Saturday, March 19th, 2016

I love this picture of Aaron and Kari's family.

Beckham, Anna, Samantha and Katie.

Even though this is the second marriage for both Aaron and Kari, they seem like they were made for each other!

James got up and fixed a big breakfast for Seth, Adam and Alex. 

Afterwards they all, except Adam, went into town to get some lumber they needed.  When they returned and actually started working, James realized the lumber was 2 feet too short.  Here he is directing his crew.

 Making the discovery about the boards

Instead of getting six hours of work as he had planned, Adam only got 3.5., Seth 4, and Alex 5.  

Brian enjoyed watching part of "March Madness", the college basketball tournament.  He seemed quite happy that Uof A was already eliminated.

Kim worked on her new cupcake puzzle.  

 I love this puzzle!

I am including this picture of Halstatt, Austria because as I was visiting with Kim she said this is one of the places in the world that she wants to visit.

 Gorgeous!

As I was leaving to go into town to get some groceries to help feed the guys, Kim and Brian left on the Razr.  Their plan was to make the Christmas Tree Trail circle but they said when they got to the trail, there was too much snow, so they turned around and came back the same way they had come.

As soon as I returned from town the guys, Adam, Alex, and Seth were leaving on the Razr.  They went to the pit and the swing.  When they returned they said that lightning had struck a tree close to the swing and knocked it down.  How sad.  They brought the swing back with them.  James says he can probably fix it.  Another project for him to add to his list.

I sort of went off my diet today.  I had a couple of little candy bars and a maple frosted donut from Walmart.  

Brian fixed dinner for he and Kim and the guys grilled some burgers that we had in our freezer.  Adam and Kim did the dishes.

Kim has been unbeatable in Five Crowns while she was here.  She has won every game she has played.  Is it luck or skill?  Maybe a little of both.

James studied for his lesson and I mine before we went to bed.  He is a little nervous because he has not had much of a voice all week.

My lesson this week is about Alma baptizing at the waters of Mormon.  We are going to be studying the covenants we make at baptism.  One of the covenants is about bearing one another's burdens.

These cans were labeled with different ways that people can suffer.  The class members each read a burden and then put it in my bag and try to carry it.  We took the burdens out and read them again and each class member tells how they could help the person with the burden.  

Michael ran in the Chandler Rotary track meet tonight and did not place.  I am sure he was heartbroken because he wanted to break a school record.  He has been sick this week so I am sure that had something to do with it.  Paul, Stacy, Jared Ammon, Dallin and Sheri all came to see him run.

Ben went to the Chandler West Stake youth conference which was held in Superior.  The kids did all kinds of service projects.  This is a picture of Ben and some of his friends helping clean the Superior cemetery.

Ben, Grady, ?, and Chris

Friday, March 18th, 2016

Monument Valley in Arizona

 

James left around 5:30 this morning for the valley.  He is picking up Alex, and Adam to come up and help him work on the shed.  He also did a little work at Fountain Hills, and then stopped in Payson for some lumber.  I was surprised when he returned home this evening that he had Seth with him too.

 

Of course, as is our tradition when one of us leaves, James and I shared a prayer and a kiss.

 

Today I listened to President Monson's Sunday morning address, "Be an Example and a Light", and Elder Rasband's address, "I Stand All Amazed." 

This is the second and last talk President Monson gave in this conference.  He seemed a little shaky at the pulpit and President Uchtdorf sat on the edge of his chair in case President Monson needed him.  He was escorted back to his chair by two of the brethren, one of them being President Uchtdorf.

 

President Monson

"As we make Christ the center of our lives,

our fears will be replaced by

the courage of our convictions."

 

Elder Rasband

"As we follow our prophet, I pray that we may have charity in our hearts toward others and that we will become

a living witness and indeed

'stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers us.'"

 

 I also studied an Ezra Taft Benson lesson in last year's Relief Society manual entitled, "The Elderly in the Church."  I am trying to "catch up" my 2015 Sunday journal.  I love President Benson.  This lesson was taken from a talk he gave in General Conference immediately following his 90th birthday.  President Benson's talks are classics.  Who can forget his talk "Beward of Pride" and "Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon."  He also gave talks in general conference to the men of the Church, the women of the Church, the youth of the Church, and the Primary children of the Church.  One of my favorite quotes from this lesson: 

"I hold special feelings for the elderly--

for this marvelous group of men and women.

I feel that in some measure I understand them,

for I am one of them."

