Thursday, May 29, 2014

1 Kings 11

"We, as modern Israel, need to avoid the sins of pride, misuse of wealth, and esteem of the world - three sins which beset Solomon and caused his downfall.  Even if we make some good decisions, could we also make some foolish ones that might destroy us?"

I read Alma 8 and finished all of the General Conference talks for the second time and read about the sad end of Solomon's life in the Old Testament.  I also went for a walk.  It was nice and cloudy.

I got a text from James hoping I would be down there by noon.  I told him I wasn't leaving until this afternoon and he seemed a little sad.  I actually left the lodge at 2:30.  I stopped to get the mail, and then in Show Low went to the bank, McDonald's and to get gas.  

There is a paving project going on between Pinedale and Clay Springs which slowed me down a little.  I stopped in Overgaard at the Dollar Store to get a snack.  I chose Junior Mints.  They definitely rejuvenated me.  The rest of my trip was pretty uneventful.

When I got to Chandler Stacy was watering the plants in the front planter.  I noticed that their old furniture was still in the driveway.  Stacy explained that Goodwill refused to take it because they said they couldn't sell it.

James was in the house eating Taco Bell.  He bought a taco for me as per my request.  Sorry Holly, I don't have any treats for you.

Joshua was watching a show about sonoran owls in Arizona.  Nice that he is watching an educational show.

James and I went to bed early because he has a pour in the morning at 4:30 am.   

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Morning haze from the fires.

Alma 7:23-24

And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

I took a 30 minute walk this morning and counted my steps with my Tractivity.  Counting today and yesterday, according to Tractivity, I walked 5 miles, 12,074 steps and burned 664 calories.  Woohoo! I'm on my way. Today I listened to an Elaine Dalton BYU Devotional.  She runs marathons and had this to say: "Daily choices do matter over time.  Sacrifice today to obtain the blessings of tomorrow.  A fit body is a worthy desire."

Tonight for Young Women's we did some outdoor cooking at the park in preparation for girl's camp.  Originally we were going to use dutch ovens and cook over coals but because of the fire restrictions we went to cook stoves and solar ovens.  Because there was no sun today we were down to just cook stoves.  Thank goodness for Analee and Kip Hunsaker and their hurricane stoves and Ruth Wilhelm and her nice big camp stove.  We had delicious stew and biscuits and my peach cobbler.  It was a tasty meal.  Here are some pictures:

Maddie lighting a stove with Sister Julie

Wilhelm and Shelly Applegate looking on, and 

Colter Hunsaker's head.

Trenda, Maddie and LeeAnn

Trenda, Maddie, LeeAnn, Colter,

Kelly, and Alice.

The three amigos, Jordyn, Kelly, and Alice.

Jordyn, Maddie, LeeAnn, Trenda,

Shelly, Kelly, Alice

Trenda is leaving for Washington on Sunday.

She's kissing LeeAnn goodbye.

I tried to get a picture of the sunset at the park.  This is the best I could do.

 

 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Alma 7:12

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

There are two fires in Arizona right now.  The Skunk fire near San Carlos and the Slide Rock fire near Sedona.  

While working on my blog this morning I listened to a BYU Devotional entitled: "The Human Body, a Gift and a Responsibility."  In this talk Brother Larry Tucker says that smokers have a death rate 2x higher than non-smokers and that those who are not fit have a death rate 4x higher than those who are.  That statistic was enough to motivate me to get moving again and start walking.  Today with my Tractivity devise on I moved cans downstairs.  

UPS delivered my new glasses from Dr. Lambson right to my door today.  They definitely look different, but I love them!  I also love my new sunglasses.

My June schedule is filling up quickly.  Next week Jared Ammon and his friend Catherine want to come up Sunday evening until Wednesday.  Kim may come up Tuesday and Thursday - Monday Michael is bringing his cross country 8 team members up with 3 adults.  I am picking James up next Wednesday in Silver City so he can go fishing on the Black River with James and Alex.  The next week we will be at the timeshare and the following week is camp.  On the 24th I am scheduled to have surgery on my abscess tooth and the month closes out with the Lambson family reunion in Ramah.  

Ben got his cast off and his stitches out today.

Alex gave himself a haircut today.  While they were here James gave the other boys, including Michael a haircut but Alex refused.  Here are the results:

Not too bad.

Other news from Chandler; James fixed the outside faucet that wasn't working and installed a new faucet in the kitchen in Chandler.  I love having a guy who can fix things!  

I had french toast for dinner.  It was delicious!

