Friday, March 25, 2016

James and I went to the Gilbert temple today, just not together.

I went to the 8:30 session with Kim and he went to the 10:30 session by himself.  He wasn't sure if he was going to go because of his voice, but when he got home from work he made the decision.  I am proud of him!

 After our session Kim and I rode the elevator with President D. Lynn Jones and Jessica Lamb and her new husband.  Jessica is Wayne and Chea's daughter.  When we got outside there was a big crowd of people.  We saw Wendy Arnett, Cliff and Cathy Arnett's daughter.  I wanted to see Cathy, but Wendy couldn't find her, so we left.  

Jessica Lamb is now Jessica Brown

 When I got home I waited for James and we went to Olive Garden again for lunch because we still had some money left on our gift card.  This time I had Minestrone soup, salad and breadsticks.  It was all delicious.  

This afternoon Sheri and Kim, and Sheri's boys and Joshua colored eggs at Sheri's.  Joshua was so sweet.  He asked me what was my favorite color, and then he made me a purple egg.  Sorry I didn't get a picture of it.  Here are the few pictures I took.

Kim and Evan

 Evan looks a little sad waiting for his egg

Ben enters the scene

Joshua coloring my egg.

Gee, I wonder what Sheri is doing over there.

Cute picture of Stacy.  Sheri on her phone.

Kim making a suggestion to Evan.

Joshua and Evan "horsing around."

Joe brought his guitar for our entertainment.

Alex and a friend hiked Squaw Peak today.

After we had finished coloring eggs, we heard a knock on Sheri's door.  When Sheri opened it, I thought it was Tricia and so did Kim.  It was Anna and Amanda.  Anna's hair is dark and she had on sunglasses.  She looks older than her 14 years.  They came in and visited with us for awhile.  It was fun to see them.  James was outside playing football with Ben and his friends.  He came in and gave me a big hug.  

As I was walking back to Cathi's I passed Jared going down to get Anna and Amanda.  He is taking them and James to a Fallout Boys concert at the Talking Stick Arena in downtown Phoenix.  It's where the Suns play and use to be called America West Arena.  

They left El Paso at 4:30 Arizona time with their youth group and did baptisms at the Mesa temple this morning.  The rest of the youth are going to the Easter Pageant this evening.  Jared and the girls will be staying here at Cathi and Terry's and James will spend the night at Sheri's.  Jared and the girls will go to the Gilbert temple in the morning to do baptisms and then Anna and James will spend Easter with Tricia and the Wallen's.  

I went shopping for the food for tomorrow's potluck at Sheri's.  I bought a $36 ham at Sam's Club and ended up taking it back because I decided it was too big.  The one I bought at Walmart cost me $21 and was plenty big.  I am making Easter beans, or Calico beans, depending on what you want to call them, and scalloped potatoes.  Sheri made a plea for me to make potato salad, but James had already ask me to make scalloped potatoes.  Besides, as Cathi says, scalloped potatoes go better with ham.  I agree.

Cathi and Terry went to dinner at the Keg this evening with the previous directors of the R.O.C. who are returning to their home in Salt Lake.  Their names are Marlow and Mary Ann Ashton.  Marlow is a friend of President Monson's.  He says that 20-30% of the missionaries who arrive at the MTC are sent home because they can't give up their cell phones.  What a tragedy.

James and I went to bed quite early because we have to get up early to fill the Easter eggs and do the cooking. 

I forgot to mention that when Cathi and Terry left for the center this morning, the doggies came to visit me.

 

Thursday, March 24, 2016

So grateful for the variety found in Heavenly

Father's creations.

James is working in Fountain Hills this morning.  I decided to go get some of my Easter shopping done, so I headed for Target.
I bought candy, plastic eggs, and a nice basket to put all of the candy in.  I also bought six Zootopia Tsum Tsum's.  

Here are the Tsum Tsum's I got:

Nick Wilde

Finnick

Judy Hopps

 Chief Bogo

Mr. Big

Assistant Mayor Bellwether

Here is what my candy basket looked like when I got it all filled:

I think Sheri or Ian posted this.

