Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Hopefully, I can tell the difference.

Gospel Study

"The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith"

by Elder L. Tom Perry

"The Articles of Faith and the doctrines they teach are among the most important and certainly the most concise statements of doctrine in the Church.  If you will use them as a guide to direct your studies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will find yourself prepared to declare your witness of the restored truth to the world.  You will be able to declare in simple, straightforward, and profound ways the core beliefs you hold dear as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

1 Nephi 14

Genesis 38-40

I am so impressed with the integrity of Joseph in the book of Genesis!

James is bidding the concrete work for a huge apartment complex in Scottsdale, Camden Foothills at DC Ranch.  Here is what the plans look like.  No wonder he felt so stressed out yesterday!

 

We stayed home today.  It was so quiet and peaceful.  We watched last week's Castle and last week's Downton Abbey.  I texted Sheri today andd found out that she had a bad case of Vertigo, along with vomitting and everything.  I guess it was so bad that she had to have Ian stay home from work to help her.  Kim has had vertigo and Stacy had it after her accident.  I guess you just get so dizzy from everything spinning around that it makes you sick to your stomach.  Poor Sheri.  I am sad I'm not there to help.

I also got a call from Stacy.  She had a job interview in Scottsdale and has one in Chandler next week.  She also met with an LDS realtor today who looked at our house and gave lots of ideas of what we need to do to fix it up to sell.  Her ideas were good, but it's a little overwhelming!  I guess we just need to go down more often to work.  I told James I would go down Thursday, Friday, and Saturday's but would not miss going to Mutual on Wednesday nights.

 

Monday, January 13, 2014

Gospel Study

"Put Your Trust in the Lord"

by Elder Russell M. Ballard

"Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together...and labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.  He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

 1 Nephi 12-13

Genesis 35-37

James was stressed out this morning about all he has to do and to top is all off he had problems with the computer and printer.  He is finally able to print a W-9 but it took him all morning with my help.

We made a trip into town to go to the bank and to get a box to mail Anna's birthday package.  We had lunch at KFC because James was craving their coleslaw.  On the way home I took these pictures of what they are now calling a "managed" burn.

  I do not like "managed" burns.

I came home and put Anna's gift in the box I got at Walmart which is about twice as big as it needs to be.  Next time I will just get one at the Vernon Post Office.  I went to the post office and got the box in the mail before the mail went out today.  Mission accomplished!  Debbie Holyoak, a member of the Clay Springs ward in our stake, is the post mistress in Vernon.  I read on Facebook this morning that it was 13 degrees when she left for work.  Her husband went out and started her car for her and fixed her some hot chocolate.

After my trip to the post office I came home and took a short nap.  I moved several #10 cans from the garage to the storage room downstairs.  I moved books and photo albums from the downstairs storage room to my office upstairs.  I also jumped 800 times on my mini-tramp so I got a little bit of a workout today. 

This evening James and I watched two episodes of The Mentalist.  We could smell smoke from the "managed" burn.

Facebook finds:

 Somewhere in Utah.

 

 

Sunday, January 12, 2014

We had prayer before James left for high council this morning at 5:15.  We are fasting for missionary work and reactivation of family members.  

There was a beautiful sunrise this morning a little after 7.  I really need a new camera that would caputure the colors a little better.

For part of my gospel study I read Elder Holland's conference talk on mental illness and depression.  I am so grateful for the Savior and how He helps people with ailments and gives them hope.

James made it back in time from high council to take me to church.  I wore my new black sweater and blue blouse.  I love them!  We had fast and testimony meeting today because last Sunday was Sadie Westbrook's farewell.  I bore my testimony.  I talked about how strong the youth are in our ward and said that I knew that Jesus Christ was the Only Begotten Son of the Father, that he atoned for our sins, and that someday we will be resurrected because of Him.  

When we got home from the block meetings we broke our fast with our burros from Burger House.  I kept my Sunday clothes on because Kilee Hunsaker is coming over to index and then we are going to the Book of Mormon scripture class.  

James went home teaching with Westin Hall to the Wilhelm's today.  He took them some grapefruit and oranges.  He said Trenda answered all the questions he asked and I told him that sounded about right, just like she does in Young Women's.  

Kilee went with us to the Book of Mormon class which is being taught by her dad.  When I helped her get a username and password for indexing her password was daddysgirl45.  Brother Hunsaker is such a nice man!

There was a good turn out to the class and James and I really enjoyed it.  The elders were there because this is part of the ward's effort to do missionary work.  After the class was over James set apart Stefani Hunsaker as the Stake Primary secretary.

