Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Our bedroom at the villa.

The bed and pillows are very comfortable!

The bath is a whirlpool.

 

Alma 12:28-13:9

29 - He sent angels to converse with them, who caused men to behold of His glory.

30 - . . . God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption . . . and this He made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.

31-32 - He gave commandments unto men, after having made nown the plan of redemption.

33 - . . . If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through min Only Begotten Son;

34 - . . . unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

Alma 13

1-9 - Men are called as high priests because of their exceeding faith and good works.

 

James left early for work.  I got up and did some gospel study.  

When the boys got up they played Tenzi while they ate their breakfast.  

After breakfast they wanted to go to swim around 9:30.  They like to be there at 10 when they turn the waterfall on.  

They swam for a couple of hours and probably would have swam longer but Max chipped his tooth and skinned his face at the bottom of the pool, so we went back to the room, but not before getting snow cones for Max, Evan, and I.  Joshua did not want one.

Evan ordered sour apple, hence the face.

At first I thought he had a brain freeze.

A picture of Max with his wounds.  I guess he didn't want to

show his chipped tooth.

I fixed the boys each their own Totino's pizza for lunch.  Joshua's got a little burnt on the bottom so I went down and got him a hamburger with fries and Evan a cheeseburger and fries at the grill.  I can't believe that Evan at the pizza and the cheeseburger and fries.  That boy has an appetite!

James came home for a quick lunch and then left again to go back to work. 

 

We just hung out in the suite until Sheri got here with Rowan, Ben, and Brian Ross.  Now it was swim time again.

I am not sure why the hot pool is such an attraction

when it's over 100 degrees outside.

 Joshua swam better this year than he ever has!

 

When the boys were finished swimming we had Ben be in charge while Sheri and I went to Sprouts on north Scottsdale Road to get these goodies.

 Lemon cream almonds.

Absolutely delicious.

This could be a binge food for me.  I am glad they don't have 

a Spouts in Show Low.

After our trip to Sprouts we came back to the resort and took orders for dinner.  We went to Taco Bell and In'n'Out Burger.  Sheri left with Brian after getting dinner for the boys.

 

I went to Firehouse Subs to get dinner for James, Michael, and myself.  Michael here tonight because he is going to work with James in the morning.

 

The big boys took the little boys swimming.  When the little boys came back: Evan, Rowan, Max, and Joshua they said: "Ben and Michael were throwing us around."  They got ready for bed and watched Animal Planet because there wasn't anything else on that they wanted to watch.

Four boys in a bed.

 

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Daniel, MIchael, and Connor

These three went to IHOP for breakfast.

I thought my dentist appointment was at 1:30 but when I got a test to remind me this morning it said 10:30.  It's a good thing that they sent that test.

Dr. Douglas and her assistant were ready and waiting for me when I got there.  First it's a shot to numb my mouth, and then it's drilling and grinding to get the old crown off. After the old crown is off the assistant molds and inserts a temporary crown which I will wear until I come back again on July 1st for the permanent one.  I have to be very careful not to lose the temporary crown.  

I also got my teeth cleaned and while Dr. Douglas was working in my mouth she discovered I needed another new crown on the tooth right behind the one they just worked on.  They wanted to do the work today but I said no.  I had had enough and besides Max, Evan, and Joshua were waiting for me to take the to the resort. 

It cost me $777 today.  Another reason I didn't want to get two in the same visit.  After my appointment I went over to the mall to get some dice to play Tenzi with.  I got a set of four, with ten dice each.

The boys were waiting for me when I arrived.  Joshua had his backpack on and was walking down the road in front of his house.   
When we arrived at the resort they played for a little while and then wanted to go swimming.  I promised Stacy I would always go down while Joshua was in the pool, so away I went.
 The boys enjoyed swimming for awhile and then got hungry.

 Splash Grille

   Joshua got a burger and fries.

Max and Evan got chicken tenders and fries with

lemonade.

Back in the room we played Tenzi.

Grandpa got in on the action too.

Michael, Connor, and Daniel joined us at the pool for awhile and then they left for home.  

