Monday, September 28, 2015

Quote by Sheri:

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often

come in multiple doses applied simultaneously.

When those trials are not consequences of your

disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels

you are prepared to grow more."

-Elder Richard G. Scott

My eye and the bump under my eye are more swollen and red than ever so I called Dr. Moffat's office.  The soonest he can see me is tomorrow at 5pm.  

James worked on taxes while I watched last week's "DWTS."

We also went to Stanford store to get a drink.  On the way back we stopped at the post office and parked next to Brooklyn and Arizona Carroll.  Arizona is 5 and yesterday in Primary she had lost her ticket.  The kids get a ticket at the beginning of sharing time and if they are reverent and still have it at the end of Primary they get a treat.  Arizona, or Zonie, had lost her ticket and I gave her a new one.  I sat behind her and knew she had been good the entire time.  Today when I saw her I reminded her that I had given her a ticket and she said: "Ok, now we are friends." 

Brooklyn, on the left is Zonie's sister, and

Sadie on the right is her aunt who just came home

from her mission in Mexico.

James and I went on an amazing Razr ride this afternoon.  James called up two different bull elk, one had several cows with him. He was so proud of himself!

Ready for action

I got a phone call from Vickie today.  She said she saw on Facebook on one of Stacy's posts that we had sold our house and she was calling to congratulate us.  I told her I had mixed emotions.  I was glad to be out from under the financial burden but emotionally it was hard for me to let go of.

We had squach from Kathy Crane's garden for dinner this evening.  James fixed it three different ways.  One batch was steamed, one mixed with V-8 juice , and the last was deep-fried.  It was all very good. 

We watched a Mystery Woman movie tonight starring Kellie Martin.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sheri's quote:
"So many of us make a great fuss of matters
of small consequence.  We are so easily offended.
Happy is the man/woman who can brush aside the 
offending remarks of another and go on his way."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

I love to see the temple

It was fast & testimony meeting today but we didn't know.  I don't remember hearing any announcements.  I also had heard that there would no longer be two fast meetings in one month.  Apparently I am confused with false information.

James was sustained today by Brother Thompson as a substitute Sunday School teacher.  Oops! Oh well.  He got the Sunday School teacher right.  

Braylin and Ashten from my class bore their testimonies and so did James. Virginia Chafin bore her testimony and was visibly limping.  When I ask Braylin why his grandma was limping he said she got her big toe cut off.  Hailey said she caught it on a step on a trailer and tore it and had to have surgery at the hospital.  She missed Primary today.

  Several people mentioned the Wallace's 50th wedding anniversary party last night.  Apparently I missed that announcement too.  James said he knew about it but he forgot to tell me.  

Our lesson in Primary today was on honesty.  We read the story from the scriptures of Barnabas, who was honest, and Ananias and Saphrias who were not honest and what happened to them.  Ashten, Jolee, Talena, Braylin, and Zemira attended class today.  This will be James's last time as my worthy assistant.  I am a little nervous about that.

There was no sharing time today, only song practice for the Primary program.  About three quarters of the way through Braylin leaned over and said to me: "This is the longest hour of my life.!"

James was set apart today after the block as a Sunday School teacher by John Wilhelm.  

I saw Shelly and Kelly outside after church.  They both saw a garter snake and ran to pick it up.  Shelly won.

 Shelly, the snake whisperer

I waited for James in the car while he and Rick Lauritzen visited with Virgil Cooper.  Virgil won't allow a home visit so they do their home teaching at the church.

Kathy Crane came over after church.  She had seen my pinion post on Facebook and wanted us to see her pinions.  She kept saying these are pine nuts, right.  They are so expensive in the stores and they are delicious on salads.

 James checking out another of

our pinion trees.  He says they are

better after the first freeze.

We had our Burger House burros for lunch and then took a nap.

After our nap we started a new book: "Sophia". 

Written by an LDS author

Our Hallmark movie for the day was "Book of Love" which we had seen before but since we liked it so much we watched again.

Tonight we watched a Blood Moon, which means the moon was about 9,000 miles closer to the earth than normal, and a Lunar Eclipse. James left our camera in Chandler so we couldn't get  a good picture.  This picture was taken by James's brother Dave using his spotting scope.

  Chandler, Arizona

 This is me

 Gilbert temple

 Eclipse: The earth's shadow on the moon

 Washington D.C.

 Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

 Arizona desert

 Over the ocean

 

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Sheri's quote:

I love the words of President Ezra Taft Benson

concerning prayer.  He said:

"All through my life the counsel to depend

on prayer has been prized above almost

any other advice I have received.

It has become an integral part of me ---

an anchor, a constant source of strength, 

and the basis of my knowledge of things divine. ...

Though reverses come, in prayer we can find

reassurance, for God will speak peace

to the soul.  That peace, that spirit of serenity, is life's

greatest blessing."

