Friday, October 30, 2015

No pinion picking today,

we are headed to the valley!

Sheri's thoughtful text:

"Casual prayer won't be enough  Reading a few verses of scripture won't be enough.  Doing the minimum of what the Lord asks us won't be enough.  Hoping that we will have the Atonement work in our llives and that we will perhaps sometimes feel the influence of the Holy Ghost won't be enough.  Only a steady ever-increasing effort will allow the Lord to take us to higher ground."

-Pres. Henry B. Eyring

We wanted to leave for the valley by 7am.  It was a little after 7 when we left the first time.  We went back for the book "Rough Stone Rolling", and to turn the water off.  We are off again.  Two miles down the road we have to go back for checks.  Finally we are on our way with no turnarounds!

On the way to Show Low we listen to our scriptures from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.  We stop in Show Low at Burger King for a potty break and some breakfast.  Back on the road we listen to Cleon Skousen's talk from 1980 on The Atonement.  It is so good!  Sheri recommended it.

 Sheri posted this on Facebook

 As we arrive in the valley we get off on Power Rd. to pick up thyroid pills at Dr. Allen's.  On to Chandler where I drop James off at the job and then I go to the mall for a snack.  I got James a brownie at Barnes and Noble and then I get a cinnamon sugar pretzel at Wetzel Pretzel.  James calls for me to pick him up.

We drive from the jobsite to Security Title to pick up our check from the sale of the house.  Immediately we drive to the bank and deposit it. 

James drops me off at Sheri's where I wait for her and Kim.  We are going for a late lunch.  Sheri decides she can't go to lunch so she leaves to do errands.  It's about 2:30 when Kim picks me up.  We go to Zupa's for lunch.  We both feel so much better after we eat!

Kim drops me off at the Springhill Marriott which is just across the street from Zupa's and the mall.  James has already checked in to room 113.  

James and I both take a nap until a little before five when we start getting ready to pick up Evan and Joshua for the Trunk or Treat in Rowan's ward.

Trina's brother Westley and his wife Lacy and their three little girls went to the Trunk of Treat too.  

Evan's costume was the most fun to put on.  

Baemax strikes again!

I loved Addy's costume.  She wanted to be the Queen of Hearts so Trina told her to look on Pinterest for costume ideas.  Trina came up with this:

The cutest Queen of Hearts

I've ever seen!

 Ruby as Cinderella in the Halloween

Parade at her school.

Rowan as a storm trooper and

Joshua as Master Chief.

 Tinkerbell was afraid her mom

was going to leave her I think.

This was by far the best Trunk or Treat any of us had ever been to.

I think Trina and Darrel belong to the Emerald Bay ward in Gilbert.

They had a bounce house, an inflatable slide, popcorn, and cotton candy, as well as hot chocolate, chili, cornbread and hotdogs.

They had carnival games with cookies and cupcakes for prizes.  After the carnival aspect of the night, the kids got to go around Trunk or Treating.  Here are some pictures:

Lola, Gpa, and Joshua

The cutest couple at the 

Trunk or Treat!

Lola's dinner was a bun,

eaten on the run.

 Lola loves grandpa and he loves her!

Lola making a getaway.

The dance floor was a big hit.

They even had a limbo contest.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

55 Bald Eagles.

Not sure where this picture was taken.  James says the ones that don't have white heads and the young ones.

We had rain this morning here in Vernon.  It went from unseasonably warm to cold in two days.  

I made pumpkin bread to take to the sisters I visit teach.

I made another one for Jean Howard.

These are for Elida Pope and Hailey Chafin.

We took the truck and James drove me to the Chafin's where we shared the message about attributes of the Savior, love and charity, with Hailey and her baby Huntley.  

I tried to call Elida Pope but she never answered.  We decided to drive out anyway and leave the bread.  Thank goodness for James and his truck, I would have never found my way and we had to use four wheel drive a couple of times because of the mud.  

Later I got a thank you text from Elida saying they were planning on having the bread tonight with their hot chocolate.
On our way home we stopped at Stanford Store and picked up a couple of sandwiches. 

