Friday, November 22, 2013

Some thoughts from Alma 37 and 38:

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.  

Keep my commandments and prosper in the land.

The records were preserved to teach the gospel.

Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord.

Put your trust in God and be delivered from your trials.

Bridle all your passions.

Harold sent James a helper this morning so he didn't have to get ready for the plumber by himself.  Now, if the rain will just hold off.  James billed Horne for the work he has done so far.  We should be getting a check in a couple of weeks.  

I am still working on my Thanksgiving cards.  I wrote five more today.  I got a call from Dennis.  Jenifer's former mother-in-law, Trisha Rogers is planning a big family history gift for all of her grandchildren for next year.  She wants a history of Dennis and Jaci, Mom and Dad, Nannie and Grandpa, and Grandma and Grandpa Maxwell.  Dennis wants my help and I said I would be glad to gather all the information that I have.  It sounds like a good idea and maybe this will motivate me to do something similar for our grandchildren.

We went in to town so James could pay Francisco before he goes home.  We met Dennis, Denise, and Denise's Mom Peg who is here for Thanksgiving at Panda Express.  We had lunch with them and so enjoyed our visit.  We talked about our trip to New York and said we would like to go back.  This time I want to take James.

It was very cold and rainy today.  While we were in town I did some shopping at Walmart.  We then came home and watched two Christmas movies, "Guardian Angel", and "Snow Bride."  I loved Snow Bride!

Facebook finds:

 Such a cute idea!

The Applegate Family

Jimmy, Tamara, Ty

Jace, Shelly, and Jordyn

 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Alma 36:3

"Trust God and He will support you in your trials.

"The desire to know the Lord should be the priority of our life."

-Becoming His

I had a Burger House green burro for breakfast.  What a way to start the day!  A cold and dreary November rains is upon us.  I wouldn't mind one bit if it wasn't for James's job.  Pouring concrete in the winter up here is stressful!

Hey!  It's 10:15 am and the sun is shining.  This weather is so fickle.  James got home a little before noon.  We watch a Christmas movie, "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade."  The leading lady reminded me of Emmy Rossum.  I wrote five Thanksgiving day cards to family members.  My goal is to write one to all of my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren before Thanksgiving.  I also cleaned out a kitchen drawer and filed all of our kitchen appliance papers that were hiding in that drawer.

James is so positive in spite of all his difficulties on the job.  Today he did more road work and then he came in fixed my diinner and did the dishes.  I am truly blessed!!  

James went in to the city of Show Low today for business and ended up talking to John Wilhelm about hunting and fishing.  I guess that's why he loves living up here, he has so much in common with so many of the people.  

James called Francisco to see if he got everything ready for the plumber on the Horne job for tomorrow.  He said no, he came home because Rueben fell in the water and wanted to leave.  That's all well and good, but why didn't he call so James would know he needed to go in and finish?  Now he has to go in early in the morning.  

More Christmas movies: "A Season of Miracles", and "The Twelve Trees of Christmas."

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

We've got some rain this morning.  Normally I would be happy because of the rain except for James's job at Horne's. 

Alma 33:11

Thou has turned thy judgments away from me because of thy Son.

From the book "Becoming His':

(Karen Schneider gave it to me)

"Make a conscious choice to know the Lord - through Him you can become more.  Allow

the Lord to change your heart."

James went to the valley today to get some things he needs for his job up here.  Lloyd is fixing a piece of equipment for him, and he is meeting with him today.

Back here at home I watched the modern version of Little Women.  It's called "The March Sister's Christmas."  I think Louisa Mae Alcott may be a little disappointed in some of the liberties that were taken.  By trying to modernize it they took away the sweetness and innocence and goodnes of some of the characters.  I did like the ending though.

It was a dreary, smoky day.  I am worried about James's job, money, and his safe return.  

The Hall's arrived in Provo and safely delivered their missionary, Elder Kendall Hall to the MTC.

 We are going to miss you Elder Hall!

Tonight for Mutual we had a combined activity with the Young Men.  We met at the Applegate's shop to work on pinewood derby cars.  What a shop they have!

Brother Ulmer, Hope, Trenda, Kelly, Sister Curtis,

Jordyn, and Talon.

Coming up with a design for you car is sometimes the hardest part.

Shelly and Daniel.

Shelly did you decide what design you wanted to use?

This shop accommodated about 25 people and wasn't even crowded

Alice Wilhelm using the electric sander.

Brother Ulmer was a great help!

Hope and Heaven are his granddaughters.

Here he is helping Kelly Reynolds.

Watching and learning from Brother Wilhelm.

 Alice is finished sanding her car.

Shelly getting some hot chocolate and donuts.

Thanks to the Young Men for the refreshments!

Brother Diewald is the new Scout leader.

Thanks Brother Applegate for the use

of you awesome shop and tools!

Glenzo making off with a dozen donuts.

James and I watched: "Dear Santa", and "A Country Christmas Story."

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Elder Ballard's talk entitled "Put Your Trust in the Lord" is about missionary work.  I need to be a better member missionary.  I pray that I will have the courage and desire to share the gospel.

