Sunday, October 5, 2014

For breakfast this morning I made my famous french toast.  The boys loved it!

Conference went something like this:

Session 4

Continuing Revelation

by President Henry B. Eyring

"Human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough 

to get answers to the questions that matter most in life.  

We need revelation from God."

Sustaining the Prophets

by Elder Russell M. Nelson

"Our sustaining of prophets is a personal commitment

that we will do our utmost to uphold their

prophetic priorities."

Live according to the Words of the Prophets

by Carol F. McConkie

"To be in harmony with heaven's divine purposes, we sustain

the prophet and choose to live according to his words."

Eternal Life - to Know Our Heavenly Father and

His Son, Jesus Christ

by Elder Robert D. Hales

"God and Christ are literally a Father and a Son - separate,

distinct, individual beings who are wholly unified in Their purpose."

The Sacrament and the Atonement

by James J. Hamula

"The ordinance of the sacrament needs to become more holy

and sacred to each of us."

Ponder the Path of Thy Feet

by President Thomas S. Monson

"As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and as we follow in His footsteps, we can return safely to our

Heavenly Father."

 Our conference visitors:

Adam, Alex, and Kyle

Session 5

Stay in the Boat and Hold On!

by Elder M. Russell Ballard

"If we keep our focus on the Lord, we are promised a blessing

beyond comparison."

Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority

by Elder Richard G. Scott

"Despite all of the negative challenges we have in life,

we must take time to actively exercise our faith."

The Lord Has a Plan for Us!

by Elder Carlos A. Godoy

"If we continue to live as we are living, will the promised

blessings be fulfilled?"

The Book

by Elder Allan F. Packer

"Family history and temple work should be a regular part of 

our personal worship."

Our Personal Ministries

by Elder Hugo E. Martinez

"The love of Jesus Christ must be our guide if we are to become aware of the needs of those we can help in some way."

Trifle Not with Sacred Things

by Elder Larry S. Kacher

"Examine your choices by asking yourself the question, Are my decisions firmly planted in the rich soil of the 

gospel of Jesus Christ?"

Come and See

by Elder David A. Bednar

"The Church of Jesus Christ always has been and always will be

a missionary church."

Until We Meet Again

by President Thomas S. Monson

"May we all ponder the truths we have heard,

and may they help us to become even more valiant disciples."

After conference was over James took Alex and Adam on a Razr ride.  Kyle said it was too cold for him.  James bundled up:

Ready to ride!

After the ride and calling of the elk the guys came home for dinner.  I cooked a roast all day in the crockpot and to go with it we had mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and homemade rolls.  It was a tasty meal.  We also played a game of Five Crowns.

 It was a very enjoyable weekend and we are glad Adam brought

Kyle.  We shared our testimonies with him and gave him a Book of Mormon plus he watched every session of conference.

 

 

Saturday, October 4, 2014

"Let us resolve to cherish those we 

love by spending meaningful time

with them, doing things together,

and cultivating treasured memories."

-Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Before conference this morning James made us biscuits and gravy for breakfast.  It's going to be our conference tradition.  All of the boys, Adam, Alex, and Kyle watched conference with us.  Kyle is a non-member but is interested in learning about other religions.  

 After Pres. Monson's welcoming address,

Pres. Boyd K. Packer was the next speaker.

 Lynn G. Robbins:

"Trying to please others before pleasing God

is inverting the first and second great commandments."

Cheryl A. Esplin:

"The Spirit heals and renews our souls.  The promised blessing

of the sacrament is that we will 'always have his Spirit

to be with us.'"

Elder Chi Hong Wong:

"In order to assist the Savior, we have to work together in

unity and in harmony.  Everyone, every position, and every

calling is important."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

"Your personal testimony of light and truth will not only bless you

and your posterity here in mortality, but it will also accompany

you throughout all eternity."

In between sessions James wanted to get up on the roof and replace

a stone that had fallen off the fireplace chimney.  He caused

quite a stir and I even threatened to call the fire department.

He says I over reacted but I just had visions of last time when he fell. The boys were spotting the first ladder but the second one couldn't be secured.  Alex and James devised a rope to tie around his middle but by the time they put that in place, the mortar was too dry to stick.  Mission not accomplished.

2nd Session

Neil L. Andersen:

"Jesus Christ chose a holy man, a righteous man, to

lead the Restoration of the fulness of His gospel.

He chose Joseph Smith."