 

In another effort to "catch up" my 2015 Sunday journal I studied a conference talk by Elder Kevin W. Pearson of The Seventy, entitled, "Stand by the Tree." Elder Pearson says that Lehi's vision of the tree of life is a powerful parable on enduring to the end.  There are six segments to this talk: 1) Don't Forget to Pray   2) Come unto Christ and Be Perfected in Him   3) Press Forward with Faith   4) The Book of Mormon is Key to Spiritual Survival  5) Don't Be Distracted and Deceived   6) Stay By the Tree.

 

Since James was here this morning I studied Jacob 2: 17-35.  I was especially touched by these versus: 17, 18, 19, 28, 29, 31, 34, 35.  Jacob is chastising the men of his community.  He warns them to beward of pride, and the importance of being chaste.  God delights in the chastity of women.  He tells them they need to keep the commandments or the land will be cursed for their sakes.  He says he has heard the mournings of the women because of the sins of their husbands for doing what they ought not to have done.  In verse 35 he talks about them breaking the hearts of their tender wives and losing the confidence of their children because of their bad example before them.  "The sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you.  Many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds."

 

From "The Blueprint of Christ's Church" I read "God's Law of the Sabbath".  I love these promises from D&C 59:9-10, 15-16:

"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High; . . . And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, . . . verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours."

 

If we keep the Sabbath holy, as commanded, then the promised blessings are as follows: one, God will help us keep unspotted from the world; and two, the fulness of the earth will be ours, meaning we will be entitled to temporal blessings as well as spiritual ones.

 

It is interesting that one of the articles I read from the Ensign today was on the Sabbath.  This scripture was shared in the article. 

"Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.  Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."

3 Nephi 9:14

 One of the most important ways we come unto Him is by partaking worthily of the sacrament each Sabbath day.

 

I also read "Gaining Gospel Insights Through Motherhood."

"As I walk by faith, ask in prayer, and obediently study the Lord uses my experiences as a mother to teach me His doctrine through the Spirit."

 

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Vernon.  The high was around 62 and there was very little wind.  When Kim and Brian got here somewhere between four and five this afternoon Kim made the comment that it was nice to be outside in the sun and not be hot.  

As soon as Kim and Brian got settled in, we sat down for a game of Five Crowns.

Brian is trying to hide.

It was a close game 85, 77, 72 with Kim coming out as the winner.

During our game James, Alex, Adam, and Seth arrived with a load of lumber.  They are all working on building our storage shed tomorrow.  I guess Adam was "let go" at his work so he really needs to work tomorrow.  

 

This evening the boys "hung out" while Kim and Brian watched "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.  James and I watched a Hallmark movies and mysteries movie called "After All These Years."  A murder mystery with a bit of humor.  Not really my favorite kind of movie.

 

Today while I was organizing boxes in the garage I opened one labeled 'Karen's Books.'  There may have been books on the bottom but on the top were a couple of rolls of toiled paper that the mice had gnawed on.  I am just grateful they weren't still in the box.  

 

Stacy called to talk to me about the new test that is replacing the AIMS test in the Chandler schools.  It may be all over Arizona, I am not sure.  It's called the Arizona Merit Test, a test which was rejected in Utah.  The test was made by social behaviorists and support Common Core.  Even thought the legislature has mandated that every child must take the test, Stacy has told the school that Joshua will not be taking it.  He did take the practice test and when she ask him about it, he gave her this example. 

'One of the questions was, which is better, clutter or clean and then it gave examples of why clutter was better so I picked clutter.'  Stacy was surprised by this so she ask several other kids, including Bryce and Evan and all of the five kids ask said they put clutter as better than clean. Evan said:' At first I thought clean was better but then they convinced me that clutter was better.'

Stacy says they do this to profile the kids and they do keep all of the results.  They are looking for kids who don't agree with their answers as possible 'troublemakers.'

I told Stacy she should ask to see the test but she said that is not possible.  It is online and is not available to the parents or teachers.  The test is supported by the federal government.  

This is just a small example how the government is trying to take away our rights.

 

   Addy's cousin and one of her best friends.

 

 

 

 

Thursday, March 17th, 2016

I like this!

Happy St Patrick's Day

from these four cuties:

Eli, Ethan, Edmund and baby

Ephraim.

These are Erik & Elida Pope's boys.

I sure do miss Eli and Ethan in Primary!

So much for the theory of the new pillow helping me sleep better.  I had to leave the bedroom and sleep on the couch because after going to bed around 9:30 I woke James up twice telling him someone was outside looking at us through the window.  He reminded me that the blinds were closed, but I was not in a rational state.  I left for the couch in the family room around 11:30.  At least there are no windows that I can see from there.  

