Friday, November 7, 2014

"We must stand firm in our faith and lift our voices to proclaim true doctrine."

-Neill F. Marriott

James and Adam went to work for awhile this morning.  I stayed home and visited with Stacy and packed to get ready to go home.  

One the way home we went back to the airport job, then on to the Wallen's to drop off the helmets Jared left at our place this summer.  We had lunch at Firehouse Subs:

James waiting for his sub.

Notice the dalmation table.

A friend from Chandler, Tim Glemser came in and we visited with him for a few minutes.  He has a Christmas album out.  He plays the piano and is very good.  

We went next door to Deseret Book and bought 3 more Sarah M. Eden books:

This is the one that we will be reading first:

 This book is about Philip Jonquil and 

Sorrel Kendrick, two characters we have

already been introduced to.

We got gas at Costco and then drove out to Dan Taylor's cabinet workshop.  He is making some drawer covers for two of the drawers in our Chandler kitchen.  Finally, on to Burger House in Miami where we picked up burros.  My favorite are the bean burros and James's are the green mixed.  We were in Show Low by 4pm.  We stopped at Chase bank and made a deposit for the Maple Chase house in Queen Creek that we sold.  We also made a deposit at National bank and then finally, home!!  

After unpacking I read to James and did some Book of Mormon study.  This evening we watched "Snow Bride", one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.  

We went to bed and left two burros for Darrel, one bean and one mixed.

Evan had his birthday party today.  

His party was at Flipside.  

Addy and Ruby are the two girls.

At Flipside the kids got to bowl, play laser tag and arcade games and there is also a play area.

Evan loved the art supplies that Kimmy gave him.

Paul and Sheri both posted pictures of their family during scripture study.  I can't help but smile at the contrast.

Gonzales family scripture study.

Trezise family scripture study.

 

 

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Happy 8th Birthday to Evan William Trezise!

I left around 11:30 today for the valley.  Today is Evan's birthday but it is also Ian's brother, J.D.'s funeral.  I arrived around 3:30.  My lunch was a tuna sandwich and a Hershey bar from Circle K with a diet Dr. Pepper to drink.  

The funeral is at 5 in Mesa and Adam and James don't get home from work until after 4, but somehow we still make it in time.  

The funeral is at Meldrum Mortuary with an open casket.  I didn't think I was going to like the open casket but it actually was okay.  There was a slide show of pictures from J.D.'s life with some of his favorite music playing.  Ian and his brother Sean both spoke. Ian bore his testimony which was very sweet.

 I agree with Ian's father, no one should ever have to bury one of their children.

Those attending from our family: Stacy, Paul, Adam, Jared Ammon, Michael, Joshua, Sheri & Ian's family, and James and I.  The flowers Sheri ordered for the casket were beautiful.

Max and Ben are really struggling.  Max does not like the fact that J.D. is being cremated.  He is worried about him being resurrected.  Ben is just a sensitive guy and shows his emotions.

After the service James, Adam, and I and Sheri's family went to Matta's for dinner.  

 Alex is missing because he was at our table.

Ben must have brought a change of clothes.

When Adam gets home Paul and Stacy sit him down to have a talk about his diabetes.

Something I found fascinating on Facebook today:

I know for a fact that Joe has a hobbit hole

in his back yard.

 

 

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Gorgeous sunrise!

"We preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

-2 Nephi 25:26

The high today was 55 degrees.  I got a morning text from James.  I always looks forward to these when he his out of town.  

Evan's baptism, which Sheri had said would be in December has now been changed to November 15th, the day I signed up to feed the missionaries.  

Here are some of the things I did today: I typed stake conference notes for Analee Hunsaker, at her request.  I worked on my Young Women's lesson on self-reliance, and I made a beef stew.  It was delicious!  

At 5:30 pm I attended a Young Women's presidency meeting.  Afterwards at Young Women's the girls made crowns and invitations for our Young Women in Excellence scheduled for the 19th.  It was a fun evening.

 

I came home and ate stew for dinner and then watched "Mrs. Miracle and Finley's Department Store", and Master Chef Junior for kids 8-13.  These kids are amazing!  I was in bed before Darrel got home around 10:30.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Happy 38th birthday to Jared!

Jared, I love you and I am so grateful to be

your mother.  You are an amazing person!

 

Today was election day.  It was a landslide win for the republicans in congress and the senate.  People are tired of Obama and his agenda.

I started typing my mom's personal history today for the grandkids.  I am so grateful that I met with her before she passed away and she shared her life story with me.  

James had a doctor's appointment today with an ear, nose and throat specialist in the valley.  Here's hoping he can get some relief.  After the appointment he complained about his ear hurting because the doctor tried to clean it out and James was miserable the rest of the day.

I went to town today and washed my car, went grocery shopping at Walmart, and went by Licano's to get carne asada burros for Darrel and I only to find out that Darrel won't be up here until tomorrow.  

A couple from our ward, Robert and Kambri Westbrook and their son Porter, were sealed in the temple today.  

Congratulations to the Westbrooks!

This evening I watched "Christmas with Mrs. Miracle."

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.