Friday, July 10, 2015

Monte's family getting ready to leave for a track & field

event in El Paso.

 

Today I read Elder Russell M. Nelson's conference address on The Sabbath.  In this great talk he reminds us that the Promised Land shall always be a blessing unto the righteous.  Something to remember in these times of trial and confusion.  He also said that true believers keep the Sabbath day holy.

 

An interesting quote was found on the wall of a restaurant in the South: 

"When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the end of any nation."

 

Is this happening in the United States today?  I am afraid we are headed in that direction.

 

I read the following in the book "Jesus the Christ" and was touched by the message:

"In Gennesaret in the towns through which the Savior walked, the sick were laid in the streets that the blessing of His passing might fall upon them; and many besought Him that they might touch if it were the borders of His garment; and as many as touched Him were made whole. 

 Bounteously did He impart of His healing virtue to all who came asking with faith and confidence. Thus, accompanied by the Twelve, He wended His way northerly to Capernum, making the pathway bright by the plentitude of His mercies." (p.338)

I love this!

Happenings of the day:

Jared's divorce is final and he is in bed with pneumonia.  While he was here he had a bad cough and didn't get much sleep which I am sure contributed to his illness.  I am praying that he gets well soon!

 

James poured 17 trucks of concrete this week in four days.  We only need one job like this a month to survive and maybe even get ahead once we sell our house.

 

Sheri and Kim's families, along with Michael, are at the cabin.  The news of the day is that the killed a rattlesnake out by the Ranger.  Sorry, there were no pictures.

Also, Evan beat Sheri in the Match game.



" You're still in it."

 

It was after 3pm when James, Joshua, and I left for the cabin in the truck with the truck so loaded down with boxes that Joshua had to sit in the front seat.  Since Burger House is closed for cleaning we stopped at Irene's in Globe.  I had the green chili mixed burro which was quite delicious.

I thought it was comparable to Burger House's mixed burro

but James insists that Burger House's is better.

 

We stopped at the Safeway in Show Low so I could get the stuff we need to make steak, gravy, and biscuits in the morning.  It was after 8 when we finally arrived at the cabin.  They have had lots of rain!

 

James and I watched a two hour episode of "When Calls the Heart."  Joshua and Evan made a bed on our bedroom floor.  They were so happy to see each other.

 

The Camerons, Merilee, Chris, and Mason came in tonight and crashed on our couches.  They had been mountain biking at Sunrise and needed a place to stay.

 







 



 



Thursday, July 9, 2015

Golf cart path at Desert Highlands

James finished this job today.

Along with reading from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, I have also been listening to two conference talks a day. 

 

Joel was here at 6:30 to finish painting downstairs  Michael was displaced to the couch in the family room. 

Around 7:30 Ben came down and mowed the lawn while Max helped me load up boxes and take them to Central Self-Storage.  When we returned he helped me downstairs and so did Ben.  We cleaned the craft room an when Joel was finished painting Michael came down and I helped him clean his room.  The basement looks good except for paint spots on the carpet, and an old TV which needs to be removed. 

 

Our realtor, Jen Maclay, came over for a walk through this afternoon.  The meeting went quite well with some suggestions from her.  We need to power wash all of the porches, sidewalks, and driveway as well as the back patio.  She also thinks it would be a good idea to remove the popcorn ceiling and old wallpaper in the master bedroom.  I told her that would probably take us a week or so.  She said she would check back next Thursday.

 

This afternoon I went shopping at Costco for "the" chocolate cake for Stacy.  She wants it for Jared Ammon's birthday.  I also went to Walmart and got some Krud Kutter to help remove the wallpaper in the master bedroom.  I brought back some brisket sandwiches from Costco for our dinner.  We decided we didn't really like them that much. 

 

James and I started our new book "Secret of Pembrooke Park." 

I also started removing the wallpaper in the bedroom.  It is going to take awhile.





Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Happy 23rd Birthday Jared!

Have a great day!



 I couldn't sleep this morning so I got up at 3 a.m.  By 5:23 I was super tired so I went back to bed until 7 when Joel rang the door bell.  Of course James was gone to his job at Desert Highlands Golf Course so I answered the door.  Joel was here to paint.  I am so grateful he has been here to help us with the house.

I worked outside cleaning the front entry.  The porches, sidewalks, etc., need to be power sprayed but our power sprayer is broken.  