I went to Fry's Signature Market on north Hayden Rd. to get some cereal, water, and other commodities.  The boys all slept in the guest bed together.  I suggested one of them sleep on the couch bed but Evan said, "But this bed is so comfortable."  Rowan will join them tomorrow.  He has an orthodontist appointment in the morning or he would have been here today.

James worked all day at Desert Highland Golf Course and will be working again tomorrow.  Not much of a vacation for him.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Someone posted this on Facebook.  This is the bandelo I had when

I was in Primary back in the 50's.  I am glad someone kept theirs.

Alma 12:1-19

9 - What are the 'mysteries of God'?

President Joseph Fielding Smith explained:  T

he mysteries of God are simply those divine principles of the gospel necessary for our salvation that are not understood by the world.  The Lord has promised to reveal his mysteries to those who serve him in faithfulness.  The gospel is very simple so that even children at the age of accountability may understand it.  The simple principles of the gospel, such as baptism, and the atonement, are mysteries to those who do not have the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord."

10-12 - We receive the "lesser portion of the word" when we harden our hearts.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained that if we reject revelation through the Holy Ghost, we limit how much we can learn: "We teach and learn the mysteries of God by revelations from His Holy Spirit.  If we harden our hearts to revelation and limit our understanding to what we can obtain by study and reason, we are limited to what Alma called the 'lesser portion of the word.'"

The Trezise's and Michael came over to go swimming today.  

 They love coming here every year.

I had to leave to go with James to his hearing aid appointment at Costco because he does not have a Costco card.  I left just as Sheri and Evan were going to get NYPD pizza.  Another tradition.

To cool for the rest of us.

 Mr. Cool at the pool.

Michael being weird

While James was getting his ears tested I went shopping at Costco.  Here are a few of the things that I just had to have.  

Books and journals to add to my collection.

Since James only got one hearing aid it was less than we thought it would be.  It was less than $900, $899.99 to be exact.  It's my turn tomorrow when I go to get a crown replaced.

After Costco James had to go pick up some supplies and then drive back to the timeshare and then over to Gilbert and University in Mesa for a family dinner at Garcia's. We were about 10 minutes late.

Dinner was courtesy of Lois.

She had six of her eight children here.

I am tempted to leave me out.

You can certainly tell who the four brothers are.

James and I look like twins.

It was a fun evening and we are grateful to Lois and Dawn and Laura for arranging it. Lois said she used her couch change to pay for it.

Back at the timeshare we had company.  Stacy, Michael, and Joshua.  Joshua made himself right at home.

Watching the Frog Prince.

Michael ended up spending the night.  When his friends Connor and Daniel got off work, they joined him.

It was a funfilled, busy day.  I didn't even hardly notice the heat.

 

Sunday, June 5, 2016

"We must all learn to be true shepherds.  We must

manifest the same love to others that the Good Shepherd

has for all of us.  Each soul is precious to Him."

Alma 11:21-46

What does it mean to be saved?

Amulek teaches to be saved is to inherit the kingdom of God, cleansed from our sins through the Atonement of Christ.

We attended the Galveston 3rd ward today with Sheri and Ian and their boys, Cathi and Terry, and Dave and Laura.  I got hugs from Alex, Paula Casto, and Laurie Jensen.

Ben blessed the sacrament and Max passed.  I love to see my grandsons exercise their priesthood.

Evan gave a talk in Primary.  It was about reading the Book of Mormon and the challenge I issued last year to read it before Easter.  He wrote it himself and it was very good.  Cathi, Sheri, Ian, and I all were there to hear it. 

Cathi and I returned to Sunday School to hear the lesson, "Alma Did Judge Righteous Judgments.  Julio was the teacher and does a great job.  James didn't come to hear Evan's talk because he wanted to hear all of Julio's lesson since it is the one he will be giving next week.  

Lynette Braddock gave the lesson in Relief Society on missionary work.  Vickie Garrison told about her neighbor helping her carry in a keg of beer to a Halloween party she was giving and then asking her if she knew about the Mormon's.  She said she lived in Mesa for several years and this was the first time anyone had ever asked her about the Church.  The rest is history.

After Church I came home and looked up a talk Sheri Dew gave at a BYU Idaho devotional on May 17th.  Gerry Price mentioned it in her testimony today and recommended that everyone should go home and read it.  It is entitled, "Will You Engage in the Wrestle?"
Her premise is: How do we strengthen our faith so that we can defend the faith?  It is such an excellent article.  I recommend it to everyone who has a desire to strengthen their testimonies.

