Monday, April 22, 2013

James is home for the second Monday in a row!!  I did my Book of Mormon study and some laundry while waiting for James to finish on the computer. 
I have to share one of my favorite Nephi scriptures:

2 Nephi 33:3

I Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people.  For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

I love how Nephi is always thinking about his people, both day and night.  I love that he cries for them on his pillow at night.

 

Around lunch time we made a trip to town and stopped at Licano's for lunch.  James likes La Casita better but they are closed on Monday.  I had my carne asada burro with green sauce which satisifed my craving.  Afterwards we went to Walmart and Home Depot.  James got some mulch and some potting soil at Home Depot.
We came home and took a nap and then I had my turn at the computer where I did some catchup on my blog.  We watched a cute Hallmark movie, one of our favorites, called "Flower Girl."  I took this picture of the sunset:

We went to bed early because James says we are leaving by 4:30am for the valley tomorrow. 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

I was up at 3 am.  I new I had to get up early to finish preparing for my lesson.  I couldn't sleep, so I got up an hour earlier than planned.  I studied and prepared to give each girl these for a handout:

The Book of Mormon is pocket-sized.

Rusty Allen and Collin and Wendy Dewitt were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Collin and Wendy spoke on fast offering and tithing and Rusty talked about agency.  In Sunday School we discussed the scripture legacy left by Joseph Smith.  For the first time in I don't know how long, all of the Young Women leaders were in attendance today.  It was Natalie's last day so there were a few tears shed, mostly by her.

We have another new girl: Maddie Lynch,  She is Rosie and Dave Westbrook's granddaughter.  The other girls seem to already know her.  After the lesson I challenged all of the girls to read the Book of Mormon by our next stake conference which is October 13th as our stake president, President Williams challenged us.  They all raised their hands and said they would.  I told them they would have to read at least 3 pages a day.

I passed around a pile of pictures of Book of Mormon stories and told each girl to chose one of her favorites to tell about.  Shelly chose Abinadi, LeeAnn - Samuel the Lamanite, Maddy - the Savior teaching the Nephites, Kilee - Lehi and his family sailing to America, Trenda - King Benjamin, Mary - the conversion of Alma the Younger, and Jordyn - the brother of Jared.   

After the block I attended BYC while Natalie and Kaeli attended a camp meeting with Julie Wilhelm, the camp director, and Randa Covert, her assistant.

When I got home from church I barely had time to grab a bite to eat and change my clothes before our home teacher, Chuck Crane, and his wife Kathy arrived for a visit.  The message this month is on the resurrection and life after death and the gratitude we should feel for the Atonement.  It was a wonderful message.

The Crane's are going through a trial in their life right now.  Their only daughter, Joanna who recently divorced her husband because he was unfaithful, has decided she and her son are going to be baptized into another church.  She invited them to come to the baptism but Chuck says he just can't go.  Kathy isn't sure.  My heart goes out to them and I tried to offer some comfort.  I know Kathy fasts every Sunday for her family.

After the Crane's left James and I took a nap.  James's nap was shorter than mine because he had to attend a church court in Show Low.  He called to tell me that on his way into town, near the airport, he saw 29 elk cross the road.  I guess that made his trip into town worthwhile.

Taylor Wanlass opened his mission call this evening.  He is going to the San Antonio, Texas, spanish speaking mission and will leave September 4th.  

 We are proud of you Taylor!

I had to post this picture of Brian, Kim and Joe after the Ragnar run in California.

Saying goodbye to Mission Beach before heading home.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

James mowed and edged the front lawn in Chandler today.  I raked up the grass and watered.  Afterwards Michael did some sweeping for us.

Joshua borrowed my phone to play Angry Birds.
He also took this picture of Skittles.

