Friday, May 13, 2016

Happy Birthday to my nephew Monte!

(Seen here with his wife, Tasha)

My mom's birthday was on September 13th and she always said that 13 was her lucky number.  It is appropriate that her oldest grandchild would be born on the 13th.

Today's scripture study and question:
Mosiah 29:1-15
"What are the differences between the judgments of man and the judgments of God"?
God is perfect with a perfect eternal perspective.  He knows our hearts and our whole stories.  As "man" we have limited understanding of one another and one anothers situations.  Isn't it difficult to accurately judge someone when you don't truly know their story and what's on the inside?  
Good advice but hard to live by sometimes.

I made three dozen rolls today for the Father's and Son's Outing.  I used Rhodes frozen rolls but they are delicious and taste homemade.  Do you think anyone will notice?

I found an interesting situation in my family history today.  Could there be two brothers one with the name of Alexander A. Strickland born in 1862 and the other Alexander Strickland born in 1870?
I am not sure what to do because ordinance work has already been done.

This is a picture of my cousin Rita and her husband Bill.  Rita is a month younger than I am and we both have rheumatoid arthritis.
I guess it must run in the family.

 Rita and Bill are temple workers and Rita also worked at the family history center the last time I spoke with her.

Listened to Elder Bednar's conference talk about retaining a remission of our sins.  His talks are always so good!

I also listened to several articles in the New Era.  What a great magazine for our youth! 

I loved the smell of pine when I opened the window while ironing!
I also enjoyed the aroma of baking rolls!

James and I went to town again this afternoon.  James had to get roofing material and make a stop at Home Depot.  I had to go to Walmart and pick up a prescription.  I also picked up a few veggies and some other items.

I put some things away that I brought in from the garage, vacuumed downstairs and swept the upstairs.

Around 5:30 James and I took the Razr up the hill to Brady Springs to deliver rolls and water.  This was my first Razr ride of the season and it was great.  Did I mention that it was 82 degrees here today?

Back at home James worked until quite late so we didn't have time to watch a movie.  We did the next best thing, we watched an episode of "Chopped" instead!

I don't know why, but I love this show!

 

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Scripture study: Mosiah 28:1-20

 why did the sons of Mosiah want to preach to the Lamanites?

What should be our attitude about missionary work? 

V3 - "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human should perish; yea, even the very thought that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."  

I love the compassion the sons of Mosiah have towards the people they considered their enemies.  But they didn't view them as that, they viewed them as children of God that were just like them, in need of help to "see" and the potential to change.  This really struck me today.  If only I could view all my "enemies" like that.  

Also, I believe the sons of Mosiah desired to preach to the Lamanites because they could relate to them.  

V4 - "And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners.  And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever."  They knew what it was like to be "lost" and then be "found" and to have the Spirit of the Lord work upon them.  They felt the amazing difference between the two and knew they could help others feel that too.   

I hope my attitude about missionary work would be similar to that of the sons of Mosiah.

Some thoughts from the Book of Mormon Student Manual:

"The desire to share the gospel is a natural result of personal conversion." - Howard W. Hunter

"The key to successful member missionary work is the exercise of faith.  Exercise faith by setting a date to have someone ready to hear the missionaries." - M. Russell Ballard

For my General Conference talk I read Elder Jairo Mazzagardi's talk, "The Sacred Place of Restoration."

'Palmyra was the stage of the Restoration, where the Father's voice would be heard after nearly two millennia.'

I read some amazing articles about General Conference in the New Era.  I love the New Era almost as much as the Ensign.

I usually read the Ensign first, then the Friend because I am in Primary, and then the New Era.

I'm just going to share a little bit from an article called, "My Conference Plan."  Here are the things we should do as a result of listening to General Conference:

Attend the temple

Read the scriptures

Be sincere in prayer

Open up to promptings

Listen to the Holy Ghost

Have the Desire

Find ancestors

Forgive others

I saw James looking out the window this morning.  He made the comment: "I wonder what that squirrel is eating."  I was curious so I came over and looked out the window too.  I wanted to say, an acorn, but there were no oak tree close by.  It looked like he was picking up something off the ground and holding it in his front paws and eating.  No sure what it was.

James loves the little critters we have around here.  He is always taking lettuce and carrots to the rabbits.  The other day he was holding a baby bunny and looking in the frig for something for him to eat.  

Here he is putting up the hummingbird feeder.

 He wouldn't let me take a picture of his face

because of his "owie's."