I took a long nap this afternoon and woke up about 4:30.  James and I broke our fast and went down to Sheri's for dinner.  We had meatball subs, veggies, and chocolate chip cookies.  Thank you Sheri for your delicious meals.  
Max and I made condo plans for this week.  I will pick up him, Joshua, and Evan after my dentist appointment on Tuesday and they will spend the night Tuesday and Wednesday.  
Sheri told me something that made me feel like maybe I made some good decisions as a mother.  She said when she and Ian lived in Mesa she would go to church by herself with Alex and Ben when they were little and be upset that Ian wasn't going with her.  She said I told her: "The gospel isn't about contention, it's about love."  She said she has never forgotten that statement.  

We took some of Sheri's homemade salsa back to Cathi and said our goodbye's to Cathi, Terry, Lady, and Indy and headed to Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale to spend the week in our timeshare.

 The front entrance

Inside the lobby

The fountain in Palm Court outside

of our suite.

Inside our suite

Our family loves this place.

We have lots of memories here.  For two or

three years we had Ruby's birthday party here.

James and I enjoyed the peace and quiet of our first night here.  It might be the only one when we are alone.  I could not go to sleep.  Maybe it's because of the long nap I had this afternoon.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Happy 11th Birthday Emmy!

We sure enjoyed having her at the cabin.

She took such good care of Lola.

Doesn't Molly look cute.

James went to the yard this morning to get ready for his job next week.  He had to repair a broken hydraulic line on the Cat and then he went back over to Brian and Kim's to help with the last couple of doors.

I got up early and studied and then went to Cobblestone to get Lexy cleaned, inside and out.  While I was there I bought a couple of turkey flatbread sandwiches at the Dunkin' Donut shop and visited with a couple of older women who wished me a good day.  I wished them a good day and they said it would be a good one because they were doing a little retail therapy.  

James and I picked up Kim a little before noon and we headed for the Mesa temple.  We were early and sat in front of the chapel where you wait for your session.  The session was filling up quickly.  I looked over and saw James's sister Rebecca some in.  What a treat to have her and Brent in our session!

The session was very full with two others besides Jeffrey going through for the first time.  James sat by Jeffrey's bishop and we spoke to him after the session.  He is very impressed with Jeffrey and the progress he has made.  We gave Jeffrey a hug in the celestial room but didn't have much time to talk.  Later I spoke with him and he said how happy he was and that he was grateful that we were there.  He also said he would be going back again next week with his ward.  I am so very proud of him!

 On the way home from the temple we stopped at Bahama Bucks for some cooling refreshment on this 117 degree day.  Kim and I got the strawberry daiquiri with ice cream which was absolutely amazing and luscious!  James got key lime with a little cream.  It was tasty too.  

We took Kim home and then we went home to change our clothes and go to Pei Wei for dinner.  They have made improvements to their spicy chicken salad.  It was amazing, and so were the lettuce wraps that we shared!

  My favorite salad ever!

 Delicious!

Looks like someone is getting a ticket for

eating at Keegan's Grill instead of Pei Wei. 

After dinner we went home and started our fast.  We are fasting for missionary work and that Alex and Michael will want to serve missions.  

James still had to fill he truck with gas and take it over to the yard.  I picked him up and then he went to get a few groceries at Walmart.  I am grateful, because I was too tired.

Here is how the Gonzales family spent the day, saying goodbye to Holly.  Holly has been a part of their family for 14 years now and she will be missed.

Joshua looks so sad.

 Definitely a member of the family.

An Era has ended, the Holly Era.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Why do they do a burn in the dry season?

We left our house at 6:35 this morning for the valley.  I have an appointment for an infusion in Mesa at 10:30.  I told James I wanted to go the Payson way.  He didn't think we would arrive on time if we did, but I insisted.  We stopped in Payson at Taco Bell for some breakfast and I still checked in to the arthritis office at 10:25.

On our way we read our scriptures, Alma 10:17-32 and listened to two conference talks, Sister Burton's and President Eyring's from the women's session.

