Saturday, April 16, 2016

Snow on April 16th.

It snowed most all day in Vernon but the snow was so wet that by the end of the day it was all gone.  Our friend took this picture.

This is about the most white we got on the ground.

In spite of the cold, wet weather James and I went to the temple.  We left the house around 6:40 and made it to the 8 am. session.  We had 25 brothers in our session and 16 sisters.  

 The Snowflake temple

We saw people from our ward who are temple workers: Mel and Ruth Wilhelm, Jim and Linda Diewald, and Blaine Curtis.  

After our session we stopped at El Cupido's for something to eat.  I got a breakfast burrito with bacon, one of my favorite things.  James got a chicken quesadilla.  

On the way home we passed by the Taylor Walmart.  It is definitely smaller than the one we have in Show Low.

Back at home I put some chicken in the crockpot for dinner.  James is very worried about losing his keys.  He called Hatch Dodge in Show Low and they said he could get a key for $39.  When he got there he found out that to activate the key he has to tow his truck in and they will activate the chip for $109.  He was pretty upset!

I waited in the car and stared at this window.

Back at home we took a nap and then got up to have dinner before stake conference.  Yes, that's right we made one trip to Snowflake, and two trips to Show Low today.

The basalmic chicken I made for dinner wasn't that great, but the rice and asparagus made it better.

Today is Alex's 18th birthday and it is also prom.  Here he is with his prom date.

The prom theme was James Bond.

I think Alex makes a handsome James Bond.

Michael also went to prom.

Michael and Alexis.

Our adult session of stake conference began at 7pm. at the Show Low stake center.  The program went something like this:

Speaker: President Danny Crandall - What have I done to hasten the work?  More women than men are joining the Church  There are 1,647 homes in our stake and only 644 have Melchizedek priesthood holders.  What can we do?

Speaker: LaRee Price - Sister Price told her story of growing up in the Church, going astray and breaking her temple covenants.  She was divorced twice and her children became inactive  She then married a nonmember who joined the Church and became her eternal companion, but her grown children are still inactive.

Speaker: Malita Jackson - The importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy.  The choice to ignore prophetic doctrine changes the very ground upon which we stand.  It becomes dangerous.  Hold a family council to determine Sabbath activities.  What sign do I want to give God.  The Sabbath is a sign between God and man.

We need to shut out the world on the Sabbath.

Speaker: Joan Pearce - She took an online class at BYU-Idaho on the New Testament.  It made her more appreciative of the Atonement.  "By using the Sabbath as we should, we can retain a remission of our sins." - Elder Bednar.  She referred to Elder Wirthlin's talk, "Come What May and Love It."  We should not make a big deal about other people's mistakes.

Musical Number- Primary girl sang "Gethsemane."  It was very sweet.

Speaker: President Ken Van Winkle - Teach the Children.  Mark 10:13-14, Mark 4:15.  "Show them the virtue of our virtues." - Sister Sheri Dew.  Remember Primary class birthdays.  President Van Winkle gave examples of teaching children and then ended by reading the words to "Dearest Children God Is Near You."

Speaker: President Steven Williams, Show Low Stake President.

Recalled when he was called to be the stake president by Eder Golden.  He had 30 minutes to choose his counselors.  He said he didn't need 30 minutes because he already knew who the Lord wanted.  The Lord is in charge of this stake.  April 22, 2004 he was sad to hear the news that Pat Tillman had died.  Pat's football number was 42.  The Pat Tillman run is 4.2 miles long and it ends on the 42 yard line in Sun Devil stadium.  President Williams decided to do the run but he didn't prepare and it was a miserable experience.  In Lehi's dream, some were continuously partaking of the fruit so they were prepared when trials came.  

 President Williams challenged us to memorize The Family Proclamation and The Living Christ.

Friday, April 15, 2016

One of my all time favorite photos.

As I was upstairs cleaning and vacuuming in James's office I came across this picture that Tricia made for James years ago.  I absolutely love it!  Thank you so much Tricia!  I will always treasure it.  James was the sweetest little boy and he loved his grandpa almost as much as grandpa loved, and still loves, him.

