Friday, May 20, 2016

This quote is from Sheri Dew's book, "Amazed by Grace."  Jared told me about it, and he also told me how convenient ebooks are.

Thank you Jared!

I finished my gospel study and morning chores before James said it was time to go to town.  I told him to give me fifteen minutes and I would be ready.  

Vickie called and said she would come out this afternoon and program us a new remote.  I told her I would call when we were leaving Show Low coming back to Vernon.  

Just as we were loading up the truck and getting in, I saw Harold and Vickie coming towards the entrance of Walmart.  They were going in to get graduation cards and said they would be coming out to our place as soon as they were finished.  

When we left Walmart we went to Panda to get some lunch.  By the time we got home and were less than half way through our lunch, Harold and Vickie showed up.  I had groceries sitting all over the counter still.

They programmed two new remotes for us and brought two HDMI cords in case we ever need them and didn't charge us anything.  You can't ask for better service than that.

Speaking of Maxwell's, Jeffrey, Harold and Vickie's oldest grandson, will be going through the temple on June 4th.  James and I plan on being there with him.  

Last week Dallin and two of his bands, Harrison Fjiord and Flower Cult, performed at Mesa Community College with the world renowned pianist, Alpin Hong.  Since we weren't able to go, I appreciate these pictures:

Dallin with Alpin Hong

He really is a performer

Joe was in the choir in the background.

Dallin with his indie band, Flower Cult.

James and I watched a good Hallmark mystery movie before going to bed tonight.  

I am going crazy trying to get James and Adam to put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher!  

 

Thursday, May 19, 2016

I love our views!

After my morning prayers I was looking at my emails and came across one from Meridian Magazine about Trump's 11nomination ideas for Supreme Court judge.  One is Tom Lee, Supreme Court justice in Utah.  He is Rex E. Lee's son.  Rex E. Lee is former president of BYU and served as U.S. solicitor general in the Reagan administration.  Rex Lee is from St. Johns, Arizona.  If Trump would nominate Lee, it would definitely be a reason to vote for him.

General Conference address: President Monson, "A Sacred Trust."

Alma 2:19-38

What did the Nephites do to gain victory over the Amlicites?

Answer: It's all about prayer and perseverance.  The Nephites were prayerful.  Alma cried out in faith for deliverance and for the ability to help those around him.  The Nephites didn't just rely on prayer, they went to work.  They were diligent in pursuing the enemy because they knew, if they let them get away, they would have this repeated cycle of them coming against them again.  They wanted peace.  

My notes on this chapter:

24 - The Amlicites join the Lamanites.

28 - The Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to the Lord, ..., the Lord did hear their cries and did strengthen them.

30 - Alma's cry: "O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people."

31 - Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword.

35 - And it came to pass that when they had all crossed the river Sidon that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not be numbered.  

In the Book of Mormon Student Manual I read an excerpt from the conference talk President Hinckley gave about tatoos and piercings. ( See Ensign, November 2000, 52.)

This was in reference to the Amlicites marking themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites. (Alma 3:4).

Darrel sent me a recording of Ruby's school principal talking about Ruby and her good citizenship.  Ruby found a dime on the ground at school and carried it around in her pocket until she could take it to the principal's office.  When asked why she didn't just keep the dime, she said: "Because it wasn't mine."

I love it!

2:

Ruby with Lola, a couple of cuties!

I am so excited to have a visiting teaching partner, and the Relief Society President to boot.  Kaeli and I developed a friendship when she was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's when I was the 1st counselor.  Our president moved and we were pretty much left to run the show.  She has only been a member a few years and is 27 years old, but we are good friends.

We visited Hailey Chaffin and we went in my truck.  Kaeli's two year old daughter Natalie came with us.  It was a very bumpy ride part of the way, but we made it and had a good visit with Hailey, Taylor who was home from school and baby Huntleigh.  

Hailey gave me the name of an internet company who provides unlimited internet to rural areas.  It's called wi-power.  When I got home I called them and they are available.  Now I just have to see if we are under contract with our jetpacks to Verizon.  $75 is so much better than $170!

