Thursday, March 27, 2014

Pacific Coast Highway,

Oregon

Gospel Study

"Decisions for Eternity"

Russell M. Nelson

1.  What decisions am I making that will affect me for eternity.  How can I do better?

2.  Remember that I am a child of God.

3.  Love God with all my heart and soul.

4.  Love my neighbors as I love my family.

5.  Give thanks for my body and my spirit.

6.  Humble myself so the Lord can make my weak things become strong.

7.  Am I prepared to meet God?

8.  See my body as my temple.

9.  How I use my body effect my spirit.  

10. Care for my body.

11. Develop spiritual attributes. - Bravery, courage, integrity of heart, thirst for truth, hunger for wisdom, and a desire to serve.  Self-mastery builds a strong conscience and conscience determines moral responses in difficult situations.

12. Fast to intensify my prayers.

13. Control my appetites.

14. Change my desires through the enabling power of the Atonement.  I access this power by keeping His commandments exactly.

15. Remember Decisions Determine Destiny.

"Till We Meet Again"

President Thomas S. Monson

1.  Fill my home with love, courtesy, and the Spirit of the Lord.

2.  Constantly nourish my testimony.

3.  Show increased kindness.

4.  Pray for Church leaders.

5.  Ever be found doing the work of the Lord.

I am looking forward to my next infusion of Remicade on Friday, April 4th.  Hopefully it will help with the pain in my knees.  

I have set a goal of emptying one box a day from the basement.  Today in the box I unloaded I found the history of my Mom that I began writing before her death as I interviewed her.  I ended up giving this history at her funeral.  I think I was prompted to pick this particular box.

 

Family History tree found

in the April Ensign.

This afternoon I worked on my budget and menu plans, and I called to talk to Laura about her diagnosis.  Dave had told James she had cystic fibrosis.  Laura says it's called Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  She has only 53% lung capacity and a cough that won't allow her to go to the temple.  I told her I would pray that she would get the cough under control so she could go to the temple.

James decided to come home today.  He got here around 5pm.  He said he wasn't hungry but he kept looking in the refrigerator and cupboard, so I began making dinner.  I made some cauliflower gratin, a recipe I got on Facebook.  It took about 30 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.  It was tasty, but not sure how healthy because of the milk and cheese.

While I was fixing dinner my left hand started itching and swelling.  

I'm not the only one who had hand problems today.

Max sprained his fingers in

football practice today.

James and I watched The Mentalist and Castle.  When we got ready to go to bed James wanted to take me to ER.  When I refused, he sent a picture to Darrel and Trina.  They both thought I should go. I asked James to give me a blessing and if my hand wasn't better, I would go tomorrow.

The blessing brought me comfort and helped me relax and get a good night's sleep.

 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014ags.

If I can't get a sunrise, I'll take a

sunset on a tropical beach.

Gospel Study

"Look Up"

Elder Adrian Ochoa

1.  By their fruits ye shall know them.  What are my fruits?

2.  Nourish my faith and testimony with the word of God.

3.  Remain constantly worthy of the Spirit.

4.  Know for myself that the Savior has forgiven my sins.  This makes me happy.

5.  Know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and that Christ is my Redeemer.

6.  Cherish and strengthen my testimony.

"Drawing Closer to God"

Elder Terence M. Vinson

1.  How does my behavior and actions reflect the integrity of my intent? (Spending and Eating)

2.  Make God the center of my life.

3.  Keep His commandments, always remember Him.

4.  Develop the faith that will help me rely on the Lord in solving my problems.

5.  Feel the Lord's love in my life.

6.  Align my will with the Savior's.

7.  Give the Savior my heart.

8.  Truly love Him and feel of His love for me.

I love my lavender smelling trash bags.  James keeps calling me for help with the printer.  It's so frustrating because I'm not able to help him.

I love my new Shark floor cleaner.  My floors should always looke good.  I will clean them, and then polish them.