James is making great progress on the shed.  He's working on the roof right now.  He is so discouraged because he can't talk or hear right now, and his face has a big owie.

 

I changed sheets on three beds today and vacuumed our bedroom, the living room and the family room.  I also dusted those areas.  There was a ton of sawdust on one of the couch cushions so I had to vacuum that up too.  I think James must have sat there.

Jared has convinced me that ebooks are a nice thing to have on your phone.  Today I downloaded a book he said was really good called, "Amazed by Grace" by Sheri Dew.  It didn't cost me anything because of my platinum points.  I was a little disappointed it wasn't in audio.  The audio books cost alot more.

I also read from the book Jared gave me for mother's day, "To Mothers, Carrying the Torch of Faith and Family."  I think I am going to really enjoy it.

I worked out in the garage for an hour sweeping and organizing.  I was filthy, which called for a soak in the tub.

James Hayden had a ballroom dance recital tonight.  I wish I could be there to see him!  He is going to send me some pictures.  He danced to Phantom of the Opera and was dressed as the phantom.  Does it get any better?

Michael ran in the Meet of Champions tonight.  He got third.  Paul posted this picture.

 In two years I hope.

TBT on Facebook:

 He has grown so much!

Max totally looks like Harry Potter!

Tonight James and I watched a movie made in 2008 starring Jane Seymour.  It was a murder mystery with quite a bit of comedy thrown in.

James saw Jane Seymour on a plane one time.

For some reason he is not a big fan.

I like her.

 

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Mosiah 27:18-37

How does it feel to have your soul "redeemed from the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity"? This is the conversion story of Alma the younger and here are a few of my favorite verses:

24 - For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.

25 - And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

28 - Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.

29 - My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity.  I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God.  My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.

31 - Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him.  Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the word, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye.

36 - And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.

Wow! What a change.  I wish I could see this dramatic change in some of my grandsons. 

 

During our morning study time:

While he's huddled around the heater, I am sitting under the fan.

 

Today is a smoky day.  For some reason the forest service thinks they have to do burns to protect the trees.  James and I are both frustrated.  We are wondering why they can't chip the trees, etc. and sell them to the chipping plant in Show Low.  The smoke makes us miserable, especially James who has such bad allergies.

 

James needed to get some materials for the shed in town and wanted me to go with him.  On the way we read from Sarah M. Eden British Isles Collection.  We never finished the last story and James wants to finish it before we go on to the next Narnia book.  The story is called "A Lesson in Love."

 

I shopped at Walmart and probably spent too much money while James was buying roofing materials.  When he was finished he picked me up and I went with him to Home Depot.  While he was buying building supplies I bought a new filter for our refrigerator and some air filters for the air conditioner.  The items I bought were right around $100.  Keeping up a home is expensive!

Oh yes, James heard from Erik and my car does have a warped head gasket so that's probably going to cost us around $1,500.  Let's just say that it's expensive to live.

 

On the way home we listened to Elder Mervyn B. Arnold's conference address, "To the Rescue: We Can Do It" Here is a quote:

"The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost . . .

"For it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

 

On a little lighter note:

Our choices for President of the United States are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.  I honestly don't know who to vote for.

 Is there a decent third party running.  We will have to wait and see.

Laura says we need to vote Republican because of the Supreme Court nominations, but can I honestly vote for someone who I think is incompetent?

Kaeli Nicoll and I went to visit Claire Mercado this afternoon.  We even met beforehand and had prayer.  I took Claire and her daughter Marlie a basket of fruit an Claire seemed very appreciative.  She ate one of the bananas while we were there.  

 

After our visit I couldn't get in the house so I called James to let me in.  He was still outside working and so I told him not to worry about it.  As I was walking around to the back of the house where the door was unlocked he came charging through the garage and ran into a wall.  He was a bloody mess when I saw him.  He has a big gash between his eyebrows.  He probably needed to have stitches.  He spent all day on a ladder and never got hurt and then this happens.  He wouldn't let me take a picture.

 

I fixed cabbage and broccoli for dinner and we both loved it!  While we were settling in to watch our movie Dallin and Joe were performing with Alpin Hong at MCC.

Dallin is singing on the far right.

These two are very talented if I do say so myself!

 

Here is the movie we watched.  Another one with Ed Asner as the grumpy, wise grandpa.

Some gorgeous northern California

scenery in this movie.

 

 

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

I just posted this picture because I thought it was pretty.

