Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mountain village, 

Cortina, Italy

Gospel Goals
1.  Bear witness of God the Father, the Holy Ghost, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.  When I receive inspiration, act on it promptly!

Mosiah 13:5-35

"What does it mean to have the commandments written in our hearts?"

I am finally caught up on my blog/journal and it is a good feeling!  

It was very windy today.  I had planned on working outside in the front planter where I want to plant some ground cover but it was too cold and windy.  I was also going to wash windows.  I washed half of the ones inside and will wait for better weather to venture outside.  James doesn't have that luxury.  He poured concrete at Yoshimine's in 95 degree weather and wind.  

 This sweet young man spoke in the Saturday night session of our Stake Conference.  He will be leaving soon to serve the Lord in

Guadalajara, Mexico.  His name is Rusty Allen and he lives in Vernon.

I used my Shark Sonic Duo to clean the tile in the hallway, entry, guest bathroom and laundry room.  It worked very nicely.  Next time I will polish it too.  I moved 5 boxes from the basement to the upstairs.  This is definitely my workout for the day.

This afternoon I paid some bills and got on family search.  I see that I have more research to do on my maternal grandparents line.  I set a goal to find Mary Eliza Lewis's and John Thomas Rutledge's parents.  Mary is my grandpa Strickland's mother and John Thomas is my nannie's father.  

I felt a little lonely today but resisted the urge to go into town to get a hotdog or corndog at Sonic.  I don't know why I have this craving but I resisted it, for now anyway.

 This evening I called Jordyn, Shelly, Kilee, LeeAnn, Kelly, and Maddie and reminded them to wear Sunday dress for our tomorrow night's Standard Night.  I am very excited because Wendy Dewitt is our speaker.  She is one of my favorite speakers.  Diana said the sister whose name she submitted for 2nd counselor was rejected so she asked me to pray with her about who should be called.  I said I would.

Watched the results for The Voice and the first weekly episode of "Sign, Sealed and Delivered" on the Hallmark channel.

Bibury, Gloucestershire, England 

 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Fisherman's Net

Gospel Goals

1.  Yoke myself, through my covenants, with the Savior so my burdens may be light.

2.  Respond with love and kindness to whatever may come my way.

Quotes

"We win battles with evil through commitment to the Lord, courage to act as we are inspired to do so, and giving the credit to the Lord."

"As we love, lead, and serve others, we can have joy and satisfaction in fulfilling the Lord's plan for us."

I woke up around 3:30 and couldn't go back to sleep so I got up.  It means I got a bit of an early start and so I got down the calendar and did an outline plan for my week.

James left for the valley around 9:30.  He forgot his clothes and to take the garbage, but he stopped in Show Low at Discount Tire and ordered me two new tires.  They were under warranty so we will only have to pay about $130.  

Italy

It was a gorgeous day here.  It was 75 in Show Low and 95 in the valley.  In Vernon is was 70 with scattered showers and overcast skies.  I went to town to the bank, my mom's grave to put some water on the lilies we planted yesterday, and then did some shopping at Walmart.  While at Walmart I saw Stefani Hunsaker and she told me what an awesome job I did yesterday with my talk.  Thank you Stefani.  On the way home I stopped and filled my car with gas.  I will be leaving for El Paso on Saturday.  

Back at home I opened the windows to let some fresh air in while I worked on the computer and listened to General Conference.  I closed out my expenditure ledger for April and decided I can do much better in May.  I emailed Sister Hastings my April family letter.  She was very grateful and asked me to also mail her the one for May. 

Sheri posted on Facebook that Ben has to have surgery on his hand because of torn ligaments and then wear a cast to heal a fracture in the growth plate in his thumb.  She's trying to talk him into another sport besides football.

 Sweet picture!

Jared Ammon wants to come and visit us in May.  How nice.

 

 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Happy Easter!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

1. Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

2. Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the vict'ry won, Alleluia!

Jesus' agony is o'er, Alleluia!

Darkness veils the earth no more, Alleluia!

3. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Gospel Goals

1.  Trust in the Lord.

2.  Stand as a witness of God.

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

4.  Hasten the work of salvation by inviting others to 

"Come unto Christ."

My goals for today matched almost perfectly the fact that I was asked to speak in stake conference.  I did not plan it that way.  I take my goals from General Conference addresses and it just worked out that way.

Quotes

"When we are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing, blessings come."