 

The Voice again today.  In my humble opinion they have a better format than American Idol.  

I worked on cleaning out and organizing my Young Women's notebook this afternoon.  I also went through my Sunday journal to determine which girls have given talks in sacrament meeting.  I'm still a little miffed that I couldn't find when Trenda was called as Mia Maid class secretary.  

 Tinago Falls, Iligan, Philippines

I left the house before 5pm to visit teach Barbie Shumaker.  I really liked her!  She has rescued 46 dogs in the 15 years she's lived in Vernon.  She's been happily married for 37 years and her mother lives in Snowflake.  They scrapbook together once a week.  My visit was short but informative and then I had to leave in order to make it to Young Women's board meeting at 5:30.  

Diana, Analee, and I were the only leaders at board meeting.  I guess that's because of spring break.  Shelly and Jordyn were the only young women, but we had a good meeting and did some planning in spite of our numbers.

Maddie was the only other young woman who came to Mutual.  She brought her baby sister, her little sister Zonie, and Kyah her cousin.  We tried to study and memorize the sacrament prayers which is part of Divine Nature VE#4 but the children were a bit of a distraction.  I played Apples to Apples with the girls while Diana did some interviews.  For refreshments Diana brought delicious chocolate eclairs.  I took Addy and company home.  The elders (Russell and Oakley) helped load my car.  It was so windy!

I slept on the comfy recliner tonight.  At one point I thought I saw a guy with a baseball cap upstairs.  I almost called James and then I realized how ridiculous that was.  I have bizarre or bad dreams or I see people when James isn't here.

  

Tuesday, March 25, 2014ojnice

Ruthie Wilhelm,

James's little friend, at Rosevelt Lake

during Spring break.

Gospel Study
"Teaching with the Power and Authority of God"
David M. McConkie
1.  Listen and know when the Lord speaks to me.
2.  What would the Savior say if He were teaching today and how would He say it?
3.  Teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
4.  Live worthy to have the Spirit always.
5. Diligently prepare so I can teach so as to help others exercise their agency righteously and allow the gospel to enter their hearts.
6.  Diligently search the scriptures and treasure them up.
7.  Ask for the Lord's help.
8.  Have both the word and power of the gospel in my life. (Alma 17:2-3)
9. Listen, to the Spirit, and my students.
10. Set aside notes and go where the Spirit prompts me.
11. Stand as an independent witness of Jesus Christ.

"Continually Holding Fast" 
Kevin S. Hamilton
1.  Hold fast to the Iron Rod - Consistently read and study the words of Christ.
2.  Succor the weak.
3.  Follow Jesus Christ.
4.  Attend all my Church meetings.
5.  Learn doctrine.
6.  Press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ.
7.  Keep my covenants.
8.  Make good decisions everyday.
 

My knees hurt almost every morning when I get up.  James's sweet texts make me feel better.  After my gospel study I started stripping wax off the wood floor and was really wishing I had an easier way to clean the floor.  James gave me permission to get the Shark wood floor cleaner they have at Walmart so I made a trip to town.  Why am I still feeling a little guilty?

It was too late to use the machine tonight so I will start tomorrow.  When the cashier asked me if I wanted the warranty I said no, if I don't like how it works I will be bringing it back. When I opened the box it says: DO NOT RETURN TO STORE...Why do they do that?

Cherry blossoms, Washington, D.C.

I watched some back episodes of The Voice and decided I really do like it better than American Idol.  I love the judges: Adam Levine, Shakira, Usher, and Blake Shelton.  

Stacy was feeding all her boys and the missionaries tonight and then doing a FHE.  I wonder how it went.

Bojnice Castle, Slovakia

I went to bed before 9 . . .and I was up an hour later.  I read for awhile and then went back to bed.  My knees hurt so much so I slept on the recliner and had a bizarre dream about Darrel and James shipping small dogs in very small cages to Australia.  Where do I get this stuff?

