Thursday, June 30, 2016

Happy Anniversary

Stacy and Paul

Happy 27th Anniversary!
and 
Happy 13th Birthday Colton!

Colton and his buddy Colin on their recent 
trip to Disneyland with Cathi & Terry,
or Nana and Papa as they call them.

Alma 24:19-30

19 - Converted Lamanites are firm in their belief.

20 - Their brethren make preparations for war.  They came up to the land of Nephi to destroy the king and the people.
21 - The Anti-Nephi-Lehies prostrate themselves to the earth and they call on the name of the Lord.  The Lamanites begin to slay them with the sword.
22 - With no resistance, a thousand and five were slain.  They have gone to dwell with God.  
23-24 - The Lamanites stop slaying their brethren.  Many repented of what they had done.
25 - They threw down their weapons of war . . . they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.
26 - The people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain.
27 - . . . the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of His people.
28 - The greatest number of those who had slain their brethren were Amalekites and Amulonites, the greatest number after the order of Nehors.
29 - Those who joined the people of the Lord were all descendants of Laman and Lemuel.
30 - . . . after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things.

We got a five minute cloudburst of rain this morning.  
Before leaving for the valley at 7am James made our bed and helped me put clean sheets on Kim and Brian's bed downstairs.  I really do appreciate him!

I listened to Elder Holland's conference address for the third time now and I still enjoy it.  "Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among you" is based on Joshua 3:5 where Joshua says to his people: "Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you." I think I am going to send this one to Michael and Alex.

After doing my gospel study and texting the scripture assignment to Alex and Michael I started getting ready to go to the valley.  I have a doctor's appointment at Dr. Allen's office in Mesa at 1:30.  I had planned on leaving at 9 but it was 10 instead.  I cleaned out the refrigerator and mopped the kitchen floor for Kim and Brian who are coming up tomorrow.

I arrived at the doctor's office right at 1:30.  I was happy.  I met with Ruth Hoskins and really liked her.  Dr. Allen is on vacation.  She went over my labs for my hormone supplements and thyroid and then gave me a copy to keep.  I've never had a doctor do that before.  I need less thyroid and more estrodial.  

My next stop is our home away from home, Terry & Cathi's.  James is not there so I unload my car by myself.  It takes awhile because I put everything away as I unload.  I lay down to take a nap and James arrives.  Good timing on his part.

After my nap I go shopping at Deseret Book with Kim.  Stacy was suppose to go to but she had other plans.  It is her anniversary so I understood.

I get ten books at Deseret Book.  Two of them are free because if you buy four, you get the fifth free.  Here are the books I bought: the five book Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull.  I am getting these books to read because one of the children in my Primary class is reading them and I want to be able to talk about them with him.  Also, I like to have children's books in my own library for my grandchildren to read.  I got three Regency Romance novels and two boos by Tim Ballard, The Washington Hypothesis and The Lincoln Hypothesis.  We already have the Lincoln Hpothesis but I don't know if we will ever get it back from Stacy.  This one is paperback.  I love Tim Ballard.  He is one of my heroes.

Some of my new books.  The others are in the car.

I have already started reading the Washington one and

Fablehaven, and I like both of them!

The Trezise's, except for Alex, went to Seaworld today.  Ben has a bad sunburn on his face.

Poor Ben!

He still managed to have a good time at Sea World.

James and I had dinner at Taco Bell.  Wendy and Colton came by after having dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  Colton is so quiet.  I always enjoy visiting with Wendy.  I gave them some of my Utah cherries to eat and I gave Cathi a jar of Kathy Crane's jalapeno jelly.

Jared says he has read this book and I am putting it on my wishlist.

I really like Jack Christianson

We are grateful to Cathi and Terry for their hospitality in taking in a couple of refugees.  