"Women are appointed to be guides and lights in righteousness in the family unit." - Bruce R. McConkie

I read my talk ten times before leaving this morning, just as James suggested.  We arrived early at stake conference and my cousin Rita and her husband Bill sat down in the row in front of us.  I was able to talk to her about her arthritis and about getting histories of grandpa and grandma Maxwell's lives.  She is going to talk to her mom, my Aunt Gene. 

As I sat on the stand there were three other women who joined with me.  Kylie Tregaskas, a Laurel, Ann Williams a mother of young children and President Williams's wife, and Alisa Allen the Relief Society President in the YSA branch.  The stake presidency were the other three speakers.  It was a good meeting but I was so glad when it was over.  The Young Women sand "Come Unto Christ" and sounded beautiful.  I believe their song was my favorite part of the meeting.  People said they enjoyed my talk and two sisters asked me to email my family letter to them.  One was Debbie Holyoak who is the postmistress in Vernon but lives in Clay Springs, and the other was Heidi Hastings, First Counselor in the Young Women Stake Presidency.  James said many people commented to him also.  Although I certainly didn't seek praise it is nice to know that the talk meant something to people and that they got something from listening to it.

On the way home we went to the Lakeside grave yard to plant a blooming Easter lily near my mom's grave. 

At home we prepared our Easter lunch together.  James heated up the ham and potatoes and I did the beans and asparagus.  It was delicious!  We were well fed and needed a nap.

After my nap I finished my gospel study.  I read two conference talks, studied from Preach My Gospel, and read from the Book of Mormon.  Afterwards I read to James from The Book Thief by the fire.  James wrote an Easter message to our children and their spouses and sent it out this evening.  We are so happy.  I am so grateful to my Savior who makes it all possible to have eternal families.  

Six of the 8 Wilhelm children. Trenda and Alice

were at the Young Women's song practice.

James home teaches this family and I have Trenda and Alice in Young Women's.  They are a wonderful family!

For dinner we had brownies and chocolate covered strawberries. It was a wonderful Easter Sunday.

 

 

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Sheri's running shoes. She put them

on in the dark.

 Happy 18th Anniversary to Sheri and Ian.

Gospel Quote

D&C 64:8-11

8-My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were afflicted and sorely chastened.

9-Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

10-I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is

required to forgive all men.

11-And ye ought to say in your hearts--let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.

It was a beautiful day for an outdoor service project.  The Young Men and Young Women of our ward at Bonnie Holland's to paint her fence.  Bonnie is a non-member who has been investigating the Church.  There were also other members of our ward there to help.

 

While working I got a call from Darrel that Addy was in the hospital.  She was bit two times by a scorpion at about 3 am. and had an allergic reaction.  Trina thought she was over-dramatizing until she started to pull her hair out and said she couldn't walk or swallow.  They immediately took her to the hospital.  The doctor's talked about using the anti-venom but decided to wait to see if she got better without it.  Luckily she did.  The cost of the anti-venom is $40,000 and Darrel and Trina's insurance does not cover it.

We love you Addy, and are praying for you! 

 

We had some rain today.  It was a gorgeous day!  I made Easter beans and scalloped potatoes for tonight's meal and for tomorrow.

James caught a ride with Chuck Crane to the leadership session of stake conference.  I was going to offer Kathy a ride but she was leaving an hour early for a song practice.  She and Wendy Dewitt are singing: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."  It sounded very nice.  For the first time ever Pres. Monson invited 12 years olds and up to this meeting.  My favorite talk was by our stake president, President Williams.  He talked about making our homes MTC's.  He encouraged everyone to invite the missionaries and to use Preach My Gospel as part of our gospel study.

We came home, had a light dinner, and went straight to bed.  I am getting up early to study my talk.

The Trezise's did this today: 

 

Sheri, Max, and Evan visited Addy when she got home from the hospital.  Sheri said she was very groggy and had dark red circles under her eyes.  Hopefully she will be better by tomorrow.

Friday, April 18, 2014

The view outside my window this morning

Mosiah 11:1-15

What can we do when people all around us are living unrighteously?  Would we be like Abinadi and stand for

truth and righteousness? "When the wicked rule, the people mourn.

-D&C 98:9-10

"Through my own experiences and trials, I have learned that life's challenges are meant to change us and turn us to the Lord in faith."

-Amy Schauers,

April 2014 Ensign, p. 49

We made a trip to town today to return a hair product I ordered called Keranique that is supposed to restore hair loss.  I ordered the free 30 day trial only to find out if I keep it it will cost me $80 a month.  I couldn't wait to get that package sent off.  I was surprised to find that I still had not received my thyroid from Foothills Pharmacy.  I called and they said it should be here if not today, then tomorrow.  I have been out of thyroid since Monday.

