Monday, November 25, 2013

'Small and Simple Things'

-Elder Arnulfo Valenquela

"As members of the Church, we are able, through our own small and simple things, to convince many of the error of their ways and help bring them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls." 

(see Alma 37:8)

'Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?'

- Elder Timothy J. Dyches

"As we repent and become converted to the Lord, we become whole, and our guilt is swept away."

I got a funny text from my friend in Chandler, Karen Schneider, this morning.  It went like this: 

"I had a dream about us.  We stole 2 paintings from an old farmer's truck and were on our way in your car to Las Vegas to try to sell them.  I had a giant chocolate bar but only shared a little.  Interpretation?  I am a crook and stingy?  You are just a crook. :) "

Here was my response: "Partners in crime.  I want more of that chocolate bar so I am covetous too.  I love your dreams!"

Karen S.: "Maybe a positive spin is we are partners in creative endeavors and you go forward and I have more to give!!"

James gets back from working on the Horne Auto job around 11 and he helps me load my car for my trip to the valley.  I am taking half the kitchen, plus a turkey to prepare Thanksgiving dinner.  We wanted to watch The Mentalist, this is the one where Red John is revealed, but there just wasn't time.  I have to make it to Chandler in time to go to the So You Think You Can Dance live concert with Brian and Kim and they are leaving a little after six this evening.  I left for the valley right at 1 pm.  I arrived in Chandler at 5 pm.  James went back in to the job in Show Low.  He is coming down to Chandler later tonight.  After I unload the car and go get ready for the concert.  Chelsea Elmer Pace is my date.  We ride together in the back seat of Brian and Kim's car.  Sheri and Ian are coming in their car.

We had a blast at the concert.  We were right down in front.  We saw Addy, Trina, Trina's Mom, Lexy, Kilee, and Kayla.  Here is a picture I took when we went to visit them during intermission.

Kilee, Addy, Kayla

Addy and Trina at SYTYCD concert

Got this picture off Facebook.  It was taken

at Sheri's wards Trunk or Treat.  The businessman

and the angel look like the bride and groom.

Sad football news in the state's high school semi-finals.  Hamilton beats Chandler 21-17 and Blue Ridge beat Show Low 14-7.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

'The Moral Force of Women'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage, empathy, and refinement in relationships and in cultures."

'Hastening the Lord's Game Plan!'

Elder S. Gifford Nielsen

"First, specifically pray to bring someone closer to the Savior and His gospel every day.

Second, pray for the missionaries serving in your area and their investigators by name every day.

Third, invite a friend to an activity in or out of your home."

James left for high council around 5:20 this morning.  He comes back in time to take me to church.  While he is gone I take some gorgeous pictures of the snow.

 All of these pictures were taken on our property.

He says my car won't make it up our hill so we take the truck.  I can't wait until we get some cinders on our road.  Brother Mayfield greets us at the door of the church. Brother Brown is our usual greeter.  I hope he is okay.  He is older and has had some health problems.  

Brother Owen Peeler and high councilman Cameron Crandall were the speakers today in sacrament meeting.  The topic was the two great commandments.

The lesson ins Sunday School was on prophets and continuing revelation.  In Young Women's we had a lesson on the Word of Wisdom.  Sandra Wilhelm, the teacher, is a great example of someone who lives the Word of Wisdom.  

It is snowing when we come out of church but the snow on the ground is already starting to melt.  I am glad I got up early this morning to take pictures.  

For lunch we had sloppy joe's and corn.  After lunch James got a phone call from Chuck Crane, who is an assistant in the High Priest Group.  Lunda Tanner's husband committed suicide and they want James to go over to see her with Jimmy Applegate.  He was dying of cancer, and I guess he just couldn't take it anymore.   That is a tough visit to make, but I am glad James was able to go.  Lynda gave him a hug and a kiss while he was there.  She is doing ok and her girls are on their way up.  Lorraine Vaught will stay with her until the girls arrive.

James went to the ward missionary fireside this evening while I stayed home and worked on my blog and wrote Thanksgiving notes to family members.  When he got home we watched two Christmas movies:

"Window Wonderland", and "The Christmas Tree Lot."

Saturday, November 23, 2013

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Are we lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God?

"The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection."
-President Boyd K. Packer

I studied this morning and worked on my blog, then I made rolls for Lannie Gillespie.  James worked on our road.

We left for the temple a little after 2 this afternoon, in a snow storm.  

 Looks like rain, but it's snow!

Our session was small, seven brothers, and seven sisters which means everyone was in the prayer circle.  Mel and Ruth Wilhelm from our ward were the witness couple.  I love the small sessions.  They don't take as long and they are more personal.  

It was snowing in Snowflake when we came out.  That's a little unusual because they are usually about 10 degrees warmer than we are in Vernon.  We stopped at El Cupidos for food.  We can't come to Snowflake without stopping here.  I ate a bean burro and saved a green burro for tomorrow.  

We stopped by Lannie's to deliver her rolls and a note with the visiting teaching message.  James gets out so I don't have to get out in the snow.  I should have worn my boot.  He didn't even use his cane today.  

We come home, get into our cozy clothes before James makes treats and we watch a Christmas movie.

Chocolate dipped banana slices, strawberries, and

walnuts.

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."