 

When I got up this morning around 5 am. I noticed a couple of elk feeding in our back yard.  I got James up so he could see them too.  Sometimes they don't stay long.  Awhile later we looked outside and there was a herd of 10 antelope and 16 elk.  

I love the antelope.  They are so cute,

and curious too.

The elk just turned their backs to us.

I guess the two elk this morning went back to get their friends.

 

A few weeks ago James ran over his chainsaw with his truck.  Here he is trying to fix it.

 Is this normal!  After posting this on Facebook I have

come to realize it is done by lots of men,

many of them either Lambson's or living in Vernon.

 

I have made some changes to improve my gospel study.  I am now getting up at five until of six.  I am going to include family history in my daily schedule, and I am going to go to the temple on a weekly basis.  

 I am reading Sister Wendy Nelson's book, "Covenant Keepers" where she offers a 21 day challenge of great family history and temple work.  My friend Karen and I are taking the challenge.  We officially start on Monday.  I am just preparing myself.

 

I went grocery shopping this afternoon after James got back from his home teaching appointment with the Wallace's.  Brother Wallace is building a ballfield at his place and preparing for thousands of girls who will be coming this summer for girls camp.  I don't know how he does it.  He is older than we are and in very poor health.  He is an amazing person!

I got back from grocery shopping after four, and before five we were leaving for town again to go to the wrestling fund raiser steak dinner at the high school.  We have several boys in our ward on the wrestling teams in Show Low, including Talon and Andy Wilhelm, Ty Applegate, and Jackson Allen.  Jackson is a state champ.  

We saw Brian and Cheri Maxwell there with Cher's sister whose son is on the team.  It was a nice dinner for $12.50 and we went home with leftovers.  I especially loved the cowboy beans!

 

Two books I am currently reading.

I love Sister Nelson.

I was privileged to meet her several years ago at

a BYU Women's Conference.

I also love this book.

 

 

 

Thursday, April 14, 2016

I love these old family pictures!

This was at the end of 1978.

As we read Mosiah 7:18-33 two verses impress me: 27 ...

Man was created after the image of God.

33 - But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to His own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. 

James got already to go home teaching today, but Rick Lauritzen, his partner, never came to pick him up.  I was sure when I took the message that Rick said he would come at 11:40 to pick him up.  When he finally got to talk to Rick, I told him the wrong day, it's tomorrow!

  Maybe it wasn't a bad decision, just

poor listening skills.

As a reward for my error James took me in to town to get our favorite pizza, Pappa John's thin crust veggie.

This pizza is delicious!

Our main reason for going into town was to check the car to see if it was going to heat up.  It didn't.  The pizza was an added bonus.  

James worked on the shed today in spite of the wind.  I made menus for the coming week and plan on going grocery shopping tomorrow.  I wonder how many trips to town we will make this week?

Our movie tonight was a good one called, "After the Fall."  It's about a girl who falls from her horse and is paralyzed from the waist down.  Her boyfriend leaves her and she's pretty down in the dumps until she meets this guy.

Goodbye Loser, Hello Winner!

She thinks her horse died in the jump, but lo and behold, Mr. Winner has nursed him back to health.  She has surgery and does intensive physical therapy and eventually is able to walk again.  A happy ending in true Hallmark fashion!  P.S. I am becoming quite partial to cowboys.  Maybe it's because there are so many here in Vernon.

Did I mention that James has misplaced his truck keys and is so stressed about finding them?  He stresses me when he is stressed.  

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

C.S. Lewis got so many things right!

Allen Matthias, Gail's friend from Oregon came to see James this morning.  He has a building project starting in Queen Creek soon, and he is going to use James's contractor's license.  Also James is helping get subcontractor bids for him.  They met for three or four hours before Allen left to go back to the valley.  James ask me to fix breakfast for them so I made scrambled eggs, ham, and biscuits.  James made orange juice.  

For scripture study this morning we read Mosiah 7:8-17.    We are counseled to be meek (3 Nephi 12:5) yet be bold (Mosiah 712).  How do we juggle these two attributes?

Answer: Meekly before the Lord and boldly before men.

I read today online an article in The White Mountain Independent that some is accusing the Vernon Fire Chief of the following:

1.) Creating a secret "slush" fund with tax payer dollars.