I did something exciting today, I paid our tithing online!  How convenient. 

We watched a Hallmark movie we had seen before called, "Three Weeks, Three Kids."  It had a good message and we enjoyed it just as much as we did the first time we saw it.

Kim had a pumpkin carving event at her house this evening.  This is something we always did with our kids and I am glad to see she is carrying on the tradition.

Michael, Cash and Carter Pace, Joe, Adam, and Alex.

Michael and his Bum pumpkin.

I got a text from Stacy tonight that made me really sad.  It went like this:

"Joshua is so distraught.  He has been crying for 45 minutes about the house.  He is so upset about his grandpa selling it.  I have explained but he just keeps saying he shouldn't have sold it and his whole life was there and grandpa built it.  I have tried everything.  Paul is talking to him now.  

Still crying.  I just don't now what to do.  He says he hates this house and he is mad at us for not buying grandpas house.  I try to explain but it doesn't matter.  Mom, he is just heartbroken.  He is lonely and misses the neighborhood.  Nothing I say seems to work."

This broke my heart.  I hope we can talk to him and help him to feel better when we come down.

  

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

I'm still trying to learn this.

Since I took the day off yesterday I had lots to do today.  I started out by cancelling our accounts at SRP, Southwest Gas, and the City of Chandler.  I updated both the business and the personal checking accounts and paid bills.  I also unloaded five boxes from the garage. 

 For lunch we had leftover chili with chips and Kathy Crane's homemade green salsa.

This afternoon I worked on my blog.  I just can't seem to catchup.

James started putting together the shelves he got from the storage shed in Chandler.  He is putting our gallon jars from the cannery on them.

It almost looks like a store.

For dinner I shredded the roasted chicken I bought at Walmart yesterday and made chicken tacos for dinner.  I also cooked some cauliflower as a side dish which made James happy.

In Chandler Joshua attended his last pack meeting in the Galveston 3rd ward with his friend and cousin Evan.

 Love these boys!

I wish Rowan was here too.

Joshua in character.

James's niece Christina Tibbetts Hoose had a baby boy just before midnight.  She was induced early and if she had waited a week longer the baby would have died, according to her doctor. I am not sure what was wrong, but here is a picture of Ander Orion Hoose.

He is adorable!

His sister Eden is adorable dressed as a bunny

for Halloween.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Canada in the Fall

Sheri's Thought:

I listened to a talk by L. Tom Perry where he powerfully spoke about obedience.  He admonished, "Disobedience to the Lord's commandments will always deprive us of His blessings.  The world changes constantly and dramatically, but God, His commandments, and promised blessings do not change.  They are immutable and unchanging.  Men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness come from obedience to His laws.  As Alma counseled his errant son Corianton, "Wickedness never was happiness." (Alma 41:10)

 I slept in this morning.  It was difficult to get out of bed because my feet hurt.  I took some Tramadol and settled into my place on the couch to watch last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars."

As I was getting ready for our lunch date with Dennis, Denise, Harold, and Vickie, my visiting teaching companion, Lorraine Tieman called and said she had appointments for today starting at 11 am.  I reminded her that I couldn't go this morning so she said she would try to change them to Thursday.  She can't go tomorrow.  

We met my brothers and their wives at Persnikkity's around 11 am.  We so enjoyed our lunch and visit with them. James said his Philly cheesesteak was the best he's ever had! I am so frustrated that I didn't take a picture!  James brought the big picture of my dad roping a calf with Mr. Yellowhair, painted by Yellowhair.  James wanted to give it to Harold or Dennis.  Dennis ended up taking it.  He thought Kyle might like it or he would find a place for it in his house.  We said our goodbye's and headed for home.  I saw Gail Butler as we were leaving and she gave me a hug.  She is someone I knew in high school and is married to Gary Butler.  She is also Chris Butler's mother.  Chris is married to Janny St. Onge.
While we were in town we went to the bank and then to Walmart to pick up a few groceries.