Dave and Laura left for Boise this evening.  It is a 15 hour trip and Dave plans on driving all night and then Laura will drive in the morning.  I hope they have a great time!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The view out our window in June 2014

Alma 24:7-18
7 - The King: (Is this Anti-Nephi-Lehi?  Didn't the other king already die?)  I thank my God my beloved people, that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the traditions of our wicked fathers.
8 - . . . I thank my great God that He has given us a portion of His Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.
9 - . . . we have been convinced of our sins, and the many murders we have committed.
10 - I also thank my God, . . . , that He hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that He hath forgiven us of our many sins and murders . . . , and taken away the guilt from our hearts through the merit of His Son.
12 - . . . let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren.
13 - . . . perhaps if we stained our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God . . .
14 - . . . the great God . . . loveth our souls and our children, . . ., in His mercy He doth visit us by His angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.
15 - . . . let us hide away our swords that they may be kept bright as a testimony to our God at the last day.  That we may be clean.
16 - . . . if our brethren destroy us, we shall go to our God and shall be saved.
17 - . . . the people buried their swords deep in the earth.
18 - . . . covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren, they would give up their own lives . . .

I listened to Elder Paul Johnson's conference talk on the resurrection this morning.  I also listened to an article in the New Era about missionary work by Elder Bednar.  He says that the missionaries are to teach and the members are to find.  I guess I better start finding.

I looked out the kitchen window this morning and saw Thelma and Louise over in front of the Crane's.  These are the two cow elks that we have seen periodically.  I like naming my critters.

James is reading this book called "Moroni's America."  According to the guy who wrote it Joseph Smith said that the ancient Nephite city of Zarahemla was located in Quincy, Illinois.  I think I have been there.

For lunch today I made some "chili" from some canned beans and Rotelle, a cheese crisp, and avocado and cottage cheese.  I think giving up meat is going to be easier than giving up my cottage cheese and other cheese.

My meatless meal

This is actually dinner.  I can tell because of the

coleslaw instead of the cottage cheese and avocado.  The coleslaw is shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and some pineapple chunks that I put in the blender.  James really liked it.

The Trezise family headed for California yesterday.  Today they went to their favorite beach, Salt Creek Beach Park.

Don't hardly recognize Evan without his glasses.

Everything was going great until they got ready to leave and Ben was hit by a 20 ft. wave.  When Ian saw it he said: "I just lost a son."  I hope he was kidding.  Ben was pretty shook up and banged up and wanted to go home.  That kind of ruined the day for him.  So sorry Ben.

As I was cleaning today I kept asking Kim for Good Old War songs to download.  By the time I was finished I had downloaded all four of their albums.  Now I have something to listen to on my trip to the valley tomorrow.

"Amazing Eyes" is on this album.

I paid bills this afternoon and then around 5:30 I went to visit Randa Covert and take her a bowl of cherries.  I was excited to finally here back from her after texting her on Sunday.  We had a short visit but I am so glad I went.  We talked about the quote I brought about keeping covenants and having the Holy Ghost and the ability to love more deeply.  Randa also said that cherries are her favorite fruit.  

On the way home I saw lots of mamma elk with their babies down by the wash.  James was so excited because he hasn't seen any babies that he had to go check it out for himself.  

I finished the preparations for Primary and took all of the materials over to Alicia Hunsaker who is teaching my class.  I am a little jealous because this lesson is about putting on the armor of God, complete with a guy in armor!

We had an interesting sunset tonight.  It was all over the sky.

The actual sunset

The "reflection" in the other direction

Not sure what this is

It looked like there was lots of rain towards Greens Peak, the ski run, and Greer, but not here.

We are "right on the edge"

We even got a rainbow but no rain

James has been wanting to watch a movie all day.  We finally settled down and watched "Stop the Wedding."  

For refreshments I had a bowl of cherries and some Pero.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

If I could live anywhere in the world,

it would be somewhere like this.

This is in Switzerland.  There is something about

those mountains and the green meadow.

Scripture Study:

Alma 23:8-24:6

8- Those converted:

9 - Land of Ishmael,

10 - Middoni (this is surprising!)

11 - Nephi

12 - Shilom, Shemlon, Lemuel, Shimnilon

13 - These are they who laid down the weapons of their rebellion.

14 - No Amalekites were converted, save only one; neither were the Amulonites.  They hardened the hearts of the Lamanites in the land where they lived.