Tad R. Callister:

"When all is said and done, the home is the ideal forum

for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Elder Jorg Klebingat:

"By applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you can begin

increasing your spiritual confidence today if you are willing to

listen and act."

Elder Eduardo Gavarret:

"The Lord invites us using various verbs: 'Come unto me,'

'Follow me,' 'Walk with me.' In each case it is an invitation to act."

L. Tom Perry:

"It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides the foundation

upon which we can find lasting peace and build eternal

family units."

The Priesthood Session:

Elder Craig C. Christensen

"Learning for ourselves that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

is true can be one of the greatest and most joyful experiences in life."

Bishop Dean M. Davies:

"As followers of the Savior, we have a personal responsibility to

care for the poor and needy."

 President Henry B. Eyring

"In priesthood preparation, 'show me' counts

more than 'tell me.'"

I listened to the priesthood session on the Mormon channel while James, Adam, Alex and Kyle went to the church to listen to it.  Afterwards they had banana splits and then came home and had the enchiladas I fixed them for dinner.  It was a great day!

Friday, October 3, 2014

"A marriage, like a human life, is a precious living thing.

Marriages are permanent and precious.  The Lord will help and heal us as we forgive, overcome, and strengthen each other.

A marriage, eternal in duration, and Godlike in quality, does not contemplate divorce."

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks

James and Alex went fishing this morning at one of their favorite spots, Silver Creek Fish Hatchery, which opened on October 1st.

Here are the pictures they sent:

 This fish was almost too big

for the picture.

Another big one.

Grandpa can't be outdone.

Adam slept most of the morning whereas his friend Kyle was up early to try and figure out where he could download the new game that came out.  He wanted to go to the Crane's at 7am but I told him it was too early and that I would call them at 8am.  Right at 8am he knocked on my bedroom door.  I was already calling Chuck.  He said he was there alone and would like to have a couple of hours to get ready but Kyle could come over at 10am, which he did.  He took over two hours to do the download.  We have some nice neighbors.

Happy Birthday

to this cute girl,

Alice W.

Birthday selfie

James and I finished reading this book today.

Ready for book 2.

For dinner I made BBQ chicken and scalloped potatoes.  The boys went crazy over the potatoes.  

We upgraded our Verizon internet plan to 30GB a month instead of 8.  Hopefully we will be able to make it through the month without any overcharges.

 

 

Thursday, October 2, 2014

"We all make mistakes.  Sometimes we harm ourselves and

seriously injure others in ways that we alone cannot

repair.  We break things that we alone cannot fix.  It is then in our nature to feel guilt and humiliation and suffering,

which we alone cannot cure.  That is when the healing power of

the Atonement will help."

-President Boyd K. Packer

 Happy Birthday to James's mother who

turns 87 today.

Lois is one of the most amazing women I have ever met.  She is the mother of eight very talented children.  She raised her children to be hardworking and independent.  She is an wonderful cook, and seamstress.  She makes the most beautiful Barbie clothes you have ever seen.  She is smart and not afraid to try new things.  In the last few years she has taken up painting and like so many other things she does, she has a real talent for it.  For years she has bought Christmas and birthday gifts for all of her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She makes the most beautiful bows and packages you have ever seen.  She grows beautiful flowers and up until recently did most of her yardwork herself.  I have just scratched the surface of her many talents.  I have been a part of her family for 46 years and she has been such an amazing mother to me, especially after my own mother passed away.   Thank you Lois.  I love you!

James went out elk bugling this morning.  He wants to get close enough to take some good pictures.  For breakfast this morning I made bacon, eggs, and biscuits.  I had quite a crowd for breakfast, Darrel, James, Alex, Kyle, and Adam when he eventually woke up.  James tried to get the boys to try the jalapeno jelly but the only one who liked it was Kyle.

James and I went into town today.  I bought enough groceries at Walmart to feed this group for four days and then we stopped and bought Little Caesar's on the way home.  

It was an absolute gorgeous day here with the high between 65-70 degrees.  

This afternoon I read to James and then I fixed calico beans and cornbread for dinner.  They boys went into town to get gas for the Razr and to try and download a game that came out this evening at the McDonald's where they have free wifi.  I guess it was way to slow they so they came home.  I told them they couldn't use ours until we get our plan changed because we are already over our limit.  

Darrel gave 25 shots today, one for shingles and the others for flu.

Today is Throwback Thursday:

Sheri thinks this picture of me looks

alot like Evan.

My grandparents, Verdie and Arlee Maxwell

The Chandler vs. Hamilton game was tonight.