Payson, Utah temple

I went to bed with my right knee hurting, and it is still hurting this morning.  I was going to stay for the kids ballgames but decided it was just too hot and if I left this afternoon I might be too tired to drive, so I began packing up my car this morning.  Stacy was up and helped me pack the car.  Thanks Stacy.  

Just as I was leaving, James decides once again that he would rather come with me than drive the truck and trailer.  I help him finish sweeping leaves on the front sidewalks and then go to Sonic to get a drink while he puts in a GFI plug in Dallin's bathroom.  

We finally left around 11:30 am.  Goodbye Holly.

The princess is asleep.

Our first stop is Burger House.  We each got a burro to eat today and one for lunch tomorrow.  We sat outside on the patio of Burger House because of our new rule not to eat in my car.  It's a good thing we did because James's burro was extra messy.

Our next stop was the Walmart in Globe for Fix-a-Flat for the Razr, almond M&M's (James's idea), and a planning calendar for me. 

I read some more from "The Baron's Honourable Daughter", and then I took a nap - it's the best way to do Salt River Canyon.

Salt River

James says he was caught in the current under these 

falls when he was in high school and thought

he was going to drown.

It was a little warm when we arrived in Vernon but it cooled down rather quickly.  James discovered something exciting...we have pinions on our pinion trees.  They only produce about every 7 years and it's usually after a rainy year or two.

My tree

The pinions

I missed probably the best soccer game of the season.  They boys team won 14-2.  Rowan made five goals and Evan made one.  Joshua stopped some balls.  They all three had a great game!

 Go Revolution!

James fixed dinner while I watched and listened to the General Women's session of conference.

 A burger on a ciabatta bun

with a side of broccoli
Women's Session of General Conference.

1.  "Discovering the Divinity Within" - Rosemary M. Wixom

2.  "Worthy of Our Promised Blessings" - Linda S. Reeves

3.  "Here to Serve a Righteous Cause" - Carol F. McConkie

4.  "A Summer with Great-Aunt Rose" - Pres. Uchtdorf

Back in Chandler Stacy says she can't bear to tell these boys about us selling our house because they spend almost every waking moment together.

Two boys and a dog.

 

Friday, September 25, 2015

Sheri's quote:

In Doctrine & Covenants 58:3-4, the Lord tells us:
"Ye cannot behold with you natural eyes, for the present time,
the design of your God concerning those things which shall come 
hereafter and the glory which shall follow after much
tribulation.  For after much tribulation come the blessings.
Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory."

James went to Mesa this morning to get an electric hot water heater for the new owners.  On the way back he picked up Adam so he could go get a bed that his bishop ordered for him at D.I.  When Adam returned I ask if he got his bed and he said no that they only had the frame and springs but no mattress.  He has to check back next week.  I took Adam home so James wouldn't have to.  Afterwards I went to get gas and to pick up my prescription for Tramadol at Walmart.  I forgot to deposit a check so I used my phone to deposit it when I got home.

I bought some wings for James for lunch while I went to lunch with Kim.  James picked up Alex at school for me so Kim and I could leave earlier.  We went to Zupas.

Kim and I both had the chicken tortilla soup 

and the pineapple macadamian salad with chicken.

I loved the salad!  I loved the soup too but I've had it before.

Trina, Rowan and Lola came over this evening so I could give Lola her minion hat.  Addy and Ruby were cheering at the Mountain View-Chandler football game.  

  Chandler won 47-14.  

She even has on overalls, just like the real minions.

I love this little girl!

Love the shoes!

A good picture of Trina

Lola loves to try to do Stacy's puzzles

I ordered some pizza for everyone.  Lola didn't eat hers but Rowan, Evan, Joshua, and Michael all had some.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Sheri's quote:

"We may not know when or how

the Lord's answers will be given,

but in His time and His way,

I testify His answers will come."

-Elder Robert D. Hales

 I am obsessed with tiny houses. I want James

to build one on our property so we can use it

for a guest house for the kids.

James makes an early morning run to Home Depot.  While he is gone Joel rings the doorbell before 7am and I don't know who it is so I don't answer.  Luckily James came home shortly after.

Some good news for Stacy's family.  All of her three older boys have jobs right now.  Adam is working at Go Daddy, an internet company, Jared Ammon just got a job with Progressive Insurance, and Dallin is working at the new Kneader's on Alma School and Queen Creek. 

James put in GFI plugs in the kitchen and bathrooms and had Joel do one outside.  He and Joel put a railing for the top part of the stairs going to the basement.  He also got another estimate for the roof and for the termite treatment.  

He picked up lunch for us at Jersey Mike's.

 James had a turkey bacon and of course I had 

Mike's Special.

This afternoon we read from "The Baron's Honourable Daughter" and took a nap.  I paid bills and worked on my blog.  I was once 25 days behind and I am gradually catching up by doing two blog posts everyday.  James worked on taxes.  I am glad he hired Joel to come and help with the house, because getting the tax information done and in to our accountant, Rick Oliver, is critical.