Hailey's baby has droopy eyelids and will have surgery on July 1st in the valley.  

Here is what we gave Hailey:

The jar is full of "hugs and kisses"

We read a quote by President Uchtdorf:

"Our Savior, the good shepherd, knows and

loves us.  He knows and loves you.

He knows when you are lost,

and he knows where you are.  

He knows your grief, your silent pleadings.

Your fears and your tears.  It matters

not how you became lost ... what matters is that

you are His child and He loves you.

Because He loves you, He will find you.

He will place you upon His shoulders,

rejoicing."

We were supposed to visit Jean Howard after Hailey, but she called and said she was still in the valley.  We will try again next week.

I came home and took a nap and then got up and got ready to go out again with Kaeli.  This time we visited Joell Miller and Randa Covert who are both inactive.  Joell is Kaeli's best friend so they are very close.  They allowed me in to their circle of confidence today.  Now I know and understand Joell so much better.

Randa is a young married.  She worked with Kaeli and I in the Young Women's and even went to girls camp with us.  Before we left to go down to sell our house she and I were visiting teaching companions.  She and her husband just went through the temple a year or so ago.  When I got back from Chandler last July I didn't see her or her husband Justin at church.  I thought they had moved but found out later that was not the case.  Something happened to offend them but I have now idea what it was.  I think Kaeli may know but is not at liberty to tell me.  We had a nice visit and it was 7 o'clock when I got home.  I was exhausted.  Thank goodness I marinated some honey lime chicken before leaving this morning.  We had chicken, corn, and left over chili for dinner.  It was yummy.

The remote in the family room doesn't work so James and I went in the bedroom to watch our movie, "At Home with Prudence," starring Jane Seymour.  

In other news, here are some posts from Facebook:

Michael

2016

Dallin 

 

Jared Ammon

2010

 

Joshua during a Cub Scout skit

with 

"Elephant Repellant"

As Kim says, the kid can act!

 

 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Alma 2:1-18.  Amlici seeks to be king nd is rejected by the voice of the people - His followers make him king - The Amlicites make war on the Nephites and are defeated - Alma salys Amlici.

 Notes:

4 - Amlici's intent was to destroy the Church of God.

5 - For or against Amlici division causes 'wonderful' contentions.  I think 'wonderful' contentions could mean, an opportunity to share and defend your beliefs.

16 - Alma goes at the head of the army to battle.  (To me this shows what kind of a leader he was.)

18 - The Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites.  (Remember the promise, keep the commandments and prosper in the land.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Listened to President Eyring's conference address, "Eternal Families."

Study Primary lesson about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. 

James has a new 'concoction' with lemon, cinnamon, vinegar, etc.

It tastes nasty but it helps the laryngitis.

I saw eight bunnies outside this morning.  When they saw me they ran and hid.

Jared texted me this morning and said Enbrel was not working for his arthritis anymore.  His doctor is putting him on Remicade.  I told him it worked for me a few months and then I was miserable.  I am now on Actemra.

Adam is trying to paint the trim on the shed before it starts to rain.  He is concerned because it is supposed to be brown but it look purple.  James told him not to worry because purple was my favorite color.  Yeah, but I'm not sure how it will look on a brown shed.

 My view of Adam painting.

I was too lazy to go outside.

While Adam was outside working, James was inside working.

Now I know why he wanted Adam to come.

The rain finally did come, at least for a little while.  I couldn't even see my mountain.

 Mount Mentosa disappears

Here is the birdhouse James built and hung.

Right outside our bedroom porch.

 Here is a strange bird we saw today.  Maybe he will live in our birdhouse!

For lunch today I made calico beans and rolls.  James and Adam both love the beans.  

After lunch I read two chapters of "A Lady's Favor" to James.  This is his kind of book and mine too!

My project this afternoon was to plan my menus and shopping list for next week.  