For the first time in 10 years, Chandler won

and it was at Hamilton's field!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

I think fall is officially here.  It was 39 degrees this morning.  

I am so frustrated with Verizon right now.  I am trying to change our plan but it won't let me because it says I am not an authorized signer on the account.  I thought James put me on but apparently he didn't and so I can't do anything until he gets here.  

James made it home by 5pm just like I asked him to with my car.  He also brought Burger House burros with him but I didn't have time to eat one before leaving for my young women's presidency meeting scheduled for 5:30pm.

The big debate is when or if we are going to have our chili cookoff.  Every date seems to have a conflict.  Finally we turned it over to Brother Wilhelm and told him to ask the bishop if we could be excused from this one.  He will get back to us.

For Young Women's we practiced for next week's virtue program.  Brother Applegate helped us with the video download of "Virtue Makes You Beautiful" off Youtube.  Hope, Heaven, Maddie, and Coty were not here.

Adam, and Alex, and Adam's friend Kyle came up in the truck.  They got here right after Darrel arrived, around 10:45.  We saved a burro for Darrel.  

Sheri took her boys to the zoo today.  It looks like they had a good time.

 Petting the stingrays

Feeding the giraffe

Also on Facebook:

Cher saw this fox this morning when she

went for her walk near Fool's Hollow Lake

in Show Low.

A very unique kind of

mountain goat.

 

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

"Disciplining the natural man in each of us makes possible a

richer, a deeper, and a more enduring love of God and

of His children.  Love increases through righteous

restraint and decreases through 

impulsive indulgence."

-Elder David A. Bednar

 Happy Birthday Dawn!

Dawn is the one on the far left and the rest of the

people in this picture are her brothers and sisters.

Let me tell you a little bit about James's younger sister Dawn.  She is one of the most patient, kind and considerate people you will ever meet.  She always thinks of others before herself.  She is dedicated, hard-working, and determined.  She has a doctorate in education and teaches at ASU.  She lives with her mother and because of Dawn, the rest of the family knows their mother is well taken care of.  Dawn's "school room" in their house is a favorite with the kids.  She has so many interesting learning materials that are very engaging, to kids, both young and old.  I have known Dawn for over 40 years and I can honestly say she is one of my favorite people in the world!! 

James is leaving this morning so I get up to have prayer with him.  I am in alot of pain this morning.  Both hips hurt and my left shoulder is very sore.  I must have slept on it wrong.

Since I have no car I won't be going shopping today.  Instead I stay home and pay bills.  I have a nice talk on the phone with my good friend Diana Curtis.  Sometimes I get lonely when I am here alone so I appreciate friends and family texting or calling.

I can't seem to get all the things done that I want to do.  I need to be working on family history and going through all the boxes of stuff in my office.  By the time I finish paying bills the day is almost over.  Maybe I need to cut down on my TV shows.  Tonight I watched the premiere of Castle and Once Upon a Time.

 A painting of Hayden Lambson

done by his son Dallen.

Hayden is James's cousin.

Monday, September 29th, 2014

Thank you Pres. Monson

Today is Kim & Brian's 19th wedding anniversary.  I think it was a good one.

 To Kim

From Brian

"He knows her well."

A Jack the Pumpkin King clock

and

a trip to the beach in San Diego.

What more could a girl ask for!

Brian is clearing away the seaweed so Kim can take a

picture of the sunset.

James had mainly office work to do today and he decided he could do it here just as well as in Chandler, so he stayed here.  This afternoon we went into town.  We stopped where the elders live, and they were there because it is P-day, and left them two dozen chocolate chip cookies.  The Concho elders are there too because they wrecked their car so they are all serving together.

 Next stop was the post office.  I had to show my driver's license to get the mail because I left my key in Lexy. When we got into town James stopped in at Wizard's to order a fireplace insert.  I stayed in the truck.  We had to go to Walmart so I could get a new curling iron.  Mine burned out yesterday.   Someone told Darrel that The Cattlemen's restaurant was pretty good so we stopped there for dinner.  Their salad bar was small but good, the bread was good, and the steak was okay, but nothing like Black Angus or Outback.

When we get home we go on the porch outside of our bedroom and read.  While I am reading James is glassing for elk on the hill just north of us.  He uses his call and the elk on the hill call back.  What a fun hobby for him!

When James is here he loves for me to read to him and he loves to watch Sue Thomas F.B.Eye with me.  We did both today.

Sheri posted this picture of Evan on Facebook:  I call it: 

"Sly Guy"