 

While I was getting my infusion, James went to Cathi and Terry's and unloaded our things then came back and picked me up.  On the way home we stopped at Olive Garden for lunch.  I still have a $50 gift certificate Kim gave me for mother's day. I had the chicken and shrimp carbonara.  It was delicious but I could only eat about half.  

We ordered a piece of cheesecake to share and it was delicious!  Cheesecake with ricotta cheese, shortbread crust and strawberry syrup over the top.  My best piece of cheesecake ever!

Divine!

After lunch we went to our home away from home for naps.  

After napping a short while James got up and drove to San Tan Valley to check on the job and talk to Allen and Gail.  

This evening he went to Kim and Brian's to help Brian hang some doors.  

 Glad to see James is wearing a

dust mask.

Routing out for hinges.

Brian is grateful to have an expert helping him.

 

I came over for awhile and visited with Kim.  I really enjoyed my time with her.  We discussed some really important things.  She is going to go to the temple with us tomorrow when we go with Jeffrey.

Back at Terry's, Colin spent the night.  Tomorrow Colin is going to a class at Home Depot.  Here Papa is giving him a free lesson on woodworking skills.

 Terry teaching Colin how to use a hammer.

Here is Indy asking me for a tummy scratch.

Lady is thinking: "What's his problem."

 

Stacy finally got to go see the new Saturday's Warrior movie.  She said if you can get through the first 30 minutes of cheese it was actually pretty good.  When they got home Holly had been sick.  Her gall bladder burst and she will probably have to be put down tomorrow.  So very sad.

 

Thursday, June 2, 2016

I may have posted this before, but in case I didn't, here it is.

Cathi has this in her office and I love it!

James posted a sweet note regarding our anniversary on Facebook yesterday and he got 125 responses.  Romance is not dead!

Alma 10:1-16

My notes:

1 - Amulek preaches and gives his genealogy and reputation.  He also tells of the angel's message to him regarding Alma.

12 - The people are astonished because of Amulek's witness.  They thought Alma stood alone.

14 - The lawyers seek to destroy Alma and Amulek.  They are a bad bunch.

I love the new manual "Teaching in the Savior's Way."  At first when I heard that we should focus on the people not the lesson, I was a little confused.  Now I understand.  

I have to share this excerpt from the book I am reading, "Christ in Every Hour."  This is found in the chapter 'The Strengthening Power of Christ' on pages 94-95.  The subtitle is: 'Nephi's Thesis:

God Will Make Us Mighty:

"Like a good writer, Nephi provides a thesis statement in his introductory chapter of 1 Nephi: 'I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance'( 1 Nephi 120).  His general theme is not just obedience to God, but what obedience provides us: divine power to overcome obstacles.  In the subsequent chapters of his first book, Nephi provides no less than five examples - fleeing from Jerusalem, obtaining the brass plates, God freeing him from his brothers' murderous plot, successes and failures with the Liahona, and the women being made strong like unto the men - to illustrate and support his thesis that God gives divine strength and enabling power to the faithful to overcome difficulties.

After recounting these five major events, Nephi concludes:

"And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled.

And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them" (1 Nephi 17:3).  Is it any wonder, then, that after these varied experiences, when the Lord asked Nephi to build a ship, Nephi so confidently accepted the challenge?  Nephi had learned of, accessed, and experienced the strengthening power of Christ - the divine power that enables us to do things beyond our natural capacity - and thus was able to boldly bear the burdens, trials, and temptations with which he would be faced throughout the remainder of his life.  Like Nephi, if we are to face and overcome our modern tests in their varied and distinct forms we must daily tap into and receive this same enabling, strengthening grace from our Lord, Jesus Christ."

I love Nephi.  Do I have enough faith and obedience to tap in to this enabling power?

James built another bird house.

This was has a bigger entrance.

Two bluebirds have already moved in to the first house.  James saw the female with pine needles having a difficult time getting through the hole. Now we can sit on the deck and watch our bluebirds and the humming birds at the feeder.

My new Zep floor cleaner works really well and so does the polish. The floors look beautiful!

We went in to town this evening to wash the car and to satisfy my craving for a New York dog.

I love this picture of Dallin that Stacy posted on Facebook

Three months old with lots of hair

and personality.