Around six o'clock we left for the temple.  Just before we left we both saw a young bull elk in our backyard.  Actually I should say I saw him and told James.  It was funny to see one elk all by himself.

On the way to the temple we stopped at Maverick to get some water and Icebreakers.  

Brother and Sister West meet us at the temple and show us where to get our scrubs, and then we go to work.  We are being trained as the temple cleaning co-ordinators for the Vernon ward.

Tonight is the Snowflake sixth wards turn to clean.  I was so surprised and happy to see our friend from Chandler, Ruth Gale.  We visited for awhile and then I saw another friend, Jani Huso Johnson.  They are both members of the Snowflake sixth ward.

Sister Raylene DeSpain Perry and her husband were the co-ordinators.  They live in Heber but had traded with the Snowflake sixth ward co-ordinators.  Raylene went to school with Dennis and Randy, and of course Vickie knew her. (I called and asked Vickie later).

We didn't get home until after 10.  We were both tired but we visited with Adam who seemed lonely and we both had a snack before going to bed.

 

 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

A beautiful sunrise this morning.

James left for the valley around 6 a.m.  The Oregon/San Tan

job is finally starting.  Oregon, because the guy who is doing the job is from Oregon, and San Tan because that's where the job is located.  It's a tenant improvement on a dentist office.  

James had a meeting with Allen, the guy who is doing the job.  Gail will be working on this job too.  He will be coming down on Thursday with Seth.

Sandra Wilhelm posted this picture on Facebook today:

Talon with the cowboy hat, Jackson with the Cubs hat, and 

Tyler Tedder, the boy who died last year.  So sad.

I miss seeing him pass the sacrament.

Today's scripture study included Alma 1:15-33.  Here are some verses I felt were significant:

22 - ... there were many among them who began to be proud (members of the Church), and began to contend warmly with this adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.

24 - For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God.  And also many withdrew themselves from among them.

25 - Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of god, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.

27 - And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

29 - And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need - an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth

30 - And thus in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked or that were hungry , or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

I read about the Church's view regarding capital punishment in the Book of Mormon Student Manual.  This is in regard to verse 18 of Alma 1 where it says: . . . he that murdered was punished unto death.

*The law of God is "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Genesis 9:6).

Alma 1:26-31. The Affairs of the Church Estabished

*President James E. Faust explained that establishing the Lord's Church requires more than performing baptisms:

"We recognize that the process of establishing the Lord's church encompasses much more than baptizing people.  In the first chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon we find an instructive sequence of events outlining the way by which the Lord's church is established. 

"Let us take note of this process:

"First, the doctrines are taught (see Alma 1:26).

"Second, members esteem each other as themselves (see v. 26).

"Third, they all labor; they work and earn that which they receive (see v. 26).

"Fourth, they impart of their substance to the less fortunate; they serve one another (see v. 27).

"Fifth, they discipline their own appetites while at the same time caring appropriately for their own needs (see v. 27).

"This mighty change happened, not because the people were given things, but rather because they were taught and began to help themselves and to care for those who were less fortunate.  It was when they gave of themselves in the Lord's way that their circumstances began to improve.

"This process of establishing the Church can apply anywhere" (Ensign, Nov. 1979, 91).

Texted James Hayden asking him to release Delphia, Laura and Isabella Strickland's temple cards.

Finished watching DWTS.  Took a nap and then cleaned and polished the wood floor upstairs.  It rained a little this afternoon.  

I had a really yummy lunch today.  A tomato, cucumber, avocado salad with lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.  Delicious!

I love the talk I listened to today.  It was President Uchtdorf's priesthood session talk entitled "In Praise of Those Who Save."  

Today is Monte and Tasha's 21st anniversary.  I wished them a Happy Anniversary!  

James arrived home this evening with Adam.  He brought me a green chili mixed burro from Burger House.  He said Adam ate his so he didn't get one.  I guess Adam saw three in the bag and though two were for him and one was for James.  

Adam also fried some potstickers and ate them after arriving here.  I could smell them all night while I was trying to sleep.  

