Thursday, May 22, 2014

Mosiah 18:21

And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

It's hazy outside and I smell smoke.  I guess there is a fire near Woods Canyon Lake.  

I left for Show Low around 11am.  I stopped at the post office, Walmart and the gas station.  I guess you could say I got some retail therapy at Walmart.  I spent more money than I planned on.  I defrosted the outside freezer and replaced some of Kim and Brian's food.  On the drive home I loved looking at the sky.  There are definitely some places where it is raining.  There are dark clouds over what looks like McNary or the ski run.  

As soon as I finished putting my groceries away, I got a call from James.  He asks me what I would like from Show Low.  What?  I thought he wasn't coming home until tomorrow.  He brings me Taco Bell and Burger House.  I ate my Taco Bell and will have Burger House tomorrow.  

I made James watch Max & Meryl's tango and freestyle before he could lie down and take a nap.  While he was napping I worked on my Young Women's lesson about why we need scriptures.  

This evening we watched a Hallmark movie called "Smooch."  A little girl who kisses a frog and then finds a guy under a bridge where the frog jumps to thinks he is the frog and he turned into a prince. This guy was knocked out by a couple of thugs and has amnesia so he goes along with the girl.  He doesn't remember who he is.  It was a cute movie and we enjoyed watching it together.

James is so happy to be home.  This is his haven/heaven and I am so happy to have him here.  

Lots of graduations and awards this time of year.

Talon Wilhelm, Jackson Allen, and

Kilee Hunsaker all graduated from 8th grade.

This is a picture of Talon.

Colby Maxwell graduated

from Show Low High School.

Jeffrey, his older brother is with him.

Kaytlynn Maxwell also graduated

from Show Low High School.

Here she is with her parents,

Monte and Tasha.

 Michael and his friend Alexis at the

track awards ceremony.

Michael was the outstanding

distance runner on his team.

    

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

" I am the resurrection and the life..."

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?"

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Matt. 22:36-39

Slide Rock and Oak Creek Canyon are on fire.  It is so sad.  This is a very popular recreational area and one of the most beautiful places in our state.

Today I baked six dozen snickerdoodle cookies for our Mutual activity tonight.  Maddie Carroll suggested making snickerdoodles and it was a good choice.  I think they are now my favorite cookie.

I also read about David and Bathsheba in the Old Testament.  It is such a tragic story. I also watched all of my recordings of Max & Meryl's dances for this season of Dancing with the Stars.  They are amazing!  I also took 32 cans of years supply food downstairs.

Tonight we had our Young Women/Young Men combined activity.  Shelly and Jordyn Applegate had prepared a game for us to play.  They called it the M&M game.  First we divided into four groups.  One group is it and has the bucket of M&M's.  Someone in this group choses an M&M.  There is a list of categories on a sheet of paper. If a blue M&M is picked the category is church-funny experiences and the group with the bucket chooses a subject from that list.  If red is picked the category is church-spiritual.  If oranged is drawn the category is personal-family or individual.  Our group, group #1, chose first.  Jace picked a blue M&M and our question was: Mormon pickup lines.  Each of the other groups come up with an answer for this question and then we decided whose was the best answer.  We chose Group #2 whose spokesperson was Trenda.  Their Mormon pickup line was: "My body is a temple, would you like a recommend.?"  Here is a list of those who attended tonight:

Group #1 - Jace and Jordyn Applegate and myself.  Group#2 - Analee Hunsaker, Trenda Wilhelm, and Maddie Carroll. Group #3 - Kelly and Amy Reynolds, Ruth Wilhelm and Jimmy McNeil and Group #4 - John Wilhelm, Collin Dewitt, Alice Wilhelm and Shelly Applegate.  We had alot of fun and afterwards we had milk and snickerdoodles.  I gave most of the cookies away.  I took Maddie home.  I found out from Analee Hunsaker that a friend of mine from high school, Linda Willis, is Maddie's grandmother but she never sees her because there has been some rift in the family.  How sad. 

Evan got to go bowling this week with his classmates and he loved it!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

I loved the view this morning!

"True faith is not just knowing God can, but knowing why sometimes He doesn't.  True faith is not just believing that things can work out perfectly, but trusting when sometimes they don't.  True faith is not just receiving your answer, but accepting His."

- The Continuous Conversion, p.39.

James left a little after 4 this morning for the valley.  He has to get materials to the Hatch job and he has a doctor's appointment with Dr. Ortega in Scottsdale later in the morning. 