16 - The King and those converted wanted a name to separate themselves from the other Lamanites.  

17 - They called their name Anti-Nephi-Lehies.  (This is what the Book of Mormon Student Manual says about the name Anti-Nephi-Lehi: The name Anti-Nephi-Lehi could indicate the joining together of the descendants of Nephi and those who followed him with the other posterity of Lehi: "The name 'Anti' of 'Anti-Nephi-Lehi' may be a reflex of the Egyptian nty 'he of, the one of.' Thus, rather than having the sense 'against,' it has the meaning 'the one of Nephi and Lehi'" (Stephen D. Ricks, "Anti-Nephi-Lehi," in Dennis L. Largey, ed., Book of Mormon Reference Companion 2003, 67). This if found on p. 207 of the BMSM).
18 - They began to be industrious and friendly with the Nephites and the curse of God did no more follow them.
Alma 24
1 - The Amalekits, Amulonites and Lamanites in Amulon, Helam and Jerusalem and all who weren't converted were stirred up to anger against their brethren by the Amalekites and Amulonites.
2 - Their hatred was so bad that they rebelled against the king and took up arms against the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
3 - The King conferred the kingdom upon his son and called him Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
4 - The King died.
5 - Council held with the missionaries and King Lamoni and Anti-Nephi-Lehi as to how to defend themselves.
6 - They refused to make preparations for war.  

The first thing James said to me this morning as he looked out the window: "There is the baby raven."  I have not seen him yet.  James says he follows his parents around with his mouth hanging open.  

I found this quote, and I like it.

Not sure why the hands are in the air.

I guess it represents, "shouting for joy."

Kim said that last night was the best night ever.  She said it was surreal for one of her favorite bands to be performing in her backyard.  Joshua was singing along with them and Keith said: "Give me five little dude, keep on singing."

I am excited about a set of articles I found about the Word of Wisdom which advocates a whole food, plant based diet.  This is something that James and I gradually want to do to feel more healthy.

Instead of doing my morning cleaning, I made a trip to town with James instead of doing my morning cleaning chores.  

Karin Westerman says she is open to having Trenda living with her. She is visiting family right now and will call me on Friday.  I hope I can get them together to meet.

Here are a couple of headlines I read on AOL and why I don't listen to the news much:

"Clinton issues fiery response to recent Bengahzi report."

" The official number killed in the suicide bombing in the Turkey airport is no 28."

Flagstaff has had 2-3" of rain today and so far we have nothing here.  

Our trip to town included Walmart, Home Depot, Taco Bell, and gas and the carwash.  

James got a solar timer for his watering system that he is very excited about.

The rain is finally here!

I read from "Raising an Army of Helaman's Warriors", and I also read to James from our new book, Corinna, the last in the Chase Brides series.

Some more random thoughts for today:

James fixed my spare tire.

Where are all the baby antelope?

We missed attending the Lambson Family Reunion this past weekend.

More headlines:

"Restrooms at National Parks Align with Gender Identity."  What is the world and our country coming to?

Monday, June 27, 2016

Rachel, Dennis, Peg, and Denise visiting
Amy in Philadelphia.
I met Amy when I went to Nashville with my mom, and
Dennis and Denise.  She is Denise's niece.

Scripture study:

Alma 22:27-23:7

27 - The King sends a proclamation throughout the land.

Religious freedom is proclaimed.  The Lamanites in 7 lands and cities are converted.  They are called Anti-Nephi-Lehies and are freed from the curse.  The Amalekites and Amulonites reject the truth.

Alma 23

1 - Let the missionaries preach the gospel throughout the land without harming them, says the King.

3 - . . . that the word of God might have no obstruction. . . . that the people would be convinced of the wicked traditions of their fathers.

4 - Aaron and his brethren establish churches throughout the land and teach the word of God and have great success.

5 - Thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord.

6 - . . . as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.

 7 - They became a righteous people; they did lay down their weapons of their rebellion, tat they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.

