Thursday, May 8, 2014

"Every day and every hour you can choose to make or keep

a covenant with God."

-Pres. Henry B. Eyring

I wish I looked this good

in my costume.

James and I had scriptures and prayer together before he left for the valley. I will be leaving to join him later this afternoon.

The weather has been so fickle today.  When I said my prayers this morning, I prayed for rain.  It rained, for about 5 minutes and then it snowed.  None of this was predicted but it was appreciated!

I am struggling to write a letter to one of my grandchildren about my testimony, my love for him, and what I have learned from reading the Book of Mormon.  Sometimes it is difficult to share the things most near and dear to our hearts.

I watched Granite Flats and Once Upon a Time before leaving for the valley.  As I was getting ready to go I got a call from Stacy.  I guess James forgot to tell her that he was showing the house to a realtor this afternoon.  Today happened to be the day Dallin was moving in and he had a huge mess in the family room.  Also, there was a leak under the kitchen sink and the cold water had to be turned off.  

I left at 4 instead of 3 this afternoon because I needed a nap.  I stopped at National Bank to make a deposit, McDonald's, which was a mistake, and CVS to pick up James's prescription from the allergist.  Well I didn't get the prescription because it was $300.  

Of course I went the Payson way.  It was 8pm when I arrived at our house in Chandler.  I watched part of American Idol, and then got ready and went to bed.  

 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

 "Challenges will come to you, but as you trust in God,

they will strengthen your faith."

At 4am I noticed my phone was calling Tricia.  I quickly hung up, hoping she hadn't noticed, but a few minutes later she called me back and I apologized.  How do these things happen?  If it's a "smart phone" why does it call people at 4am?

James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Jeffrey LeSueur, an allergist in Show Low.  He left around 10am.  About 20 minutes later he called and said it was raining in Show Low.  Lynda Tanner said it hailed at her house and Lorraine Vaught said it snowed.  We got nothing here but dark clouds and the wind which blew them away.

Tonight for Young Women's we took dinner to Denice Hall who is recovering from surgery.  There was pizza, salad, soda, water, and ice cream.  After eating the young women went to work.

 Hope and Kelly are washing the window, and

Shelly is moping the floor.

 Kilee did the vacuuming.

 Sister Curtis supervises.

 Jordyn did a nice job of dusting.  Sorry I didn't get a picture, I thought I did.
Back at the church Sister Lorraine Vaught loans the young men and young women her pioneer clothing.  The outfits were amazing!

 Dressing Hope

 Shelly trying to convince Kelly that she should plan

on coming too.

 LeeAnn Hunsaker

 LeeAnn and Shelly Applegate

 Brother Applegate with his fur hat

 Jordyn Applegate

Hope talked Kelly into going.

She would not let me take a picture of her face.

When I returned home James was watching Person of Interest.  I told him to watch it without me because it is often so violent that I don't like it.

 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

 Sky over Sierra Mentosa

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

-D&C 84:88

I didn't feel well this morning.  I am tried and still a little upset with James.  When I was ready to post on my blog James was using the computer so I took a nap instead.  I have not been sleeping very well at night.  

I got a call from our Young Women's president about tomorrow night's Mutual.  We are taking dinner to Denice Hall and doing some cleaning for her.  

 Turquoise, Moraine Lake, Baniff, Alberta, Canada

James and I made a trip to town today.  We had lunch at Grumpy Jack's.  I had my usual, a pulled pork sandwich and some coleslaw.  It was quite yummy.  Afterwards I did some shopping at Walmart while James went to Home Depot to get the materials to make a dresser drawer.  I slept on the way home and then when I got home, I took a nap. 

Turquoise Sea, Australia

A member of our ward, Paula Johnson posted on Facebook today that she needs help paying back property taxes.  James and I determined we would send some money to help.  Paula does lots of service here in Vernon and we want her to know that we appreciate what she does.

James and I watched Castle this evening.  James said it was the best one he has ever seen! 

Sheri posted this cat on Facebook today and I couldn't resist!

Serious cat!

 

Monday, May 5, 2014

"It was my privilege just over a month ago to dedicate the Gilbert Arizona Temple, a magnificent structure.  The evening before thededication, a cultural event was held at the nearby Discovery Park.  Twelve thousand young people performed a 90 minute program.  The dancing, the singing and musical performances were outstanding."

-President Thomas S. Monson

I got up early to study.  James went out and secured the load we are carrying to Vernon.  It's the bedroom furniture we bought from the Schneider's.  We left the two couches, loveseats and chairs in Chandler, one set in the living room and the other in the family room.

We left right at 9am.  We have a lunch date with Dennis, Denise, and Harold and Vickie at noon in Show Low at Licano's.  Today is Dennis's 6oth birthday and Denise invited us.  

We stopped once in Apache Junction and James realized that he lost one of the drawers to the chest of drawers.  I wondered why he didn't lie it flat with the drawers facing upward.  Oh well, maybe he can get Dan Taylor to make a new one.  

We had to stop for roadwork 2x and we were ten minutes late for lunch.  I had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a taco.  I loved the enchilada but the taco was overdone and too greasy.  Denise bought everyone's lunch.  They made Dennis wear the sombrero while we sang happy birthday to him.  The battery in my phone was almost out so the picture is very dark.

 Sorry you can't see Dennis's face.