2.) Accepting a pay raise that is allegedly illegal.

3.) Cover-up of alleged illegal actions before he became chief.

As James and I recall it was Collin DeWitt who appointed this fire chief.  I wonder how much of this, if any, is tree.  I noticed today a sign by the post office that said fire chief recall.  

As I was dusting and cleaning today I took a break and came across this picture on Facebook.  Talk about a makeover!

I went to the post office in Vernon this afternoon to mail Alex's birthday card, money, and gift card.  While I was there I visited with Debbie Holyoak, Lorraine Vaught, and  Debbie Miller.  The post office is the happening place in Vernon!

I noticed on my way back to the house that the car was heating up so I turned off the air conditioner.

James worked outside today in gorgeous weather.  The high was around 65.  

For dinner I made fresh green beans, red onions, mushrooms, and ham stirfry.  It was good but not nearly as good as the cabbage and broccoli and ham.

I read James a chapter from "The Magician's Nephew" this evening and then we watched our Hallmark movie, "Cupid."

It was a little silly but I still liked it.

Facebook finds:

  Our friends Kathy and Cliff Arnett

 Lola, and Addy in the background, at

Rowan and Evan's soccer practice.

Natalie Nicoll making an announcement.

Eli, Ethan, Edmund and Ephraim Pope.

 

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

This week's ponderize scripture

The chapter I read from "The Blueprint of Christ's Church" today was entitled, 'Why Do I Need The Book of Mormon If I Already Have The Bible?'  The following are some of the reasons we need the Book of Mormon:

1.  The Book of Mormon answers questions of the soul.

2.  The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

3.  The Book of Mormon brings us nearer to God.

I studied from Preach My Gospel today, the chapter was, 'How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit?'  Here are some questions to ponder:

1.  Why do I need to receive personal revelation?

2.  Why must I pray in faith?

3.  How can I recognize the promptings of the Spirit?

I listened to two articles in the Ensign about the need for senior missionaries.  It made me realize that James and I should be praying that we might be able to serve a mission.

Around noon we left to go into town.  James needed to pick up something for his project and I needed to pick up a prescription.  

I wanted to get mexican food for lunch, but James wasn't in the mood.  He wanted to go to Darbi's again, so away we went, clear to Pinetop.  This time I had the Arizona roast beef sandwich which includes a green chili and pepper jack cheese.  It was delicious and so were my sweet potato fries.  James had the Reuben sandwich and potato salad.  His was yummy too.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot.  When I went to pick up my prescription I realized that the text I got was from the Walmart in Chandler.  The pharmacist in Show Low told me he would ask for a transfer, but it probably wouldn't be ready until tomorrow.

I found out something very disturbing today.  When I deleted all the photos and contacts from my old phone, it also deleted all the photos and contacts on my new phone.  I downloaded Itunes on my computer and tried to sync my phone, but it didn't work.  James stopped at the Verizon store on the way home but the guy said he didn't know what to do if going on Itunes didn't work.  These are the kinds of things I don't like about technology!

On the way home we watched the huge black clouds that seemed to be hovering over Vernon, but by the time we got home they had moved, leaving very little rain.  

On the way home we read from our first Chronicles of Narnia book, "The Magician's Nephew."  

When I got home I sat down to watch "Chopped", and fell asleep. 

For dinner we had Marie Callender's lemon meringue pie.  I also shared the last half of my sandwich from lunch with James. 

  I was going to get a coconut cream pie but there were more

than twice as many fat grams in the coconut cream and quite a

few more calories. The lemon was yummy!

We watched a Hallmark movie that was sad and inspirational all at the same time.  It was called "Chasing a Dream."  It's about a high school football played who feels responsible for his best friend's death.  Before he died his friend's dream was to run the mile in under four minutes.  Cam quits the high school football team, his dad just happens to be the coach, and goes out for track and fulfills his friends dream of running the mile in under 4 minutes.

Needless to say his dad wasn't too happy when he quit football, but of course he comes around and supports him in his goal of fulfilling his friends dream.  

Monday, April 11, 2016

Does a place like this really exist?

If it does, I want to go there!

