Tuesday, March 18, 2014

I got up after five so there was no time for my morning gospel study.  We left for the valley at 8am sharp.  James has to be at the Surgery Center in Scottsdale at noon.  We made no stops on the way down.  It was a little after 11 when we arrived in Scottsdale.  We found the surgery center where James will have the screw removed from his ankle, then we went south a mile or so to Indian Bend to check for my lightbulbs at the local Hobby Lobby.  There were none, which is very frustrating to me.  I need 15 more to do the grandkids Light of Christ handouts.  I took James back to the surgery center and then I went to find a restroom and some lunch.  I was going to go to Taco Bell but it was way too busy.  I went to Target and while there I got the movies "Frozen" and "Saving Mr. Banks." I also got the book Divergent because Sheri recommended it and the movie comes out this week. I also got a turkey provolone pretzel at the snack bar and had to throw it away because the turkey looked disgusting so I had Cracker Jacks and a Hersey bar for lunch.  

I got back to the surgery center in time to be with James when he spoke to both doctors who will be taking care of him. 

 Dr. Ortega took about 15 minutes to get that screw out and James was ready to go a short time afterwards.  The nurse helping James after his surgery was a new member of the Church.  She is looking forward to going to the temple.  It was nice talking with her.

James feels so good he said I could go to one more Hobby Lobby which was another bust.  He was hungry so we stopped at the Longhorn Steakhouse next to the Hobby Lobby.  These are the things we loved: The fresh hot bread, my filet mignon and James loved his grilled chicken and portobello mushroom.  James said it was the best chicken he's ever had, and I also loved my garlic, bacon green beans.  The baked potato was good too.

Back in Chandler I found five glass lightbulbs at the Chandler Hobby Lobby!  I dropped James off at home and he took a long nap.  I went to CVS to get James's prescriptions filled and then to the Gilbert Hobby Lobby where I had no luck, and to Target.  When I returned home James was still asleep so I visited with Stacy and Paul.  I got a call from Laura saying that Wanda Allen passed away.  Her husband Dave passed away a few days ago.  She also told me a sad story about Brian Van Allen's 8 year old son Hunter who died from a bone infection.  He stepped on a mesquite thorn and even though they did surgery, it was too late.  

Facebook finds:

Sheri's boys on A mountain

 Cubs in a tree.

Shetland Island, Scotland.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Beautiful morning sky over Mt. Vernon.

Conference Goals

"To My Grandchildren"

President Henry B. Eyring

1.  Teach my grandchildren about the 

plan of salvation.

2.  Teach the first two great 

commandments. Matt: 22:36-38

3.  Feel the joy of forgiveness

through the Lord's Atonement.

4.  Encourage my family to accept and magnify

every calling they receive.

5.  Plead for the companionship of the

Holy Ghost.

6.  Look for the miracles as I serve.

7.  Have a marriage free from discord.

8.  Remember, angels are watching over us.

9.  Someone I love will seek and feel

the power of the Atonement.

10.  God has devised a plan to save

all His children.

11.  Remember there is joy guaranteed

for the faithful.

"No Other Gods"

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

1.  Remember the Ten Commandments.

2.  Put God first in my life.

3.  Follow the Savior's example.

4.  Be careful of spiritual apathy and

undisciplined appetites.

5.  Base my priorities on the commandmnets

and the Plan of Salvation.

6.  Make my family my ultimate treasure.

7.  Teach the Lord's law of morality.

8.  Remember my covenants to love God

and keep His commandments.

9.  Have the courage of my convictions

It's another fun day Monday.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 Chandler friend

Lynette Braddock

Around 5:30 James and Alex got up and left to go fishing at Silver Creek.  Here is just a sample of what they caught.  

 Alex caught 10 fish!!

 James caught two.

It was a great day for these two fishermen!

 

After Sheri's run we watched last night's episode of The Mentalist.  She, Ben, Max, and I played Five Crowns.  I won my third game in a row.  I won two yesterday.  I beat Max by only two points and he was quite sad.

Sheri and I got ready and went into town. At town I made a deposit at both Chase and National Bank and then we went to Walmart.

I got Evan a pumpkin pie because last night when Max said something about making him into a pie Evan said: Pie?  Are we having pie?  I want pumpkin.  I also got James a pecan pie.  

Sheri had to make a run to Circle K and then stopped at Little Caesars for a couple of pizzas and some breadsticks.  

We played one more game of Five Crowns.  This time Sheri won.  I felt like everyone was against me.  

Sheri asked Evan if he wanted some macaroni and cheese and he said: "Not unless you have italian cheese."  He watched Pioneer Woman yesterday and that's what she used in her homemade mac & cheese.

Did I mention that Evan is an artist and a writer.  He wrote a book and drew this picture.

 This is a picture of a robot.

Evan likes robots.

Sheri talked herself into going home this evening.  Here are her reasons: 1.) She needs to take Max to the dentist. 2.) We are leaving early in the morning.  So they packed up and left.  I was a little sad but totally understood why.

Sheri and her handsome boys.

James and I watched The Mentalist before going to bed.

Facebook finds:

Wish I would have wrote down

where this was taken.