 

Monday, May 26, 2014

 

This was the first picture I saw when I opened up Facebook this morning.  This is the before and after picture of President and Florence Hatch's cabin in Durango, Colorado.  The fire started Friday night as they were sitting around visiting with their family.  

It reminds me of what happened to our cabin in Pinedale, except we weren't there when it burned.  Thank goodness no one was hurt.

Sheri texted us early this morning while she was out running.  She actually got to run alongside some elk which was pretty exciting for her.  

James and I made a big breakfast before everyone left.  James cooked the turkey bacon and link sausage.  Ben told Evan that the sausage was actually pig toes but Evan either didn't believe him or took it in stride.  He's probably use to his older brothers teasing him.

I made my by now, "almost famous" french toast.  Alex said it was the best he's ever had and Ben had four pieces.  Everyone enjoyed it except James.  He says he doesn't like the combination of sugar, white flour and oil.  Oh well, more for the rest of us.  I wonder if his fried egg could possibly be this tasty.  Sheri managed to get everyone except Alex into the van before 8am for departure.  Alex is staying and going home with James this afternoon.

I reminded the boys they hadn't given me a hug so they all got out to give me one.  Ian gave me a hug earlier and thanked me for our hospitality.

Alex and James were next to leave.  James drove the truck and Alex the Razr as they went to Sean Hunsaker's to borrow a trailer to haul the Razr to the Black River.  They are scouting for the place they want to fish for their next trip.  I mentioned to Jared via text that dad and Alex went to the Black River and he said the next time they go to please let them know because James would love to come.

Jared took his kids to Carlsbad Cavern today.  Boy that brings back some memories!

Nice looking tourists!

When James and Alex return James fixes us burgers and then we watch the Granite Flats finale.  It was so good.  It is based on true facts from the 60's and ended with the assasination of President John F. Kennedy.  I can hardly wait for the next season!

James and Alex leave for Chandler a little after five.  Alex has school tomorrow and James needs to be on the Hatch Hanger job.  I am home alone again and this time for several days.

 

Sunday, May 25, 2014

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.

 This is the handout I gave the girls today for the lesson on the importance of scriptures.  I got up at 3:30am to make these handouts and to finish preparing for my lesson.  I made 20 handouts and gave them all away.  We had six or seven visitors.  

James got up in sacrament meeting and presented Rusty Allen's name to be ordained to the officer of an elder.  Rusty was not able to be here today.  On the way home from Rusty's high school graduation his grandpa passed away and so he is with the family and grandma today.  Thomas Wilhelm Applegate, better known as Ty, and Cody Westbrook were presented as worthy to be ordained as deacons.  How exciting to how more worthy deacons to pass the sacrament.

Alice Wilhelm, Tamara Applegate and Jimmy Applegate were the speakers in sacrament meeting today so you know it was a good meeting.  Sheri said she really enjoyed it and would like to stay for the rest of the block but everyone else wanted to go home.

In Sunday School today we studied Moses last sermon to the Israelites.  In the bible it says Moses died but through modern revelation we know that he was actually translated.  

We had 16 girls in young women's today, which must be a record.  Nine of our own were here and the rest were visitors.  We had Alice, Trenda, Hope, Heaven, Shelly, Jordyn, Kilee, LeeAnn and Maddie attending from our ward.  I felt good about my lesson.  It is always rewarding to bear testimony of the importance of scriptures.

After the block I went with James into the cultural hall as he home taught Sister Lorraine Vaught.

Back at home Ian had prepared some asparagus, and chocolate covered strawberries.  We also had leftover chicken and popcorn shrimp for lunch.  We played Five Crowns and Evan found a little bag and some "jewels" to put in it.  He also searched through the pantry and found some Rice Krispy cereal.  He wanted to make rice crispy treats but the cereal had expired over a year ago.  Max and Evan made some awesome drawings and Max made up a game that Sheri, Ian, and Evan played with him.  It looked like alot of fun.  

James and Alex and Michael went home teaching to the Wilhelm's and the Peeler's.  Later James went to the Hunsaker's.  

Sheri gave a FHE lesson about Moses becoming a leader of the Israelites and we talked about destiny and patriarchal blessings.  Just like Moses had to chose to either follow the Lord or stay in Egypt and become a powerful ruler we have to decide if we are going to follow the path the Lord wants us to or go the way of the world.  It was a great lesson and this has been a wonderful Sabbath Day!

Last but certainly not least Michael and Alex fixed dinner for us.  This is a recipe Stacy fixes for her family and one of Michael's favorites: Shrimp scampi with lemon linguini.  It was delicious!

Michael is reviewing the recipe in his head.