It did not rain today like they said it would.  In fact, it turned out to be a most beautiful day to be outside so James worked on the storage shed most of the day.  I worked inside, cleaning and doing laundry.  It just feels good to be home and to know that I am going to be here for awhile.  I don't go down to the valley again until the first week in May.  

For lunch we finished off the tacos I made last week.  Dinner was a bit of an experiment but we both really liked it.  I cooked cabbage, broccoli and ham in a pot with the steamer tray in the bottom.  Just before it was finished I added butter and salt and pepper.  Very tasty, and healthy too!  James is a big advocate of us eating more veggies.

This evening was Disney night on DWTS.  My favorites were Val and Ginger who played Gaston and Belle.  Second was Lindsey and Wanya who did a song from Lion King, and third was Witney and Von who were Cinderella and Prince Charming.  Witney made a beautiful Cinderella.  Zendaya was a guest judge.  She was a contestant a couple of seasons back and was Val's partner.  Oh yes, Nyle and Peta were amazing too.  They were Tarzan and Jane. 

Ginger Zee as Belle

Witney's skirt had lights!

 It was a fun night, my favorite of the season.

Marla and Tony went home.  I wanted Doug Flutie to go.  I like Marla.

Little Mermaid and Eric

 After DWTS James and I tried to watch Castle but it was just too bloody for me.  I can't watch those kinds of shows anymore.  So instead of Castle we went back to the Hallmark channel to watch a movie.  Here it is, "Hearts of Spring."

Lisa Whelchel, Blair from

"The Facts of Life."

Sunday, April 10, 2016

I should have named my girls,
Faith, Hope, and Charity.

James and I left for Church in time to get there around 8:30.  I set up my classroom and he drew a tree on the chalkboard of his.  His lesson today is on the Allegory of the Olive Tree.  Mine is about the conversion of Alma the Younger.  

Alma the younger trying to convince the people that the Church

isn't true.  Sorry I didn't get a picture of James's tree.

I bore my testimony again this month.  I had not planned on it, but  I felt prompted to do so.  

Neither Zemira or Braylin were in class today.  Zemira was sick and Braylin must have been out of town because none of his family was here.  Kiley, a little girl who came a few weeks ago was here.  She is awesome.  I hope she starts coming every week.  Kasey was here and so was Curtis.  I found out that although Kasey is turning 10, she has never been baptized.  When we got home from church, James called, Sean Hunsaker, the ward mission leader to tell him.

Becky Skousen was back in Primary today.  She is the Primary president and has missed several weeks because of knee surgery.  Our pianist, Analee Hunsaker was here too.  She hurt her hand several weeks ago and we have really missed her.  

The Crane kids, four of them, were in Primary today.  They sold their house in Gilbert and bought a new one that won't close until almost the end of the month.  They have set up a trailer in the Crane's front yard.  Kathy looked a little tired today.  They have a granddaughter who has downs syndrome.  She was so cute when we were singing she would rock back and forth in her seat.  When the music stopped, she stopped.  We learned a new song today, "This Is My Beloved Son."  

We spent a nice quiet afternoon at home.  Today is sibling day and I enjoyed looking at everyone's posts with their siblings.  Here are a couple from our family.

 James with his brothers and sisters at his father's funeral.

 Dennis, me, and Harold.

James bought me the sweater and necklace for Christmas.

This was before we were married.

 One of my favorite family pictures, even

if I do have owl glasses

Sandra Wilhelm posted these pictures of her boys, Zemira and Curtis who are following in the footsteps of their older brothers.

Since they are both in my Primary class, I had to post these.

 Zemira got second.

Curtis got second too!

This afternoon I deleted all the pictures and contacts from my old phone because I gave it to LeeAnn.  When she came to get it she showed me where the sim card was and how to get it out.  I didn't have to delete anything!

 

This evening we did some studying by the fire that James built.  It was cool tonight and was supposed to rain but if it did it wasn't much.  After we were finished studying we watched our Hallmark movie.  This one is a new one.  Part of the Spring Fling group.

 Great movie about a 'manny' who becomes the 'daddy'.

 We wanted to watch the finale of "When Calls the Heart" but for some reason it did not tape!  Hopefully there will be a rerun so we can see it.