Whoever it was did not get a picture of the entire basket.

I came home from my Target trip to put the chocolate in the house and then headed for Deseret Book to buy the new Wendy Watson Nelson book.

I also bought this cute pink journal:

 A nice one to add to my collection of journals.

I also bought a new journal for General Conference:

 I like it because it has the Salt Lake temple on the front and

reminded me of when I use to go to Salt Lake every six months for

the General Women's Conference and Relief Society training.

My friend Karen wants me to do the 21-day challenge in Sister Nelson's book.  I am looking forward to seeing what that challenge is.

James was home from work when I returned to Cathi and Terry's.  We decided to go to lunch at Olive Garden and use our gift card that we got for Christmas from Sheri.  I had one of my favorite meals:

Chicken Scampi

I ate it again for dinner and still had some left for tomorrow.

Kim and I were going to go to the temple this afternoon but she called and ask if we could go tomorrow morning instead because she was so tired.  James and I were going to go but he had no voice and was nervous about going.  We took his truck to get the oil changed at Sears instead.

While James's truck was being serviced we hung out at the Chandler mall for awhile.  We went to our favorite store there, Barnes & Noble and I bought another journal.

 This one was half price and had a tree on it.

I am going to call it my "Tree of Life" journal.

This evening for dinner I had some of my leftovers from Olive Garden.  Sheri invited us down for steak if we hadn't eaten.  I told her dad hadn't.  I went down with him.

Thanks for the nice dinner Sheri!

  

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The Arizona desert is beautiful right now,

but not quite as beautiful as the California desert.

 El Nino was good to these mountains

near Death Valley.

Well the primary results are in for Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah and I must say that I am disappointed in the Arizona voters.  Trump and Clinton took Arizona and Nevada, and Cruz and Sanders took Utah and Idaho.  This is what the delegate distribution looks like:

The only person I feel is qualified to run our country is Cruz, but I don't think he stands much of a chance to beat Trump.

Hailey Chaffin came by this morning to pick up the materials to teach my Primary class this Sunday.  I am her visiting teacher so I gave her the visiting teaching handouts for this month.  I appreciate Hailey and her willingness to teach my Primary class.  I know that she is someone that I can depend on.

I left this afternoon around 12:30 for the valley.  When I got into Show Low I stopped to get gas and to wash my car.  While I was pumping gas I realized that I had left my Sunday clothes at home.  I thought about it and decided I needed to go back to get them because I did not want to go shopping for clothes when I got to the valley.  When I returned home I was very tired so decided I would take a nap before leaving.  I called and told James so he wouldn't worry when I was so late.  I ended up leaving around 4:00.  I made two stops and arrived at Cathi and Terry's before 7:30.  

James was happy to see me and helped me unload the car.  

We went to bed quite early and so did Cathi and Terry as they have to get up early for their mission.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The day after James leaves 

30 elk show up in the yard.

It was an exciting morning for me 

even if there weren't any bulls.

 I think I only got shots of 23 of them.

Today is the Primary race in Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.  

James and I already voted for Ted Cruz on the early ballot. I will post the results tomorrow.

A terrible thing happened today in Brussels, Belgium.

When missionaries are hurt in a terrorists attack it hits very close to home.

My gospel study for today went something like this:

Jacob 5:19-34 - The Time of Christ (vv. 15-28)

'God saw that Israel (the old root tree) was saved and produced good fruit.  The scattered branches of Israel also

produced good fruit, except for the Nephites and Lamanites,

whose fruit was partly good and partly bad.' 

 General Conference:

"That They Do Always Remember Him" - Elder Claudio R.M. Costa

'I believe that starting a tradition of telling the

stories of Jesus to our children and families

is a very special way to keep the

Sabbath day holy in our homes.'

 "The Holy Ghost as Your Companion" - President Henry B. Eyring

'If we partake of the sacrament in faith, the Holy

Ghost will then be able to protect us

and those we love from the temptations

that come with increasing intensity and frequency.