Joshua had homework tonight.  He had to write an essay explaining to his dad why he didn't get his bedroom cleaned.  He said Michael made him do all of his chores, including alphabetizing the cereal.

While Joshua was writing his essay Evan wrote a four page

story based on Jurassic World.  He handwriting is so neat and although he was using unlined paper his lines were completely straight.

Amazing!

We went through the drive-thru at Del Taco for dinner.  I had two of the double stuffed tacos.  I think I like them better than Taco Bell's but I definitely like Taco Bell's sauce better.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

We left for Chandler at 6:37am.  Before we leave James fixes both of us toast and oatmeal for breakfast.  There is lots of mud on the road from all the rain we have had the last couple of days.  We always hate to leave Vernon.  

Sheri's quote:

President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "If we fully appreciated the many blessings which are ours through the redemption made for us, there is nothing that the Lord could ask of us that we would not anxiously and willingly do."

Weston Hall and his parents, Ron and Denice.

Weston checked in to the MTC in Provo today.

The journey has begun.  I know he will be a great missionary because he has a great attitude!

James and I stopped at Burger House in Miami.  He got a green chili mixed burro and I got a Tony's Special green breakfast burro.  Since we don't eat in the car we saved our burros to eat at the roadside stop in Superior.  It was a nice day for a picnic.

Since we had two breakfasts we skipped lunch and went to dinner at Oreganos.  James got a thin crust pizza with basil, onions and mushrooms, and I got my Vino Bambino salad.

Thin crust pizza is the best!

This is the small salad and I always have to take

half of it at home.  

I picked up Ben and a new boy in the ward, Daxton, from Hamilton High today.  Sheri had to work late because Nancy is off watching grandkids.  He son and his wife have a new baby.  Congratulations!

James and I also took Alex to Mutual.  Alex is on the right track and says he is going on a mission.  I am so proud of him and the choices he is making right now.

Stacy is pretty fragile right now.  She is struggling in several areas of her life and now she has to tell Paul she was "let go" at her job.  We talked for awhile, so she knows I do care.  We watched "SYTYCD" for awhile together.  Gabby is my favorite and she ends up winning the competition. 

In other news, Alex helps Joe move out and Seth says he doesn't believe in God.  Satan is running rampant right now.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Apostle Richard G. Scott passed away today.

He was 86 years old.

"Recognize the good in others,
not their stains."
-Richard G. Scott

James calls elk out on the porch every morning and every evening.

I think this group is onto him because they aren't responding.

James went with me today to visit two of the sisters on my visiting teaching beat.  These were the handouts I gave for the lesson on the divine attributes of Jesus Christ, power and glory.

The quote says:

"The Savior uses His Power to Redeem

and Empower us.  Our Faith in Him will increase as

we Remember that He is full of Power an Grace."

This quote is attached to a small Book of Mormon.  I told the sisters that I feel like I get power from reading about the Savior in the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon.

We left the house around 9am.  Our first visit was with Elida Pope.  The Pope's live further away from the ward building than any other family in the ward.  We met Elida at the second well on Stanford Rd.  It is 14 miles from the Stanford store to Elida's house, mostly all on dirt roads.  Her house is actually closer to Taylor than it is to Vernon, but there are no roads going into Taylor from where she lives.

 On the road to the Pope's

The Pope's home.  They have solar energy

and a generator and their own well.

I told Elida she was truly a pioneer.  She also home

schools her little boy Ethan.  She has three boys but

Eli and Edmund aren't in school yet.

I had a nice visit with Elida.  I was impressed with how soft-spoken she was with her kids.  She is a convert and she says her husband Eric introduced her to the gospel.  They served in the military together.  She just returned from a trip to her home state, Florida, for her great grandmother's funeral.  She said she was glad to get home and loves the peace and quiet which surrounds her at home.

After our visit with Elida we headed back to the well where we met her and turned to go to visit Hailey Chafin at the Chafin ranch.  

The Chafin's have no electricity.  They have solar power

and a generator and their own well.

Hailey had her baby Huntley Nicole with her.  Her baby has more hair than any baby I've ever seen and it is black and sticks straight up in the air.  Sorry I didn't get a picture.  

We figured we traveled about 60 miles round trip to visit with these two sisters.  I just hope I can make it when it snows.

After our visit with Hailey we headed into Show Low.  We wanted to have lunch at LaCasita but there was no place to park, so we went on down the road to Grumpy Jake's BBQ.  I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of cowboy beans.  It was all very tasty!  Kyle Thomas, a member of our ward when James was the bishop in Chandler, was in the booth right behind us.  He is a dentist and lives up here now.  

We drove on to the Lakeside Cemetery to check on the mums on my Mom's grave.

They are blooming because of all the rain.

James checking to see if the soil is wet.

On the way home we stopped at Walmart for a little shopping.  When we got home we took a nap and watched a Hallmark movie.

I also worked on my blog and did some cleaning.  James worked on income taxes.  When we went to bed, it started to rain.