 

Monday, March 24th, 2014

 

The Trezise boys and 

Michael at the zoo.

  Max says Evan looks like an angel

when he's asleep.  I agree.

I couldn't exercise this morning because my knees hurt so badly.  I think I am developing a pattern here.  I wish this Remicade would hurry up and begin working like the Enbrel did. 

James left for the valley this morning after family prayer and reading from Mosiah 2.  

Tonight is the second episode of the new season of Dancing with the Stars.  I didn't get to watch the first episode so throughout the day I took breaks until I watched all the couples dance.  Let me tell you about some of my favorites.  I loved Candace Cameron Bure who is dancing with Mark Ballas.  My favorite was Amy Purdy who is Derek Hough's partner.  She is a paraplegic Olympian who just competed in Russia and come home with a bronze medal.  Her dance was incredible.  She has two prosthethic legs and she scored 3-8's her first dance.  Amazing!  Diane Nyad is the woman who swam 110 miles from Cuba to Florida in shark infested waters and she is partners with Henry.  She's not going to win but her story was also inspirational.  Charlie White and Myrle Davis who were partners for the U.S. figure skating team in the Olympics are also competing.  They are both very good.  Meryle reminds me of the Disney character Mulan.

James called me to tell me that he got financing for his job.  What a relief.  Now they can start.  Our prayers were answered!  

I used a different brand of hair color to color my hair and I can't tell that it did anything.  I guess I will have to go back to using L'oreal.

I washed the sheets on the upstairs beds that Sheri's family used.  

Today is Chandler's last day of spring break.  While the Trezise's went to the zoo Stacy took Joshua to see the new Muppet movie.

Diane Nyad and Sean Avery, the hockey player, were both eliminated from Dancing with the Stars this evening.

I miss James, especially at night.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

If any man will do His will, he shall

know of the doctrine, whether it

be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

-John 7:17

"Baptism is an act of faith, not a step taken 

based on sure knowledge."

I got up this morning and threw all the cookies away in the house.  There are two things I really need to improve in, in my life: My eating and spending habits.  I woke up at 2:08 and could not go back to sleep so I finally got up and lay down on the recliner for about an hour.  

We got a new Relief Society Presidency today.  Just as Diana and I predicted, Kaeli Nicoll was called as the president.  Her counselors are Ann Miller and Tamara Applegate.  Kaeli was a counselor in Young Women's and has only been a member of the Church for two or three years and she is only 26 or 27 years old.  Her husband was just hired by the Tempe Fire Department and is in training which means they are gone during the week.

Shanna Penrod and Tom Howard were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Trenda was asked to bear her testimony and did such a wonderful job.  

In Sunday School we talked about the eternal marriages of Isaac and Rebekah and Jacob and Rachel and Leah.  

 Denice Hall gave the lesson in Young Women's on how the Atonement can help us with our trials.  Denice's niece from Round Valley, Shelby, visited. Shelly, Jordyn, Alice, Trenda, and Coty were the only other girls attending.  Everyone else was gone for spring break.

Right after the block Rosie and I visited with Lannie Gillespie and gave her the visiting teaching message.  

Our home teacher's, Chuck Crane, and Collin Dewitt visited this afternoon.  James told them about his finance problem and how he's starting a new job this week.  After they left we had lunch and then James went home teaching to the Peeler's and I got ready and left for Show Low.  I had a temple recommend interview with President Van Winkle.  President Van Winkle was going to leave for Snowflake after my interview.  His brother who has been inactive for years is being ordained an elder.  While serving time in prison he read the Book of Mormon and gained a testimony.  Such a neat story.

I was so tired when I got home and joined James for a nap which ended up being two hours.  I guess I needed it after getting up so early this morning.  

This evening I read from the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price.  I also read from The Book Thief to James in front of the fire.  It was a nice way to end the day.

My friend, Tammy Cluff Montgomery posted this picture on Facebook:

 

Friday, March 21, 2014

Misty Morning, The Dark Hedges,

Ireland.

