Sunday, September 28th, 2014

Kim took the picture of

the Gilbert Temple.

James had an early high council meeting this morning.  He has to be back before nine or I won't have a way to church.  While I am studying this morning I watch Women's Conference again.  I know because of some of the experiences I have had that I will bear my testimony in sacrament meeting today.  This highlight of my week was this conference.

It was raining a little when we went into church this morning and I didn't have an umbrella.  All of my umbrellas are in my car which Darrel has in the valley.

 I guess I didn't want an umbrella anyway.

One of my friends took this picture at her place before coming to church:

 Yes, she has a teepee.

I did bear my testimony today in fast & testimony meeting.  I told how this week had been a week of spiritual highs and lows and that I would like to share some of the highs which were: Giving a Book of Mormon to Denise with my testimony in it, meeting with my 87 year old aunt and doing some family history with her, and then I told of Darrel's accident and how we felt it was a tender mercy of the Lord that he was able to walk away without a scratch.  I then talked about the Spirit I felt because of women's conference and bore my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and of the Savior.  Sometimes you just know when you are supposed to share your testimony and bear witness.  The Spirit lets you know.

Today in Sunday School our lesson was based on Amos 3:7; "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."  How appropriate for the week before general conference.

In Young Women's Diana gave a lesson on Christlike attributes.  Her lessons are always so very good.

After the block James was busy with some meetings.  Kathy Crane asked me to go visiting teaching with her, so I did.  We went to one home and the sister wasn't there.  We were afraid to get out of the car because of her dog.  Next we went to Angel Wings nursing home where Kathy visited two sisters.  She left them with the message and gave each of them a small plant.  I am glad I went with her.  I could tell it made her happy.

I went home and broke my fast.  James was meeting with the Elder's quorum presidency and he attended the ordination of Matt Chafin who was ordained by his dad to be an elder.  Just in time as his son his going to be baptized on the 11th.

After James got home and had something to eat, we took a nap and then he went home teaching with Tyler Hunsaker.  I sent a birthday gift for Alice W.  She turns 13 on October 3rd.  I sent a small Preach My Gospel, a journal, a notebook and pen, a candle, and a picture of the Savior.

Alice

Her siblings, Ruthie, Trenda, and Johnny

Trenda

I made scalloped potatoes and ham for dinner.  I also made Oreo truffle brownies.  We scraped the Oreo part off and just ate the brownies. 

 I believe Kim posted this picture.

Gorgeous!

 

Saturday, September 27th, 2014

I love President Hinckley!

James woke up with abdominal pains.  He had them yesterday but today he says they are worse.  I convinced him he needed to go to the emergency room so he got ready to go.  He went outside only to find he had a flat tire.  He changed the tire and then said he needed to go to Discount Tire to get some new tires and didn't know how he would do that and go to the emergency room.  I had planned on cooking most of the day as the missionaries were supposed to come over for dinner, but I felt going with James was more important, so I got ready and off we went.  

We stopped at Discount Tire where James ordered three new tires.  I then drove him to the hospital and did a little shopping at Walmart before heading back to Discount.  

James is waiting for them to do a scan to see if he has diverticulitis.  I was stressing about the missionaries so I called and told them we would have to cancel.  I spoke with Brother Bomer who was very concerned and told me not to worry about it.  I felt better after talking to him, but I really do hate to let people down.  

While the new tires were being mounted I walked over to KFC for some lunch.  While there I saw and spoke to one of our Young Women, Arizona.  

I got to the hospital just as James was leaving his room.  They had done the test and determined it wasn't diverticulitis and were releasing him to go home.  The doctor said he probably just pulled a muscle.  James thinks he may have some kind of a virus.

On the way home I tried to call the missionaries to see if they wanted us to bring them some food, but they didn't answer.  James stopped to get something at KFC.  I didn't  eat because I had already started my fast.  Hopefully we will get to feed the missionaries again soon.

They always leave a message and bring a wonderful spirit into 

our home.

This evening I listened to the best General Women's Conference that I can ever remember!  They were talks I absolutely needed to hear, especially Sister Marriott's and President Uchtdorf's.  I was crying when the meeting was over.  I also enjoyed a group of Primary girls from Korea singing "I love to see the Temple" and the choir of women and girls singing "I Know that My Savior Loves Me", and "I Know that My Redeemer Lives."  I went to bed feeling so uplifted and full of the Spirit.

