.  We washed my car.  It still had squished bugs all over the front of it from our trip to Texas.  We also stopped at Circle K and I got a Dr. Pepper and James and I shared a tuna sandwich.  These little jaunts in to town are my only escape. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law Denise.  We love you!

I got up this morning and did my hair and makeup in an attempt to look better but it didn't do much good.

I promise this is the last picture I will post.

I had whole wheat pecan cinnamon waffles for breakfast with butter pecan syrup.  So much for my diet. I just love food a little too much. I got the mix at Bass Pro Shop.

 James even loved these waffles.

I talked to several people on the phone today.  I called Vickie and told her about the accident and told her to wish Colby good luck in the football game tonight.  They are still undefeated after a nail biter last week with Snowflake.  Show Low won in the last 11 seconds of the game 24-23.

I called Eileen Duggins my visiting teaching companion and told her what happened.  We may just have to do phone visits this month.  Sheri called again today to see how I was.  She checks on me almost everyday.

I finished reading Ardeth Kapp's book "Doing What We came To Do, LIving a Life of Love."  It was wonderful.  I love Sister Kapp so much.  She is 80 years old and is a Mia Maid advisor.  If she can do it maybe I can do it to!

I just want to share a few lines from Sister Kapp's book: "Is it possible to be dead spiritually while we are still alive physically?  When we take control of our lives, our schedules, our plans, and our appointments, prioritizing according to our values and our goals, we will experience things we would have otherwise missed.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gives us this inspiring counsel: "Let us simplify our lives a little.l  Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship - the path that leads always toward a life of meaning , gladness, and peace."

We went to town today and picked up James's prescription and went through the drive-thru at Taco Bell for lunch.  I'm still not ready to see people but I needed to get out of the house. 

James has the flu so we are quite a pair.  We had to call the Crane's and tell them we couldn't make it to the BBQ.  I was sad.  I did get a card from the YW, YM wishing me well.  It was nice and made me feel better.

This picture of Evan going on a safari at school certainly made me feel better.

Thank goodness Kim was there to take the picture.

Jack Hannah's future assistant.