I read two chapters from "The Blueprint of Christ's Church".  I read about God's Health Law and God's Moral Law.  
 I also studied the Howard W. Hunter lesson on the Resurrection and the Atonement.  How appropriate to be reminded of these miracles right before Easter.  

James and I read Jacob 2:1-16.  I love Jacob because he tells it like it is and doesn't beat around the bush or try to tippy toe around the issues.  More on this subject tomorrow as I finish Jacob 2.

I listened to two conference talks from the Priesthood session, one by President Eyring called" You Are Not Alone in the Work."  While these talks were geared for the priesthood brethren, I think they can apply to all members of the Church.  Here is a quote from President Eyring's talk:

"When you do your part the Lord adds

 His power to your efforts."

 I also listened to President Monson's talk, "Keep the Commandments."  Here is a quote from his talk:

"He who created us and who loves us

perfectly knows just how we need to live our

lives in order to obtain the 

greatest happiness possible."

In the March Ensign there is a copy of the last talk Bruce R. McConkie gave before his death two weeks later.  I still remember how I felt the Spirit so strongly as he bore his testimony.  The talk is called: "The Three Gardens".  Here is Brother McConkie's last testimony before his death.  This is from the April 1985 General Conference:

"I am one of His witnesses, and in a coming day I

shall feel the nail marks in His hands and in His feet and shall wet His feet with my tears.  

But I shall not know any better then than I know now that He is God's Almighty Son, that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through His atoning blood and in no other way.

God grant  that  all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son will cleanse us from all sin."

So much has been said about the Sabbath lately and there are two talks in the Ensign about the Sabbath.  Here is a quote from Elder Quentin L. Cook:

"For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, honoring the Sabbath is a form of righteousness that will bless and strengthen families, connect us with our Creator, and increase happiness.  The Sabbath can help separate us from that which is frivolous, inappropriate, or immoral.  It allows us to be in the world but not of the world.

"... Truly keeping the Sabbath day holy is a refuge from the storms of this life.  It is also a sign of our devotion to our 

Father in Heaven."

I noticed on Sunday morning that my left eye was bloodshot.  I texted Jared and he said it was probably because of a temporary increase in blood pressure and ask me if I took aspirin.  I had been taking one aspirin a day, but now have reduced it to a low dosage aspirin.  He ask for a picture so I sent him one today.  He said it was like a bruise and would go away on its own but might turn brown or purple before it does.  He said not to worry unless I keep getting them on a regular basis.  Dare I post this picture?  Here it is:

Gross, I know.

This afternoon I went with my friend and the ward Relief Society president, Kaeli Nicoll to visit a sister in our ward to ask her to be my visiting teaching companion.  Kaeli had tried to call but got no answer so we went without an appointment, something I don't like to do.  When we got to the sister's house her husband told us she had injured her eye while working in the yard and she was taking a nap.  We visited with her husband, Mel Bell, and then left.  I guess I will go visiting teaching this month by myself.  Here is a picture of Kaeli and her husband Chris.

Kaeli and Chris

Let me tell you about Kaeli and how amazing I think she is.  I worked with her in Young Women's for awhile and really did enjoy that experience.  She joined the Church just a few years ago.  Two years ago she was called as the ward Relief Society president, at the age of 27.  Her husband Chris had accepted a job with the Tempe Fire Department and would be in the valley most of the time for training.  She also had a baby born the same year.  When she accepted this Relief Society position I thought, this is not going to work.  She will need to be released.  I was wrong.  She has perservered and she told me how hard it has been.  Now Chris works 5 days and is off 4.  They are eventually going to move closer to his work because the drive up here is just too long.  Kaeli loves it here and would like to rent out her house and retire here but doesn't think that will happen.  They will probably end up in Payson because she does not want to live in the valley inspite of graduating from Highland High School.

 Kaeli feeding the cows on the Nicoll ranch.

I got many of my posts from Facebook, and here is one for today, posted by Christina Tibbetts Hoose.

Christina's mother is James's sister Rebecca,

and I agree, she is pretty awesome.

This evening James and I watched a Hallmark movie called "Helping Hands" about a guy who is a janitor who has healing powers.  He can heal others, but each time he heals someone he becomes sick.  It was a little unrealistic but still a good story.

I guess they changed the movie's name:

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Our friends The Whalen's visiting the San Diego temple.

