Thursday, August 4, 2016

 Jared got to go to the Gilbert temple this morning.

Alma 44:16-45:14
16 - Zerahemnah is angry and stirs up his soldiers to contend against the Nephites.
17 - Moroni commands his people to fight back.
18 - The Lamanites because of their bare skins fall fast before the Nephites.
19 - Zerahemnah cries that if their lives are spared they never will come to war again.
20 - Moroni stops the work of death.  He takes the Lamanites weapons and after they enter in to a covenant of peace, they enter into the wilderness.
21 - The number of the dead on both sides was so great they weren't numbered.
22 - The dead were buried in the waters of Sidon and carried out to sea.
23 - Moroni's army returns home.
24 - Thus ended the 18th year and the record of Alma.
Alma 45
The record of Helaman comprises Alma 45-62.
1 - The Nephites give thanks unto their Lord for their delivery. 1) Give thanks 2) fast and pray 3) worship God with great joy. 
2 - Alma interviews Helaman as to his worthiness to keep the records and promises him he will prosper in the land if he keeps the commandments.
7 - Helaman to his father: Yea, I will kee the commandments with all my heart. (Doesn't every parent want to hear these words?)

GC: "Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth To Do Good" President Henry B. Eyring.

I looked outside and saw two bunnies chasing each other around a pine tree.  This is why I love living here.

I am thankful for my phone for many reasons:
It has my gospel library which I use every day.  I have a banking app, and a weather app, a music store and a music player, I store my pictures on my phone, and books I want to read.  What did I ever do without it?

While going through a box today I found James's BYU Leadership Scholarship.  It was worth $180.  My how times have changed.

I vacuumed, dusted, and vacuumed the family room couch today in preparation for company.  I also mopped the kitchen and dining room floor.  The house is ready and so am I!

I read from Fablehaven book 2, The Rise of the Evening Star, and The Seven Miracles that Saved America, and The Seven Tipping Points that Saved the World.  

In the early afternoon I made a trip to town.  My first stop was at my brother Dennis's house to drop off the book "The Washington Hypothesis."  Vickie called to me as I was getting out of my car from the woodworking shop she and Harold have in their backyard.  She is becoming more involved in the business.  She gave me this for my birthday.

Harold does the wood and Vickie does the decorating.

They make a good team.

After visiting with my brothers and Vickie I headed for Walmart to buy some groceries.  Jared arrived at the cabin with his kids and Anna's friend Joe just before I did and James and Alex, Seth, and Adam were right behind me.  Jared said he wasn't able to stop for groceries because his car was filled with groceries and people so I am glad I bought burgers and fries for dinner.  

The first thing his kids wanted to do was go for Razr rides.  It was raining and muddy and we warned them they would get soaked, which they did.  When they returned everyone headed for the showers.  I am surprised we had enough water pressure.

Jared cooked the burgers for dinner.  Everyone ate and then settled down for the evening.  Jared and his kids watched a movie.

James and I went to bed a little after nine.

Alex took a picture of this gorgeous sunset.

I took one too, but it was not nearly this beautiful.

This was taken from his parents bedroom deck.

Since today it Throwback Thursday I thought I would share some old pictures:

I left these two watching hummingbirds while I went to Walmart.

When I returned Joshua said: Gramma, I was bored so grampa took

me for a ride on the Razr.  Someone is in trouble.

Rowan's Harry Potter wand. 

Rowan casting a spell.

These pictures were taken two years ago.

A cute picture of a cute couple.

Molly performing

She did some cheers for us.

Fun together.

Ruby

Ruby and Grampa

Anna and Lola

Emmy and Lola

Addy and Lola

Joshua and Lola

Molly and Ruby and their baby.

Michael and Joe entertained us.

These two are really good!

The Three Amigos

Lola's blessing.  This is before Rowan 

learned how to smile.

Michael's baptism

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Beautiful sunrise over the ocean

Alma 44:1-15

1 - Moroni stops the fighting and begins speaking to Zerahemna.  

(Has this ever happened before during a war?)

3 - The Lord has delivered you into our hands because of our faith in Christ.

4 - God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto Him.  (Now Moroni is bearing his testimony!)

5 - It is by the sacred word of God  that we owe all our happiness.

6 - Deliver up your weapons of war unto us and we will spare your lives if ye will no more come against us in war. (The Ultimatum)

7 - If ye don't, we will inflict the wounds of death upon you.

8 - Zerahemnah delivers up his weapons of war but he won't take an oath of peace.

9 - Zerahemnah: We are not of your faith and don't believe it is God who has delivered you.  It is your cunning and your armor that has preserved you.