Book of Mormon Student Manual

Alma 22:18 "I Will Give Away All My Sins To Know Thee".

We to must be willing to sacrifice all things to be born of God.  

Missionary work in our ward is hindered because people can't live the Word of Wisdom.  Ellen Kostuziak, Jerry Corter, and Frank Westbrook.  

I listened to two conference talks today, Elder Kearon's about the refugees and Elder Oaks on opposition. 

I got a call from my friend Charlotte Mattice today.  She has so many problems that I can't even imagine what her life must be like. She has no teeth so she is limited as to what she can eat.  She co-signed for her son's car and he is not making the payments so she is having to make them.  Something is wrong with her plumbing and she has to haul water to flush her toilets.  Also, none of her kids, except one will speak to her.  I am going to put her name on the temple prayer roll. Oh yes, and she lives alone and her little dog is the only company she has.

This afternoon I met Vickie and her granddaughter Madison at Aunt Gene's in Show Low.  We had a nice visit.  Aunt Gene is 88 years old and is just as lucid as ever.  She does need to turn her hearing aid up though.  Aunt Gene said she got a call from the Arizona Highway magazine asking her where Gobbler's Peak was.  She said she didn't know why they would call her.  I reminded her the story that they did on grandpa years ago and Gobbler's Peak was mentioned.  It is in Nutrioso.

Aunt Gene, Rita and I are going to make a trip to the Eagar and Nutrioso grave yards to take pictures of relatives graves.  Aunt Gene is going to get with Rita and come up with a time.

On the way home I stopped at Panda and picked up a couple of teriyaki bowls to take home for dinner.

James broke his fast and ate his and then cooked some eggs to go with his rice that he had left. 

For FHE tonight we read the story "Fly-Fishing and Family."  It was the highlight of my day.  Also James fixed me some Pero to drink.

The Good Ole War concert at Kim and Brian's was a big success.  Everyone went except Darrel and his kids, Molly, and Emmy, and James and I.  They even came early to hear Joe and Michael sing and they stayed afterwards and visited with everyone.  Kim bought all the boys a T-shirt afterwards.

Good Ole War, 

brother Dan and Keith.

Two talented boys

Hobnobing with the "Stars"

Kim and Brian got a huge fan for the backyard.

They also had tons of food!

It was a wonderful treat for the family.

Jared said Anna even liked it.

I am sorry we missed it.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Alma 22:15-26

15 - . . . King: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken?  That I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive His Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, and not cast off at the last day?

I will give up all that I possess, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

16 - . . . Aaron: Bow down before God, repent of all thy sins, call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope thou desirest.

17 - The king did bow down and cried mightily: 

18 - O God . . . I will give away all my sins to know thee . . . the king was struck as if he were dead.

19 - The queen asks her servants to slay Aaron and his brethren because she thinks the king is dead.

20 - The servants saw what happened and they are afraid to slay Aaron and his brethren.

21 - The queen tells her servants to call the people to slay them instead. 

22 - Aaron puts forth his hand and raises the king from the earth.

23 - The king begins to minister unto them, insomuch that his whole household was converted unto the Lord.

24 - The multitude who has gathered begins to murmur.

25 - The King speaks to them and they are pacified.

26 - The king asks Aaron and his brethren to preach unto them.

Our speakers in sacrament meeting today: Jace and Ty Applegate, Jackson Allen, and Jimmy McNeil.  The boys spoke about their duties in the priesthood. Ty is a deacon, Jace a teacher, and Jackson a priest.  Jimmy McNeil is the young men's president.  You can tell he really loves the boys.  It was a good meeting.

The faithful four were in Primary today, Kacey, Braylin, Curtis, and Zemira.  Our lesson was on making good choices.  We read Alma 39 where Alma chastises his son Corianton for not keeping the commandments while they were on their mission to the Zoramites.

During the third hour the Primary and Sunday School teachers went in to what is called a Teacher's Council meeting and discussed the new manual, "Teaching in the Savior's Way."  I got to sit by James.  It was a good meeting.  It will be held every fourth Sunday.