I love this!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

James left early today to attend our ward's Priesthood Executive Council.  Max and Alex forgot their church clothes but came to Church anyway.  Ben looked very handsome in his white shirt and tie.  

James spoke in sacrament meeting about Priesthood Ordinances and Covenants.  Eric Pope was the other speaker and LeeAnn Hunsaker was the youth speaker.  Sheri and the boys left after sacrament meeting.  

During Sunday School we discussed Abraham being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac in order to be obedient to the Lord.

In Young Women's Sandra Wilhelm gave a lesson on forgiveness and we watched the video about Chris Williams, the father and husband who forgave the teenage drunk driver who killed his wife and two children.  It is so powerful.

At 2:00 Diana and I had a PPI with Bishop Hall and Brother John Wilhelm.  I felt like it went very well. 

I came home and marinated some chicken and finished preparing my FHE lesson on obedience.  Ben, Max, Sheri and I played Five Crowns.  The boys also enjoyed playing Boom, Boom, Balloon.

 

James grilled the honey lime chicken.  Evan told me it was "heavenly."  When Sheri told Max to eat his chicken he made this comment: "Am I like Hansel, you're trying to fatten me up and put me in a pie?"  That kid has a quick wit.  

James went home teaching to the Peeler's.

We had a really good FHE on obedience. Afterwards James and I went to bed and Sheri and her boys watched "The Amazing Race."

Facebook finds:

Whoever put this on Facebook

certainly has me targeted.

 The Great Wall of China.

It brings back memories,

like how cold I was that day.

 

Saturday, March 15, 2014

So many gorgeous pictures this morning, I 

couldn't share just one.

 Mount Vernon

 

I couldn't share just one pictures.

It was a gorgeous morning!

These pictures were taken courtesy of Mr. James Lambson.

I kept James busy today.  This morning he installed a new toilet paper holder in our guest bathroom, and he fixed the broken leg on the chair that crumpled under me yesterday.  

My tire was flat again so we drove into town to get it fixed.  I read from The Book Thief.  So far my favorite character is Hans Hubermann.  When we got to Center Tire it was closed.  We went to the gas station to get air in the tire and James said he would fix the tire at home, and he did.  Woohoo for Mr. Fixit!!

On the way back to Vernon three fast cars passed us right in a row, all with black Cardinal Arizona license plates.  All three of them turned left on a dirt road just before getting to Vernon and never slowed down.  We wonder where they were going.  Kathy Crane told me that when she was in the Relief Society Presidency they  were never allowed to do any visits on that side of the highway because of the danger factor.  We wonder where they were going.

Sheri and her boys arrived around 4pm.  They brought green mixed burros with them.  After unloading their car we fixed some dinner.  I had put a roast in earlier and we shredded it for tacos.  I made refried beans and spanish rice.  We made nachos instead of tacos.  Delicious!  

After cleaning the kitchen Sheri and I watched Wind At My Back and When Calls the Heart.  We are so happy to have them here.  Ian is in Colorado snowboarding with Jason Ganem.

Facebook finds:

  Michael and his friend Alexis

with their track medals.

 The Eiffel Tower

 

Friday, March 14, 2014

Conference Goals

President Eyring: "Bind Up Their Wounds"

1.  Act upon those compassionate feelings I have.  Ask the Lord for compassion if needfull.

2.  Be willing to sacrifice to serve others and the Lord.

3.  Pray to know who to ask to serve others.

4.  Rescue those with spiritual wounds.  Invite them to feel the warmth of the gospel.

5  Treasure up continually the words of life . . .

6.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God because I have treasured it.

7.  Develop greater charity.

President Monson: "True Shepherds"

1.  Visit each sister I am assigned and pray with her.

2.  Prepare a handout.

3.  Bear testimony and teach and inspire.

4.  Bring the Spirit.

5.  Understand sisters' challenges.

6.  Become friends with sisters I visit.

7.  Be a good listener.

8.  Be persistent and dedicated.

9. Remember Christ's example. 

I wanted to share a little something I read in Numbers 35 today: Murderers were to be slain by the Revenger of Blood.  Cities of refuge were established for those who committed manslaughter.  Revenger of Blood was the nearest relative of the person who was murdered.  

It snowed for a few minutes today but of course nothing stuck.  We did get some rain and some ominous clouds all around us.  I love looking at the wide open skies and mountains around us. 

For lunch we ate enchiladas, James loves them, and watched Elementary.  Afterwards we argued who was going to use the computer.  I can't remember who won.  Probably James.

I made a trip to town to deposit a check.  James put air in my tire before I left.  I checked it in town before going home and it only had 10 lbs. of air.  I put air in and left for home on a wing and a prayer.  It was cool and overcast and the mountains around Vernon had snow on them.   

When I get home I sit down in my designated chair at the dining room table and land on the floor when the leg breaks off under me.  James glued the leg and let it sit.  He will put it back on tomorrow.  

While I typed James's talk for Sunday, he made kale and butternut squash stirfry for dinner. It's a recipe I got from watching The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.  His talk is entitled: "Priesthood Ordinances & Covenants."  While I am typing I watched two episodes of The Walton's.  

