Monday, November 17, 2014

"The Everlasting and Almighty God, the Creator of this vast universe, will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent.  He will speak to them in dreams, visions, thoughts, and feelings.  He will speak in a way that is unmistakable and that transcends human experience.  He will give them divine direction and answers for their personal lives."

The sunrise today was at 6:52 and the sunset at 5:13.  It was ten degrees this morning, but the sun was shining.

Chandler is the #1 school district in the state of Arizona.  Way to go Chandler!

James wanted to go to town to get the fireplace insert we bought but his truck wouldn't start and it won't fit in the car.  

We took the car to town and had lunch at Sonic.  We also went to Chase bank and donated $40 for the community fast.  

James is struggling to know what to do about his truck.  We read from "Friend or Foe" and watched a Christmas movie, "Angels and Ornaments", which we loved.  It was one of our favorites so far!

We made an important decision today.  We decided that in January we are moving back to Chandler to work on the house to get it ready to sell.  Our goal is to be back up here within six months.  We will probably have our membership moved down there so we can have callings while we are there.

 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Phoenix, Arizona temple

"There is sometimes a wide difference - a gulf of understanding between the way we experience the Church from the inside and the way others look at it from the outside.  This is the principal reason we hold open houses for temples before each dedication is taken care of.  The member volunteers at the temple open houses are simply trying to help others see the Church as they see it from the inside.  They recognize the Church is a marvelous work, even a wonder, and they want others to know it too.  I ask you to do the same."

-Elder L. Tom Perry

We had lots of rain and wind last night and some snow this morning.  I had to bring the chairs in off the front porch because they were wet and the wind had turned one of them over.  The low this morning was 22 and the high today is expected to be 36.

 Pictures I took before church.

On the way home from church.

Snow on Mt. Mentosa

James was at the church all day long, for all three sessions of the dedication.  He took the burros we bought yesterday, and the giant apples and brownies that I made and punch that he made and shared with Brother McArthur, President VanWinkle, and Bishop Miller.  President VanWinkle is from Globe and especially enjoyed the burros.

I was home alone.  I worked on my Book of Mormon notes, had lunch and took a note, and made visiting teaching appointments.  I also watched a Christmas movie I had seen before, but it's one of my favorites: "Finding Christmas."

James was home around 5:30.  He ate and then left again to go home teaching to the Wilhelm's.  We he got home we watched a new Christmas movie starring Harry Connick, Jr. called "Angels Sing."

 

Saturday, November 15, 2014

 

"Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.  The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment.  When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance.  Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined."

-Elder Quentin L. Cook

Alex went with his ward to do baptisms for the dead this morning t 5:30 a.m.  I was very proud of him!

I worked on my talk this morning while James went to work at the airport. He buried the 1500 gallon tank today!

 I took a break and went through Krispy Kreme drive thru for breakfast.  

I went to Evan's last soccer game with Evan and Sheri.  Ian was with Max at his last two football games.  He won the first and lost the last and so his team was eliminated from the playoffs.  Max had a great season though.

Evan plays on the DC United team

 Evan and his friend from the ward

After the game I went shopping at Fry's and bought 30 lbs of butter for $1.99 a lb.  20 lbs were for Stefani Hunsaker and the other 10 for me.  I also bought five cheesecakes at Sam's Club for our Young Women in Excellence next week.  I went home and took a short nap and then got ready to go to Evan's baptism.

  So proud of these three boys for being baptized this year!

Evan was baptized by his dad and confirmed by his grandpa James.  Uncle Darrel and Uncle Paul were the witnesses.  Evan seemed so happy.  Sister Paula Casto, the Primary president gave the talk on baptism and I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Evan listened and acted very interested.  He is such a sweet boy!

Random pictures taken at the baptism:

Mattea and Ruby

Not taken at the baptism but I had to include it!

James and I left for home around 6pm.  I bought gas at Sam's Club for $2.85 after paying $3.35 yesterday in Show Low.  I stopped at Burger House and got 8 burros.  We bought extra for those priesthood holders serving at the temple dedication at the Vernon building tomorrow.  I also stopped at Fry's and got some huge apples.  We were home a little after 9.  We unpacked and went to bed.

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

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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!