Friday, June 24, 2016

Alma 21:1-23

7 - Do you believe the Son of man shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?

8 - An Amalekite says, we do no believe any such thing.

9 - Aaron opened the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of His blood.

10 - The people become angry and mock Aaron.

11 - Aaron leaves Jerusalem and goes to AniAnti.  The people there have hard hearts so he and his brethren go to Middoni.

12 - They preach in Middoni to many, but few believe.

13 - Aaron and his brethren are cast into prison.

16 - After being delivered out of prison they went forth wherever they were led by the Spirit, preaching the word of God everywhere they could be admitted.

17 - The Lord began to bless them and they brought many to the knowledge of the truth, and convinced many of their sins.

21 - In the land of Ishmael,  King Lamoni builds synagogues and teaches his people.  He also told them they were a free people.

22 - They were granted their liberty by King Lamoni's father.

23 - Ammon preached unto the people in Ishmael, he did exhort them daily with all diligence ...they were zealous for keep the commandments of God.

I love this headline: "Former Street Urchin Helps Open Vietnam to the Gospel."

For some reason the last couple of mornings, four big ravens have been gathering on our front porch.  We couldn't figure out why until I went out this afternoon to clean off the porch.  We have an infestation of some kind of beetles!

This times lots more!

James went to work on the stake float for the fourth of July parade in Show Low this morning.  Others from our ward who were there too: Blain Curtis, Wesley Smith, and Jerry Scott.  Jordyn Applegate helped designed the float which had a large map of the United States on both sides and the words across the top, "God Bless America."  I almost wish I was going to the parade to see it.

When James got home he sprayed the beetles and all around the house and I swept the dead bugs off the porch.  Hopefully this will keep the ravens off our porch.  I am tired of the bird poop.

I read an article in the New Era today called "Why We Serve" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  I like this quote: "Service can be in the form of thoughts as well as our hands."

James had been telling me about the bird nest inside the pump house and the baby birds opening their mouths waiting for their mom to feed them.  He saw them this morning and when he went back inside this afternoon they were gone.  He thinks a roadrunner or one of the ravens got them.  Darn ravens!  Nature can be cruel sometimes.  He said the mama bird was chirping loudly outside the pump house for her babies.  I can't stand it!

I loved reading this online today!  It seems our prayers have somewhat been answered:

Woohoo!

I spoke with aunt Gene on the phone today and made an appointment to go see her Monday afternoon at 2.  I want to visit her as much as possible while she is still here.  I love that woman, and she is the only member of my family left from the last generation.

This had been James's project for the past several weeks.  He finally finished the plumbing, now all he needs to do is cover up the trenches before someone or some thing, such as an animal, falls in.

My husband the landscaper

Jared and his kids spent their last day at the beach today.

Molly

Molly and Emmy

Catch a wave

Go Emmy

One up, one down

Emmy's back looks red

Jared said it was 65 degrees, which is perfect, unless you are in the water, then it's cold!

I texted my friend Pam Giles to see if she was going to the ward party tomorrow night.  She is not.  She is going to the valley to visit her dad instead.

James and I watched this Hallmark movie tonight:

"Wedding Bells"

starring:

Danica Kellar and Kavan Smith

Pretty darn cute!

Thursday, June 23, 2016

The fire is still going strong.

Alma 20:19-30

Despite being faithful, Ammon's brethren had a very different experience preaching to the Lamanites.  How should we react when the outcomes of our faithfulness seem unfruitful?

I like what cofpac99001 said on bofm365 on Instagram: We succeed when we serve, we succeed when we invite others to come unto Christ, regardless of the reception or the fruit.  We succeed when we obey.  We succeed when we endure with patience.  The ultimate outcome of our faithfulness is the quality of the fruit that we become.

Also, trujillofamilyjournal

When the outcomes of our faithfulness seem unfruitful we can strive to trust in the Lord and remember that Jesus Christ suffered all our pains struggles, and difficulties.  It gives me peace to know that I'm never alone.  It helps to remember that the hard things in life help us learn and grow.

20 - Ammon smote King Lamoni's father's arm so he couldn't use it.  He could have killed him, but he didn't.