When we get to Vernon I help James unload some of the furniture.  He promises me that he will call for help when it comes to the heavy stuff if he doesn't think he can handle it.  I should have known better.  He thinks he can handle anything.  He called for help and this is what I saw:

That chest of drawers is sitting on his bad leg.

I freaked out and then helped him

carry it into Darrel & Trina's room.

I am not proud of this, but I was pretty upset for the rest of the day.  It feels like he takes unnecessary risks.

This evening we watched The Mentalist and Dancing with the Stars.

I tried to not be upset when we went to bed, but it really scared me today when I saw James trapped underneath that dresser.

 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

"No one can know of spiritual truths without prayer."

-p. 39, Preach My Gospel

"In answer to our prayers, the Holy Ghost will teach us truth through our feelings and thoughts."

I had my gospel study this morning.  James and I are fasting for some family members.  

At 9am we attended the Galveston 3rd ward fast and testimony meeting.  Paula Casto came over before the meetings and gave me a big hug.  We sat behind Adrienne and Mike Ellsworth so I got to talk to Adrienne.  

Bishop Lewis conducted the meeting and bore his testimony.  He also awarded Geoffrey Dowdle his missionary plaque and read from a letter Geoffrey's mission president sent.  It was pretty incredible.

 These were the people I know who bore their testimonies: 

Hilary Jiminez and her two daughters Evie and Elise, Sheri, our sweet daughter, Geoffrey Dowdle, Diana Dowdle, Dahlia and Isaac Dowdle, Paula Casto, and Bob Kaufman.  It was a good meeting.

We attended the gospel doctrine Sunday School class taught by Mike Ellsworth.  He is an awesome teacher!  The lesson was "Look to God and Live."

During the last hour was Alex's ordination to the office of a priest in the Aaronic priesthood.  James gave the blessing and ordination and did an incredible job.  Paul, Michael, and Ian were all in the circle.  

Back at home James and I broke our fast and went down to Sheri and Ian's to help fix dinner.  We did fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, corn and asparagus.  Everyone liked the chicken.  Sheri says that is a rarity in their family.

 Sheri's new shirt.  I need one too.

  After dinner we went home and took a nap and then got up to go visit with Darrel's family.

It was nice that Trina was there too!

 Love these kids!

We sat on the back porch while Rowan fed the bunnies and Addy told us about her trip to the Grand Canyon.  It was a nice visit, so relaxing and fun.

 I'm not sure what Rowan is after in this picture.

We couldn't stay long because James had to get back for Jacob and Isaac Dowdle's Court of Honor.  He is being honored as one of Jacob's mentors and received another mentor's pen.

Jacob, Diana, Jared, and Isaac Dowdle

and the back of Bishop Lewis's head.

 

Saturday, May 3, 2014

I got up at 3:40 to shower, wash my hair, and get ready to go to the valley.  We are going to Dahlia Dowdle's endowment session.  She has been called to the Chicago spanish speaking mission.  Her brother Geoffrey just got home from his mission to Guatemala two days ago.  Here is a picture:

We left at 5am and went the Globe way.  James drives while I sleep.  We are developing a pattern here.  We arrived at the Gilbert temple a little before 8:30.  

Dahlia was the only one taking out her own endowment in the 9:15 session.  Her bishop, Bishop Lewis and his wife Cindy, were the witness couple.  Here are some of the other people we knew in the session: Diana, Jared, and Geoffrey Dowdle, Jason and Drea Boles, Michael and Adrienne Ellsworth, Christy Wanlass, Katie Gunther, Janet Burchfield and her son, Dave and Laura, and an uncle and two aunts.  

After the session we went to Deseret Book and then to lunch next door at Cafe Rio.  I had to wait in line for about 30 minutes while James saved us a table.  I had the sweet pork salad.  James had a chicken toastado and a beef green burro. Quite delicious.  Now we are ready to start our fast.

We went home and I had a short nap before going to the Schneider's to fix up furniture we are buying from them.

Brian, Joe, Michael, and Alex helped for 

about three hours.  

Thank you so much!

Sheri and I made a run to Circle K for drinks for the boys and then we went to get pedicures.  Sheri is doing this for me for mother's day.  I loved it.  Thanks Sheri, you are awesome!

Sheri, Alex, and I went shopping at Fry's for the ingredients to make fried chicken for tomorrow's dinner.  We are using the Barefoot Contessa's recipe for oven baked chicken.  It is delicious and the first step is to marinate it overnight in buttermilk.  

Earlier in the day Michael and Joshua did some yardwork.

 

Friday, May 2, 2014

Mosiah 5:2

"And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

We got up and packed the car this morning for our trip home.  We took a few pictures before we left.

E

Even though Emmy is a bit of a tomboy she can be a

sweet young lady too.

 Look at this brown eyed beauty!

 One last hug from Molly before we leave.

Our trip home was pretty uneventful.  We stopped in Deming and got something to eat at Burger King.  James did all of the driving this time.  We gained an hour going home and arrived in Vernon around 1pm Arizona time.  

James took a nap and then went on a Razr ride. The weather was gorgeous!

 I watched Dancing with the Stars and finished my gospel study, and did some laundry.  We both did most of our packing for tomorrow since we are leaving at 5am.  

It was nice to sleep in our own bed even if it was for only one night.  

I texted Jared to tell him we got home safely.  He thanked me again and said he was at Emmy's school carnival with the girls.  Tricia and James will be home on Sunday.