Sheri and Ian had a family vote as to when they would leave to go home.  Sheri and Evan voted to go tonight but the rest of them voted to go home tomorrow morning.  I know Ben wanted to play grey wolf again, a game they play at night with the lights out, and the boys wanted me to fix french toast for breakfast in the morning.  Evan and Sheri were good sports and went along with what everyone else wanted.  Tomorrow morning it is.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

The first item of business this morning was breakfast.  James started and I helped him finish.  He made a combination of hashbrowns, green chilies, onions and eggs and he mixed up the batter for french toast.  I ended up cooking the french toast.  The boys loved it.  Sheri was out running so she didn't get any.  I had to leave for the church around 8:30.  The elder's quorum presidency is doing a service project and we are watching their kids at the church.  Jordyn, Kilee, and I have the early shift from 8:30 to 11:00.  I picked up Kilee on the way.  Here are some pictures of the kids we babysat:

Hyrum Miller

 Katherine Miller

 Andyn Miller

 Edmund Pope

 Eli Pope

 Ethan Pope

 Khalie Riley, Kip and

Alicia Hunsaker's granddaughter

who came with Kilee

Kilee was the only one who could stop

Eli Pope from crying.  She held him

most of the time.

Jordyn was great too.  She read from her Dr. Suess

books to Andyn and Katherine and then she

brought art supplies for the kids.  She also 

drew pictures for them.

It rained a little this morning but nothing too serious.  Just enought to make it smell good outside.

Evan enjoying the wonderful smell of rain.

Max and Evan enjoying a game of Jenga.

Michael and Alex getting in some drive time

on the Razr.  Michael has his license to he can

drive it on the forest roads now.

After babysitting I went into town with Sheri, Alex, and Michael.  I got stuff for peach cobble for Young Women's next Wednesday.  Michael and Alex bought the ingredients for shrimp scampi and lemon linguini.  They are fixing us dinner tomorrow night.  I can hardly wait.  We made a stop at Panda, Sonic and Little Ceasers.  It is an awesome cloudy, day.  

Back at home Evan and Max like the little plastic bowling set I bought.  They are using the hallway for the bowling alley.  Ian also enjoyed it.  He is so good about playing with Evan.  

Ian fixed some ribs while Sheri and I watched Max and Meryl, the winners of Dancing with the Stars, dance.  I marinated some chicken for tonight.  The ribs that Ian fixed were just a snack.  Tehy were yummy though.  

Here are some other happenings: Ben kept coming in and giving bunny alerts.  The boys played ping pong and rode the Razr.  Ian made a fire outside and the boys made smores.  It was a fun day.

 

Friday, May 23, 2014

Beautiful sunrise!

"The gospel is a gospel of love and kindness."

-George Albert Smith

 I love this picture and poem

written by my 

sister-in-law

Dianne Lambson 

who passed away 3 years ago.

James's voice is almost back.  He loves looking for the little bunny that lives under our backporch.  Today he bribed him to come out with a carrot.  I call him teacup because he is about the size of a teacup, the bunny that is.

Today we are reading from Alma 5, Alma's first speech as a prophet to the people of Zarahemla.  I call this chapter the celestial interview chapter of the Book of Mormon, along with 3 Nephi 12 and Matthew 5.

I got a call from Audrey Guerrero this morning.  She needs a ride to town.  Since James and I were going anyway I offer to pick her up.  James had some Hatch Hanger business to tend to and then we headed out around 3pm. James stopped to drop off a tire at Center Tire.  Audrey's first stop was Chase Bank.  We usually just go through the drive-thru but she said she had to go inside.  It was raining when we stopped so James got as close to the door as he could.  The next stop was in Lakeside on Woodland Road to pick up a filter for Audrey's jacuzzi which didn't take long.  I read to James from The Book Thief while Audrey was inside.  On further we go up the road into Pinetop to the only Wells Fargo Bank on the mountain.  This time we waited almost 30 minutes and were able to finish The Book Thief, but not without a few tears on my part.  James was very patient.  Finally we went back to Walmart where Audrey and I did some shopping while James got the car serviced.  The only thing is he forgot to have them rotate the tires.  Oh well, at least my oil is changed.  

I finished my shopping and bought James something to eat at McDonald's while we were waiting for Audrey.  I finally had to go find her and tell her it was time to go. 

Back at home James fixes the new drawer he had made for the chest of drawers we got from Karen Schneider. I clean upstairs, vacuuming, and making sure the bathrooms were clean.  We finally go to bed around 11pm.  Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, and Michael arrive around midnight.  I never can sleep until I know whoever is coming up has arrived safely.