Monday, August 26, 2013

The Book of Mormon isn't simply something to be read and studied, it is to be lived.  I love the Bible, the D&C, and the Pearl of Great Price, but the Book of Mormon is different.  More than any other book it is Christ-centered and gospel centered.  It leads us to the Lord and motivates us to do good.  Within the reach of those who become serious students of it's pages and precepts is an interpretive key that open hidden treasures of knowledge.  The Book of Mormon speaks directly to us because it was written for us.  I love the Book of Mormon!!!

There are cloud bursts all around us but not much rain here, a few sprinkles.  I decided it was a good time to wash my car while James attempted to put the mud flaps on the Razr.  He got one on today.  I helped.

I went out on our property today and picked some sunflowers.

 

Kathy Crane gave us some veggies from her garden today.  We got cauliflower, broccoli, flower squash, zucchini, cabbage and green beans.  We made a vegetable medley for dinner and it was delicious!  In other news from our neighbors the Crane's:  While they were sitting on their patio they saw a small bobcat on the rocks just behind their yard. 

Tonight's Sunset

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Today we said goodbye to our friends Wes and Teresa Smith.  They are leaving to serve a mission in Kansas.  Not only did Wes shave his beard and mustache but he has a real suit with a real tie and real shoes instead of cowboy boots.

Today was also Taylor Wanlass's farewell in Chandler.  He is leaving for the MTC in Mexico City and will be serving in the Texas San Antonio mission.  Here is a picture of Taylor with his dad and his brothers.

Wendy Dewitt taught our Sunday School class today in Brother Mel Wilhelm's absence.  The lesson was on eternal marriage and Wendy did an excellent job.  In Young Women Sandra Wilhelm gave a lesson on dating standards.

I finally gave Kaeli Nicoll her baby gift.  Little Natalie Jo is due in September.  We have several new babies in our ward right now.  There's Hyrum Miller, Matthew Pope, and Alexandria Carroll.  Alexandria is Maddie's little sister.  She had pneumonia but is doing much better.

The weather was gorgeous today.  It was 65 degrees with some rain.

I love these views!

I helped James do his home teaching today.  First we visited with Lorraine Vaught after church.  After church we went to visit the Sean Hunsaker's family.  The lesson was on gratitude and on keeping a journal of blessings.  The Hunsaker's shared some of their chocolate no-bake cookies with us.  After our visit with the Hunsaker's we went for a ride to see the fields of sunflowers.

Even James had to admit they were beautiful!

We came home and I wrote on my blog.  We sat down to watch The Walton's and as we were watching a bat flew by.  Oh great!  We aren't rid of them yet.

James is off pain killers and has very little pain in his leg right now.  We are grateful.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Woke up to rain and 58 degrees this morning.  At noon it was 60 degrees and there was lots of thunder.

As part of our morning reading we read President Uchtdorf's talk on Light from the last General Conference.  I love that talk! 

It rained all day today.  We spent the entire day at home relaxing and enjoying the weather and scenery.  We are beginning to worry a little about getting our car in and out tomorrow to go to Church.

I worked on my blog today and my Sunday journal.  I read with James from The Guardian and the Book of Mormon.  It was a wonderful day!

We missed Randa and Justin Covert's temple sealing this afternoon.  I was waiting for a call from Dennis.  We thought we were going to the movies and to lunch.  Dennis did call at five and said we would be going on Tuesday.  I am so looking forward to this fun time with my brother and his wife.

We love the Walton's but John Boy has moved to New York, Grandpa has died, and Grandma and Livy are gone.  It's just not the same.  I liked it when the kids were small and everyone was at home together.
I talk about this show like they are actually a part of my life.  Get a grip Karen.

Friday, August 23, 2013

 Sunrise behind the mountain

I read in Helaman chapter ten this morning where the Lord gives Nephi all power because of his righteousness.  That is so amazing to me! 

As were were getting ready to go into town this morning I see elk on our property.  There were 8 cows and 5 calves.

 

I love this scene!

