Monday, April 14, 2014

And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.

-Alma 46:36

It's nice to have James here on a Monday.  I downloaded the song "Happy" on my phone, and we did the "Happy" dance.  We made a trip to town.  One of the first thing we did was go to check on the flowers at my Mom's grave.  We watered them, but basically they are dead.  I plan on coming back on Easter Sunday at which time I will leave a live, blooming lily plant.

I tried to call the hospital to see if I could go see Denice Hall but when I called her room there way no answer.  Hopefully she got to go home today.  

I went shopping at Walmart for ingredients for the dinner I am taking the Wilhelm family this evening.  I made a double bath of Kempton goulash, green beans, rolls, wedge salad and poke cake was the complete menu.  When James and I went to deliver the dinner Curtis was playing outside with his brothers Andy and Johnny.  Zemira was lying on the couch watching TV.  Along with dinner I took a basket full of Disney babies, eggs with candy, and various other items.  The Wilhelm's are such an awesome family!

I came home and cleaned the kitchen and then James and I watched The Mentalist.  I watched part of DWTS.  This is Disney week and Donny Osmond is the guest judge.

We also read from our book, The Book Thief.  We are anxious to finish it and move on to another book.

The moon looked like this when it came up this evening:

We missed it when it turned red at around 11:30pm.

There was a lunar eclipse tonight.

 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

The Case family a few years ago.

Happy Birthday Bob.

We love you Trina!

"Our use of righteous agency authorizes the

Holy Ghost to instruct us."

I was up early preparing for my Book of Mormon lesson.

The topic for the month of April

is The Apostasy and The Restoration.

I also prepared handouts (not shown) with these "carrots" attached to remind the girls that if they "Carrot" all they will do their Personal Progress.  Along with the handout was a quote by President Hinckley regarding the strength of young women.

 If you "carrot" all you will work on

Personal Progress.

We have three people in our ward in the hospital right now.  They are Denice Hall, the bishops wife.  She had surgery and had to return to the hospital because the surgeon accidentally cut a blood vessel.  Little Curtis Wilhelm who had to be airvaced to Phoenix Children's Hospital because of a high fever and chicken pox may be able to return home today.  His brother Zemira had an appendectomy here at the Show Low hospital.  Brother Wilhelm, Curtis and Zemira's father is a counselor in our bishopric.  Our prayers are with both of these families.

Jace Applegate was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  He spoke on physical and emotional health and living the Word of Wisdom.  Wes and Ann Miller were the main speakers.  Ann used Sister Oscarson's talk from the General Women's Meeting as the basis of her talk.  The title of that talk was: "O How We Need Each Other."  Wes spoke about judging righteously and the life and example of the Savior.  It was a good meeting.

In Sunday School we are still studying the life of Joseph in Egypt.  We learn that no matter what the circumstances he is in, Joseph's prospers because of his attitude and love of the Lord.  The lesson ended with Joseph and his brothers and his willingness to forgive them.  

My lesson in Young Women's went quite well because of my chart and because I can bear testimony of the Book of Mormon and it's importance in the Restoration of the gospel.  I forgot to bring my Preach My Gospel book.  I wanted to use it to emphasize certain points.  Oh well.  Those attending: YW = Shelly, Jordyn, Coty, Kelly, Hope, Heaven, Kilee, LeeAnn, Alice, Trenda, and Maddie.  Maddie had her baby sister with her which was a bit of a distraction. 

James and I came home and had a nice lunch.  Ham sandwiches, and leftover beans and potatoes from yesterday's potluck.  Afterwards we took a much needed nap.  

I woke up from my nap a little before 4.  When I asked James if he was going to the Book of Mormon class he said no.  I can't talk and I can't read because of my laringitis.  I went by myself.

We read and discussed 2 Nephi 1.  Verse 11 of this chapter says: 

"Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten."

Brother Virgil Cooper brought to our attention that China just bought 50,000 acres of land in Idaho and the Chase Manhattan Plaza in downtown New York.  Is this scripture being fulfilled right before our "sleeping" eyes?

Even though there is a stake fireside for the youth I was able to spend the evening at home with James.  When I asked Diana if we were driving she said: "No, we haven't been asked to.  We are asking the parents to do it this time."  I felt a little guilty when Elder Russel asked me if I could take Carmen (nonmember), Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker.  I told him to speak with Brother Sean Hunsaker.

