Monday, November 3, 2014

Take time to ponder the wonders of life.

Panda Pondering.

"Success" according to Greg Trimble:

"Ones ability to make a lasting positive impact on the people and situations they come in contact with throughout the duration of their life."

Seven Simple Things to Teach Your Kids About Success:

1.  Leave Your Comfort Zone Everyday

Don't become complacent - Do something awkward or that scares you.

2.  Be So Good That People Can't Ignore You

Work so hard that you can't be overlooked or denied.

3.  Be 15 minutes Early

Late and success are never used together.

It's disrespectful to be late.

4.  Don't Spend Time, Invest Time

Find joy in accomplishments.

TV is a time waster.

5.  Always Reply To People You Know

Indifference ruins relationships.

Respond early and often.

6.  Become A Great Reader and Great Writer

Companies are looking for writers.

Reading is the key to education.

7.  Be Passionate About Life

Be enthusiastic, be happy, and 

smile...and people will love you for it!

I was up at 4am to study and plan.  It's nice to have James here.  We are enjoying our book, "Drops of Gold."

My husband is such a romantic!

 Also, he fixed my breakfast while I read to him.

I caught up on "Once Upon a Time" during my nap.  It's such a weird show but I am addicted to it.

This afternoon I spent time working on the never ending chore: bills and checkbook updating.   We made a trip to town because our printer was our of ink.  When I got home I realized I bought two colored cartridges instead of black.  Thank goodness I found an old black cartridge that still had some ink in it. 

I cooked some cabbage for dinner. We weren't too hungry because we had burgers at Sonic when we were in town.  The cabbage was very tasty and it's something that James asks for.

We watched a Hallmark movie: "Recipe for Love."

I love Hallmark movies, especially at Christmas time!

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Clouds and Rain!

"I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in

thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have

ever made in extending to someone to anyone the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

For stake conference we had to go no further than the Vernon building.  The conference was broadcast to all 96 stakes in Arizona.  Here are some quotes from my notes:

President Williams:

"Unless it is kind, true or necessary, don't say it!" 

Bradley D. Foster

"Our life has an eternal purpose.  Mark Twain said: 'The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."

"Our inner strength should not be effected by what happens around us.  We must keep an eternal perspective."

Carol F. McConkie

"Serve one another, don't contend one with another, make home a place of peace and harmony.  Keep your commitments.  The family unit is under attack.  Stand strong for truth and righteousness.  Establish homes centered in Jesus Christ.  Be true.  Repent and forgive.  Daily family prayer and scripture study and weekly FHE.  Listen to uplifting music.  Engage in the service of God.  Love, joy, peace, gentleness and goodness.  Make home a place of peace and holiness.  In the temple we receive instruction.  Our Father promises peace in this life and blessings.  Feast on his words.  Set not your heart on riches."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"The law of God needs to be written on our hearts.  The Gospel needs to become the heart of our very being.  Does what I am govern what I do?  Do I have the courage of my convictions?  Know needs to be transformed to do."

Alma to his son Shiblon:

1.  Be obedient and keep the commandments.

2.  Put your trust in God through your trials and afflictions.

3.  Cry out to the Lord for forgiveness and mercy and for a remission of sins.

4.  Be diligent in keeping the word and teaching the commandments.

5.  Be careful of pride.  Do not pursue your own glory.  The branch cannot bear fruit of itself. 

6.  Bridle all your passions.  Control brings blessings.

7.  Refrain from idleness.  Spend time doing His will.

8.  Acknowledge your unworthiness before God.  Be humble and seek for forgiveness and mercy.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Temples are a direct result of the Saints willingness to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings.  Temples are visited by beings of

glory and light from another realm."

"The greatest honor we can attain to is to be called disciples of Jesus Christ."

"Whosoever is chief among you, let him be your servant.  Everyone must feel valued and loved.  Value the wisdom of women."

"Use For the Strength of Youth.  Study it and make it a part of your daily lives.  Always have it with you."

"If you seek, you surely will find.  Allow the seed of faith to grow."

"Become sanctified, radiate peace and joy."

More awesome clouds!

Kim posted this picture on Facebook.  Joe, Amanda, Cash and Carter having fun around the fire pit.

This afternoon I made more pumpkin bread and we dropped it off at Julie Wilhelm's.  The one we left her last week seems to have disappeared.  

I had a nice visit with Jared on the phone today.  Physically he is doing much better now that he is on medication.  James is having some struggles right now and they had to make him quit football.  