We went to bed a little after 8.

Facebook finds:

 Sheri and Evan are feeling a little under the weather.

 Puffer makes a good catch.

 Aint' it the truth.

 Water Tower Plaza, Chicago.

 The Seattle Temple.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

General Conference Goals

Elder Randy D. Funk "Called of Him to Declare His Word"

1.  Believe in the power of prayer.

2. Be humble and obedient and listen to the Spirit.

3.  Make sure I fully repent.

4.  Partake of the sacrament with a humble and repentant heart and spirit.

5.  Be healed through the Atonement and feel peace.

6.  Think pure thoughts continually.

7.  Through obedience and service receive power from God to do more that I could by myself.  Feel the enabling power of the Atonement.

8.  Trust in the Lord that He will bless others through me.

9.  Memorize Joseph's words at the First Vision.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"You Can Do It Now!"

1.  Use effort and discipline to overcome my weaknesses.

2.  True repentance is about transformation, not self-loathing.

3.  Turn my heart and will to God and give up sin. 

I Can Do It Now!

4.  Remember who I am, a child of God.

5.  What would Jesus do?

I also read the article in the month's Ensign: "Faith and Fortitude - Women of the Old Testament."  I loved this article and am including the concepts I learned from reading in it my meditation journal.

After finishing Jacob 5 and family prayer, James left for the valley.  He has a meeting at Camden apartments and will hand in the contract he has already signed.  The job is scheduled to start next week.  He also wanted to get some work done on our house but none of his guys showed up.  You can't blame them for getting another job, but it's disappointing.  

I wasn't a good day for James.  He went to Fry's to get some fried chicken and cranberry celebration and his credit card was declined.  I was in the middle of paying bills and discovered the credit card was maxed out so I paid $500 on it.  By the time he went to get gas the card was usable.  He decided to come home and on the way he stopped at the Fry's in Globe and got some fried chicken and cranberry celebration.

The sky looks ominous this evening and it might rain during the night.  James had some enchiladas for dinner, one of the reasons he came home and then we sat down and watched an episode of Castle.  We were in bed before 9.  It's what old people do, especially when they get up early.

Facebook finds:

  Bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan.

Napali Coast, Kaui, Hawaii

I'm trying to break this habit.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Joe, Brian, and Kim 

Redwood Forest

 Joe in a tree

I slept in until 4:30. Yikes!  What a slacker.  

Gospel Study

Conference Goals

Elder Perry: "The Doctrines & Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith"

1.  Teach about the Godhead and the basic doctrine of Christ. (Articles 1-4).

2.  Understand the organization and order of the Priesthood, (5-6).

3.  Eternal Resources in a Mortal Journey, (7-9).

4.  Member missionaries, (10-12).

5.  Aspirational Attributes, (13). Honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, doing good to all men.  We seek after virtuous, lovely, and praiseworthy things.

6.  Encourage family to memorize the Articles of Faith.

Bishop Gerald Causse: "Ye Are No More Strangers"

1.  Welcome and greet people at church that I don't know.  Include them and love them.  Remember the bishop from Les Miserables.

The debate going on right now in our family is: Which are better, Droids or I-Phones.  Paul thinks I-Phones are for the slow and aged.  Well, I say: Droids drool and I-Phones rule!

I spent most of the day getting ready for tonight's Young Women's dinner at our house.  I cleaned upstairs, vacuumed bugs out of the windows and cleaned the main bathroom.  I did take the time to make soup and sandwiches for lunch and take a nap with James. 

This afternoon I made Lois's recipe for enchilada casserole.  They will probably be too spicy for the girls but I think the adults will love them.  

I had a visiting teaching interview at the church at 5:30 with Rosa Westbrook.  She encouraged me to keep trying to visit Lannie in her home and to remember to have prayer with my sisters.  I took Audrey Guerrero, Kelly Reynolds, and Jordyn and Shelly Applegate back home with me.

Here is how our evening went: Audrey made taquitos, rice and guacamole.  Diana set the tables with her Corelle dishes and flatware.  I provided the glasses.  Diana also made chicken enchiladas with sour cream so we had two kinds of enchiladas.  We also had two kinds of rice, beans, salsa and chips and salad.  For dessert LeeAnn made a Texas sheetcake, Alice brought cookies, and Jordyn made the best apple pie I've ever had.  She baked it in a paper bag and an hour and a half.  Shelly brought punch so we had plenty to eat and drink.  

Analee spoke to the girls about proper ettiquette.  She was the perfect person for that assignment.

 

Diana talked about Divine Nature and how they could overcome any obstacle to live a Christ-like life.

She told about her dad who grew up in a family where drugs and alcohol were used and how he met her mom and joined the Church and now they are serving a mission together.

Kelly in the corner.

After Diana I gave each one of the girls one of my "Light of Christ" handouts.  They loved them!  It was a wonderful evening.

 Those attending: Audrery Guerrero, Diana Curtis, Analee Hunsaker, myself as the adults.  Young Women: Jordyn, Trenda, Hailey, Shelly, Kelly, Maddie and her friend Jaime, Alice, Hope, Heaven, Kilee, and LeeAnn.