This evening I read three conference talks and the sustaining of Church officers by Pres. Uchtdorf.  It was a wonderfully, windy Sabbath day.

Alex is better and Michael is basking in his triumph of yesterday. 

Joshua and Evan will attend this 

important event at their 

bishop's home this evening.

 

Saturday, April 12, 2014

"Christ loves us more 

than Satan wants us."

At 7am I went upstairs to start the scalloped potatoes for today's potluck dinner.  I also worked on filling the eggs with candy and money for the Easter egg hunt.  At 9am I stopped and took Evan to his flag football game.  Joshua didn't go because he lost his mouth piece and Rowan missed because of his ward's fathers and sons outing.  I am kicking myself for not getting a picture of Evan.  At one point during the game when he was out on the sideline he came running over to me and asked: "Are you watching me?"  So sweet, I  was glad I was there.  

On the way home from the game Evan and I stopped at CVS to get some candy and a treat because Evan didn't get one after his game.  He picked out a Dr.Pepper and twinkies and cupcakes.  The twinkies were for Max. 

Back at home it was time to get ready for the Boles' sealing.  Sheri picked us up at 11:50.  The sealing is at 12:45 but we were asked to be there at 12:15.  We gathered in a huge room on the third floor of the temple.  It was amazing and wonderful to be with so many former friends and members of the Del Rio 2nd ward.  Here is a list of those attending: Chris and Melissa Brogan, Bishop and Tammy Wilson, Jared and Diana Dowdle, Eric and Christy Wanlass, Dixie and Jeff Chubbs, Dave and Bunny Miner, Karen Schneider, Karin Gonda, Kyle and Nicole Tolman, Wes and Jill Lueck, Dave and Laura Lambson, Hilary Jiminez, Sheri, Adrienne Ellsworth, Curtis and Hilary Whalen, Jen Coffey, Chris and Val McCray, Robyn Rogers, Mike and Jen Baxter, Kerry and Robin Finlinson, Cory and Lynette Braddock, Jannie St. Onge Butler, and Drea's sister, Annie Critchfield, and of course, Drea and Jason.  It was such a wonderful blessing to see baby Benjamin sealed to this couple who have tried for ten years to have a baby.  It is a tender mercy and a miracle.  I am so glad we got to be there.

Also there: Bishop and Cindy Lewis, and the Price's. James served with Brother Price on the high council. Bishop Lewis is the bishop for the Boles' now. He's also Sheri and Stacy's bishop.

Jason, Drea's friend Chelsi

holding Benjamin, and

Drea.

As we came out of the elevator after the sealing I saw Brother Oakley, a missionary who serves in our ward in Vernon.  He was there for a sealing.  It was fun to see him.  

Back at home from 2-4pm it was a mad dash to get ready for the potluck/egg hunt.  Ben came down and helped James hide the eggs.  Since he wouldn't get to look for eggs now, I had Ian hide him an egg with $10.  

Ben with his $10 egg.

Max and Addy each found one of the $5 eggs.

Oops, that's not Addy's egg.

After the egg hunt the kids got to each chose a Disney baby

thanks to my friend Karen Schneider who gave me her collection.

Huey, Dewey, and Louie

Such a cutie!  Addy misses her

cousins Anna and Emmy.

Ruby needs some sunglasses.
Kimmy sent me these pictures that she took:

 Ready for the hunt.

Joshua's stash.

Love that intense smile.

Sweet Addy.

Max and his find.

Ruby stopping for a bite to eat.

Kimmy got a picture of Adam!

After the fun and games we settle down to eat.  Here was what was on the menu: Baked ham, Easter Calico beans, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole,chips,  Sheri's homemade rolls, and poke cake, lemon bites, and mini cupcakes, and of course candy and ice water.

 Delish!

We were sorry Stacy and Paul couldn't be here with us.  They were gone to see Michael run in the Sun Angel Classic where he beat his own record in the 800.  He got under a minute.  Alex and Joe were on a choir trip in California and were at Disneyland today.  Alex was very sick and they were concerned because he took them a long time to get his 102 temperature down.  Trina had to work, and of course, we always miss Jared's family.  It was nice to have Adam with us although I didn't actually get a picture of him.