Today's scripture study: Mosiah 27:1-17:

Mosiah forbids persecution and enjoins equality.  Alma the younger and the four sons of Mosiah seek to destroy the Church - An angel appears and commands them to cease their evil course - Alma is struck dumb - All mankind must be 'born again' to gain salvation - Alma and the sons of Mosiah declare glad tidings.

My favorite verses:

4 - They should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.

14 - The angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people . . . Alma prayed with much faith that thou might be brought to the knowledge of the truth.  Therefore for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.

Question: How can righteous parents influence wayward children?  

I think we have here a prime example of what a parent can do.  Pray and exercise faith and be a good example.  Never give up!

I also listened to Elder Neil L. Andersen's conference address, "Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me."

'Children today find themselves in many different and complex family configurations.  We need to reach out to those who feel alone, left behind, or outside the fence.'

I also listened to several articles from the New Era.  It was a review and summary of conference addresses by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

This is what James built today while I was preparing for the missionaries:

Sweet!

I started preparing dinner around 12:30 p.m. and finished just before 5 p.m. when the missionaries were scheduled to come.

Elder Rosenbalm and Elder Goodenough.

Elder Rosenbalm is from Lehi, Utah but right now his family is living in Kuwait where his dad has a job.  Elder Goodenough is from Daytona Beach, Florida.  Both of them want to attend BYU or BYU-Idaho after their missions.

We had enchiladas, spanish rice, refried beans, corn and a lettuce salad for dinner.  For dessert, brownies, ice cream, and chocolate sauce.  

We really enjoyed visiting with these elders.  It seems like they are on missions for all the right reasons.  Before leaving Elder Rosenbalm shared a scripture from Romans 8:16-17:

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

After cleaning the kitchen we were both so tired we just wanted to sit down and relax and watch a movie.  This is the one we chose:

Cute movie.

 Thank goodness for Facebook or I wouldn't know anything.

Kylie, Addy, and Kayla are all 

Golden Scholars!

Woohoo!

Monday, May 9, 2016

I took this picture on the way home Saturday from inside the truck

I think it turned out pretty good.

Mosiah 26:14-39 - Who are the Lord's sheep?  Those that hear His voice. (vs. 21)

30 - Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.

39 - . . . pray without ceasing and give thanks in all things.

It took me awhile this morning but I was finally able to reset James's Apple password so he could download the Google app.

Yeah, you guessed it, I'm the techie of the family.

James and I met Dennis and Denise and Harold at Licano's today to celebrate Dennis's birthday.  Vickie was supposed to come but she had a headache.  Probably a "hangover" from the state track meet.

Dennis and Denise told of their treacherous hike below the Tonto National Bridge that they went on for Dennis's birthday.  Denise said she almost didn't make it and would never go again.  I guess it was stressful at the time but it gave them a good story to tell.

I should have had Harold scoot in as he is barely in the picture.  

After lunch and saying our goodbye's James and I headed for Walmart and Home Depot.  

On the way home we finished "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."  We stopped at the post office and Jared had sent me a book for mother's day.  

I love Elder and Sister Holland

This afternoon while James was working outside I paid bills and worked on my blog.  

For FHE James and I listened to Elder Rasband's conference talk, "Standing with the Leaders of the Church."  Here is a quote:

"Are you standing with the leaders of the Church in a darkening world so that you might spread the Light of Christ?"

We also watched this week's episode of "The Good Witch."  

I watched a few dances on DWTS.  I actually really liked Jodi and Keo's jive.  The ended up going home after getting a perfect score.

Here is a picture someone took of a storm cloud in Oklahoma:

Trina found this critter waiting for her in the garage when she came home from work tonight.

James says it's a vinegeron.  Some other people called it a sun spider, camel spider, and scorpion spider just to name a few.

What ever it is, it's disgusting!

Sunday, May 8, 2016

The hero of our story in Primary today.

Ammon was a great servant.

Notes on my personal gospel study.  Somehow James and I need to get back together on this.  Mosiah 25:15-26:13:

16 - Remember it was the Lord that delivered the people out of bondage.

18 - Alma baptizes Limhi and his people. 

19 - Alma establishes seven churches throughout Zarahemla.

24 - And they were called the people of God.  And the Lord did pour out His Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land.

Mosiah 26

Many of the rising generation did not understand the words of King Benjamin and they did not believe the traditions of their fathers.

This causes problems throughout the Church in Zarahemla.  Alma doesn't know what to do with the non-believers and their iniquities.  First he goes to Mosiah, but Mosiah told him he was in charge of the church.  Then Alma goes to the Lord.