The companionship of the Holy Ghost makes what is good more 

attractive and temptation less compelling.

Just as the Holy Ghost strengthens us against evil,

He also gives us the power to discern truth from falsehood.

The truth that matters most is verified only by revelation from God.

Our human reason and the use of our physical senses will not be enough.  We live in a time when even the wisest will be hard-pressed to distinguish truth from 

clever deception.'

I loved this talk by President Eyring.  It is one of my favorites from this conference.

 March 2016 Ensign

"Spiritual Rehabilitation" - Ron Simmons

'Recognizing the similarities between physical rehabilitation and

spiritual rehabilitation can change our perspective and give us patience to persist.  Just as each patient progresses little by little, with diligence, we too grow spiritually "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little."'

"Finding New Life in Christ" 

'Celebrate the Savior's victory over sin and death.'

Sharing this Year's Easter Video

A video with testimonies of people from around the world can be found at FollowHim.mormon.org.

Share your own testimony of the Savior using the 

social media hashtag

#Hallelujah.

The Blueprint of Christ's Church

 Chapter 22 - "What is our Ultimate Destiny?"

Chapter 23 - "What is the Purpose of Temples?"

Studying the gospel is a big part of my life.  I love to study.  It is a little harder for me to share my testimonies with others but it is something I know I must do.  Getting up in fast and testimony meeting to share my testimony is not that difficult, especially when I feel the Spirit telling me to do so.  Sharing my testimony with my Primary class and others who are members of the Church is not difficult.  It is sharing with others who are not members that is difficult for me.

I cleaned the family/living room floor today and was going to polish it but I didn't have enough polish.  I was going to go to the store but decided I would wait until I get to Chandler and I can polish the floor next week.

I finished paying bills today and watched "Chopped" while I was working.  Don't ask my why but I love this show.  I also watched "Pioneer Woman" and Trisha Yearwood's cooking show.

This evening I watched "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, from Paris with Love."

One of my favorite episodes.  Oliver finally closes the chapter with his wife Holly when she comes to visit and makes her feelings known.  He shows his love for Shane by installing a porch swing for her at 2 am.  They still haven't kissed though.

 

Monday, March 21, 2016

In the movie "The Bridge", the bridge was a bookstore.

This is the real Bridge.

James and the boys left this morning around 5:30 am.  James had a hard time getting them up but he needed to be at the job in Fountain Hills before nine.

I couldn't go back to sleep after they left.  It was time for me to get up anyway.  James and I had prayer together and then here is how my gospel study went:

Jacob 5:1-18 - The Scattering of Israel Before the Time of Christ (vv.3-14) God saw the apostasy of ancient Israel  He sent prophets to cry repentance, but few people listened.  He allowed the wicked to be destroyed and brought in the Gentiles  A few righteous branches of Israel were scattered around the world. (Lehi's people.)

October 2015 General Conference:

"A Plea to My Sisters" - President Russell M. Nelson

'We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction,

your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.'

"Let the Clarion Trumpet Sound" - Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer

'The world needs disciples of Christ who can communicate the gospel message with clarity and from the heart.'

March 2015 Ensign:

"The Light of the Perfect Day" - Elder Larry R. Lawrence

There was so much in this article that I loved.  I could share the entire article but that is not necessary as others can read this article  for themselves, which I highly encourage.  I will share something that I learned:

'When it comes time for each of us to be resurrected, how will the Lord determine whether we receive a telestial body, a terrestrial body, or a celestial body?

The answer is easier than you may think.  If we have accumulated enough celestial light in our spirits, we will be resurrected with celestial bodies.  If we have accumulated only enough light to qualify for terrestrial or telestial bodies, that is the glory we will receive in the Resurrection.  

The Doctrine and Covenants explains:

"Your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies

are quickened."

I guess I knew this but didn't really relate it to light.  Elder Lawrence gives five ways we can obtain more light:

1. Love others  2. Study the Scriptures  3. Obey the Commandments  4. Hearken to the Holy Ghost  5. Serve in the temple.

"The Blueprint of Christ's Church" -  Chapter 21 The Purpose of Life: Postmortal.

