Friday, December 14, 2012

Matthew 18:3-6

3-Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4-Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5-And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6-But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

A gunman shot and killed 27 people at an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut.  Twenty of those killed were the kindergarten students of his mother.  The worst tragedy one can imagine.  My thoughts and prayers go out to those left behind.  Mental illness needs to be addressed in our country more effectively.

James spent the morning working on the talk he will give on Sunday in the Show Low Paloma ward.  We also read our scriptures and finished the book The Time Keeper.  Although it wasn't our favorite book, it did have a good ending.  

It did snow last night, but not nearly as much as was once predicted.

No Ranger ride today.

Glad he came home last night.

My outside Christmas tree.

I thought it was a good day to stay at home and watch it snow but James wanted to go to town.  He had a $192.00 check he wanted to give me.  The sad thing is he couldn't find the check.  He was a little sad on the way to town.  In order to cheer him up I suggested we have lunch at LaCasita.  Scenery on the way:

The trees look like they are covered in powdered sugar.

After LaCasita and picking up his prescription at Walgreen's, James was ready to go home but I had some returns to make and shopping to do at Walmart so he turned around and went back.

Poor Lexy.

Back at home we took naps, I wrote on my blog, and fixed ham and eggs for dinner per James's request. 
We got Christmas cards/family pictures from: the Wanlass', the Whalens', the Luecks', the Lemmermans', and Pat & Heather. 

I love banking by phone.  James brought a couple of checks back with him from working last week and I was able to take pictures of them with my phone and deposit them.  Stacy and Paul sent me a payment and I received it on my phone. I love modern conveniences.

James and I watched "Trading Christmas" and "Help for the Holidays." 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Happy Birthday to James's sister Carmen.  We sure do miss her!

Mormon 7:7

"And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end."

Recently for breakfast I have been having:

 A slice of ham and some hot peppermint tea.

The last couple of months I have lost 12 lbs.

Exciting news for Darrel.  He finally got approval from his insurance to be on Enbrel.  Hopefully it will take effect quickly. 

I spent the day baking cookies to take to the sisters I visit teach.  My schedule went something like this:

9 - Peanut butter zebra cookies, 10 - Chocolate Mint Dreams, 11 - Molasses, 12 - Mexican Wedding cookies, 1 - Snickerdoodles, 2 - Cid Elmer's Peppermint Crunch cookies ( delicious!), 3 - Oatmeal scotchies.  

My first appointment was with Lannie Gillespie around 5pm.  I had originally planned on visiting Lannie tomorrow morning but because the forecast was for several inches of snow this evening, I called to see if I could come by this evening.  My visit was short and sweet.  Next I met my partner Eileen Duggins at Rosie Lauritzen's.  Rosie lives over ten miles away.  I so enjoy visiting with Rosie and Eileen.  Sad to hear that Eileen will be moving in February because they are losing their home.  The message was on the importance of visiting teaching. 

Cookies for Lannie, Rosie, and Eileen.

James called me on the way home from Rosie's.  We talked about the upcoming storm and decided it would be best for him to come home tonight.  Woohoo!

I watched the movie "Matchmaker Santa" while waiting for James to get home.  One of our favorite movies this year was "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade."  When James got here we watched "Person of Interest", his favorite show on television right now.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I am reading Mormon chapter 6 and crying.  Everyone is wicked, except Moroni, who is keeping the record.  I quote from Mormon 6:17 - "O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord!  O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!"

I talked to Sheri yesterday and asked her what Evan wanted for Christmas.  She said he wants a train that works.  I saw one yesterday at The Book Barn.  I made a trip into town this morning to pick it up.  Afterwards I did some shopping at Walmart and then stopped at Wendy's for some chili.  I didn't get a frosty this time.  I am trying to cut down on my sugar consumption.  I am surviving on sugar free cough drops and diet Dr. Pepper. 

My visiting teachers, Alicia Hunsaker, and Linda Price came by for a visit this afternoon.  I always enjoy their visits.  Poor little Colter was sick today and never left his mother's lap.

I made chocolate chip cookies this afternoon to take to Mutual.  Both the young men and young women are going to Mary Swift's basketball game.  I was the only Young Women leader who went.  When we got there Shelly and I were the only ones with money.  So we paid for everyone.  I am sure the ward will reimburse us.  Monte and Tasha's daughter Kaitlynn is on the team also and Dennis, Harold, Vickie, Cher, Monte, and Tasha were all at the game.  I sat by Dennis and had a nice visit. We lost the game to St. Johns.

I came home and fell asleep watching "Matchmaker Santa."  James tried to call me but I had my phone turned off.  I texted him to let him know I was okay.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I love the Christmas stories in this month's Ensign.  I made a trip to town today to get baking supplies.  I am baking cookies tomorrow and Thursday for my sisters that I visit teach and for Mutual tomorrow night.  I also bought 15 bananas to bring home and ripen so I can make banana nut bread for the people James home teaches per his request.  He wanted banana nut bread instead of cookies.

