Friday, November 14, 2014Book

"By example we can help our children understand that spending long periods of time using the internet, social media, and cell phones; playing video games; or watching television keeps us from productive activities and valuable interactions with others."
-Sister Mary N. Cook

I left for the valley around 2 o'clock this afternoon.  I went the Globe way as James has me convinced that it is faster.  Each time I go this way it seems a little less daunting.

 I picked up Evan and took him to get his scriptures at Deseret Book.  He picked the black set.  Why didn't I take a picture?  We also got a toe, a necktie and a colored pencil.  After they printed his name on his scriptures we went next door to Costco to get some dinner.  Evan got pepperoni pizza, a Sprite and a churro.  I got a hot dog and a BBQ beef sandwich to take home to James.

 Evan loves jokes and he told me several on the way home.  He says he wants a joke book for Christmas.  It was a fun date!

James did the plumbing on his tank and got an inspection today.  

Tomorrow is Evan's baptism and I am giving the talk on the Holy Ghost.  I have a pretty good idea of what I am going to say, but I need to organize my thoughts and write them down.

Nevada

Thursday, November 13, 2014

"The work to assist Jesus Christ in saving souls, is never too demanding."

-Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong

Jared sent me this text today about doing temple work.

"We went to the temple last night with our youth and had them and their families provide all the names.  We did over 500 baptisms and all were names provided by our ward.  It was pretty cool.  Our ward just called three youth as assistant ward family history consultants, and they are wizards at this.  Twice a month they have people bring their laptops to Sunday School and the youth are teaching the adults."

Today I spent at home by myself.  It was wonderful!  I made Kempton goulash for dinner for myself and Darrel although we didn't eat together since he didn't get home until 10:30 after I was in bed.

Kempton goulash

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Sweet Lola

"The sacrament becomes a spiritually strengthening experience when we listen to the sacrament prayers and recommit to our covenants." 

-Cheryl A. Esplin

We left the motel before daylight and missed the breakfast buffet.  Oh well.  I am fasting anyway because I have to go into Dr. Allen's and get my bloodwork done.

We finished our book "Courting Miss Lancaster."  We also discovered there is a gas station at Chiracio Summit between Coachella and Blythe.

Once we reached Chandler I said goodbye to James as he dropped me off at the house.  He took the tank to the job and I went to get bloodwork done at Dr. Allen's.  After I was finished I decided I wanted to take a treat to Trina's kids because they were all home from school sick.  I stopped at a Sonic on Baseline road but their credit card machine was down so I went to Fry's and bought popsicles, jello, and sherbert. The kids seemed grateful.  They didn't seem to sick either.

 Rowan doing his math homework.

Addy played some Christmas tunes on the guitar.

Rowan playing Christmas songs on the piano.

Ruby swinging Lola and

looking cute.

 I finally said goodbye and left for home. It was a gorgeous day.  I went the Globe way and it was actually quite pleasant because there was no traffic.  I stopped at Burger House in Miami and got three bean burros and one mixed burro, two beans for me and a bean ad a mixed for Darrel.  I got home around 4:30.  I needed some rest and relaxation so I sat down to watch "DWTS."  

I was at the church before seven.  Tonight is our YW/YM combined activity with the YM in charge and we are going to the aquatic center in Show Low.  It was a fun evening and after swimming Brother DeWitt had donuts and hot chocolate waiting for everyone outside.

Those who attended this activity:

LeeAnn and Kilee, although they didn't swim.  Maddie, Kelly, Hope, Heaven, Kyah, Holly and Ashten, Shelly, Trenda, Weston, Tyler, Jackson, Talon, Jace, Daniel (Trenda's friend), and Sister Hunaker, myself, Sister Curtis, Brother DeWitt, Brother McNeil, and Bishop Miller.  Oh yes, and Colton, Maddie's brother who rode in my car. 

 

 

 

 

-

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy 113th Birthday to my grandpa, Arlee Maxwell.  He looks too serious here, I always remember him with a smile on his face.

That's my grandma, Verdie Rea Robinson Maxwell with him.

Also, since today is veteran's day I want to thank all the veteran's out there and those now serving in the military who put their lives on the line to keep our country safe.  Thank You!

We left before 5am Arizona time pulling a twenty two foot trailer behind us.  As is my usual activity when James is driving I slept and read, outloud to James of course.  

We stopped in Ehrenberg on the Arizona/California border at the Love Gas Station.  While James got gas I went in and ordered breakfast from Wendy's: a bacon, egg biscuit for each of us and a diet coke for me.  