I went visiting teaching this afternoon with my partner, Rosie Lauritzen.  Rose was going to be a little late and we were to meet at Rosa Westbrooks.  I got there around 5:45 and gave Rose the message from Richard G. Scott's conference talk and we visited for awhile.  Rosie was supposed to be there around six or a little after but she didn't get there until 6:30,which made us late for our next appointment with Linda Diewald.  Linda called to see where we were because we were almost 30 minutes late.  On the way to Linda's we saw to cow elk.  We gave Linda the message from Elder Teh's conference address, a loaf of bread and then we left, staying for only about 10 minutes.  She and her husband are going to the valley tomorrow for their granddaughter's high school graduation.

We went on to Barbie Schumaker's.  Barbie was ready for us.  She had her house freshly vacuumed, the dogs outside, candles lit, and iced citrus water for us to drink.  Rosie was worried about giving the message.  I told her to wait and see how she felt, but she didn't end up giving it.  Barbie loves to talk.  She is fun and interesting to listen to.  One of the most interesting things she said was: "Please don't ever come unannounced because I am a nudist."  

Tonight was the Dancing with the Stars finale results show.

Meryl & Max are the winners!!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Patriotic sunrise

"Love is the very

essence of the Gospel and

Jesus Christ is our

Examplar."

James has a bee in his bonnet about getting solar powered.  This morning he asked me to get all the electric bills for the past year.  I told him the 2013 bills were filed in a box upstairs in his office closet and could he please go get the box.  He came back down and said the box wasn't there so I looked downstairs, and in my office and in Darrel & Trina's closet.  Out of frustration and curiosity I decided to check his office closet where I had originally told him to look.  The first thing I saw when I opened the door was a pile of boxes and right on top is one labeled 2013.  Sometimes I worry.  Why couldn't he see those boxes?  Anyway, I was able to find the bills and he scanned them and sent them to the company he's working with.

Later this morning we went to Audrey Guerrero's to pick up the generator James bought from her.  It was a struggle but the three of us loaded it into the back of the truck.  Thank goodness she had a dolly.  

This afternoon I started working on the young women's lesson I am giving on Sunday about scripture study.  I listened to two BYU devotionals.  

For dinner I made chicken stuffing casserole with ingredients in our years supply.  It is so good and easy to make. 

The boys, Michael, Alex, and Joe, had a choir concert this evening.  I am sorry I missed it.  Sheri said it was awesome!

 

James and I watched The Mentalist finale.  Jane finally professes his love for Lisbon and she for him.  It's about time!

Sunset in Spain

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Show Low downtown chapel where I first gained my

testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My testimony led me to the temple and my own eternal family.

Gilbert temple

I had scriptures and prayers with James before he left to give his talk in the Clay Springs ward.  I prayed that through his faith and dedication he would have his voice to give his talk so the people would receive the message the Lord would want them to hear.

Wayne Todd Mayfield went as his speaking companion.  I continued to pray for him throughout the morning.

I got a text last night from Sean Hunsaker asking me if I would teach his Book of Mormon class tomorrow.  I said I would.  I will have to prepare for it this afternoon.

I went to my meetings by myself this morning.  Mel West and Jason Owens from our stake were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Jason serves on the high council.  Brother West posed these two questions to us in his talk: 1.) Are we carrying the right load for our salvation? and 2.) Are we helping others with their loads?. 

Brother Owens said that the Savior helps us pull our load. 

In Sunday School we learned about the prophet Balaam and his double mindedness.  I am reminded of a quote from Elder Ridd's talk in the priesthood session of general conference: "If you chase two rabbits, you won't catch either one."

We have a new 2nd counselor in Young Women's, Ruth Wilhelm.  We have needed someone for awhile and we are happy to welcome our 4th Wilhelm into Young Women's.  Oh yes, and our priesthood advisor is Brother John Wilhelm.

Today Sandra Wilhelm gave the lesson on prayer.  We had six girls who stayed for the entire lesson: Jordyn and Shelly Applegate, Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker, and Alice and Trenda Wilhelm.  Coty Iannoli was here for a few minutes but then she left.  Coty's dad lives in Show Low and she goes back and forth between Show Low and Vernon.  

After the block I attended BYC with LeeAnn, Shelly and Jordyn and the bishopric and young men leaders along with Talon Wilhelm and Jace Applegate.  The bishop wants you class presidents to call every young woman before every activity.  We haven't been calling Hunter, Alex, or Arizona but we will from this point on.