We took lots of pictures and we were a little late getting into town to have lunch at LaCasit.  We both had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of refried beans.  Their refried beans are the best!  After lunch we picked up James's hydrocodon prescription at CVS that Becky Skousen from Dr. Moffat's office dropped off for him.  James also wanted to look at wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts so we stopped at Ace Hardware.  When we came out it had started to rain.  When we got back to Vernon it wasn't raining, but soon after it was.  Guess we won't be going on a Razr ride until we get the mud flaps put on.

We went on the deck and read from "The Guardian."  This evening we snacked instead of eating dinner and we watched 3 or 4 episodes of The Walton's before going to bed. 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

There were no clouds in the sky when I got up this morning but it was raining hard by late morning.  We had to fold up the ping pong table on the deck because it was getting soaked.  I had to close the dining room windows and the skylight was also dripping.  It was a downpour and 58 degrees!

It was six weeks ago today that James had his accident.  This picture was taken before it happened.

 

Now this is what he does for fun.  It actually is good therapy for his leg when the jets are on.

At about 3pm it stopped raining but the sky is still overcast.  They are doing a prescribed burn.  Grr...why?

I sorted through all the mail we got in Chandler and tried to pay a few bills today.

James wanted to go on a Razr ride.  The roads are so muddy from the rain that the mud from the tires flips back at us like it's being fired from a machine gun.  We go very slow.  The water isn't running in the creek bed on Forest road 61 so we don't go down to Buckelew Springs.  We go down to James's favorite spot to look for elk.  It's the meadow this side of the Carlock Ranch.  We see a huge herd of elk, approximately 80!

James helped me cook dinner and clean the kitchen.  We had some fried zucchini from the Crane's garden for dinner.  After dinner we watched the Walton's.  Livy has TB and has to go to a sanitorium.  Sad.

I took this picture that Jared posted on Facebook today.  I guess Emmy went to work with him.
School hasn't started yet in El Paso.

Jared and Emmy

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

This morning's sunrise

I made a trip into town today.  It was overcast and the sky was full of lightning.  I went to the bank to deposit money, CVS, and Walmart.  It was 75 degrees when I got home.  I grabbed a bite to eat, fed James some dinner, and drove to the church to pick up kids for tonight's activity at Fool's Hollow Lake.  

Trenda Wilhelm, Kilee, LeeAnn, and Tyler Hunsaker all rode with me.  Trenda and Kilee put these pictures on my phone:

Kilee and Trenda

I love these crazy girls!

We stopped at Little Ceasers to pick up pizza and then met at the seminary building.  Brother Allen helped Diana Curtis and I hike over the rocks to the place where the kids swim.  The kids had fun swimming until it got too cold, then they ate pizza and the donuts I bought at Walmart today.  It was a fun evening.  Mayber next time we should start a little earlier.  Tonight we met at the church at 5pm.

Those who came:  Trenda, Shelly, Jordyn, LeeAnn, Kilee, Maddie, Kelly, and Hope.  Girls leaders: Diana Curtis, Kaeli Nicoll, Denice Hall, and myself.  Young men: Glenso, Aaron, Tyler, Rusty, Jackson, Talon, Jace, Kendall, and Westin.  They had four leaders: Brother Allen, John Wilhelm, and Clint Pope.

It was a fun evening!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

James needed to make a trip to Demming to take to Alisha and Cindy.  I thought I was going to have to take him but Terry said he would.  They left around 6am.  Thank you so much Terry!!

Sheri stayed home from work today so we could spend some time together.  I was so grateful.  We watched the August 13th episode of SYTYCD which included the all-stars, Kathryn, Melanie, Comfort, Twitch, Robert, Neil, and Brandon, just to name a few of my favorites.  So happy I got so spend some time with Sheri.  I left around 11:30 for home.  I got as far as Fountain Hills when I realized I forgot to pick up the tools James asked me to bring.  I called him to see if he wanted me to go back and get them but of course he said no. 

It was so good to get home.  I crashed on the couch and watched Master Chef and Project Runway.  James called and said he and Terry would be here around 6pm.  I though Terry was going to spend the night with us so I put clean sheets on the bed downstairs.  Terry dropped James off, had a bite to eat and was on his way back to Chandler.  Wow!  That's alot of driving in one day.  I guess Cathi wanted him home. 

James collected some money and felt like the day was a success.