Back at home James works on his lesson while I watch more TV and rest.  It is a gorgeous day, with the high around 72.  
I got a text this afternoon from our realtor, Jen MacLay.  The house closed today, a day early!  It really is happening.  I am happy and a little sad at the same time.

I really needed this relaxing down day!
A Hallmark movie this evening with James.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Vermont in the Fall

Sheri's Thought for the Day:

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection.  Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death."

-Leonardo da Vinci

At 4:30 am. we left for Chandler.  We arrived at the house at 7:36 am.  Louise, the house cleaner, and her son were already there.  Stacy drove up and then Maggie Hirt from the ward who could only stay 45 minutes.  We had her wipe down the shelves and walls in the master bedroom closet.  Soon after Maggie arrived Lynette Braddock, Donna, and Katy from the Galveston 3rd ward arrived.  Later Rochelle James and Christy Wanlass came.  Thank goodness for the Relief Society sisters.  They saved the day.  Lynette Braddock took a lunch break but basically she stayed all day.  

I worked most of the day in the kitchen.  I cleaned the refrigerator out, cleaned the pantry, and helped Stacy clean out the rest of the cupboards.  She kept saying: "Mom, we're not going to make it.  I think you need to call and change the walk-thru until tomorrow.  I told her I wasn't going to do that, and we would make it!  My feet hurt though.

James and Alex worked in Dallin's room painting and cleaning up.  James had a good visit with Alex. 

At 3:30 James and I met Jen at Security Title to sign all of the papers.  Jennifer Glavan, the buyer, had already been there.  While I was gone Kim came and swept the wood floors and dusted the fireplace.  Stacy vacuumed the family room floor.  Kim also helped me take a load of stuff to Central Self Storage.  The house is empty and completely clean for the walk-thru at 5pm.  We made it!

James took Zack around and showed him all of the potential problems.  We don't want them to have any surprises.  I sat in the family room with Jen and Jennifer.  Jennifer didn't sit, she kept walking around looking in cupboards and smiling.  You can tell how happy she is with the house.  She wrote me a check for $1,200 for the dining room furniture and for the rest of the roofing bill.

Orion, their 11 year old son, kept running up and down the steps and around the pit.  Jen also gave me a check for $632 for the new hot water heater.  

After they had left we took the rest of our stuff outside to Central Self Storage and drove back to Vernon.  It was 11:30 when we got home.

Facebook finds:

  A little boy from Idaho sent Ben Carson a picture of

Flat Stanley.  Both Joshua and Evan had to send Flat Stanly somewhere in the world.  They both sent him to England.  Evan to his Uncle Michael's family, and Joshua to his Aunt Tara.

How many times have I felt this way?!

 

 

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Today we had our 

Children's Sacrament Meeting Program

It went something like this:

Theme:  I Know My Savior Live - Introduction by Becky Skousen

Song: I Know my Savior Loves Me

Sunbeam class comes to the pulpit

Lannie: We believe in God the Eternal Father and in his Son Jesus Christ.

* Catherine: God is the father of my spirit.

* Eli: Jesus Christ is the son of God.

* Traven: Heavenly Father Loves me.

* Khole: Jesus Christ loves me

* Johnnie: I love Jesus and Heavenly Father

Sister Westbrook's class comes to the pulpit with Braylin Chafin

Lannie: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He is a God of Miracles

* Colter: 2 Nephi 27:23 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

*Taylor: Jesus can heal the sick.

* Curtis: Tells his story of being healed of leukemia

* Braylin: Tell a story about a miracle in your life.

* Jace: Miracles come to those who have faith.

Song: When Faith Endures

Sister Berry's class comes to the pulpit

Lannie: Jesus Christ is My Savior and Redeemer

*Andyn: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

*Arizona: Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

*Ethan: Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved.

*Ruthie: Jesus died so that I can live with my Heavenly Father again.

*Stratton: Jesus Christ was resurrected, and I will be too.

Song: He Sent His Son

Sister Lambson's class comes to the pulpit

Lannie: God speaks through Prophets

* Ashten: Prophets are called of God.  In Luke 1:70 it says: "He spake by the mouth of the holy prophets, which have been since the world began.