I got phone call from my friend Karen Schneider today.  She wanted to know if I was going to come down anytime soon.  She does a danish brunch for some of her friends and she wanted me to come.  I told her I wasn't coming down until the 24th but would call her after Christmas and we could get together for lunch of something.  She also told me some sad news about President Heyman and his wife Diane who have been serving a mission in Argentina.  President Heyman was called to be the mission president in Restencia a year ago last July.  Diane suffered a stroke in September and has been in the hospital in Buenos Aires which is 12 hours away from Restencia.  Diane was sent back home  to Chandler in hopes that the hospitals in the United States could help her more than they have been able to in Argentina.  President Heyman's mother said he has not been released and everyday he gets up and puts his suit and missionary badge on.  Diane is one of the most obedient and faithful people I know.  I am sure that whatever happens she will have the Lord's blessings.

In other news from Chandler, the actress, Jane Seymour was at the Chandler Deseret Bookstore today signing her new book.  Cathi and Mary Johnson both had their picture taken with her and posted it on Facebook.  Fun times. 

I paid bills today, ordered some Christmas presents online and watched a couple of  Christmas movies, "A Princess for Christmas", and "Love at the Christmas Table".

Monday, December 10, 2012

I knew James was leaving for the valley today so I got up and made him breakfast, bacon, eggs, and biscuits.  Of course I had to eat some too.  I made myself a bacon and egg biscuit.  Quite tasty.  After breakfast we read our scriptures and from the book The Time Keeper.  We are on track to finish the Book of Mormon together for the second time this year.

James didn't leave until 2:30.  He had lots of business to take care of first.  I started decorating the tree and making a Christmas card list.  It was nice today with the high around 48.  That is good weather as long as the wind isn't blowing. 

My Christmas movie was "A Boyfriend for Christmas."  It was good and was filmed in Salt Lake because they showed a picture of the Salt Lake temple.

I had a hard time going to sleep.  I have this problem of seeing people in my room.  Tonight after I did go to sleep I woke up and thought I saw a guy in a baseball cap looking at me.  The other night it was someone coming through a trap door in the ceiling.  It is always men.  I woke James up last week and said: "I'm in a bind.  Someone is in our room and I am not dressed."  Well I guess it keeps life interesting.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

James was sustained as a high councilman for the Show Low High Council today in our sacrament meeting.  Brother MacArthur, the high councilman over our ward did the honors.  President Williams was also here.  Brother MacArthur is the CEO at the hospital.  He has been a bishop twice, in a stake presidency, and a high councilman five times.  After the block President Williams who was born in 1976 and is the same age as Jared, set James apart.  They found out they have something in common.  They both wrestled at ASU.  President Williams has two cauliflower ears and he noticed James's and ask if he was a wrestler.  It was fun to get to know him on a personal level.
In Young Women's we divided into classes.  I taught Shelly and Trenda, and oh yes, Brother Smith was in my class also.  The lesson was on the peace that comes from righteous living.  My handouts looked like this:

The girls love when I give food as part of the handout.

Things are a little more lax here in Vernon.

For lunch we had our own potato bar with chili as a topping.  The potatoes were left over from last night and they were delicious, some of the best I have ever had.  For dessert, Texas sheetcake.  

I reclined in my favorite spot on the couch and took a nap while James went home teaching.  When he got home he fixed the lights on the tree and put the garland on the mantel.

My Christmas helper.

His pants are baggy because he has lost over 30 lbs.

We had a little mini-crisis this evening.  James couldn't find the notebook he used to take notes about meetings, phone numbers, etc. from President Williams.  We looked everywhere and he even called the Hunsaker's and Peeler's where he went home teaching to see if he left it there.  It was not to be found.

We forgot about it for awhile and watched our Christmas movie, "Hitched for the Holidays" starring Joey Lawrence.  We really liked it and it lightened our mood.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

It feels good to be back home in Vernon.  James and I love it here.  We unloaded my car and started putting things away.  James hung the wreath on our front door.  I set out two nativity sets and some poinsettas (fake), and put tablecloths and center pieces on both tables.  Our house is beginning to look more Christmasy.  We still need to fix the lights on the tree and decorate it.  James said he would do the lights tomorrow.  He said he was too busy today. 

James made us a delicious lunch.  A loaded ham sandwich and a salad.  Very tasty.  As you can tell, I am all about the food.  After lunch we laid down for a nap.  I was up within an hour but James slept for 3 hours.  I guess he needed it. 

This afternoon I made two Texas sheetcakes for our ward party.  We had a potato bar and James helped serve.  I was part of the entertainment.  I got up with the young men and young women and sang Christmas carols.  After the party was over James and I both stayed and help clean.  We were some of the last to leave.  It was a fun, low-key evening.  We sat by Chris Skousen and his wife Becky.  I enjoyed visiting with Becky.  James worked with Chris in the High Priest's.  They are in their fifties and they are taking care of his parents.  That's why they moved to Vernon.

When we got home we followed our December tradition of watching a Christmas movie every evening. 
Here are a few we have watched so far: The 2nd Day of Christmas, Annie Claus is Coming to Town, The Road to Christmas (one of my favorites), The Christmas Card (another favorite), A Nanny for Christmas, A Christmas Wish, A Christmas Proposal, and Dear Santa.  I have to admit I have watched some of these alone when James is out of town.  We actually started watching them around Thanksgiving time.