 My grandson Dallin posted this today.  He is pretty excited.  Even though I would never vote for Bernie, I am excited for Dallin.

I cleaned the dining room and kitchen today.  The floors were especially in need of being mopped.  Lots of dirt and dust.  Also did some laundry. 

Tonight was the first night of this season's "Dancing with the Stars."  There are lots of good candidates but I was most impressed with the deaf male model who is Peta's partner.  He was amazing for someone who can not hear at all.

 Nyle and Peta

James texted me before going to bed.  He misses me and I miss him.  Hopefully I will not have bad dreams or "see things" tonight.

 Thanks Alex.  Can you find the cabin?

Sunday, March 20, 2016

The first day of spring,

and

Palm Sunday.

Today the 150th temple was dedicated in Provo, Utah.

 The Provo City Center temple

 It almost looks like a European castle

Donna Peeler is from our ward here in Vernon.

She is a temple worker in the Snowflake temple.

Jace Applegate was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting today.  He spoke on goals and how through fasting and prayer he was able to perform as a pole vaulter on the Show Low track and field team.

Jason Owens was the high council speaker and Jack Pearce was his speaking companion.  Jack is the son of Roge and Mary Pearce.  He was in my ward as a youth.  He is an old man now.  He has been on three mission, one in is youth, one with his family to Adam ondi Ahman, and he and his wife just recently returned from a mission to Nauvoo.  

Alex, Seth, and Adam sat by us during sacrament meeting.  I looked over at one point and Adam and Seth had their eyes closed and it looked like Alex was texting on his phone.  He was actually taking notes on the speakers.  Way to go Alex!

I had Denice Hall's class come in with my class during Primary because she wasn't there.  It was actually only two girls, Tana Westbrook, and Heidi Johnson.  I also taught Kacey, Braylin, Curtis and Zemira about Alma baptizing at the waters of Mormon.

I made a delicious rosemary roast with onions, potatoes, and carrots for lunch.  The house smelled so delicious when we got home from church.  Brian and Kim had just finished their lunch and the boys were gone on a Razr ride. 

The boys texted Kim and said they were stuck.  Kim had told them there was still alot of snow up north, but they were determined to go up to Greens Peak.  

 Seth trying to put branches and leaves under the

tires for traction.

James, Brian, and Kim took off in the truck to rescue them but only ended up getting stuck themselves and had to be pulled out.  Kim received a text from Alex saying someone had rescued them too.

 I missed out on all the excitement.  I stayed home and watched this movie instead.

 This is the first movie in a series of three about a girl who is raised Amish only to discover she was adopted and was actually born to

an English woman.

The other two movies are: The Confession, and The Reckoning.

Kim and Brian left for home this afternoon.  Kim was driving because Brian has a migraine.

Brian, Kim, and Chloe.

James and the boys are not leaving until about 5:30 in the morning.

The boys play games and James and I watch "The Bridge."  We got through the first episode but only part way through the second one.

I will have to finish tomorrow and tell James about it.

Starring Ted McGinley and Faith Ford

Today I read Jacob 3 and 4, more of Jacob's sermon to the unrighteous of his people.  He tells his people that if they don't repent, the righteous will be lead out from among them.  He also tells them that because the Lamanites keep the law of chastity, someday they will be blessed.  He tells the people to revile no more against the Lamanites because of the darkness of their skin because they are more righteous than many of the Nephites.  In verses 10-12 Jacob says: Because of your bad example ye may bring your children unto destruction and their sins will be heaped upon you at the last day  He tells them to awake from the slumber of death, loose yourselves from the pains of hell that ye may not become angels to the devil to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death.  He also warns them against every kind of sin.  He also taught that we have power to overcome sin and weakness through the grace of Christ.  

Such a powerful sermon! 

Tonight was game night at the Gonzales's home.

 Brings back not so fond memories of playing Monopoly

with my dad who always beat us!