This is what the sky looked like when we came out of the church around 5:30:

.Beautiful!

It was a very enjoyable sabbath day.  To top it off we watched "Ultimate Treehouse Masters."  Pete, the treehouse master, builds an adventure treehouse in the Pocana mountains of Pennsylvaion.  It was so awesome, I saved the show!

Facebook finds:

James says this was true of the raven he had, although he 

never held a grudge against James.

 I want to make these bubbles

when the grandkids are here next time.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

There is a big Young Single Adult Conference going on at ASU this weekend.  Jeffrey and Patricia Holland, Mitt and Ann Romney, Sheri Dew, Brooke White,and Danny White are a few of the Mormon celebrities coming.  I wish Adam, Jared, and Dallin would go but as it does out, none of them did.  I would like to have gone!

Today would have been my grandpa Albert Alexander Strickland's 125th birthday.  That's not too old according to biblical standards.  Abraham was 140 years old and still having children!

Sheri and Evan picked me up this morning and we all went to Rowan and Evan's soccer game together.  I also got to see Trina, Ruby and Rowan.  Ruby sat on my lap during most of the game. I missed seeing Addy, she was at dance lessons. While I was at the game James took my car to Erik's house for him to look at.  He came to the conclusion that the reason my check engine light is coming on is because I need a new gas cap.  Wow!  I am so relieved that it's something that simple.  Sheri said the same thing happened to her.

 #'s 7 and 11

Ruby wants a hug from Evan

After the game Evan wanted Rowan to come home with him but Rowan has his first piano lesson today, which means he can't come over until this afternoon. Evan was a little grumpy when Sheri and I stopped at Kneader's for breakfast.  We both got omelets and Evan had the pancakes but he didn't eat much.  He said he wasn't in the mood for something sweet.  

I got back to Chandler and packed up to go home.  James had already left and was going by the job in Scottsdale at Troon North.  He had told he was going home the Payson way so I decided to go through Globe and stop at Burger House and get some burros.  Just as I was getting on the 60 from the 202 he called and said he was going the Globe way.  Well it was too late for me to turn back but I told him he got stop and get the burros.  As it turned out I stopped too and waited for him in the parking lot while I took a short nap.  That mixed green burro sustained me all the way home.  It's the last thing I ate before starting my fast.  I made a stop at Safeway in Show Low for grapes and coleslaw.  I realized after I got home they charged me double for the grapes so James called and told them.  All we have to do is go in Monday and give them our receipt.  

When we get home we unpack and then James layers my hair a little in the back before I take a shower.  While I'm taking my shower he watches "Person of Interest."  I told him to watch it without me because I've decided it's too violent for me.  We watch "Elementary" and a Hallmark movie: "Puppy Love."  James agrees that out of all three, Puppy Love was the best.  He's leaving the dark side and coming into the light!

Friday, January 10, 2014

James and I read 1 Nephi 9 and 10 and had prayer before my doctor's appointment at 8:45 with Tiffany at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Center in Mesa.  The good news is I lost 4 lbs. since my last visit.  That's a pound a month!  I really like Tiffany because she explains things so well.  She said because Enbrel is so expensive I can change to Remacaid but will have to come in to the office for infusions.  I said I would be willing to do that.  She will set everything up and let me know when my first infusion will be.  In the mean time I will continue to take my Enbrel every other week.  My next appointment is in March unless they set me up for an infusion sooner.  This is the medication my friend Adrienne Ellsworth is on.  They took nine vials of blood because I am changing medications because they need to do more tests.  I'm glad I was able to walk out on my own.

I went shopping for Anna's birthday at the Marshall's in Gilbert near Deseret Book.  I bought the neatest purse for Anna and then went to Deseret Book to get a journal and some Young Women's stuff.

Anna's favorite color is green.

The Kneader's next to Deseret Book is open.  When I told Sheri she said we should go there after Evan and Rowan's game tomorrow.  Sounds like a plan!

Back at home James and I went to lunch at Pei Wei.  I had the spicy chicken salad.

Yummy!

We were supposed to have an appointment with Erik at Tempe Toyota this afternoon because my check engine light is still on.  Erik forgot and stayed home from work today so after driving to Tempe, James drove back to Chandler.  I needed to go to Ikea so my trip wasn't a total loss.  I walked the entire store before I found the 99 cent frames I was looking for.  I got my workout for the day.  The frames are for the Young Women's birthday gifts.