James made me a fire and I read to him from "A Lady's Favor."  Afterwards we watched Karen Kingsbury's "A Time to Dance."

Jenny Garth.

We were in bed by 10.

 

Monday, May 16, 2016

Padre Island

Today our scripture reading was Alma 1:1-14.  Here are some notes I took:

People care for the poor and the Church prospers.  Alma becomes the Chief Judge and the High Priest over the Church.  Nehor teaches that all men will have eternal life.  Gideon withstood him and Nehor kills Gideon.  Priestcraft is introduced and is enforced by the sword.  1:16 - priestcraft is "preaching false doctrines ... for the sake of riches and honor."  1:7-9 - Gideon "was an instrument in the hands of God."  1: 13-15 - Nehor suffers an ignomonious death which is a shameful death.  

"The Greatest Leaders are the Greatest Followers."  Brother Owen, the Young Men's President.  

"There will be times when the path ahead seems dark, but keep following the Savior.

He knows t he way, in fact, He is the way."

James and I had lunch with our friends Blain and Diana Curtis.  When we went to get in the truck, I noticed it had a flat tire.  

James put air in the tire and we were on our way.  We parked the truck at the Curtis's and drove with them to Show Low. We followed Dennis and Denise's recommendation and tried The House Restaurant.

It was very casual and the menu is very small, featuring appetizers, salads, and sandwiches.  

Blain and Diana both ordered The Show Low sandwich which is described as: 8oz. bacon laced ground pork, crisp bacon, carved ham, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle aioli.

James ordered the Founder: slow cooked pork shoulder, spinach, tomato, green chili aioli.

I ordered the Chicken of Clubs: grilled chicken breast, bacon, pepper jack, avocado, spinach, tomato, and red pepper aioli.

James was the only one who didn't like his sandwich.  

Our sandwiches came with chips and were served in a box.  I did not like the fact that I had to eat out of the box but the food was good enough that I would come back again.  

Diana and I shared a piece of decadent cherry cheesecake with shortbread crust.  It was delicious!

 Our friends the Curtis's

They are awesome.

I got a call from Sister West who is  the cleaning co-ordinator for the temple.  She wants to meet with us Wednesday night and train us.  Our first assignment is on Thursday, May 26th, at the beginning of Memorial Day weekend.  We are responsible to get 20 people there.  Yikes!

I took a little nap this afternoon while James put a plug in the tire.  He is going to the valley tomorrow and doesn't want to wake up to a flat tire.  

After my nap I worked on my Primary lesson and Article of Faith notebooks for my class, and my blog.  I like to watch "Chopped" while I am working at my computer.  

James came in a little late so before he was ready for FHE I watched part of DWTS.  I will watch the rest tomorrow.  I heard the news that Antonio and Wanya went home.  Wanya was my second favorite after Paige.  I am sad.  Nyle, Ginger and Paige are in the finale.  I hope Paige wins. 

For FHE we listened to Brother Owen's talk and then read from our ebook, "A Lady's Favor." 

I love this memory from my photo collection:

Max wears the 'stache well.

 

 

Sunday, May 15, 2016

I got up at 4:30 this morning to finish studying and preparing my Primary lesson.  I love the story of the conversion of King Lamoni's father.  Maybe someday we will know his name.

Ty Applegate was the youth speaker today in sacrament meeting.  He spoke on Brother Owen's conference address, "Great Leaders are Great Followers."  

His mother, Tamara, was the next speaker.  She spoke about what she learned from stake and general conference.  Here is a list that she created: 1.) Attend all sessions 2.) Look for answers to problems 3.) Pray and invite the Spirit 4.) Don't disbute or criticize like Laman and Lemuel, and don't harden your heart. 5.) "The Lord blesses those who want to improve." - Elder Jeffrey Rl. Holland.  

She then discussed what her "conference plan" was going to be.  Here is mine: Attend the temple more frequently, read the scriptures with greater intent, be sincere in prayer, open up to promptings, listen to the Holy Ghost, have the desire to improve, find my ancestors, and forgive others.

