Saturday, June 11, 2016

Home again!

Alma 14:6-22 Study Notes:

6- Zeezrom harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt.

7 - Zeezrom cries unto the people that he is guilty and that Ala and Amulek are spotless before God. Zeezrom and male believers cast out.

8 - Wives and children of believers cast into a fire along with their scriptures.

9 - Alma and Amulek are forced to watch.

10 - Amulek wants to save them with the power of God.

11 - Almaexplains why they can't.

12 - 22 - Alma and Amulek cast in to prison.

General Conference talk: "To the Rescue: We Can Do It" - Elder Arnold.

Did I mention how much I like these cookies that I bought at Costco:

No additives or preservatives.

James left around 7:30 this morning to go home to Vernon.  I left around 11 am.  I stopped at the Dairy Queen in Payson for a potty break and a burger.  I then stopped at the Giant station for gas.  In Show Low I stopped at Safeway and then at CVS to pick up James's prescription.  I finally get home around 4.  

James unloaded the car for me and I put everything away.  This took awhile.  Afterwards I began studying for my Primary lesson tomorrow which is Alma teaching about faith in Alma 32.

I am quite tired and make sure I go to bed by 10.  I will need to get up early, around 5, in the morning to finish studying and preparing my lesson.  I bought a cantaloupe at Safeway so I could give each of the children in my class a seed to take care of.

Max left for scout camp today.  Scout camp is in San Diego so he should have a great time and enjoy some nice weather.

 Wearing his pool battle scars

Stacy and Joshua are getting ready to watch "Zootopia" on the big screen at the pool at Sheraton Desert Oasis.

 What a life.

Friday, June 10, 2016

The waterfall

Carly Elmer drowned 21 years ago today.  She would have been 4 a few days after she drowned.  Here is a picture of her sister Chelsea and Chelsea's boys at Carly's gravesite.

Carly and some of her family members.

Alma 13:21-14:5

21 . . . Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh.

23 - . . . glad tidings are declared unto us . . .

24 - . . . angels are declaring it unto many, .. . . this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive His word at the time of His coming in His glory.

26 - It shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the outh of angels, at the time of His coming . . .

27 - . . . I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins and not procrastinate the day of your repentance.

28 - But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on His holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering.

29 - Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into His rest.

30 - And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down His wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that we may not suffer the second death.

Trina came and picked up Addy and Ruby this morning before nine because Ruby had cheerleading practice.  I wonder who she cheers for.

James left for awhile this morning but was back quite early.  We spent some quiet time alone at the resort.  I washed the sheets on the guest bed and washed towels while I was studying.  Around 3pm I left to buy birthday cards and some other commodities at Fry's.  I came back and cleaned until our guests arrived.

Kim, Brian and Joe were the first to arrive.  We had invited them over to play games.  Soon after Paul, Stacy, Michael and Joshua arrived.  Michael brought his ukulele and Joe brought his guitar.  They sang a few songs and sounded really great.  I forgot how good they harmonize and what great voices they have.  Such talent!

I love to hear these two sing together!

 James and Kim enjoying the music.

Visiting between performances.

After the performance Kim, Brian, James, Joe,

Michael and I played a game of Five Crowns.

Paul ordered pizza and wings for his family.

Stacy took Joshua to swim until the lightning

scared them back inside.

When Joe, Kim, and Brian left I helped Michael and Joshua make up their beds on the two couches and then said goodnight.

It was a fun evening.

 

 

Thursday, June 9, 2016

The back side of water.

Alma 13:10-20

Brigham Young's definition of sanctification:

"Overcoming every sin and bringing all into subjection to the law of Christ. God has placed in us a pure spirit; when this spirit reigns predominant, ..., and triumphs over the flesh and rules and governs and controls . . , this I call the blessing of sanctification."

Alma 13:16 "The Rest of the Lord"

Joseph F. Smith: "To me it means that through the love of God I have been won over to Him, so that I can feel at rest in Christ, that I may no more be disturbed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; and that I am established in the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ, so that no power can turn me aside from the straight and narrow path that leads back into the presence of God, to enjoy exaltation in His glorious kingdom; that from this time henceforth I shall enjoy that rest until I shall rest with Him in the heavens."

Evan and Rowan played a game of Tenzi this morning before we went down to the pool.

 I love their summer hairdo's.

I thought this post on Facebook by Michael was pretty funny.

Sounds about right.

Pool time this morning for a couple of hours.  Rowan, Max, Evan and I had to take a snow cone break.  This time Evan got grape instead of sour apple.

Not sure what Ben is doing. I hope he isn't texting.

After we finished swimming we went back to the suite for lunch.  I fixed quesadillas for Ben and Max and cheese crisps for Evan, Rowan, and Joshua.  Joshua had two.  I guess he was really hungry.

Michael worked a few hours and then James brought him back to the resort.

 He fits right in with the rest of the crew with the

last name of Gonzales.

Trina brought Addy and Ruby this afternoon to spend the night.  Of course Lola came with them.

Who cares if it's 100 degrees outside and you have a jacket

on when you are this cute!

I had promised Ruby we would go to the mall for her birthday shopping so we headed for Chandler.  Our first stop was to take Michael home.  Trina took Ben, Evan, Max, and Joshua home with her.  

After dropping Michael off Ruby, Addy and I headed for the Chandler mall.  This is the gift that Ruby picked out at Fuzziwigs.

Cookies 'n' Cream and baby Oreo.

She was so excited and because she bought Panda's, we had to eat at Panda Express for dinner.

Addy found this at Barnes and Noble and I just had to buy it for her.  She is a huge Harry Potter fan.  I was afraid if I waited until her birthday it would be gone.

Harry Potter in his quidditich

uniform.

Ruby wanted to take a picture in the photo booth but it cost $5.  I had the girls get in the booth and I took my own picture.

Two cuties!

Back at the resort grandpa was finally home.  He played Tenzi with the girls while I did some shopping at Fry's.  

I took the girls down to go swimming and they had a great time.

I love Ruby's swimsuit.  She has Lola

has one just like it.

Addy is such a great sister!

 The snowcone place was closed so we had to get smoothies instead.

 Addy got lemonade and Ruby and I got strawberry with

whipped cream.

Ruby is quite a poser.

After the smoothies the girls were cold so we had

to go over to the hot tub for awhile.

We went down to the clubhouse and picked out a movie, "Maleficient".  Grandpa watched it with them while I fixed some refreshments and put clean sheets on their bed.

Addy had seen it before but Ruby and

Grandpa had not.  It totallly changes the

story of Sleeping Beauty.

Cookie 'n' Cream and Oreo liked the movie too.

Cookie is the mom and Oreo the baby

In other news, Muhammed Ali's funeral was today.  I posted this picture of him with my brother Dennis in 1976.

 Muhammed is holding Dennis's son Eric.

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.