Jared sent me 24 female temple cards.  Anna did the baptisms and I need to do the initiatories and endowments.  Jared said they have three youth in their ward who are wizards at family history and are getting others excited about it too.

Here is a blast from the past from me.  When I was a teenager I loved Rick Nelson.  I had this picture of him taken from Photoplay magazine on my bedroom wall.

The Hallmark Christmas movies are here.  Tonight James and I watched a new one called, "One Starry Christmas."  Thank you Hallmark!

 

Saturday, November 1, 2014

"The ordinance of the sacrament needs to become more

holy and sacred to each of us."

-Elder James J. Hamula

"As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and

as we follow in His footsteps,

we can return safely to our Heavenly Father."

-President Thomas S. Monson

It was very windy today.  I don't really like strong wind.  It destroys the peace.  I read, studied, and did laundry this morning.  At home Evan played a soccer game and made a goal.  Max made an interception and scored a touchdown in his football game.

Can you tell Evan has lost a tooth.

Evan with his Batman Lego set.

Laura and Dave organized a work day at Lois's today.

Here are some of the pictures Laura posted on Facebook:

 Another discovery on Facebook today.  One of James's best friends in high school was a young man named Walter Turley.  Today on Facebook Kristy Thomas posted this picture of her daughter Kaylena with a friend, Walt Turley.  It's the same guy.  James got his number and will call him soon.

I got a text from Jared today that went like this:

"FYI I lost vision in my right eye 3 weeks ago, that's a different eye than my droopy eye.  I had a swollen optic nerve.  I've been on steroids for 3 weeks and most of my vision has returned but not completely.  It might or might not going forward we just have to wait and see.  After MRIs and blood tests to figure out why this happened it was determined that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The inflammation got into my blood vessels and caused a vasculitis and that's why I had the droopy lid in one eye 6 months ago and the vision loss in the other eye.  I was started on weekly methotrexate injections to treat my eye for 4 weeks.  Next week I am getting a Rituxan infusion.  That's the short story but I thought you should know."

Since this text I have spoken to Jared and his eyesight has returned.  He is optomistic in spite of this trial in his life.  Both of my boys have rheumatoid arthritis as I do.  In looking at my mother's life history this week I found that she had rheumatic fever in the sixth grade.  Is this an explanation for why we have this disease?  I don't know.  It doesn't explain why my cousin Rita has it too.

We had stake conference meetings today.  James left with Chuck Crane and Owen Peeler for the 5:00 priesthood leadership meeting.  Donna Peeler drove Kathy Crane, Analee Hunsaker, and myself to the 7:00 meeting.  Our meeting was good and I took notes in my stake conference notebook for further reference.  One of the highlights for me was the youth choir that was asked to sing without prior notice.  I love the youth from the Vernon ward!  Kilee Hunsaker, Trenda, Talon and Alice Wilhelm, Jordyn, Shelly, and Jace Applegate all participated in this choir.  

After the conference session was over I met a dear friend from high school, Jeanene Thomas in the hall on the way out.  This is one of the things I like about living up here.  So many people that I remember from my early days here.

We stopped at Dairy Queen for dinner and I teased Collin Dewitt that the young women outdid the young men again.  We had 5 in the choir and the young men only had 2.  His response: "I didn't know it was a competiton."  My response: "Always."

On the way home Stacy called to tell me about their stake conference session where President and Dianne Heyman were the main speakers.  She said Dianne told her story about health problems while on their mission and her miraculous healing.  After Dianne was finished Stacy said Michael said to her: "Why did I feel so different when Sister Heyman was speaking?"  Stacy told him it was the Spirit witnessing that what she said was true.  I would have loved to have been at that meeting.  I have been a counselor for Dianne Heyman and can testify to her strong faith, determination and conviction in serving the Lord.

 

Friday, October 31, 2014

San Diego temple

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

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

-Carol F. McConkie

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

separate, distinct, individual beings who are wholly unified

in Their purpose."

-Elder Robert D. Hales

How appropriate that on Halloween I would have blood drawn and spend the morning at the doctor's office getting an infusion.  

I got out around 11 and went home to have some lunch, a salad, cottage cheese and strawberries.  James joined me and then we drove to Tempe to return my rental car.  

After packing we met Sheri at Elmer's for a late(second) lunch/early dinner.  I had a machaca taco and saved my burro for the ride home. 

