Thursday, March 6, 2014

Conference Goals

President Uchtdorf - "Come Join With Us"

1.  Feel the power of the Atonement.

2.  Grow closer to the Savior.

3.  Become a better person through the Atonement.

President Packer - "The Key to Spiritual Protection"

1.  Be not afraid, only believe.

2.  Keep my covenants.

3.  Make the Holy Ghost a moving force in my life.

4.  Repent in my personal prayers.

5.  Teach principles from the Book of Mormon.

6.  Be happy, find hope, turn toward the light.

7.  Unlock protection and redemption in the scriptures.

 Up and ready to go to the valley.  James was supposed to be at Dr. Moffat's office by 8 am.  We got as far as the middle of Vernon when I realized I left my phone.  There was no way I was going to the valley without it.  We called Dr. Moffat's and told them we would be a little late.  James got three prescriptions for his laringytis, two antibiotics and one steroid.
While James was at his appointment I made a trip to Walmart to get a printer to keep in Chandler. 

As we finally leave town we decide to go the Globe way so we can stop for lunch at Burger House.  Our decision to stop instead of ordering our food to go is based on the fact that their burros are quite messy.  
The only part of the "Globe way" that I like, besides Burger House, is our descent down into the valley.  The desert flowers are starting to bloom, and with the mountains in the background the scene is quite beautiful.  
Our first stop in Chandler is at CVS to fill James's prescriptions.  
I got a text from Laura, Lois is out of the hospital.  We were going to go see her tonight but will wait until tomorrow evening when Darrel can go too.  
James and I went to Olive Garden for dinner.  I ordered a new chicken dish and was quite disappointed because my chicken was tough and dry.  
I went to two Hobby Lobby's and only got 14 lightbulbs for my Light of Christ visiting teaching handouts.  I have now decided to do them for the Young Women and my grandkids so I need a total of 46.  More Hobby Lobby's tomorrow.

The printer I bought this morning doesn't have a scanner so James said it wouldn't serve his purposes.  While he made a trip to Home Depot this evening I went to Staples and bought another, more expensive printer.  It's a wireless and it took me an hour or so to set it up, but it works!

Facebook finds:

Snow tunnel

On the Run

Sheris fieldtrip with Max

to the state capitol.

Gilbert temple at night

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Gospel Study

Numbers 16

Don't be deceived when the wicked (wanted to replace Moses) persuade many to believe that wickedness is good and righteousness is evil.  Three families swallowed up in the earth, others who tried to offer incense were killed by fire, and 14, 700 died in a plague because they murmured against Aaron and Moses.  

Numbers 17

Aaron's rod blossomed to show that the Lord had chosen him to officiate in the priesthood.

My General Conference goals:

Pres. Monson - "Welcome to Conference"

1.  Work with missionaries and pray for those they are teaching.

2.  Contribute to mission fund.

Elder Hales - "General Conference: Strengthening Faith and Testimony"

1.  Promise to youth if they watch General Conference.

2.  Send family letter

3  Ponder and pray to understand what I have been taught in General Conference then go forward and do His will.

 Elder Soares - "Be Meek and Lowly of Heart"

1.  Stive to become more meek and humble.

2.  Use my agency to please God.

3.  Depend on the Lord and desire to do His will.

Sister Stephens - "Do We Know What We Have?"

1.  Remember the Savior's Atonement and be filled with hope and faith.

2.  Respect priesthood ordinances and authority.

3.  Keep covenants so I can receive personal revelation.

Elder Dube - "Look Ahead and Believe"

1.  Stand as a witness of God wherever I am.

2.  Find peace, comfort, and joy in the Savior.

3.  Hasten the work of salvation by inviting others to come unto Christ.

Elder Bednar - "The Windows of Heaven"

1.  Keep a budget, track expenses.

2.  Practice provident living.

3.  Be grateful and content with what I have.

4. Save $200 a month.

I love this promise from Elder Bednar's talk:

"I promise that as you and I observe and keep the law of tithing, indeed the windows of heaven will be opened and spiritual and temporal blessings will be poured out such that there shall not be room enough to receive them." 

Apple pie and diet Pepsi for breakfast along with some Smart water.  I sounds like I need the Smart water so I can make better food choices. 

Lois is in the hospital with a stomach infection.  Hopefully it is nothing too serious.  We will be down tomorrow and go see her.

I attended Young Women presidency meeting at 5:30 pm before Mutual.  The next few months are extremely busy!