Went to Rowan and Evan's soccer game on the way home.  Ian's parents and Trina's parents were there and so was Darrel.  Rowan was sick and didn't play, which is sad because it is probably the only game that Darrel will be able to go to.  Ian's dad and Trina's dad really hit it off.  They know some of the same people from their work, although Ian's dad is now retired.  It was fun to hear them talk.
Of course we stopped at the Burger House on the way home.  I am so glad we ordered ahead because it was insanely busy.  The line was out the door.  There were about 50 boys including their leaders who had done a triatholon, Boy Scouts who had been biking, and hardcore older bikers (Hells Angels type) there.  I guess the secret is out about how good their food is.
I stopped at the Verizon store in Globe and got myself a new car charger.  My old one doesn't work anymore.  When we got home I took a shower and sat down to relax before working on my lesson I will give tomorrow on the Book of Mormon.  James went for a walk and saw some elk.

Here are some picture from the Ragnar race:

Lexy, Trina, and Tristan

 Joe cheered Kim on when she was ready to quit.

Sheri and her cheerleader.  Just a fellow runner.

Christy's van: Emily, Elise, Christy, Sheri, Merilee, and Kim.

The entire Sea Gals team.

Friday, April 19, 2013

An update on the Boston Marathon bombers.  They determined it was two brothers originally from Russia.  They shot and killed the older one and they are doing a door to door manhunt right now looking for the younger one who is 19.  They eventually found him in someone's boat.  He was hurt and they followed his blood trail.  He is now in the hospital getting treatment.
On Curious George this morning George was making band instruments out of things around the house so Ruby decided she wanted us to do the same thing.  Here we are playing our instruments:

I played the guitar.

After playing our instruments Ruby wanted to play zoo.

 Ruby getting out the zoo animals.

Luckily grandpa came and helped Ruby build the cages for the animals.

Grandpa used his building expertise.

James brought me some lunch but I needed to run to get something for Ruby.  When I got back this is what I found:

Watching "Lady and the Tramp"

For dinner tonight Addy and I walked to Zupas and Panda Express.  She made this comment:  "I really don't like being outside very much."  I was surprised and said: "What?  Your Mom loves being outside.!"  Addy's comeback was: "Yeah, I don't even know how we are related."  

After dinner Addy and I went to Blockbuster to rent a couple of movies.  I looked for Arthur and the Invisibles but they didn't have it.  Instead we got Alpha and Omega and Hoodwinked 2.  We went home and watched Alpha and Omega and had popcorn and M&M's.  The kids were going to watch Hoodwinked 2 but James and I didn't stay.

I love these kids:

James's sister Connie and her husband Cal have retired and bought a motor home.  They are going to travel around the United States seeing the sights.  They have been in the valley visiting with family.  Today they headed for Vernon.  They were going to spend the night on our property in their motor home until we got home tomorrow.  James got a call from Connie.  He had given her very specific instruction on how to find our place but they had gotten lost.  They said they were giving up and going on to New Mexico.  We were looking forward to our visit but I guess I understand that manuevering a huge motor home when you are lost isn't that much fun.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

This morning's sunrise

I left the cabin around 7:30 this morning headed for Darrel and Trina's.  I am helping to watch their kids while Trina goes to California to run in the SoCal Ragnar race.  Kim, and Sheri are going too.  It was after 8:30 by the time I left Show Low.  I stopped to get gas and to wash my car.  It was covered with mud after going into Mutual last night. 

I arrived an hour or so before Trina had to leave.  She went through the schedule with me and showed me where Ruby has swim lessons.  After she left Ruby and I went to Chik-fil-a for lunch. Speaking of lunch, Addy got up early this morning and fixed lunch for herself, her Dad and Rowan.  What a sweet girl!

Ruby watering the plants

Yes that is Ruby at her swim lessons.

Addy and one of her chicks.  They have tripled in size!

Rowan shows off his favorite chick.

We took the kids to Barro's Pizza for dinner.  Rowan wanted so badly to win a stuffed animal.

So close!

While at Barros they started watching the movie Arthur and the Invisibles but didn't get to finish.  I told Rowan I would rent it for him tomorrow evening.