On the way home we passed Darrel in Rye.  He's going home to his family after spending the last four days in Show Low working.

I wanted to spend Halloween with some of my grandkids but since that wasn't possible, pictures are the next best thing.

Rowan did not want his picture taken.

Joshua and Evan

Ben got glasses today.

Show Low football team

Harold and Monte in the back row

 

Thursday, October 30, 2014

"The Messiah came to redeem men from the Fall of Adam.

Everything in the gospel of Jesus Christ points toward

the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah, the Son of God."

-C. Scott Grow

I took the boys to school again this morning and then went to the 9:15 session at the Gilbert temple.  Before the session started I put several names on the prayer roll.  I love attending this temple.  It is my favorite.  My session was full and I felt so much peace as I left.  I am so grateful that I went.

Afterwards I went to Deseret Book and Office Max to do a little shopping.  I bought James and I a new book:

I also bought James's Christmas present but I won't be showing it.  It is actually something he ask for.

James and I had lunch at one of our favorite places, Pei Wei.  We each got an order of lettuce wraps and shared a spicy chicken salad. 

That's my drink that James is holding.

This evening around five we went to James's Mom's to do some yardwork and take her birthday card and gift to her.  Alex and Adam came and helped.

 James fixed a clog in her water line.

Later in the evening Trina and the kids came by for a visit.

 Love all of these faces!

 Rowan had to try out the mini trampoline.

Afterwards James and I went to Frost.  I figure it would be my last time for awhile.  I had salted carmel and raspberry.  I tasted the toasty marshmallow which was good but I thought it might be a little too sweet.  

#TBT on Facebook:

 Darrel when he was 8 or 9.

 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

"As a member of the Church, reach out to those you do not know and greet them warmly.  Each Sunday extend a hand of fellowship to at least one person you did not know before.  Each day of your life, strive to enlarge your own circle of friendship."

-Elder Russell M. Nelson

I took Joshua, Max, Evan, and Brayden Wanlass to school this morning.  Max and I talked about our upcoming trip to Disneyland.  We decided we would leave December 3rd and come back on the 6th.  The other choice was November 20th but we would be gone one less day and have only one day at the parks, but we would be there with Kim and Brian.  Max chose the extra day.  

After school I took Evan on his birthday date.  Max came with us.  Our first stop was the Lego Store at the Chandler mall

Both of these boys love Legos!

I love them too.  This was my favorite set

but it was a little pricey at $239.99.

After looking around for awhile Evan finally decided on the Batman set.  I don't know why I didn't take a picture because it was pretty neat.  

We also went to Barnes & Noble and picked out individual Lego figures.  We didn't know what we were getting but this is what we ended up with.

These boys really are good friends

and love each other.

 

After we were finished shopping we went to the food court where the boys got pizza and garlic knots.  For dessert it was Wetzel Pretzel.

I had a blast with these two boys!

Joseph and Amanda carved pumpkins

tonight.

 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

"Just as a man does not really desire food unti he is hungry,

so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows

why he needs Christ.  No one adequately and properly knows why

he needs Christ until he understand and accepts the doctrine

of the Fall and it's effects upon all mankind."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

James has not been able to use the wireless printer he has here in Chandler for quite awhile.  He even tried to get Adam to fix it but Adam said he couldn't do it either.  I worked on it this morning and was able to get it to work.  To say James is happy is an understatement!

This morning I went with Sheri to Target.  She is discouraged because both Max and Evan are home from school with coughs which means she can't go to work.  She is discouraged.

I came home and fixed chicken salad sanwiches for lunch for James and I using the roasted chicken I bought at Fry's on Saturday night.  

After lunch I went to Penney's, Hobby Lobby, and Target again.  The only thing I bought were birthday cards for Lois, Dawn, and Jared and three $50 giftcards.  Oh yes, and I went to one more place, this time by myself....Frost.  I got salted carmel and hazlenut.  Salted carmel is still my favorite.  

James went to Susan Jacobson's to help her with some home repairs.  I stayed at home and helped Joshua with his homework.

That's Adam holding Skittles

 Weird

I taught Joshua his 9 times tables and showed him how all the answers added up to 9.  He liked that.

Later Joshua came downstairs to play a game on the computer.  Grandpa was working at his computer too.

A tragedy occurred in Ian's family tonight.  His brother JD fell on the back of his head and dislodged his brain.  He passed away around 11pm.