 

I talked with Mary today about how we can help Adam find a place to live and a steady job.  I thought maybe Adam could stay with her for awhile but Nicole is in the hospital because of her pregnancy and Mary and Marvin have her kids.  She is going to hire him to help her at work with her computer.

 

I let Dallin use my car to go help a friend who was in an accident.  He was gone for a couple of hours.  Dallin and his group "Harrison Fjiord", have a new single out called "People We Meet."  Dallin wrote the words and is the lead vocalist.  I love it!  He has a great voice and a real talent for writing.

 

James and I finished "The Girl in the Gatehouse" today.  The book was about regret, repentance, forgiveness and love all set within a regency romance novel.  All things turn out as they should.  My kind of fictional reading.  

Another novel by Julie Klassen



  

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Bobby and Darlene Noel

They were just called to serve their fourth mission.

Bobby is going to be the chaplain at BYU-Hawaii.

What a great example they are!

 

I just listened to Elder Hales' conference talk.  He makes the point that our religious freedom depends upon our use of the gift of agency.  It was such a good talk and very timely considering all that is going on in our country right now. 

 

In reading Hermana (Dahlia) Dowdle's email from her mission in Chicago she makes this statement: "Everyone should serve a mission!"

 

Ben and Max came down to work this morning.  We worked outside sweeping and cleaning the front porch and then they came inside and helped me pack some boxes.  We cleaned things out under the TV and the dry sink.  Ben packed up all the books and DVD's stored on the fireplace shelves.  Ben went home and Max stayed and helped Michael clean the closet under the basement stairs.  We found a 1st Edition unopened Heman action figure belonging to Darrel.  Adam looked it up on the internet and determined it was worth about $50.

 

I had a short visit with Adam again before work.  He helped me delete some items from my phone so I could take more pictures.

 

James and his crew, including Seth, poured 40 yards of concrete at Desert Highlands.

 

Joel repainted the hall and entryway.  It looks so much nicer!  He is such a good painter.  I am so grateful for his help and I know that James is too.

 

After lunch and a nap I set out to do some errands.  I rented a storage unit at Central Self-Storage, then went to the bank and Walmart. 

 

Later for dinner James and I went to Serranos.  We love their chips, salsa and bean dip.  Also I have been craving a chili relleno.  It did not disappoint.

 

Stacy's friend Elska has decided not to buy our house.  We were hoping she would but I can't say that I am surprised that she decided against it. 

 

I went to bed very stiff and sore.  To relax, we listened to the conference address by Elder Kevin W. Pearson entitled "Stay By the Tree."  It is one of my favorite talks.



Monday, July 6, 2015

Oakland, California temple

 

James started his job at Desert Highlands today.  Somehow he pulls workers out of the air and makes things happen.  He is really quite amazing.  He also got Seth to work on the golf course with him.

Seth brooming concrete

Jared's girls love bagels and cream cheese.  I think that's what they have had for breakfast everyday that they have been here. 

 

Jared wanted to spend some time with his kids before he had to head for home.  They are going home with Tricia.  He dropped Anna and James off at a movie while he took Emmy and Molly to the Main Event in Tempe.  I took this picture before they all left.

I love this family!

James loves music, Emmy loves sports and learning.

Anna is more quiet but is quite the artist!

Molly loves to write and play the match game.  When I played her

she beat me 21-10.

I can't wait to see them again at the end of July when they are coming to the cabin for a visit.

 

Ben came down to work this morning and I helped him clean around the BBQ grill outside.  Evan came down to visit with both me and Joshua.  If Joshua is still in the bedroom he comes in and talks to me.

 

I had Cathi's cleaning ladies, Heather and Louise clean today for three hours.  They did a great job and charged me $80.  I paid them $100 because I liked them so well. 

 

I finally finished cleaning the entryway closet.

A little organization can certainly boost morale.

Since Adam is staying here for awhile I got to visit with him today before he left for work.  He ordered a sandwich from Jimmie Johns and they delivered it.  Nice to know.  He left for work around 12:15 when his boss came and picked him up.  He is teaching a group of children about theater at the Tuscany Theater. 

 

James and I sat down to dinner tonight while Paul, Stacy, Michael, Jared Ammon and Joshua played Scattergories as part of their FHE.

 

Joshua and Jared were partners.  Joshua says Jared is his favorite brother.