24 - He makes a deal with the king for the kings life.  1.)My brethren be cast out of prison and 2.) Your son may rating his kingdom and he may do according to he own desires.

25 - The king rejoices that that's all Ammon wants.

26 - Ammon had no desire to destroy him and he saw how much Ammon loved his son Lamoni.

27 - The king grants Ammon's wishes and asks that Ammon and his brethren come to see him because he was desirous to learn more about what Ammon was teaching.

28 - Almmon's brethren are brought forth out of prison

 because King Lamoni had gained favor with the king of the land of Middoni.

29 - Ammon sorrows for the condition of his brethren, yet they were patient in all their sufferings.

30 - talks about a "more hardened and a more stiff-necked people."

In the Book of Mormon Student Manual on p. 203 it says this:

"The record states that Aaron and his companions served among those who were 'a more hardened and a more stiff-necked people'.

Their experience parallels the experience of many who try to teach those who either have no interest in, or who are antagonistic toward the gospel. President Henry B, Eyring explained why we must still try to reach every soul:

"Why should I speak to anyone about the gospel who seems content?  What danger is there to them or to me if I do or say nothing?

"Well, the danger may be hard to see, but it is real, both for them and for us.  For instance, at some moment in the world to come, everyone you will ever meet will know what you know now.  They will know that the only way to live forever in association with our families and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, was to choose to enter into the gate by baptism at the hands of those with authority fro God.  They will know that the only way families can be together forever is to accept and keep sacred covenants offered in the temples of God on this earth.  And they will know that you knew.  And they will remember whether you offered them what someone had offer you" (Ensign, Nov. 1998,33).

General Conference: "He Will Place You On His Shoulders and Carry You Home", President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I finished the Ensign today and have already read the Friend so now I can read the New Era!

I seared our roast that we are feeding the missionaries for dinner early this morning and then put it in a 225 degree oven.  Around noon I put in onion, celery, carrot, and red potatoes.  I made a gravy with beef broth, mushroom soup, and onion soup mix, and brown gravy mix.  It should be delicious!

For lunch James and I had leftovers.  He had meatloaf and I had fajitas.

James needs diesel for the tractor.  He forgot to get it yesterday so he ask me to make a trip to Stanford store with him, which I did.  Of course he wanted me to read from our book, which I did.  We are so boring and predictable.

Jared and his kids are in California for a few days.  He sent me these pictures:

Nice, James.

Anna looks so grown up.

Sunbathing

More sunbathing

Time for lunch

Emmy

James

Molly and Emmy at an Angel's game.

A nice looking group, except Molly

looks a little sad.

Molly wants some cotton candy.

James, Anna, and Emmy 

Around 4 pm. James and I went to work in the kitchen.  I set the table and put the rolls in the oven.  James made grape, lime juice and then he put together a salad.  We are ready!

Elder Rosenbalm and Elder Goodenough get here right a 5pm.

Elder Rosenbalm has a nice smile!

Elder Rosenbalm will be going home in a couple of weeks so this is probably the last time we will have him for dinner.  We wish him well.  His family is in Kuwait right now.  He will go there for a short time and then come back and go to school in Provo.

We had a spectacular sunset this evening, partly I think, because of the fire.

I took this while sitting on our front porch.

The fire crews are saying that drones are hindering efforts near the Cedar fire.  It has grown to 43,00 acres.

  

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Bishop Causse is the Presiding Bishop of the Church.

We saw two bucks on our way to church Sunday down by the wash.  James was so excited he wanted to call Terry and Dave right away.  This morning we had two elk in our yard.  James said they are getting ready to calf so they won't stay together long.

Gospel Study:
Alma 20:1-18
Faith is much more than passive belief.  We express our faith by the way we live.  "If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."

General Conference:
"See Yourself in the Temple" by Presdient Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I am so grateful for the Lord's cleansing power and His forgiveness for our sins as we repent and come unto Him.  (See Isaiah 1:18 & Isaiah 43:25).

The fire is now at 36,000 acres.