In Chandler, Dallin, Joseph and Joseph's friend Amanda, all performed at SoZo's.  

 

 I have some very talented grandsons!

 

Friday, September 26th, 2014

"You can't just give up on someone because the
situation is not ideal.  Great relationships aren't
great because they have no problems.
They're great because both people care enough about the
other person to find a way to make it work."

James made one of his famous "mixes" for breakfast.  This one had meatloaf, potatoes and eggs.  After breakfast we said goodbye to Darrel until next week.  

I read an article on the saints in Korean in the September Ensign.  In the 1940's the president of Korea sent Kim Ho Jik to the United States to learn how to improve nutrition in the Korean diet.  In 1949 he started to pursue a doctoral degree at Cornell University, as well as attend various church meetings around Ithaca, New York, to find the "true church."  Ho Jik made friends with a man named Oliver Wayman who gave him a Book of Mormon which he read.   On July 29, 1951, Kim Ho Jik was baptized in the Susquehanna River - he wanted to be baptized near where the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized over 100 years before.  When he was coming out of the water, he heard a clear voice saying, "Feed my sheep."  That impression led him to devote the rest of his life to helping the gospel take root in Korea. Dr. Kim's devotion finally bore fruit on August 3, 1952, when the first four people were baptized in Busan, Korea.  

Dr. Kim later told a group of Saints, "I wouldn't care if I had to give up my life, or my money, or my title, as long as I could be with my Savior."  His life evidenced this commitment to serving God.

I love his sweet testimony and desire to be with the Lord!

Evan was student of the month 

for his class.  We are so proud of him!

I vacuumed and polished the floors in the family room and living room today in preparation for my visiting teachers coming this evening at 5:30.  My visiting teachers are Hailey Chafin and Elena Pope, both a couple of young marrieds.  We had a nice visit and they gave me this quote from the lesson.

  

It started raining this evening.  I made the comment to James that I hoped Darrel would make it home ok.  At 7:38 while we were watching Sue Thomas, and eating these tasty little morsels, my phone rang.

  It was Darrel he was just in an accident near Forest Lakes.  A guy with a pickup and trailer who was parked on the side of the road pulled out and made a u-turn right in front of Darrel.  Darrel's car is totaled.  He was going to have Trina come all the way to the cabin to get him but James suggested we take him one of our cars to take home, which we did.  I drove Lexy and James was behind me in his pickup.  In several places along the way it was raining so hard I almost had to pull over instead it eased up a little.  We met Darrel at the wrecking yard in Overgaard.  Here is a picture of his car.

It's pretty amazing that he made it out with

not even a scratch.  Someone has a guardian angel.

Darrel drove Lexy home.  I will miss her but she will be back next week. 

James made sure I brought out book so I could read to him on the way home.

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

"The willingness to see through each others

eyes will transform 'corrupt communication' into ministering grace.

-Elder Zwick

Throwback Thursday on Facebook

 My mom 

My mom and I

My brother Harold is #27

This afternoon I went visiting teaching with Randa Covert.  We visited Mary Swift and Joyce Malone.  The other sister we visit, Julie Wilhelm is in Montana.  She works for the National Forest Service.  I will contact her by phone.  The message was on the divine mission of Jesus Christ as our comforter.  Here was our handout:

 James got home from the valley a little before six this evening.  I had told Dennis I would meet him and Denise at Aunt Gene's around 6:30 for dinner.  James changed and we left and arrived just a little after 6:30. Here is what the sky looked like on our way into town.

I couldn't really capture how beautiful it was!

 Dennis and Denise were already at Aunt Genes and I guess Harold and Vickie aren't coming.  We visited awhile and then went down to Licano's for dinner.  Licano's was originally the Paint Pony and owned by grandma & grandpa Maxwell.  Aunt Gene was the manager.

Cher, Brian and Colby were there to

watch the ASU game and Cher and

Colby came by for a visit.  We visited with Brian

on the way out.

 Aunt Gene and Denise have a special bond.

 Dennis and Colby.

Dennis did an imitation of one of their neighbors who

sits on her porch and yells bad things about the Maxwell's.

Although the situation isn't funny his imitation

make me laugh!

After dinner we went back up to the house and took pictures of old photographs aunt Gene had.  I have got to come back for more!!