Back at home James and I took a nap in our downstairs bungalow and then we went to see the movie "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" starring Ben Stiller.  We really enjoyed the movie and the popcorn, drink and Junior Mints were great too.

I came home and visited with Stacy awhile before going to bed.  Joshua doesn't ask to play with my phone anymore now that he got his tablet for Christmas.

Facebook finds:

 How fun!

I want this in my house.

Gorgeous!

Oatmeal shakes.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Well I took some Nyquil last night because I couldn't sleep and as a result I didn't wake up until 7:44!  That's unheard of for me.  Last night my visitors were back in the bedroom up near the logs on our ceiling.  Yikes!

I got up and got ready to go to the valley.  I didn't even have time for a shower.  I left around 10am.  I ddin't winterize, I just turned the heat down to 50 degrees.  Here are the stops I made: the Vernon Post Office, National Bank, gas station to get air in my tire, and Arby's to go to the bathroom.  By the time I got to Heber I felt like I was falling asleep so I stopped at the Circle K and got some snacks and a drink to revive me.  My next stop was the Taco Bell in Fountain Hills for another potty break.  I arrived in Chandler at Dr. Douglas's office right at 2 pm for my appointment.  James was already there.  He is getting some fillings replace and we are both getting our teeth cleaned.  I need a new crown on my tooth in the back where I lost a filling.  If I don't get one soon I am going to need a root canal.

James had a doctor's appointment this morning with Dr. Ortega about his leg.  He made James feel so much better because he told him that he was ahead of schedule with his healing.  He said it would probably take at least a year for everything to be healed completely.  That is such a relief to hear!

Kim came over this afternoon and brought me a puzzle. I love it!

 

 It's all the Disney princesses!

Our plans to go to a movie with changed.  James has to pick up equipment at Troon North so I go with him.  We drop my car off at Sears to get it serviced.  It is a long ways to Troon North, clear our by Pinnacle Peak.  After we get back and pickup my car and take the truck home we go to dinner at Chili's because we still have a balance on our gift card.  I had shrimp tacos and they were very good.

Facebook finds:

Sheri posted these pictures of Addy and Ruby taken at Rowan and Evan's soccer practice.

Addy loves to read.  

I am so proud of her for reading

the Book of Mormon.

 One of the most fun people I know.

 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Last night I had imaginary visitors again.  This time they were outside in a green truck stealing our red tractor. Maybe it was all that red and green Christmas stuff I put away yesterday. 

Gospel Study

"The Moral Force of Women" 

by 

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.'

I love how Elder Christofferson esteems and appreciates women.  It makes me want to be better!

I also studied the Abrahamic covenant in conjunction with my Old Testament readings, and 1 Nephi 8, Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life.

For breakfast today I tried the Jimmy Dean ham and cheese croissants I bought.  Sixty seconds in the microwave wrapped in a paper towel and they are a delicious way to start the day after my warm lemon toddy.

I wish James were here so he could tell me what kind of bird this is.

 Not a good picture.  He's on the right.

He said it was a snowy owl.  This is what they look like:

So pretty.  They are my new favorite owl.

I did lots of vacuuming today and then prepared for Young Women's Personal Progress night where we are working on the value of faith.  I found some Faith candy wrappers on line.  I ran them off and then made a quick trip in to town to get some candy bars.  I made it back in town just in time for our YW presidency meeting at the church.  Diana announced that Coty Iannoli's mom, Sandra Kuper had her baby.  Strange that she couldn't remember if it was a boy or a girl.  Brother Dewitt and Brother Diewald came to the end of our meeting to discuss our trip to the Gilbert temple on February 1st.  

For Mutual the Beehives and Mia Maids met together.  I talked a little about Personal Progress and then challenged the girls to work on their Personal Progress goals for at least 30 minutes a week.  Everyone there committed to do so and I gave them each a candy bar.  Shelly talked about prayer and gave the girls a handout and then they painted rocks.

Trenda is holding baby Natalie.  She is the baby whisperer.

Next week we are suppose to have our pinewood derby with the young men.  Here is the Young Women's leaders car made by Brother Curtis.

I hope it's as fast as it is cute!

Facebook finds:

I have a passion for purses!

I wonder if this one comes in purple.

Once we get on wi-fi I am getting one of these.

Brother Sean Hunsaker's pride and joy!

Bobby and Darlene Noel.  Dear friends of ours from our early days in Chandler until

they moved to Utah where he became the baseball coach at BYU and she worked at the MTC.

Venticular clouds.

I love this picture.

Marvin Johnson and his boys.

Paul, George, Darren, Mike, 

Devin and Aaron.