Adam and Skittles

After everyone else was gone Sheri stayed and helped me clean up.  James helped too but then he left for home around 6:30.  Sheri loaded up my car and didn't leave until everything was done.  I so much appreciated her thoughtful help.  It meant so much to me.  I left for home around 7:15.  James told me to set my speedomoter so we could compare how long it was the Payson way and how long the Globe way.  His speedomoter registered 180 miles and mine registered 197.  Next time I'm in a hurry I guess I will have to go the Globe way.  

I got home around 10:30.  James was already in bed because he has a high council meeting in Show Low at 6am tomorrow morning.  I spent an hour unloading my car and then went to bed around midnight.

Next year's Easter idea:

  A shepherd in Scotland does this to his
sheep at Easter time for people
driving past his farm.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Bluebells in Hallis Forest, Belgium

Gospel Study

The children of Reuben and Gad call their altar ED.  I'm not exactly sure why. 

-Joshua, O.T.

Mosiah 5

Be obedient to God's commandments
Be called the children of Christ
Be found at the right hand of God
Be called by the name of Christ
Be steadfast and immovable
Be brought to heaven.

This morning I worked outside for quite awhile.  I am amazed at how well these steroids are working for me.  The pain in my knees is entirely gone, at least for now.  I finished pulling grass around the mailbox.  Now I want to plant some vincas which are good and sturdy and will last through the summer.  I guess that's for another day.  I also swept off the front porch and driveway.  

Dr. Douglas called and said she could see me around 11:30 to put in a temporary crown.  I hurried to Staples and Target to do my shopping there and then went to see Dr. Douglas.  I had a nice visit with her about the temple open house, etc.  Afterwards I finished up my shopping and errands at the bank, Walmart, and Sam's Club.

 Jason and Drea Boles legally

adopt baby Benjamin.

James came home from work as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders.  He has been released from his contract at Camden Foothills.  They couldn't agree on who should be doing the grading and when he told them he would lose money if he had to do it, that it wasn't in his bid, they let him go.  He thinks they were afraid he wouldn't be able to pay his bills and they would have liens against the property.  I am so grateful.  This is another tender mercy.

This evening James and I went to Ian's parents house, John and Betty Trezise's, so James could price out how much it would cost for them to enclose their carport into a garage.  The last bid they had was $20,000.  James thinks he can do it cheaper, but there are some problems involved.  I had a nice visit with Betty while James and John discussed the job.

!

This reminds me of Ruby

who loves bandages!

James is concerned that I spent too much money on discretionary items this week.  He's probably right.  I will do better.  

Love this picture!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

My quote for today comes from one of my favorite shows: 

"When Calls the Heart"

This is Elizabeth speaking:

"One has to be willing to lose everything in order to gain what God has shaped them for.  Because there's a cost to the things that matter most in life and it's that sacrifice where we find our true treasure.

When my father saw me off on my journey west he said he hoped I would find what God had shaped me for and then give my whole heart to it.

One often has to go against one's nature to dig deep into the trenches of life."

 Sunset at the Grand Canyon

I left a little late for my 11am appointment at Dr. Douglas's.  She's going to replace my crown.   I tried to hurry and was only 15 minutes late.  Dr. Douglas took an xray and felt like the root canal needed to be looked at by a specialist.  Consequently they only temporarily replaced the crown and while I was out to dinner at Olive Garden this evening with Adam I lost the crown, never to be found again.  Back to the dentist tomorrow.

 

These are the insulated suits Chandler Rogers'

Mom is making for all her family

in preparation for the "hard times."

  My brother Dennis and his granddaughter Lizzy.

Lizzy is home schooled by her

grandmother, (Chandler's Mom), Trisha Rogers.

Here Dennis is helping her with her homework

while she's here for a visit.

Some other things I did today while James was at work:

Bought a new air mattress at Walmart, came home unloaded my car and set up the bed.  I think I'm going to like it!  I got to visit with Stacy for awhile and pick up Ben from school.  I was invited to go to Olive Garden with Adam and loved visiting with him.  

When James got home he was tired and discouraged.  The chicken marsala I brought from Olive Garden cheered him up a little, but this job at Camden Foothills is wearing him down.  

Joshua ate our leftover breadsticks from Olive Garden.  James and I went to bed early.  I wish we could say that we slept like babies, but it's not true.  I had to give James a pep talk throughout the night.

I love this!