Today James and I had lunch at LaCasita.  One of the waitresses there is so warm and friendly.  Last week in an effort to get to know her better I introduced myself and James.  That's when I found out her name was Charlotte.  She is like a ray of sunshine when you wlak in the doors of LaCasita.  I hope we can get to know her better and I will feel comfortable talking about the gospel with her.

After my trip into town which included lunch and a trip to Walmart, I headed for home stopping at Audrey Guerrero's for tamales.  She makes them and sells them.

James gets his Cat fixed and works on our road.  I put groceries and prescriptions away and start a batch of rolls.  When they are finished I wrap them in a linen in baskets and go visiting teaching to Linda Diewald and Rosie Lauritzen.  I give each of them a basket of six rolls.  When I get home it is after dark and James is still working on the road. 

We had tamales, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower for dinner.  I fell asleep watching "Christmas Angel."

Monday, November 18, 2013

This morning I read from Alma and 3rd Nephi.  I also read Pres. Monson's conference address "True Shepherds" and Pres Eyring's "To My Grandchildren."

I am grateful for James.  He goes off to work and to face the world while I stay at home and study the gospel.  I know he will be blessed for this sacrifice he is making.

I studied about three hours and then I watched "Once Upon a Time."  Peter Pan is Rumplestiltskins dad, which means he's Neil's grandpa and Henry's great grandpa.  This story gets crazier by the episode.  It really is a fractured fairy tale.

James came home for lunch and we watched The Mentalist.  I don't think Bertram is Red John.  I am ready for a surprise ending next week.

I worked on my blog while watching "The Christmas Card", one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies. 

Stacy and Paul bought the paint to paint the living room and have agreed that they will do the painting.  James is very stressed about the Horne job.  He can't decide when he should schedule the concrete pour because of the weather.  I am constantly praying for him.

We had yummy pork chops and asparagus for dinner.  Castle was freaky.  Leah and Ton went home on Dancing with the Stars.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

James left early this morning to pick up Collin DeWitt and then go to high council and on to the Pinedale ward where he and Collin are speaking.  I caught this picture of the moon as he was leaving.  This picture does not do it justice.

Much bigger in real life!!

I went over my notes from stake conference and recorded them in my Sunday journal.  I also recorded a promise made by Pres. Marion G. Romney regarding the Book of Mormon. Many people attribute this promise to President Ezra Taft Benson because he quotes it in his book "A Witness and a Warning."

 Here is the promise:

I counsel you, m beloved brothers and sisters and friends everywhere, to make reading in the Book of Mormon a few minutes each day a lifelong practice...  I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.  The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow.  The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith,hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness." 

-President Marion G. Romney

Today was Kendall Hall day in the Vernon ward.  First he gave his niece a name and a blessing.  Kendall is James's home teaching companion and I am sorry James wasn't here to hear Kendall speak.  He did an awesome job.  He leaves for the MTC in Provo tomorrow and reports on Wednesday.   He is going to the Salta, Argentina mission.  His dad also went to Argentina.  Kendall said that the greatest influence for good in his life is his dad.  Bishop Hall is a tremendous influence for good in our ward also!  Kendall quoted Christopher Columbus in his talk by saying: "You can't go on a voyage if you are afraid to lose sight of the shore."  He then said: "I am preparing to sail my vessel."  

We had lots of sustainings and releases today.  Collin DeWitt was called as the Young Men's president while he was away speaking with James.

In Sunday School we had a lesson on missionary work.  Brother Wilhelm called himself a dinosaur because he's not internet savvy.  We discussed how missionary work can be done via the internet.

In Young Women Kaeli Nicoll gave a lesson on the ills of gossiping.  I think it really got the girls attention!

James fixed sitrfry again for lunch and I fixed cinnamon pecan pancakes for dinner.  

In world news there was a tornado in Washington, Illinois. 

I love this new Glade scent called:

"Merry Maple in the Morning"

The only problem is that is makes me hungry for waffles!

We watched two Christmas movies this evening: "A Nanny for Christmas", and "Catch a Christmas Star."

Drank some hot chocolate while watching Christmas movies.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Conference Quotes

"Today is the time to look to the source of truth and ensure that our testimonies are strong." 

- Elder Adrian Ochoa

"Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

James continues to have problems on the job at Horne Chevrolet.  The place where the concrete was cut out is filled with water because of the rain.  How is he going to dry it out?  He came home before noon to work on his talk for Sunday.  He left Francisco and Reuben on the job.  He made some stirfry for lunch.  This is the first meal he has had in 24 hours.  I am going to do my fast on Sunday.  This was yummy!

Stirfry Delight!

I gave James a haircut in the dining room so I could watch TV while I was doing it.  Not a good idea.  The light wasn't good enough and there were a couple of nicks in the back.  Hopefully no one will notice.  I also cleaned an ink stain off his suit and ironed his white shirt, and typed his talk.  

The wind is howling outside as we watch our Christmas movies: "The Road to Christmas", and "A Merry Mix-up Christmas."