Bakersfield is 500 miles from Phoenix.  MapQuest took us there but once we got to Bakersfield it sent us on a wild goose chase.  We finally had to call the company we are getting the tank from, Containment Solutions,  for directions.  

 It's loaded!

 Making sure it is secure.

Now for the trip home.  We head south on the I-5 and then east on the 210 back to the 10.  We stop in Banning at the Sizzler for dinner.  It took us a few minutes to find a parking space big enough to park this rig!  

We ordered Malibu chicken to share and the salad bar.  I forgot how good their Malibu chicken is.  This was so much better than fast food!

 Yummy!

We were headed towards Blythe and realized we forgot to get gas so we turned around and headed back to Coachella.  James decided he was tired and we were going to spend the night in Coachella.  We stayed at the Quality Inn, room 120.  It was nothing fancy but the sheets were clean and comfy, I had a nice pillow and the air was cool.  I am looking forward to a shower in the morning!

Monday, November 10, 2014

I want my road to look like this.

"Decisions of character are made by remembering the right order of the first and second great commandments."

-Matthew 22:37-39

Elder Lynn G. Robins

We left at 5:30 this morning for the valley and I was ready on time!  We went the Globe way because James says it is faster, and I am beginning to agree with him.  I had my red neck pillow and our book so I slept and read most of the way.  Pinky pillow is leaking and must be tossed.  We stopped at the Circle K on Signal Butte in Apache Junction for a potty break and some snacks: a diet Dr. Pepper and a tuna sandwich to share with James.

I took James to Chandler and we unloaded the car and then I drove back to Power & Baseline for my appointment with Dr. Allen.  I have to come back fasting so they can take my bloodwork.  Hopefully I can do that this week before we go home.

Back to Chandler.  We have a lunch date with Sheri to go to Carolina's mexican food in Phoenix because we have heard how good it is.  When Sheri got off work she went straight to Urgent Care because she has an ear ache.  We waited because when we go with Sheri she does all the driving.  Here we are at Carolina's:

   It's definitely in the hood so it must be authentic.

 Waiting to place our order.

Sheri enjoying her lunch.

James doing what he does best...talking on the phone.

 I had a taco that was good but a little greasy.  I also had a bean burro that was delicious.  James liked his mixed green burro.  We also got some tortillas to take home but I didn't think they were any better than El Sol's in Chandler.

This evening I went to see the new Disney movie Big Hero Six with Darrel and Trina and all the kids.  Lola was great!  I got to sit by Ruby and Addy.

 Lola is ready for the movie.

James was going to come too but he had to go home and get the truck and trailer ready for our trip to Bakersfield, California tomorrow to pick up an underground storage tank for the Hatch job.

After the movie was over Darrel's family gave me a ride home.  The only sad thing was that Addy said she felt sick, otherwise it was a fun evening.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Unique view of the Gilbert temple.

"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

It was on this day 25 years ago that the Berlin wall came down.  I can still remember.  We lived in Chandler and Ray Heyman was our bishop.  It was a miraculous day!

Today was our fast and testimony meeting.  President Williams attended our ward and reminded us of the community fast coming up on November 16-22.  

James and I came home and broke our fast and then laid down to take a nap.  I slept an hour or so and then got up to make some pumpkin bread for John Wilhelm.  When I made a loaf for his family the kids didn't save him any so now he gets his own loaf.  James slept for 3 1/2 hours.  I guess he needed it.  

This evening we watched our Hallmark Christmas movie.  This one was called: "The Nine Lives of Christmas."  

 I love this picture!

Just a reminder to all the youth:

Saturday, November 8, 2014inet and the

This is a picture of the barn that we want to build.

"Trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ; keep His laws and commandments.  In other words - live the gospel joyful."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Every night I want the heater and the fan on.  I think I drive James a little crazy!  We are having an indian summer right now.  The high today was 65 degrees!

For breakfast we had potatoes, onions, peppers, eggs and ham.  Darrel joined us.  CVS's pharmacy doesn't open until 9am on Saturday.  

We finished our book, "Courting Miss Lancaster"  and will soon be starting "Friend or Foe."  We are addicted!

James spent the day working on fixing my doll cabinet and the hole he made in the wall when he fell off the ladder last year.  

 Garage workshop will someday be replaced

by a workshop in our big barn.

I got a little nervous when he starts climbing up a ladder.

I was glad when he was finished and back on the ground!

While James was doing his remodeling project I was working on my self-reliance lesson for Young Women's tomorrow and blogging.

We started our fast this afternoon for Fast Sunday and then this evening we watched "Hats Off to Christmas" starring Haylie Duff.