Trenda came by for a visit this afternoon after lunch.  We talked about her living with Karin Westerman.  Karin is in DC right now with the East Valley Millennial Choir and is not answering her phone.  Hopefully we will hear from her soon.

Becky Skousen and I tried to visit the three boys in my Primary class who never come.  First we went to see Cameron Kenyon, but he wasn't home.  We spoke to his older brother and his mom.  His mom seems really nice.  I left a couple of things for Cameron:

A plate of cookies, a mini Book of Mormon, two lesson handouts, and a book mark with next week's reading assignment.

We also tried to visit Braxton Penron and Lej Westbrook but no one was home at either house.  I gave Becky a plate of cookies to take home and I took the other one home to give to one of the sisters I visit teach, Jean Howard.

James home taught the Hunsaker's today and I gave him a plate of cookies to give to Alicia who said she would teach my class next week.  James also went to the Wallace's and gave George a blessing.  He blessed George that he would get well.  After the blessing, James came home and fasted for George.

James went with me to visit Jean Howard and to take her some goodies.

I took her some cookies and some of the Utah

cherries that I bought from Stefani Hunsaker.

I had a nice visit with Jean and her daughter Deana McNeil who is my visiting teacher.

It was overcast and cool most of the day and we even got a little rain which made everything smell good. The elements have definitely been tempered and we are very grateful. 

It was a great Sabbath day!

Jared and his kids went to church with Darrel's family and then had dinner with them.  I think it was a nice Sabbath day for these two families too.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Guess where we went this morning?

On the way to the temple we listened to a conference talk and read our scriptures.  I also quoted my ponderize scripture, Mosiah 4:12, my eight sentences from the Family Proclamation and the Living Christ.  It got us in the mood for the temple.  The conference talk we listened to was Elder's Gong's "Always Remember Him."  I felt the Spirit just saying the title.

I love these bushes.  They are all over the temple grounds.

Alma 22:1-14

1 - Aaron was led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi, to the house of the king.

2 - We are the brethren of Ammon whom thou hast delivered out of prison.  I guess his friends went with him.

3 - . . . we will be thy servants . . . the king wants to know why Ammon didn't come.

4 - . . . the Spirit of the Lord called him another way.  He went to Ishmael to teach the people of Lamoni.

5 - King: What is the Spirit of the Lord?

6 - The king also ask about repentance.

7 - Aaron: Believest thou that there is a God? . . . if thou sayest there is a God, behold, I will believe.

8 - Behold, assuredly as thou livest, O king, there is a God.

9 - Is God the Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of Jerusalem?

10 - Yes and He created all things in heaven and earth.

11 - I believe the Great Spirit created all things.  Tell me concerning all these things and I will believe thy words.

12 - Aaron began from the creation of Adam how God created man after his own image, and that because of transgression, man had fallen.

13 - Creation - Fall - and the Atonement taught.

14 - also the Resurrection.

There is a dead cow elk on the side of the road between Taylor and Shumway.  I want to stop and take pictures next time.  Shumway is so beautiful and green.  James called it Silver Creek Valley.

After the temple we did some shopping at the Walmart in Taylor.  Afterwards we had lunch at Sonic.  I had a cheeseburger.  James had a hamburger and a New York dog.  I ate a couple of bites of James's hotdog, but was just too full to eat anymore.

I baked cookies this afternoon to take to the kids in my Primary class who never come.  While I was baking James went to the ward party and got me a Navajo taco.  It was delicious, one of the best that I have ever had.  He also stopped at the post office and got our church magazines and a check for the Desert Highlands job.  Thanks Honey!

I got a call from Sheri today and texts from Alex, Michael, Kim, Trina, and Stacy.  I sure do love my family!  Oh yes, Jared made it to Arizona with his kids.  

I was pretty tired after baking cookies all afternoon so James and I went to bed pretty early.

I have been having nightmares again.  I had them last night and again tonight.  The sad thing is that James can't get any sleep because I wake him up shouting out that someone is in the room.

I wish I knew why I do this so I could stop it.

Guess who lost a tooth today?

Miss Ruby!

   

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!