  

We went to town this morning for a couple of reasons.  One is I needed to pick up my prescriptions at Walmart and do a little shopping.  The second reason is I was meeting Hailey Chaffin in town for lunch and to visit teach her.  Our meeting place was McDonald's but James and I also picked up food at Panda to break our fast with.  After shopping James dropped me off at McDonald's and I had lunch with Hailey, Huntleigh, Taylor, and Braylin.  I had ask before coming what was Taylor's and Braylin's favorite fruit.  Taylor said apples and Braylin said watermelon.  I bought Taylor three apples and Braylin his own small watermelon.  I got Hailey some blueberries and put them in a cute bucket I had with this tag:

Hailey is taking her one year old daughter Huntleigh to the valley next week to have her droopy eyelids lifted.  It is an outpatient proceedure.  Hailey's oldest son, Braylin is handicapped and he has gone through many, many surgeries so this one seems like a small thing.  Hopefully everything goes well.

Gail was in the valley today and dropped in at Chandler Eyecare and gave Sheri these photos.

Now the grandkids have to believe us when we say our goats could climb.

Isn't Sheri cute?

This was taken in the fall of 1977 or 78.  James was either 29 or 30.

He got this bear with a bow.  One of his prouder moments.

He looks so young and handsome.

When we got home James said it was too smoky to work outside so we watched a movie called, "Date with Love."

It was such a cute movie that I didn't erase it.

I love Andrew Walker!

After the movie I worked on my blog until it was time to get ready for my next visiting teaching appointment with Claire Mercado.  

I had asked earlier what kind of fruit she wanted and she said, "organic blueberries."  I brought her three containers.  She was very excited.  Claire is vegan and is very careful what she puts into her body.  Sometimes I wish I was more like her.  We had a good visit.  Her daughter Marley is in California visiting her dad.

When I got home I sent out four texts.  One to Vickie about visiting Aunt Gene next week.  One to Cathi, Stacy, and Kaeli.  Kaeli's was about visiting teaching, Stacy's was about getting a temple dress, and Cathi's was thanking her for letting Jared and his kids stay at her house.

No dinner for me tonight.  James had my leftover Panda.  I read from Juliana to James, did some planning and we started for bed around 8:30.  

One of my favorite families here in Vernon is the Wilhelm family.  I don't know all of the ones in this picture, but the ones I do know are awesome!

Hey! That's my mountain in the background!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

I love President Uchtdorf

Gospel Study: Alma 19:22-36

22 - Ammon is protected by the Lord as someone tries to slay him with a sword.  

23 - The Lord promised Mosiah that his sons would be protected.

25-26 The people thought Ammon was either the Great Spirit, sent by the Great Spirit, or a monster.

33 - Kin Lamoni and his wife awake from a trance and declare unto the people their hearts have been changed.  They have no more desire to do evil.

34 - Some in attendance saw angels.

35 - Many believed and were baptized.

36 - And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites, thus the Lord did begin to pour out His Spirit upon them; and we see that His arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on His name.

General Conference: "Fathers" Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Besides the scriptures and conference talks, here are a few books I am reading right now.

James is reading one of the new books I got him.

It's called "Moroni's America."

I made chicken fajitas for lunch.  Instead of using flour tortillas I used corn.  I didn't fry them.  I wrapped them in foil and put them in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes.  They were quite good.  

After lunch James said a prayer about the fire, the fireman, and asking for rain.  We will fast until noon tomorrow.  

The piano tuner that Kathy Crane arranged for us came today.  Her name is Delores Solomon.  She knows Randy, Dennis, and Rita.  She said she grew up in Show Low and her dad, Sam Solomon was the mayor of Show Low at one time.  It cost us $125.00 because she had to do some stretching of the strings.  Kathy says she's much more thorough than the guy who was going to come.  It took her about an hour to tune our piano.

A couple that we know from Chandler who have been married for quite some time and never had any children had a baby boy today.  His name is Evander Gunther.  Here is what Evander's mom Kate wrote on Facebook.

Kate and Justice have waited so long for a baby.  We wish them all the very best.  They are a wonderful couple.

Here is an update on the fire and something that James's niece Christina wrote.

I caught this picture as we were getting ready to go outside and read from our book "Juliana".  

Still no hummingbirds.  James says they will come

after the rains start.