 In Mutual we planned next week's mexican dinner at my house and then worked on Divine Nature value experience one.  Those attending: Trenda, Alice, Coty, LeeAnn, Kilee, Hailey, Hope, Heaven, Kelly, Shelly, and Jordyn.  I signed Kelly and Alice off on the experience.

Today I watched The Walton's and Wind Behind My Back.

Facebook finds:

 Tulip fields in Oregon

Insightful quote

 First Place, Flag football, regular season play

Kaeli Nicoll and one of her missionaries

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Morning Sky
I never saw the sun again for the rest of the day.

Gospel Study

Numbers 15

A man stoned to death for picking up sticks on the Sabbath.

He was a sinner who refused to obey.

Moses clearly taught that one who violated the Sabbath would be put to depth.

General Conference Goals

"Be Meek and Lowly of Heart"

Elder Ulisses Soares

My goal: To become more meek and humble.
"Do We Know What We Have"
Sister Carole Stephens
My goals:
1.  To allow the Atonement to fill me with hope and faith.
2.  Exercise faith in God's plan and respect priesthood ordinances and authority.
3.  Keep my covenants so I can receive greater personal revelation.

James slept in today.  Something I rarely see him do.  I think it's that darn sinus infection he has.  
We were going to go into town to get my tire fixed, it has a slow leak, but James had a patch kit and was able to fix the leak.  The tire had a screw in it  I love having a husband with skills!

James had a doctor's appointment at 4pm with Dr. Memon's PA, Eric Olson, so we ended up going into town anyway.  He has to get clearance for his surgery on March 18th.  While he was at his appointment I went shopping at Walmart and I also picked up my three month supply of folic acid and blood pressure meds.  The store was so crowded, and picked over.  There were no grapes, unripe strawberries, and they have no fresh pies.  I was hungry for apple pie so I bought a frozen Sara Lee pie instead.  

On the way home I read to James from The Book Thief.  We had baked apple pie for dinner.  It was quite good but James said it gave him heartburn.  

James and I are both suffering from blocked sinuses, I guess it's allergies, so we have nasal inhalers all over the house.  I even put one in my purse.  

Today I watched The Walton's and Wind at My Back.  James is starting to enjoy Wind at My Back.  In bed before 9!

Facebook finds:

I could do this!

Interesting thought

Snow, and a barren tree,

two of my favorite things!

Monday, March 3, 2014

October 2013 General Conference

President Monson's opening address:

1.  Help the missionaries in your ward.

2.  Pray for investigators.

3.  Contribute to the missionary fund.

Elder Robert D. Hales

Ponder and pray about what you have learned in General Conference and then apply the truths to your life.

My right knee is swollen and hurts, and my right middle finger is itchy and swollen twice it's normal size.  Come on Remicade, start working!

Today I paid bills, did laundry, and cleaned our bedroom and bathroom.  

James gave Lexy a bath and then worked on clearing some brush.  It was clear and sunny today.  The high was around 50.

I should have done a before and after picture.

This evening James and I drove to the Stanford store to get me some diet Dr Pepper.  We got there a few minutes before 7 and they close at 7.  

We watched Castle when we got home. 

Facebook finds:

I've never seen a ponies wearing sweaters before!

Waterfall in Japan

An illuminated sandcastle in Australia.

 

Sunday, March 2, 2014

We woke up to snow on the ground this morning!

 On our way to church.

After church all the snow was melted.

Today is the day we have been waiting for!  Today the Gilbert temple was dedicated in three different sessions.  I attended the

 9am session.  Poor Lexy was a muddy mess when I arrived.  James was one of the ushers at our building.  Brothers MacArthur and Brimahll from the high council were the other two.  James was able to sit with me during this first session.  I was able to take notes in my Sunday journal up until the dedicatory prayer which was offered by President Henry B. Eyring.  We heard from Nancy LeSueur, her husband who is the temple president David LeSueur.  The LeSueur's donated the land that the temple is built on.  Elder Tad. R. Callister and Elder William R. Walker conducted.  David Layton, son of our friends Bob and Dianne Layton, gave the opening prayer.  Louise Jones led the choir and Jake and one of the Jones girls were in the choir and Mitch Jones, president of the Chandler Stake, gave the closing prayer.  

One of the things President Eyring said in the prayer was that the temple would be a sanctuary of serenity and a refuge of peace.  It was a wonderfully uplifting experience and one I will not soon forget.