 

 

 

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

"The anchor of the gospel and the rock of our Redeemer will keep us steady and secure.  Life is beautiful and worth living.  Wind, storm, and prevailing currents may tempt us to drift into dangers seen or unseen, but the gospel message and its' divine power will keep us on our path back to the safe harbor of our 

Heavenly Father.

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

April 2014 Ensign, p. 5

Isle of Mull, Scotland

I took 10 mg of hydrocodone today instead of 5mg and got sick to my stomach.  I start on my steroids today.  Hopefully they will help with the pain in my knees.

The Lord works in mysterious ways and I felt his tender mercies in my life today.  When I came out to get in my car after Mutual this evening I had a flat tire.  Because I was at the church there were people there to help.  Here are my tender mercies:

Diana Curtis, supervisor, Elder Russell,

Elder Oakley, Brother Applegate, and

Brother Curtis.

If the tire had gone flat at any other time I would not have had anyone to help me change it and I was scheduled to leave for the valley by 7am.

Another tender mercy.  When I went to look for my Book of Mormon Gospel Art Packet pictures they were all missing.  I remember a few months back I used them for a lesson and evidently I did not put them back.  I searched everywhere and couldn't find them.  I remembered my purple family history roll suitcase.  I looked, and there they were.  Something just made me think of that suitcase.  Again, I feel like it was the Lord helping me.  

For Mutual this evening I had a Personal Progress with Maddie Carroll. This month we are working on Individual Worth.  For her value project Maddie is going to raise a steer for 4H.  She is in the process of trying to find one to buy.  Hopefully we can get her on the right track.  She will be turning 15 in a few weeks.

For our activity tonight Diana talked about self-esteem and gave each girl a paper asking her to give it to a family member, a Young Women's leader, and a friend.  Each person is to give a brief description of what they like about the young woman.  It turned out to be a neat activity as the girls exchanged papers and wrote about each other.  I wrote something about Hailey Lootans, Carmen, the Hunsaker's foreign exchange student, and Maddie.  We had another visitor, Dakoda, Hailey's "friend."  For refreshments Jordyn had made us some lemon squares.  It was a good evening.

 

 

Evan had a fieldtrip to the zoo today.

He and a friend "brushing" a goat.

Proof that the Easter Pageant is in full swing.

Michael and Grady Ellsworth from

our ward in Chandler.

 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Ian drew this picture while watching the

priesthood session of conference.

Gospel Study

2 Nephi 32:3

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.  Wherefore, I say unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

I finally got a call from Dr. Caldron's office.  The doctor prescribed a 5day steroid pill and methotrexate.  These two prescriptions are costing over $83.  Methotrexate is $60 a month.  Yikes!

I had a pound of hamburger in the frig that I needed to use.  I made some spaghetti using whole grain noodles.  It was quite tasty.  James and I will enjoy the leftovers on Sunday.  

I took a short nap and paid some bills before going to town.  On the way to town I called James's mom Lois and had a nice visit with her.  She seems to be doing great and was in a good mood.  A call from James wasn't quite so positive.  On the way to work his guys were stopped and because of unpaid tickets they were sent home to Flagstaff.  James and Lloyd, two cripples,  had to pour concrete without them. I keep telling him to do his best, trust in the Lord, and things will work out.

One of my favorite quotes

from General Conference.

I was disappointed to find the lilies I planted at my grandmother's grave side were very wilted and droopy.  If they don't pick up by next week I will be planting some more.  I am determined to have lilies at her grave by Easter.  Today the high was 72 degrees.  An absolute gorgeous day.

After getting home and putting groceries away I get a call from Kathy Crane asking me if I could go to the Relief Society dinner a little early to help with final touches.  I pick her up and take the cans of cranberry sauce I bought for the dinner.  It was a wonderful evening entitled "To Know You Is To Love You."  Wendy Dewitt had asked for everyone to send her a baby picture and a young adult picture of oneself.  It was fun looking at the baby pictures and trying to figure out who everyone was.

Deana McNeil and Millie Scott in the foreground.

Food Table

Turkey, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole,

salad and rolls.

Our new RS president Kaeli Nicoll

recognizing and rewarding the past 

presidency, Alicia Hunsaker,

Rosa Westbrook and Rosie Lauritzen.

(Rosie is not pictured.)

Went home and slept on the recliner but not before finishing "once Upon a Time" and "The Voice."