 

I read to James from "Girl in the Gatehouse."  It is our entertainment and escape.  We were in bed by 9 as James has to get up at 4.

 

 

 













Sunday, July 5, 2015

Words of Wisdom from an

Apostle of the Lord.

 

It seems funny not to be preparing a Primary lesson.  James and I read scriptures and had family prayer together.  I also studied from the New Testament student manual and played a rhyming game and did a Dora puzzle with Molly and then she fell back asleep before church.  Emmy showed me her favorite computer game.  I also tried to play "catchup" with my Sunday journal. 

 

Adam rode with us to church and told us about J.R. Gale's divorce and how his ex-wife has left the Church.  He is trying to get custody of his little boy.  So sad.  His temple marriage only lasted three years.

 

This will be our last Sunday as members of the Galveston 3rd ward.  James, Sheri, and I all bore our testimonies in fast and testimony meeting, and James and I said our goodbyes.  After James's testimony little Brooklyn Leib came down and gave us both hugs and sat on James's lap for awhile.  I love this little girl and told her mom I would love to take her with me.  We certainly are going to miss all of the kids in our Primary class.

Brooklyn is the sweet little blonde on the far left.

Taylor, Ryder, Broolyn, Malachi, Liam,

Isaiah, Shade, and Callie.

These kids love Brother Lambson!

 

After sacrament meeting our family gathered in the family history room because it is bigger than he bishop's office for Max's ordination to the office of a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. 

James was voice for the ordination and the following were in the circle: Bishop Lewis, Paul, Brian, Ian, Michael, Darrel, and Jared. 

The Trezise Family

In Sunday School Brother Jeppsen gave a lesson on the Atonement.  During the course of the lesson Brother Jeppsen recited the words to "I Stand All Amazed".  James leaned over and told me his feelings about "I Stand All Amazed" the first time he heard it as a youth.  He said it affected him so that he went home and memorized the words because of how it made him feel.

In Relief Society Lynette Braddock gave a lesson on the importance of love in missionary work.  I sat by Gerry Price and had a nice visit with her and was able to say goodbye.  The bishop came in  and read a letter from the First Presidency regarding the gay marriage decision. 

 

When we got home from church we broke our fast and Michael cooked some of the leftover burgers Darrel and Trina left for lunch.  Michael, Adam, Jared, James, James Hayden, and Anna all had a burger.  Molly and Emmy went home with Trina and Darrel after Max's ordination. 

 

Jared and Paul and Michael watched the women's soccer team play against Japan for the World Cup.  I was cleaning the kitchen and I watched too.  It was an amazing game with the USA winning 5-2.  Our first World Cup in sixteen years.

 

 

 

 



Saturday, July 4, 2015

Happy First Birthday to

Miss Lola!

Happy Birthday America!

 

James and I started the Book of Mormon again for the third time this year.  We also are continuing our reading of the New Testament.  We read about Cornelius becoming the first Gentile convert and how he fasted for four days to know the Lord's will for him.

 

James and I went to Brooksie's this afternoon to get propane for our BBQ this evening.  I also went shopping at Walmart for stuff for potato salad, and peach cobbler.  I spent the rest of the day boiling and chopping ingredients for potato salad.  The peach cobbler only had three ingredients so it didn't take long to fix.

 

Jared and his kids got home from their trip to California.  It seems that everyone had a good time but Jared looks exhausted!

 

The day started out mild and overcast but it heated up in the afternoon.  There is lots of rain at the cabin and in the Show Low area right now. 

 

James has worked so hard on the house.  I hope he can take some time today to relax.  Lola's party started around 6pm with a BBQ provided by Darrel and Trina, and the kids swimming. 

The following people attended Lola's party: Bob and Suzy Case, their daughter Tristan and her baby Rhia.  Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Jared, James, Anna, Emmy, Molly, Kim, Brian, Joe, Chelsea Pace and her boys Cash and Carter, Stacy, Paul, Jared Ammon and Joshua.  Adam moved in today but he wasn't here for the party as he had another party to go to as did Michael.  I suppose this will be our last family gathering in this house which makes it memorable and a little nostalgic. 

 

Steroids and narcotics are keeping me going right now. 

 

At 9:00 we outside in the street and watched the fireworks set off at Tumble Weed Park.

Stacy getting some help from Molly and Emmy with her puzzle.

Birthday girl Lola

 

 



 

Lola and her fan club

 

A picture is worth 1,000 words!