We left around bedtime to go back to Chandler where Paul was brushing Holly's teeth.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

What a powerful way for King Benjamin to end his speech:

"Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable,

always abounding in good works,

that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent,

may seal you his, that you may be 

brought to heaven, that ye may have

everlasting salvation and eternal life,

through the wisdom, and power, and justice, 

and mercy of him who created all things,

in heaven and in earth, 

who is God above all. 

Amen.

I've got the blinds open this morning watching it snow.  It is actually miniscule balls of ice.  Right now it is melting as it lands on the ground.  It is a wintry looking day!  James left around 8 o'clock this morning.  I was sad to see him go.

My tree.

Look at the sky.

I love days like this!

It was an interesting day with schizo weather.  The sun would come out and then it would snow again.  Here is a picture taken in the back where the sun was shining and then in the front where it was cloudy and overcast.

Love those low hanging clouds

We actually ended up with a couple of inches of snow on the ground when the day was over.  It snowed off and on all day long, just enough to make it nice and muddy when I drove to Mutual.

I had a bit of news today before Mutual.  I texted Natalie to ask her if we were going to have a presidency meeting before Mutual tonight.  She sent me a text back that simply said nope.  A few minutes later I got a text that read: "Okay, so I will not be at mutual and I am moving to Utah.  I will be gone and out of AZ by next Thursday.  We are leaving today to go find a house.  Hopefully I will be back by Sunday.  I found this out on Monday so life has been super crazy for me of late.  Bishop knows.  I am so sorry to leave you and the girls and the ward.  I am good with everything else but that make me cry."

It happened so quickly but I can't say I am totally surprised.  I told James the other day I wouldn't be surprised if the Soderquist's moved.  Natalie has not felt well for such a long time and I know she blames it on her allergies to the juniper and cedar trees around here.

Mutual was a combined activity with the young men.  It was also Shelly's 15th birthday.  Kaeli Nicoll and the Beehives were in charge of the activity.  The youth played human foozball.  I took some pictures.  There were 17 boys and 6 girls.

You can't leave your line and you can't use your hands.

Westin Hall playing goalie for Kilee's team.

His brother Kendall was goalie for LeeAnn's team.

LeeAnn kicking the ball.

No hands Tyler!

LeeAnn's team won, 7-6.  After the game we had rocky road ice cream cones in celebration of Shelly's birthday.  It's her favorite flavor.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

When I got up this morning the front door was wide open.  I guess we forgot to lock it before we went to bed and the wind blew it open during the night.  Thank goodness no critters came in.
I studied King Benjamin's address this morning.  I have divided it into 3 parts:  1. Basic principles of good government, 2.Message of the angel concerning the coming of Christ, 3.Things a member of the Church must do to retain a remission of sins.
 I finished putting all of the boxes away that I brought back with me last week and I did a little organizing in the years supply room.  We now have 57 cans of soup and we need 47 more.  I am figuring one meal a week we will use two cans of soup which makes a total of 104 for a year.
I got a call from Karen Schneider today.  It's always nice to hear from good friends.
I made some slow cooker Chile Verde Pork Tacos for dinner.  They were very good, better than this picture looks.

I am not much of a food photographer.

I paid some bills today and worked on my lesson for Young Women's which is entitled: "Why We Need the Book of Mormon."  Although James was able to finish putting my office together he cannot fix the Ranger without some help.  We are dying to go on a ride but I guess we will have to wait a little longer.
I am sad I wasn't able to make it to this guys "Bugs" play today.  It's just one of the drawbacks of not living in Chandler any more.

 The cute bug ever!!

I took this picture off Facebook.  It is the Wilhelm family, an awesome family in our ward.  The oldest daughter, Trenda, is such an awesome young woman.  She is smart, funny, spiritual and very talented.  She is an honor student, loves to sing country music, and she once shot an elk at 600 yards.  Need I say more?

The four year old son, Curtis, has had cancer treatment this past year at Phoenix Children's Hospital.  He is doing better right now.

The John & Sandra Wilhelm family.

James and I watched a good Hallmark movie today starring John Schneider called "Dance at my Wedding."