When I got home James had a delicious lunch of steak and gravy prepared for me.  Afterwards we had a nap and then I prepared to teach the Book of Mormon class.  We studied 2 Nephi 5-6.  The class went well.  We read five verses at a time and then we discuss them.  Those attending: Lorraine Vaught, Audrey Guerrero, Ellen Kustusiak, Paula Johnson, Elder Russel and Elder Scott, James, Lorraine Tieman, Nadine Singleton and her daughter, Robert who is an investigator, and Analee Hunsaker.  Ellen is also an investigator and wants to get baptized but has some habits she is having a hard time overcoming.  We need to pray for her.

James and I had FHE from Preach My Gospel and then we read from The Book Thief in front of the fire.

I forgot to mention that James did great on his talk.  Brother Mayfield says he is a "masterful orator."

 

 

 

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Medievil Castle, Dawyck, Scotland

Alma 2:1-18

How has the Lord strengthened me in my personal battles?

James and I slept on the recliners last night.  James was hoping if he slept in an upright position it would help with his laringytis.  I slept like a baby, it was so comfy!

It was a beautiful day here.  It's nice enough to start sitting on the deck to read again.  James finished writing his talk while I studied.  Afterwards he washed my car while I typed his talk.  A nice trade off.

Max had two playoff flag football games today.  His team won them both and Max was a big contributor.  They qualified to play in the championship game and it was played too.

They won the championship!

Way to go Saints!!

 Max with his trophy

This afternoon James and I attended Dennis's 60th birthday party and Denise's daughter Rachel's Masters in Special Education party.  It was a combined event held at Dennis and Denise's.  By the way, Dennis's yard is beautiful.  It puts alot of effort into taking care of it.  The food was deliciously prepared by Cowboy Campfire restaurant owner and chef, Gene Coon.  Gene was my boyfriend in the 8th grade.  At that time he worked as a cook at the Malapai Inn restaurant in Show Low. We had pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and chips.  For dessert we had Denise's special rice crispy cookies and Peg's Scotch cake. (Alot like Texas sheetcake).  Both were yummy.  It was so fun to see Peg, Denise's mom.  We always talk about the fun time we had when we went to New York with Dennis and Denise.  Those attending: Jeff and Barb Caruthers, Dennis's good friends, Dennis, Denise, Peg, Rachel and Rachel's boyfriend Thor and his mother Karen, Jenifer, Harold, Vickie, Brian, Cher, Tasha, Kaytlynn, Madison, Zachary and Quentin.  The weather was so nice and we were able to eat out on the patio.  

Because James was trying to save any voice that he has for his talk tomorrow and couldn't really visit, we left a little early, but not before we sang to Dennis.

The birthday boy, Dennis and seated beside him, Cher.

I had a good time and was grateful to spend some time with my extended family.

 

 

 

Friday, May 16, 2014

Oxaca, Mexico

The trunk of this tree is 33 feet in diameter.

Reminds me of the Tree of Life.

"In order for us to make the correct decisions, courage is needed.  The courage to say no when we should, the courage to say yes when that is appropriate, the courage to do the right thing because it is right." - President Monson

I got my teeth cleaned today and then Dr. Douglas prepped me for a new crown.  Her assistant put in a temporary crown and I was on my way.  

Sheri and I visited Max's class today.  Each child had prepared a report on a character from Arizona history and then dressed up like that character.  It was called The Arizona Living History Museum.

Max was Wyatt Earp, and a handsome one at that.

Wyatt Earp:

Good guy or bad guy?

Max says good.

Max is in the fourth grade at Bright Beginnings school and he has an awesome teacher.  Her name is Mrs. Saurio.  Max has developed a good work ethic being in her class, and they do so many fun and interesting things!  This was one of them, and here is another:

 Book report characters

 After the living museum experience Sheri, Max and I had lunch at Peter Piper Pizza.  Sheri gave me a coupon so my lunch was free.  We were there with about 30 athletes from Chandler High.  It was crowded but the buffet was still good.

James was anxious to get back to Vernon so he left before I did.  I went home and took a nap and left around 3:15, which means I was in Chandler for about 24 hours.  It was 104 degrees when I left and when I got home to Vernon it was 70 degrees.  James unloaded my car and then watched Person of Interest while I did some catchup on my Book of Mormon journal.

Colby got male athlete of the year

at Show Low High School.

Congratulations Colby!