Monday, October 1, 2012

Fall break is here for the Chandler School District.  It lasts for 18 days!  Here in Vernon it is pajama day at the Show Low High School.  I was at Maverick today and saw a girl go in with her pajamas and bathrobe on.  I knew it was pajama day because Trenda Wilhelm posted in on facebook as her favorite school day of the year, so I wasn't as shocked as some of the other customers might have been.

Here are some pictures of Joe enjoying his fall break.  Tomorrow night he's going to the Jason Mraz, Christina Perri concert.  I can hardly wait to hear about it!

Joe and Tiger.

You are never too old to be a "super hero."

Joe is one of my heroes!

James left for the valley this morning.  He is working at Nancy and Yoshi Yoshimine's this week pouring a very long driveway and building a block fence.  We are grateful for such good friends as the Yoshimines.

I went to town this afternoon to run some errands.  I got gas, went to the bank, then Walgreen's, Walmart, and back to Walgreen's.  I was tired and didn't feel like fixing dinner so I stopped at Taco Bell on the way home.  I am so enjoying the 70 degree weather but wish it would rain.

This evening I watched "Dancing With The Stars, All Stars."  It's a great season with returning dancers who are very good.  I can't tell who my favorite is yet.  Probably either Helio Castronaves, Apollo Ono, Sabrina Bryan or Shawn Johnson.   I also like Melissa Rycroft who is dancing with Tony.  Tony has never won so I would be fun to see them win.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

I had wanted to go to church today to partake of the sacrament.  When I looked in the mirror at my face, I just couldn't.  The Lord is probably displeased with me because of my pride.  James went to church and I stayed home alone.  I studied and watched some BYU TV until he got home and we broke our fast.  James grilled some chicken and I fixed the rice and corn.  It's become our standard Sunday meal and it is yummy.

Afterwards I fixed these for dessert.

Is this becoming a food blog?

I love studying the gospel and I am enjoying so much the book I am reading, "Rescuing Wayward Children."

It's not just for people with wayward children but for anyone who wants to learn more about redemption, sanctification, grace, and charity, just to name a few.

Reading uplifting books is my therapy.

A special meeting was held in the Chandler West Stake for the Galveston and Del Rio wards.  All the rumors were true.  Boundaries are being changed.  Everything north of Pecos between Alma School and Arizona Avenue is the new Del Rio 2nd ward.  Everything between Pecos and Germann, Arizona Avenue and Price is the Galveston 3rd ward.  Jackie Hall and Charlotte Mattice are very sad.  Change is hard but sometimes is needed and can be for our good.

Here is a picture of Alex with the new bow tie Tricia made for him.  I hope it's not too tight.  He kind of looks like he is in pain.

A handsome guy!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Happy 17th Anniversary to Kim and Brian.  Brian is always so thoughtful.  Here are the flowers he got for Kim.  They also went out to The Keg for a steak dinner.

Bob, the cat, thinks they are for him.

Alex got to go fishing at Power Ranch today and boy did he make a haul.  He said he caught 35 fish.  Many of them were albino talapia.  Here is a picture of his biggest fish.

The Big One.

The Albino.

I told Sheri that he should start a fishing blog.  He could probably even get people to advertise on it and make some money.  Alex wrote an essay for English about going fishing on the Black River with his grandpa (James).  The teacher never gives 100% on essays because she says there is always room for improvement, but she gave Alex 100%.  Sheri is going to copy it and send us a copy.  One of the things he said in the essay is that he knows that his grandpa loves him even though he has never told him.  Sheri and Ian were both teary-eyed when they read it.

James and I started our fast today a little after noon.  We are fasting for Mitt Romney.  We are fasting that he will do well in the debates and that he will be elected president.  Nobama!

James took this picture from our backporch this evening.

Friday, September 28, 2012

I actually got dressed, did my hair and put on makeup today, all for my visiting teacher, Alicia Hunsaker.
She brought me flowers.

Adding a little color to our monochromatic scheme.

Alicia stayed for about an hour to visit.  It was so nice to have some company.  She is the Relief Society President so she knows all the ward "business."  

I knew James was coming home today but I was surprised when the doorbell rang and it was him.  I had texted him and asked that he call me when he got to Show Low.  He said he didn't see the text.  I couldn't be too upset because he brought me a green chili burro from Burger House.

I signed up for Enbrel support recently which will save us $100 a month. They called today to ask me if I had any questions about Enbrel.  I didn't.  James and I went in to Vernon to get the mail and to get me a couple of drinks at the Vernon Store.  

I have a dilemma since talking to Laura last week.  Now I'm not so sure we are suppose to sell our house.  Maybe it's the cabin we should sell.  If we sell the cabin we can get completely out of debt and James could retire.  James wants to go ahead and sell the house, and then sell the cabin if we have to.  I do not want to sell them both.  Oh, dear.  What shall we do?  I told him we have to make it a matter of prayer.  We have to make sure we are doing the right thing and the thing the Lord wants us to do.  Our goal is to go on a mission.

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!!