One of the first items of business after gospel study was to cut James's hair.  I have been mentioning that he needs a haircut for several days now, but it will only happen when he is ready.  I gave a good one this time, no nicks, and not too short.

 As part of my gospel study this morning, along with reading from "The Blueprint of Christ's Church", I read the Sunday School lesson for this week, "Seek Ye for the Kingdom of God".  It is based on Jacob 1-4 and the purpose is to: Help class members feel a greater desire to magnify their callings, be chaste, and invite others to come unto Christ.  

I also listened to two talks from the last General Conference, both from the priesthood session.  "Your Next Step" by Randall K. Bennett and "Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  As I listened, I was ironing.  After the conference talks I listened to two articles from this month's Ensign: "Caring for the Needy in Our Families", and "When One Needs Care, Two Need Help."  As I listened, I went about doing my chores, emptying the dish washer, making my bed and carrying in boxes to be put away.  

One of the reason I am sharing my gospel study is because of something I learned from Nephi.  When he gave the small plates to Jacob he had a special commandment for him: "And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; ...And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ's sake, and for the sake of our people." ( Jacob 1: 2, 4)

I want those who read this record to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most precious thing in my life.  Therefore, I must include the things of the Lord in this record.

This afternoon James and I made another trip to town.  James wasn't going to come but I told him I would read to him and that I really enjoyed his company.  He caved.  

I needed to get some things at Walmart for my diet.  I needed fruits, veggies, nonfat salad dressing, some Lean Cuisine dinners, yogurt, shakes for James, and black ink for the printer.  I also got both of us new pillows.  Maybe a new pillow will help me sleep better.

I bought tickets online today to see Kaitlin Booth in "Legally Blonde" at Mesa Community College.  Karen and I were going to go together but she couldn't go until the 16th and I will be down there on the 8th so James is going to go with me.   Kaitlin will play the part of Elle Wood, the star of the show.

I love the picture of Kaitlin, but I think her dog,

Bruiser, was a chihuahua.

For dinner tonight I substituted my Nutrisystem meatballs, which I was suppose to eat with a small wheat roll, for Lean Cuisine spaghetti and meatballs.  

Delicious, especially the meatballs.

I was supposed to have a cup of cooked broccoli, but James made cooked cabbage and mushrooms with onions and bell peppers instead.  It was all wonderful.  He is so supportive!

We watched another movie about firemen tonight.  This one was called "For the Love of Grace" and starred Mark Consuelo and Chandra West.  We both liked it.  James may have liked Chandra a little too much.

 They never even kissed.  I wonder of Kelly Ripla had

anything to do with that.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

It's suppose to say Hillary in the background but

some of the letters got blocked to reveal the truth.

We finished 2 Nephi today.  I am a little sad to be coming to the end of Nephi's life.  He passes the responsibility of keeping the records on to his brother Jacob.

I am really enjoying Tad R. Callister's book:

In some ways it is very basic but it also gives the background for thinks such as baptism by sprinkling that I didn't know. 

I listened to Elder James B. Martino's conference talk today entitled, "Turn to Him and Answers Will Come."  This is one of my favorite talks from the last General Conference.  Let me just share a couple of quotes:

"If ye will

 not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things will be made known unto you." 

"We must make scripture study a daily part of our lives, as this will open doors of revelation."

"These personal religious habits -- obedience, scripture study, prayers and fasting --strengthened the sons of Mosiah.  The lack of these same personal religious habits was a major reason that Laman and Lemuel were left vunerable to the temptation to murmur and doubt."

Today is the first day of my Nutrisystem diet and it was a tough one.  I had a chocolate muffin for breakfast which was pretty decent but the lasagna I had for dinner was somewhat lacking.  My favorite things were the granola bar and popcorn that I had for snacks.

As I was watching television last night I caught the end of a Lean Cuisine commercial for white cheddar macaroni and cheese and it looked so delicious.  Lean Cuisine here I come!

James was out doing some work on his Cat today and accidentally backed over his chainsaw.  He came in with a pretty sad face.

We can't live here in the mountains without a good chainsaw to cut wood.  Hopefully he can order a new casing for it.

Another Super Tuesday and although Kasich took all 66 delegates from Ohio, Trump got all the delegates from Florida, Rubio's home state.  Rubio is no longer in the race.

Darrel called me today to see if I was in town and could watch Lola while he and Trina took the kids to see the new Disney movie, Zootopia.  I was sad to say I wasn't in town but recommended either Kim or Sheri.  Sheri won the prize.

Her hair is getting long and she looks so grown up!