Got up and slept in the recliner until about 6:30. I can't remember when my knees have ever hurt this bad.  While I was studying this morning, James made me some breakfast.  He is so very thoughtful and it was yummy!

Around noon James and I made a trip into town to transfer money from National Bank to Chase.  We stopped at Wendy's for lunch.  I wanted to get a salad and try their burger on ciabatta bread with roasted tomatoes but we couldn't find it on the menu.  I ordered a BBQ Ranch chicken salad to eat later on for dinner and James and I both got a single burger.  We both ate our burgers but I'm afraid we complained for these reasons: 1.) They were too expensive, $3.99.  We thought we were ordering small burgers. 2.) They had cheese, we did not order cheeseburgers, and they had mayo, not a favorite condiment of ours.  Oh well, we managed to get them down without too much of a problem.  

On the way back home I read to James from The Book Thief.  We are beginning to like it even though we know it's going to be sad.  I finished all of my gospel study.  I was way behind so it took a good part of the day.  I am determined to finish all of the October 2013 General Conferences addresses before the end of the month.  When I do, I will have read them each six times.  I was so behind in my Old Testament reading that I read 10 chapters from Deuteronomy today.  

Today's Conference Goals:

"Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ"

Elder Richard G. Scott

1.  Recognize the power of the Atonement by studying it

more deeply and striving to live by its principles in my life.  Also, express gratitude for it daily.

2.  Fortify my weaknesses to create strengths.

3.  I need a humble, lifelong commitment to forsaking my sins.

4.  Make weak things become strong by removing temptations.

(Got rid of most all of the candy in my life).

5.  Make sure my repentance is thorough and complete.

6. Fill my life with service.

"I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee"

President Thomas S. Monson

1.  Don't complain, especially over Church assignments.

2.  Be patient.

3.  Make the gospel the center of my life.

4.  Be grateful.

5.  Endure well, to the end.

6.  Become more spiritually refined.

 

 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

What a beautiful place to live.

Lake Village, Hallstatt, Austria.

(I wonder if they have a Target and a Hobby Lobby.

I am a little ticked with Hobby Lobby

right now.  I tried to order the glass lightbulbs

I have been searching for all week online today

and they are not available.  Too many

Mormon women using them for 

visiting teaching handouts.)

Today's Gospel Study:

Sunday School OT#10

Birthright Blessings; Marriage in the Covenant

Purpose: "To strengthen my desires to live worthy of my birthright blessings and of eternal marriage.  

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah,

Isaac and Jacob, all had covenant marriages.

Young Women

"Why do I need to forgive"

"In order to receive forgiveness for our sins, we need to forgive others.  Forgiveness can heal spiritual wounds and bring the peace and love that only God can give."

One of those days that James and I stayed home and enjoyed each others company.  We have a major problem looming over our heads,

yet we are so happy with each other.  

I was surprised when I realized how much money I spent on our trip to the valley.  A little bit here and a little bit there all adds up.  One of my goals for the upcoming month is to create a budget for my discretionary spending and stick to it.  

James worked outside for awhile but didn 't do much because he had a flat tire on his tractor.  I was going to work on the front planter, to get it cleaned out and ready for plants and flowers but I started stripping the wax off the wood floor inside the house instead.  Also, Diana needs to know when Trenda and Shelly were called as Mia Maid secretary and president, so I spent some time looking through my blog.  I also typed a safety procedure paper for James's new job at Camden Apartments in Scottsdale.  

James used leftover spanish rice, corn, beef, and eggs and mixed it all together for one of his famous concoctions for lunch. Because we had such a marvelous lunch we ate light for dinner: green beans with new potatoes.  After dinner we watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart" on the Hallmark channel.  I can't believe next week is the season finale.  I am going to miss this show. We went to bed around 8:30.

I close with this picture:

Edinburgh Castle,

Scotland.

One of my wishes is to

go to Scotland someday.