I paid bills this afternoon while James wrote a letter to his cousin Vivian, Uncle Lovell's daughter, about Cindy and Alisha.  Vivian wrote to him accusing James and his brothers of neglecting them, which is not true.

Monday, June 20, 2016

The First Day of Summer and
it's 97 degrees in the White Mountains.
Unless you are too close to the Cedar Fire.

This guy is heading to the valley to get away from the heat.
It's only 120 degrees there.
The fire has grown to 24, 000 acres and only about
30% containment.

Gospel Study: 

Alma 19:12-21 - Why might have Abish waited to make her conversion known to the Lamanites?

Comments made on bofm365 by marinawolfe:

Today my thoughts turn toward Abish.  She is a Christian woman living amongst a totally non-Christian society.  She was "converted unto the Lord for many years" (v16), but she "never ...made it known" to others (v17).  No, I think it had to do with perceived negative consequences of speaking out.  I don't think she felt safe to do so.  I'm wondering about her circumstances and how difficult it must have been to not speak of her deeply-rooted testimony of her Savior, to never speak Christ's name, never share her feelings, or never have an open conversation to express thoughts or gratitude about her Savior, Jesus Christ.  To be a muted believer, must've been really hard.  I'm personally considering this aspect of her life more deeply, because I will be living in her shoes soon.  In about three months, I will be a Christian woman living in a non-Christian society as well, not being able to speak my beliefs, where the law prohibits any such conversation (actually punishable by death).

So when I see Abish's courage to run from house to house as she notices an "opportunity ...that would cause them to believe in the power of God" (v17), I'm amazed at her strength and bravery to stand up and let her thoughts be known ...although I'm sure she was ecstatic to do so, because she had waited so long. 

Abish is a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

It makes me consider how slack I've been here in America where it's much easier to have gospel conversations.

Abish had a 100% seized opportunity statistic.  

One opportunity, one seized moment. 

What is our statistic?

How can we be more courageous in bringing others to Christ?

How can we be an opportunity seeker/seizer?

How can we be better disciples?

I know this is long but I love what this sister had to say.  Abish is on of the only women mentioned by name in the Book of Mormon.  I have often wondered why but never really thought about the significance of what she did.  I have changed my attitude about her and believe that what Abish did was truly significant in the conversion of so many Lamanites.

Walter Rane's portrayal of Abish

(For more information about Abish go to ldsmag.com, article

"Why Was Abish Mentioned by Name?" June 21, 2016)

Here are some other thoughts about this scripture story:

Sometimes we need to keep holy things to ourselves until moved upon by the Spirit.

I love King Lamoni's words in Alma 19:13 - For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name.

I have been doing some research about the Melchizedek priesthood at Michael's request.  Today I read D&C 84:18-25, The greater priesthood holds the key of the knowledge of God.

Also in studying this week's Sunday School lesson which covers Alma 13-16 I found this quote by Joseph Smith:

"Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was."

James got a flat tire on the Cat while working on the waterline for the fruit trees, hence a trip to town.  It was a good day for me to go since I needed to finish the grocery shopping I started on Saturday.  I am feeding the missionaries this week and I want to prepare them a nice meal.  

James was hungry so the first place we went to was Darbi's in Pinetop.  The smoke was not bad when we went in, but when we came out it was terrible.  Here is what it looked like when we got home.

I can barely see my mountain.

James has lots of work to do outside but the air

quality is so poor that he is staying inside and

doing office and church work.

We dropped off James's tire at Center Tire on the way in to town.  I did my shopping at Walmart while James went to his favorite store, Home Depot.  Walmart is crazy busy and I can't find things because they are changing their store around.  I wish they would leave things alone for those of us who don't like change and don't like trying to "guess" where things are.

Neither James nor I are feeling well today.  He has shingles on his head and I am having stomach problems.  Too help us forget our physical aches and pains I read from our book "Juliana" on the way home.

This first book in this series was

"Alexandra."  Juliana is her younger sister.  There is

one more sister so I assume there will be one more book.

The worst language in this book is the word turd.  This is supposed to be the sweet and clean version so hopefully that remains true.