Sadie Westbrook was the last speaker.  She spoke about her participation in the Pathway Program.  The Pathway program prepares you to go to BYU-Idaho or BYU-Online.  It is three semesters long.  Sadie is finishing up her third semester and wants to attend BYU-Idaho in September.  

Zemira, Curtis, Braylin, and Kacey attended Primary today.  The lesson went really well and at the end we played tic-tac-toe, answering questions from the lesson.  The game was a tie.

After church, as we were leaving to go home James says to me: "I have some bad news.  The bishop wants to see us in his office at 2:45.  I had told him earlier that I thought they were calling a camp director today.  At first I was a little nervous, but I said a prayer, and I felt fine.  It turns out the bishop wants us to be the temple cleaning co-ordinators.  The only part of the calling I am a little nervous about is getting 18 other people to clean with us when we go every other month.  

Today I finished reading Mosiah 29 and listened to President Nelson's talk on the priesthood.  I also worked on my Primary lesson for next week which is about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.

James went with Rick Lauritzen to give George Wallace a blessing this afternoon.  George had hernia surgery this week and he is retaining fluids.  He has gained 25 lbs. in four days and refuses to go back to the doctor.  

James and I both wore our jammies most of the afternoon after our meeting with the bishop. 

James wanted to watch TV this evening, so we watched "The Good Witch."

  Cheryl Horne posted these flowers on Facebook.  They are in her backyard.  I love them, especially the purple ones.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

It started out to be a beautiful morning.

 It got even better when we went to the Snowflake

temple.

James and I attended the 8 am endowment session.  Our friend from our ward, Blain Curtis was the officiator of our session.  I was proud of James for going even though he could only whisper and could not hear very well.  

After the session James left to go home.  I stayed and waited for our ward youth to come for baptisms.  I had to wait almost an hour so I sat in the chapel and read from the hymn book.  

We had a small group today, only three young women: Shelly, Alice, and Hailey, and three young men: Ty, Jace, and Andy.  There were five priesthood leaders: Wes Smith, Bishop Miller, Kip Hunsaker, Jimmy Applegate, and Rick Lauritzen.  There are supposed to be seven so we were two short.  James had been ask to go but because he couldn't talk or hear, he declined.  There were three women leaders: Diana Curtis, Tamara Applegate, and myself.  I got to hand towels to the youth as they came out of the baptismal font.  I really do love these young women:

Alice, Hailey, and Shelly.

They are so cute and fun!

After the temple the entire group went to El Cupido's for lunch.  Even though it was lunch time, I had my breakfast burrito with bacon.  It was yummy!

Alice, Hailey, Diana Curtis and I rode home with the bishop.  It was so fun to get to visit with my friend Diana again.  We get along so well.

As we were coming in to Vernon I mentioned that I hadn't seen the antelope that usually graze in the field by the Vernon turn off for awhile.  Just as we came around the corner into Vernon, bishop pointed out a herd.  

 

 A quote from my first ebook,

"Amazed by Grace"

by Sheri Dew.

Before doing anything else I had to lay down and take a nap.  James joined me.  I also had to call Debbie Miller and have her ask Ed if he would teach Gospel Doctrine tomorrow because James has no voice.  

My intention was to spend the rest of the day working on my Primary lesson, which I did for awhile until James came in and ask when we were going to watch our movie.  I just can't turn him down.  We watched the new Hallmark movie, "Tulips in Spring."

Lots going on in our family this weekend.  Alex and Tre, who was the prom queen at Chandler High, and also happens to be in Alex's seminary class, went to Mormon Prom together.

 Such a cute couple!

Emmy was in a soccer tournament.  All the other teams were boys.  They got 2nd place and Emmy plays defender and did really well.

 Emmy's in the back row with the glasses on.

Jared and James went to their Fathers & Sons Outing.  Here are a few pictures that Jared sent me.

 I remember that apple head guy from years past.

 Love that smile!

 Is that smoke in the background?

Do they do prescribed burns?

 James sees something.