Maddie Carroll gave the youth talk in Church today.  Chuck and Kathy Crane were the main speakers. 

  Kathy shared the talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland in the April 1997 General Conference, "Because She is A Mother."  I liked this quote from the talk:

'If you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do.' 'Sometimes the decision of a child or a grandchild will break you heart.' 'Oh, God, let me not lose my own.' - Joseph F. Smith.

'No one fails who keeps trying and keeps praying.'

Chuck's talk was based on President Uchtdorf's talk in the recent priesthood session of conference entitled, "In Praise of Those Who Save".  'As we emulate the Savior's love, He will surely bless and prosper our righteous efforts to save our marriages and strengthen our families.'

There was a little bit of time left at the end of the meeting so Bishop Miller got up to say a few words.  He went to the state track meet in Mesa and talked about a girl who was a very fast runner and who through training and dedication had accomplished her goals.  He then said: "Conquer physical weaknesses through our mind.  Think about what you think about.  Everything begins with a thought."  Something to think about.

My Primary class went well today but they were too focused on the candy I brought.  I had Izabel, Zemira, Curtis, Braylin, and Talena.  Talena is from the older class but Denice Hall wasn't here today.  

They all enjoyed the story of Ammon and trying out the sling.  Of course all the boys want James to make them one.  

It's sad not having Sister Berry in sharing time.  Our Primary is so small I guess they sent her class to be with Sadie's or Rosa's.  

This is Rosa Westbrook and her daughter Sadie.

They are the two other Primary teachers who are

there every week with me.

I love them both.  Rosa raised seven boys and two girls.

After Primary we went home and James cooked me a most delicious fillet steak.  He also gave me Jordan almonds and the sweetest mother's day card.

Those potatoes don't look like much but they were delicious!

After lunch I took a short nap and then spent some time studying and then working on my next week's Primary lesson.  I also worked on my blog.  The TV never came on once today.  It was a wonderful Sabbath day and a great mother's day.  I heard from all of my children.  They really are wonderful.

 

 

Saturday, May 7, 2016

James, Kim, and I went to the Gilbert temple

to do initiatories this morning.

James and I have been to the temple five weeks in a row now.  We are serious about  temple work and family history.

After dropping Kim off at home James and I went to CVS to get some doggie treats to take to Holly. I also got some boxes of candy for the boys and Stacy.  I ask Joshua what kind of candy his dad likes and he said Whoppers. Next time.  I wanted to wish Michael good luck on his race but he wasn't there.

When we got back to Cathi's James went to Erik's to pick up his truck and to drop off my car.  We are leaving it here because it heated up the first two days we were here.  Now that the weather cooled down, it hasn't heated up again.

I was going to get pack and get ready to go home but Kim came by to bring me cards and mother's day gifts.  Brian got me a card just from him, which I thought was very sweet.  I got a $50 gift card to Olive Garden, some Lindor caramels, a purple journal and some pens.  

 I got myself the same purple journal that Kim got me.

She knows me so well!

When James got back he helped me pack.  We said our goodbyes and headed for Rowan's and Evan's soccer game.  We got there the same time as Trina and so she took us right to the field.  Sheri is so sweet, she let me sit in her chair.  We visited with Sheri, Trina, Suzy, and Bob, and of course Lola.  They boys lost but they look so handsome in their purple jersey's, and I didn't even get a picture!

On the way home we stopped at Burger House and then at Safeway where I bought some fillet's for tomorrow.  I forgot to mention that yesterday at Walmart James bought me an azalea tree.

We aren't sure yet if we should keep it inside

or if it's okay to put it outside.  We need to do

a little research.

We unpacked the truck and spent the rest of the evening working on our lessons.  Although we love seeing family in the valley, it is always good to be home.
James took the time to make a slingshot for my lesson tomorrow on Ammon.  Here he is working on it.

What a sweetie!

Here is the finished product:

The boys in my class are going to love this!

Lots of excitement at the state track meet tonight.  Desert Vista was ahead of the Chandler boys by one point with one event left, the 4x400 relay.  We had to win this race, or lose and then Michael would not get a ring.  Our guy started out in first and then another guy passed him, and then our guy was in first again and won the race.  Paul posted everything on Facebook so we actually got to watch the race.  It was so exciting when we won.  Both Chandler boys and girls took first!  Michael was one happy guy!

 Woohoo!

Congratulations! 

 One more picture.  This is Addy and Kayla at their dance recital.

 Addy is a little sad because she won't be performing

with this group anymore.