I have not been able to post on my blog today.  Whenever I try it says I need to enable cookies.  I am not sure what that means, but I finally figure out that I need to download Google Chrome and use it for my server.  Everything is fine now!  

Trina texted me and said there was a tornado warning for Snowflake, Taylor and Shumway and she was checking to make sure that we were okay.

Interesting.

A beautiful orange moon tonight.  My camera can't do it justice.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Darrel took his kids hiking at the Natural Bridge

last Saturday and I forgot to post pictures.

I am a little nervous about Ruby standing so close 

to the edge.

Happy Father's Day to
my sweet hubby!

I love this picture!

Making chocolate covered bananas for our

Father's Day treat.

Gospel Study: Alma 18:24-19:11

How do common beliefs help us share the gospel?

"God wants all of His children to 'be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true.' We will have help preaching the gospel when we seek it.  As we bring God's glorious message to others, we give them the opportunity to have 'the dark veil of unbelief to be cast away from their mind, and the light of the glory of God, which is a marvelous light of His goodness."

I was up early to finish preparing for my Primary lesson about the scriptures and how important they are in leading us back to Heavenly Father.

The scriptures are like a treasure map

that lead us to eternal life.

Our sacrament meeting went something like this today: Talon Wilhelm was the youth speaker.  He spoke about the Find, Take, Teach program and taking family names to the temple with his family. He says he has not done the Teach part of the program but is looking forward to doing so.

Pete Stock came as the speaking companion to Mike Hall (Harry Lynn and Geraldine's son), who is on the stake high council,  and he spoke about fathers.  Pete is a natural born storyteller which makes him an excellent speaker.  He talked about working on his grandpa's ranch and getting paid with an old pair of spurs, and gathering flowers at the request of his grandpa for his grandma.  Joe and Ruby Stock were his grandparents.  I heard those names many times while growing up.  He also shared some memories of his dad and gave a couple of quotes from Elder Christofferson's talk on "Fathers."

Mike Hall was the final speaker.  He and Pete are first cousins.  He spoke about the temple and the Find, Take, Teach program.

Kacey, Braylin, Curtis, and Zemira attended Primary today.  We talked about the importance of scriptures and they loved the treasue hunt and going outside!

On the way home from Church I saw this smoke from the fire and thought it seemed closer to us than before.

The stake presidency has ask us to fast and pray one day this

week for the curtailment of the fire, the safety of the firefighters, and for needed moisture.

James went home teaching with Brother Lauritzen to the Scott's and Virgil Cooper.  Today in Primary Talena, Jace, and Jaden all made candy neckties to give to Virgil.  Their father passed away and Virgil is their uncle.

Our home teachers', Dave Westbrook and Colton Carroll came to visit and share a message with us.  Brother Westbrook spends the week at his ranch in New Mexico.  He told about rounding up calves and two wild ones that took him and his neighbor on a real chase.  He told about how he roped one and his neighbor the other.  It was something out of an old wild west adventure.  I love this kind of home teaching.  Colton did give the First Presidency message and we had a good discussion about that too.

After a nap and working on my blog, I made James one of his favorite dinners, meatloaf, baked potatoes, and green beans.

I have so many pictures of James eating.

I guess it's a hobby of mine.

Happy Father's Day gifts:

1 - The Book of Mormon in

America's Heartland

2 - Two books by Timothy Ballard volumes 1&2

The American Covenant

3 - Moroni's America

4 - DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon

North American Geography

This is a DVD.

5- Maps of possible sites in North America

After our father's day celebration we spent the rest of the evening until bed time working on our lessons for next Sunday.

Before I "sign off" I wanted to share some pictures I found on Facebook regarding fathers and good men.

This man traveled 1,200 miles to deliver 49 crosses to

Orlando, Florida in commemoration for those who lost

their lives last Sunday in the worse mass killing in our

nation's history.

His message says it all.

Gail holding his newest granddaughter,

Adalynn Milburn, Jasmine's baby.

Paul's dad Gilbert with four of Paul's boys and

his son.

Gilbert passed away a few years ago.

Mario Ray and his son Peter.

Peter is now a dentist with children of his own.

Mario on July 12, 1990