Michael had to go to Urgent Care for strep throat tonight.  He ask the doctor when he would be well and when he said Thursday, Michael was relieved.  This Saturday is the big Chandler Rotary track meet.

Poor Mikey!

 I couldn't resist posting this picture of our friend Brooklyn

taking a nap in a basket.

This evening James and I watched a movie on UpTV.  It was called "A Girl's Best Friend."  James liked this one better than "Smooch" but I am not sure.  They were both great.  This one was more realistic and was sad because the little girls mother dies. 

It does have a happy ending though!

(If it didn't, I wouldn't like it.)

Monday, March 14, 2016

Happy Pi Day!

I got off to a slow start this morning because I wasn't feeling well.  I sat down to rest and ended up watching a movie called "Second Chances" about a wounded fireman and his landlord who fall in love.

James and I went to Show Low a little after noon.  Our first stop was Licano's where I had a tamale and a taco.  I want to eat well today because I am starting a diet tomorrow.  James wants to go to our class reunion in July and I have got to lose some weight if I am going to go.

After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart to do a little shopping.  I bought two 5-day boxes of Nutrisystem diet food.  I thought James might use one, but he turned his nose up at it and said he would "fend for himself."  I am grateful that he doesn't expect me to cook while I am dieting.

We also went to CVS to pick up a couple of prescriptions for James and then on to Sonic to get my large diet Coke with regular cherry flavoring.  I won't be getting one of these for awhile either.  

On the way home we read the first short story in our new book by Sarah Eden.

 The story we are reading is called

"A Friend Indeed."

Before going home we stopped at the Wilhelm's to take Johnny a birthday present.  He is four years old.  While James was getting his gift out of the back of the car, Johnny came over to my window to tell me his dad got him a handsaw for his birthday.  He seemed quite happy.  An interesting gift for a 4 year old.

This evening for FHE we listened to Elder Oaks's talk on the Atonement.  It was wonderful.  Afterwards we watched the movie "Smooch" which is a modern day take on the movie the Frog Prince.  We both really enjoyed it.

 I would like for my granddaughters to see this one.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Happy Birthday Terry!

 Terry with two of his favorite people,

Colin and Cathi.

Something happened in our sacrament meeting that I have never seen happen before.  Brother Wilhelm got up and announced that because people were leaving right after the sacrament, we were going to have the talks first today and then the sacrament.  He then said he was joking and the real reason the sacrament would be last was because there were no cups and someone had to go get some.

Hailey Hunsaker was the youth speaker.  She is the newest Beehive and you could barely see her above the podium.  She said she was going to talk about her favorite bible story, Abraham and Isaac.  She shared the story, read scriptures, related it to the Savior, and bore her testimony.  According to James it was the perfect talk.  She really did do a great job and her mother said she wrote it herself.

Pam Wood and Rick Lauritzen were the other speakers.  Pam spoke about friendship and Rick, at the bishop's request, spoke about doctrines, policies, and traditions.  Did you know that taking the sacrament with your right hand is only a tradition.

Kacey, Curtis and Zemira were in my Primary class today.  Our lesson was on Abinadi and King Noah.  The first thing I had them do after the opening prayer was guess how many coins were in this jar.

 The coins in the jar represent how many people left to flee into

the wilderness with Alma.  Do you know how many there are?

The person who guessed the closest got an extra piece of candy from the candy basket.

 This candy basket was much fuller before Primary.

Curtis guessed 350 and he was the closest.  The answer, of course, was 450.  More about Alma next week.

In sharing time today Sister Chaffin taught about King Noah and Adinadi.  I noticed that my kids knew most of the answers, except Zemira couldn't remember Abinadi's name.

Good News!  James was able to teach his Sunday School class this week.  I had called Ed Miller earlier in the week so he was prepared to step in any time if needed.  

After lunch and naps James went home teaching with Brother Lauritzen to the Scott's and the Hunsaker's.  I stayed home and watched a movie starring Alexis Bleddell, (Rory from Gilmore Girls), "Remember Sunday".  The movie was about a guy who was a genius and then he had an anuresym and lost his short-term memory every night when he slept.  It was a touching story in keeping with the Hallmark tradition.  

This evening I spent a couple of hours studying from the Book of Mormon Religion 121-22 manual in connection with my reading of the Book of Mormon.  James studied his Sunday School lesson.

Before going to bed we watched this week's episode of "When Calls the Heart."  

Last year on this day, I took my five oldest granddaughter's to see the new Cinderella movie.  We had a great time!

Ruby, Emmy, Molly, Anna, and Addy