 President Eyring and President Monson

at the cornerstone celebration.

When the dedication session was over I went out to get in Lexy to go home and I had a flat tire.  Luckily James was there with his compressor and put air in it for me so I could make it home.  How grateful I am for him!

On the way home I was grateful I had taken pictures of the snow this morning, because it was all melted.  I waited to break my fast until after 1pm., a little over 24 hours.  I had a green mixed burro for lunch and watched Sister Dalton and Sister Cook, formerly of the General Young Women's presidency speak on BYU TV.  I got the very end of Sister Dibb's talk.

After lunch I worked on Personal Progress.  I am working on devising two week menu plans for one of the Good Works experiences.  I also studied from Preach My Gospel and studied paragraph seven of the Proclamation on the Family.  My greatest accomplishment, well at least the one that I felt best about, was writing a March letter to all my children.  

James was home before five and brought with him some chicken salad, potato salad, and cookies.  The Relief Society provided lunch for the priesthood here from the stake.  

Before going to bed we watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart."

 

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Rain, rain and more rain.

 We are so grateful for the rain!

James and I stayed home, studied and worked.  At 12:30pm we started our fast.  We are fasting for family.  

At 2:15 we left for the Snowflake temple.  It rained on us the entire way.  Luckily I had my umbrella.  I spoke with Analee Hunsaker before going in to the 3:30 session.  We saw the second new film.  I think I like the actors in the first one better, except for Satan.  Clea Adams was the only person I knew in our session.  I spoke to her after the session.  I went to high school with her daughter Beverly.  One of my favorite memories from high school is a slumber party Beverly had for one of her birthdays.  We played hide and go seek in their cornfield and slept in their barn.  I am afraid we didn't get much sleep.  It was so much fun!  Clea said that Beverly and her husband Tom Welch, were serving a mission in Indonesia and learning to speak Jakarta.

Back in the dressing room as I was folding my ordinance clothes I spoke to Lorraine Tieman who is also a temple worker from our ward.  Sister Tieman's husband is in the hospital with a staff infection.  He has been sick for a very long time.  

From the temple we had a little time to kill so we drove through one of the subdivisions in Show Low, Torreon.  We ended up at the Show Low stake center where we watched the Gilbert temple cultural celebration with only two other people, Sister Marie Boblett, and a 12 year old investigator she had with her, Paige Garvin.  

It rained through the entire production which lasted almost an hour and a half, but the rain didn't seem to damper the spirits of the performers.

 Joseph with his knit hat.

 Alex and Michael.  

Where is Ben?  Is that him behind the sombrero? 

 The pictures without rain were taken earlier in the day during practice.  This picture shows the actual conditions these youth performed under.

The celebration was very inspirational and I am sure President Monson and President Eyring enjoyed it as much as we did.  

Elder Walker, President Monson, and President Eyring

 

Facebook finds

Two story treehouse.

 European castle.

Which would you prefer to live in?

Friday, February 28, 2014

Morning sky

Here are some notes that I took from my morning gospel study:

  How is it we show the Lord that we have symbolically put ourselves upon today's sacrificial altar?

  "When we overcome our own selfish desires and put God first in our lives and covenant to serve Him regardless of the cost, we are then living the law of sacrifice." -Elder M. Russell Ballard

  Our Light in Darkness:

  "The quantity of darkness surrounding us in the world simply does not matter.  Light is eternal and is vastly more powerful than darkness.  If we remain worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, our souls can reflect sufficient light to displace any amount of darkness, and others will be drawn to the light within us."  (Feb. 2014, Ensign, p. 77)

This evening we picked up Blain and Diana Curtis and drove into the Show Low stake center to attend Trenda Wilhelm's surprise 16th birthday party.  

 Trenda's sister Ruthie blowing

up a balloon before the party

Wow this is blurry!

Trenda's parents, John and Sandy and

Trenda dancing with her grandpa Wilhelm

 Trenda dancing with her dad.

We left the party early to go get something to eat.  All they had at the party were cookies and milk.  The Curtis's suggested Lotus Garden so we drove to Pinetop.  James ordered the seafood feast, and it really was a feast.

He said it was bland but he went

home and seasoned it the next day

and said it was delicious.

This was a fun evening and it gave us an opportunity to get to know the Curtis's a little better.  Diana is the Young Women's president and Blain is our ward clerk.  They are from Mesa and have been here about a year and a half.  Blain is a retired police officer.