Grandma & Grandpa Maxwell

They were married on 

August 25, 1926

 Sorry this is so blurry. Grandma & Muhammed Ali.

He trained in Show Low and stayed at the Maxwell House.

This picture was taken at grandma & grandpa's

50th wedding anniversary party.

Another wedding aniversary

I can't believe how much grandma

looks like aunt Gene in this picture.

Not sure who grandma has but

grandpa has a couple of fish.

35th Wedding anniversary

Young marrieds

Square dancing days

The family, grandpa, grandma,

my dad - Marlin, and aunt Gene

when they lived in Lakeside.

Aunt Gene and my dad as teenagers

growing up in Show Low.

I love these old family pictures and hopefully I can go back and visit with Aunt Gene again and hear some more family stories.

James was tired and not feeling well but I am so grateful he came with me tonight to enjoy time with my family.

 

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

One of the Young Women in our ward.

"Forgiveness is for the

one who forgives."

-Jack Hudson on

Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye

An absolutely gorgeous day in Vernon, 75 degrees, sunny, with a slight breeze.  I had lunch outside.

 

Part of my lunch consisted of a "chocolate" tomato given to me by a friend in our ward.  

  No, it didn't taste like chocolate.

Before Mutual tonight I called Kilee  to ask her to call the girls and remind them to bring their Personal Progress books.  Her mom answered the phone and said: "Kilee's visiting the tinkletorium, can she call you back?"  Clever.

Tonight the Mia Maids invited Sister Chafin and Sister Reynolds to help us with hair and nails and then to take pictures.  

 Kilee after Sister Chafin did her hair.

 LeeAnn sitting on the floor doing her toenails.

 Good job LeeAnn!

Sister Reynolds

 Sister Chafin doing Kelly's hair.

Beautiful girl with a beautiful smile!

It was a fun evening!

Joshua attended his first Cubscout pack meeting this evening.  He got his Bobcat award and help post the colors.  These boys are growing up too fast!

As an added bonus, someone posted a picture of Michael.

 

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

Today I would like to share some insights 

I have gained over the past two weeks:

1.  Ask yourself before speaking: 

"Is it kind, is it true, or is it necessary?"

2. One of the greatest accomplishments in this world would be

that of lifting human hearts.

Blessed are they who are kind and considerate

of the feelings of other people.

-Richard L. Evans

3.  With whatever measurement you use to judge,

you must judge yourself.  What kind of a ruler

am I using?

Chandler High's new marquee

celebrating 100 years.

Wise words from a prophet of God.

  Norway

I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight.  I cooked a pork roast in enchilada sauce in the crockpot for about 7 hours.  I took the roast out and shredded it and put it in a flour tortilla and rolled it like a burro.  I put sauce and cheese on top and put it in the oven until the cheese had melted.  Here is what it looked like.

Quite good!

 I made one of these burros for Darrel before going to bed.

 

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

"The essence of righteousness is obedience."

-New Era, September 2014, 26

James left for the valley this morning around 4:30am.  I will miss him until he returns.

I had lunch with Harold, Vickie, Dennis, Denise, and Monte and Tasha today at The Bistro in Lakeside.  We ate outside because the weather was gorgeous!  The food was also delicious.  Thank you Dennis and Denise.

I had the turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich

on sourdough and it was yummy!

Here were some of our topics of conversation:

*Brian and Cher are moving to Vancouver, Washington in October.

*A young man who graduated last year was killed last night drag racing in front of the high school.

*What kind of headstone we should get for dad's gravesite.

I gave Denise a Book of Mormon with my testimony in it for her birthday.  I told Dennis and Denise about the blessing Chris Butler gave Stacy and what it meant to her.  They invited me to have dinner with them and Aunt Gene on Thursday evening.  I told them I would look forward to it.

This afternoon my neighbor Kathy knocked on my door and asked if I would like to come over and pick out some vegetables from her garden.  Of course I would!

Kathy is an excellent gardener!

This evening I watched Dancing with the Stars.  I think my favorite dancers tonight were Bethany and Derek.  Julianne Hough's hair looked like she combed it with an eggbeater.  The theme for the show tonight was "My Jam".  Each guest chose their favorite song to dance to.

James texted me and said his laryingitis is back with a vengeance.