* Zemira: Prophets testify of Jesus Christ.

* Talena: nephi testified of Jesus Christ in 2 Nephi 25:13 "Behold they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God.  Wherefore my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name."

* Joely: There is safety in following the prophet.

* Kacey: Adam and Enoch were prophets that listened to Heavenly Father.

Song: Follow the Prophet

Sister Hall's class comes to the pulpit

Lannie: Jesus Christ restored the fullness of the gospel through Joseph Smith.

* Haley: Article of Faith 6 - We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely, apostles, prophets pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

* Macy: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.  Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.

* Tana: The fullness of the gospel has been restored and is on the earth today.

Song: The Church of Jesus Christ

Sister Berry's class comes to the pulpit.

Lannie: Principles and ordinances of the gospel led me to Jesus Christ.

* Arizona: My faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened when I obey.

* Andyn: I can repent when I make a mistake or hurt someone.

* Ethan: When I am baptized I will make a covenant with God.

* Ruthie: When I am baptized Heavenly Father will covenant that I can always have His spirit to be with me.

* Stratton: When I am confirmed I will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Song: 4th Article of Faith

Sister Sadie Westbrook's class comes to the pulpit.

Lannie: The Holy Ghost testifies the truth of all things

* Taylor: The Holy Ghost is the thrid member of the Godhead.

* Colter: The Holy Ghost speaks in a still small voice.

* Jace: The Holy Ghost can guide and protect us.

* Curtis: By the power of the Holy Ghost we can know the truth of all things.

Song: The Holy Ghost

Sister Lambson's class comes to the pulpit.

Lannie: I can Follow Jesus Christ's example.

* Braylin: Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father.

* Ashten: jesus Christ told His Father "not my will but thine be done."

* Talena: Jesus Christ went about doing good.

* Joely: Jesus Christ's example teaches me how to live.

* Zemira: I obey Jesus Christ because I love him.

* Kacey: Jesus Christ said "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

*Joely: The mission of the church is to invite all to come unto Christ.  We invite all of you to come unto Christ.

Song: Come Follow Me vs. 1

Closing Remarks: Bishop Miller

Closing Song: Come Follow Me - 2nd thre 4th verses congregation

After the program I still had to teach Primary and we still had sharing time and singing time.  The children we exhausted and so were the leaders.  Those attending my class today:
Ashten, Joely, Kacey, Zemira, Talena, and Braylin.  Our lesson was about the Godhead.

James went home teaching today with Rick Lauritzen.  James visited Kip Hunsaker's family by himself and then he and Rick went to see the Scott's.

We watched a Hallmark movie this evening and then went to bed.

 

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Sheri's Though for the Day:

"I woke up with a troubled heart and mind.  On my morning run I listened to a conference talk by Pres. Uchtdorf.  In it he talks about letting light in our life.  He explains, 

"Spiritual light rarely comes to those who merely sit in darkness waiting for someone to flip a switch.  It takes an act of faith to open our eyes to the Light of Christ.  Spiritual light cannot be discerned by carnal eyes.  Jesus Christ Himself taught, 'I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.' For 'the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.'"

James left for the cabin this morning with a trailer full of furniture.  Dennis and Harold met James at the cabin and helped him unload the furniture.  James gave them each a burro from Burger House.  

I left for Vernon a short time after James.  I saw Harold and Dennis just as I was turning into Vernon from Highway 60.  They didn't see me.  

James unloaded boxes on the front porch so when I got home I moved them to the garage.  I have our TV in my car.  James unloaded it and it sits on the stand in the entryway until we can get it upstairs.  

After getting both cars unloaded we sat down to watch a movie.  We watched "Moondance Alexander" about a young girl and a horse she comes to love.  It was a good one.

Back in Chandler Evan, Rowan, and Joshua attended Galveston 3rd ward Trunk or Treat.  The zipper in Evan's Baemax costume broke so he had to wear his costume from last year.

 

Master Chief putting on his gear.

 I had to post this sweet picture of Alex and Michael

taken a few years back.  These two will graduate from

high school this year.