After making a deposit at the bank we stopped at LaCasita for lunch.  I brought an Easter card with a pass along card inside for our favorite waitress, Charlotte.  As we were leaving she came up and thanked me for the card.  Inside I wrote a message which went something like this: "Charlotte, thank you so much for your friendliness when we come in to eat.  You are like a ray of sunshine and a bright spot in our day."  My goal is to work up the courage to invite Charlotte to take the missionary discussions.

Walmart was a mad house, I guess because it's the Friday before Easter.  I said hi to Mary Swift and Jordyn and Tamara Applegate.  James went to Home Depot and found a replacement bulb for our wax warmer, night light.  They do not have 15w ones at Walmart.  On the way home I read from The Book Thief.

 This is a picture of my brother

Dennis's grandson Sammy.

He reminds me of Dennis's son Tyler, and Dennis at that age.

James read my talk for stake conference this afternoon.  Although he said it was good he thinks that my intensive gospel study may discourage people and maybe I shouldn't share quite so much.  I will make some adjustments because I respect his opinion and advice.

James went for a Razr ride this afternoon while I was revising my talk.  He saw elk, deer, and turkey.  We also saw turkey on the way home from town today.

For dinner we had broccoli, cauliflower, and strawberries.  Afterwards we sat by the fire as I read some more from The Book Thief.

Paula Johnson sent out a fire restrictions letter from the fire department which goes into effect April 22, 2014.  It applies to more of northeast Arizona.  I quote from that letter: 

"Fire conditions in many regions are at historic maximums, meaning the vegetation that feed wildfires is or will soon be dry or drier than any in recorded history for this region."  James is going to call in the morning to see if he can burn a few piles of brush.  

It looked like rain this evening, but never quite made it.  

Evan taking a nap before his

flag football game.

 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

I love this quote about Charity by Marvin J. Ashton,

an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nathan Tibbetts, James's nephew, left on a plane for the MTC.  Rebecca, Nathan's mother and James's sister says her baby is all grown up and is on his way to save France.  We are very proud of him.

 Rebecca and her grandchildren,

Daniel and Eden.

I wrote my talk for Stake Conference.  It's 11 minutes long, and needs to be 10.  I will find a way to shorten it.  I would rather have it too short than too long.  My topic is: How I Come unto Christ and how I help my children and grandchildren Come unto Christ.

I watched a Hallmark movie today that they are making into a series.  It's called "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered."  Very cute.  I love Hallmark movies.  

Well, I had a visiting teaching appointment this afternoon and James did not make it home in time to change my tire so I took my buggy.

It was a gorgeous day for a ride in this sweet buggy.

I only went to Rosa Westbrook's in the middle of Vernon and then to the post office to pickup my thyroid pills which still weren't there.  This is the longest time I have been without my thyroid since I can remember.

James did get home later this evening and of course he brought me a green chili burro.  I love that man.  We watched another Hallmark movie together called "Operation Cupcake."  

I got a call from Stacy this evening.  There are bees in our chimney.

 James told them to build a fire but I think they taped a sheet in front of the opening instead.

 

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Happy Birthday Alex!

Sweet 16!

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

I was up at 3:30 so I got an early start on my gospel study time.  

I downloaded four new songs I am phone.  They are: "Happy", "Some Nights", "Let It Go", and "Let Her Go." 

I swept outside today and cleaned off the deck.  The weather was so nice.  I listened to a session of General Conference while cleaning in the kitchen and kitchen-dining room floor.  I do love a clean house.  I also worked at the computer and made a Book of Mormon chart for the Young Women's room. 

Just before leaving for Mutual I noticed six deer outside my dining room window.  I tried to get a picture.  I should have used James's camera.  

Find Waldo, the deer.

I noticed on my way to Mutual that my car was driving funny so I stopped and got out to check the tires.  Sure enough the driver's front tire was flat.  Grrr.  I turned around and went back home, probably ruining the tire.  Luckily James is coming home sometime tomorrow.  I called and told Diana.  Since it was a combined activity with the boys in charge I wasn't missed too much.  

I watched American Idol.  James sent me these pictures he took at Red Lobster with Alex and Michael for Alex's birthday dinner.

 

Sheri posted this Earth Day poem that Evan wrote:

 I love this boy!