10 - Moroni returns Zerahemnah's weapons and says, behold, we will end the conflict.

11 - Ye shall not depart unless you take an oath of peace.  We will spill you blood upon the ground.

12 - Zerahemnah rushes to slay Moroni.  One of Moroni's soldiers stops Zerahemnah and scalps him and says:

14 - Even as this scalp has fallen to the earth, so shall ye fall to the earth except ye will deliver up your weapons of war and depart with a covenant of peace.

15 - Many came forth and threw down their weapons of war and entered into a covenant of peace and departed into the wilderness.

GC: "I Was a Stranger" by Sister Linda K. Burton.

James left after family prayer and scriptures for the valley.  He is picking up stone to fix our front steps, a power washer that Dave got for us, and trying to finish the job for Lindsay Smith.  He is also picking up a mattress so we will have a bed in his office.  I therefore had to clean his office today:

I had to take a picture because it might not last.

I need to move a couple of file cabinets but I am going to wait for help.

That trophy you see is one for outstanding wrestler.

The award with a T is from the city of Tempe for helping with their beautification by remodeling Tempe Camera.

While I was cleaning it was pouring down rain outside:

I wish James was here to enjoy the rain with me.

Everyday online I answer a Trivia question.  Today's question was: Where is the tallest building in the world located?  Do you know?  I got it right!

My ponderize scripture for this week is D&C 93:l

Verily, thus saith the Lord:

It shall come to pass that every soul

who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me,

and calleth on my name,

and obeyeth my voice, 

and keepeth my commandments,

 shall see my face and know that I am:

President Kimball said this was the most comprehensive scripture that we have and that we will see the face of the Lord if we are obedient.

Addy had a fun-filled summer with her friends:

Addy and friends

Today she started on a new adventure as a 7th grader in junior high:

She is beautiful both inside and out!

Today I got two more names from my family line that need temple work done.  James tried to get some names from his line on Sunday but after working for over an hour he could not find any and was discouraged.  I told him he shouldn't be because that means his ancestors are cared about and being saved!

I love Elder Scott

I read several chapters today from "The Lincoln Hypothesis"  I found this quote by Joseph Smith:

"Oh that I could snatch the people of the United States from the vortex of misery, into which I behold them plunging themselves."

History is beginning to repeat itself in our day.

I miss James, especially at night.  I thought I saw something move in the entryway while I was studying at the dining room table.  I better go to bed and cover up my head.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Two years ago at the Gilbert temple

Alma 43: 41-54

41-44 - The Nephites encircle the Lamanites and the Lamanites fight like dragons and slay many Nephites.

45 - Nevertheless the Nephites were fighting for a better cause. 

46 - They were doing their duty towards God.

47 - The Lord has said: "Ye shall defend your families unto bloodshed."

48 - As the Nephites began to shrink before the Lamanites Moroni had to remind them of what they were fighting for.

50 - They began to stand against the Lamanites with power  As they cried for their freedoms, the Lamanites fled before them.

51 - There were twice as many Lamanites as Nephites.

52 - The Nephites surround the Lamanites and the Lamanites are struck with terror.

54 - Moroni commands his men to stop fighting.

What "better cause" inspires you to fight.

GC: What Shall We Do?  Sister Marriott

James and I played a game of Five Crowns with Kim and Brian before they left.  This time Kim was the winner.  They really did not want to leave but Brian has to go to work tomorrow.

Great smiles!

James finished spreading the top soil and is ready to plant grass.  He got this completed before the rain came.

Working in spite of his pain.

The monsoons hit so hard in the valley that some places are flooded.  The Bogles posted a picture on Facebook of their road that is now a river.  They live in south Chandler formally known as Ocotillo.

I am grateful for my husband.  He worked hard outside then he came in and helped me.  He changed a lightbulb, hung some pictures, and fixed the vacuum.  This evening while we were watching our Hallmark movie he fixed me some Pero.  He wanted to watch our movie tonight since we will have company on Friday and we might not get to watch it then.

For dinner this evening we had squash cooked in my new cookware without water or oil, and a sweet potato.  It really was a most delicious meal.  I am reading a book right now called The China Study.  It says at the top that it is the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted.  The author highly recommends a whole food plant based diet, which totally agrees with the Word of Wisdom.

Interesting

Greg Trimble says: "God will not save a nation of pseudo-Christians."  This has me a little worried, but I totally agree with Brother Trimble.

This brings back fond memories.  I saw these three 

almost everyday after school playing together.

Monday, August 2, 2016

Philadelphia temple

The public is invited to tour the newly completed

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania temple.

Alma 43:27-40

30 - Since the Nephites were defending their homes, families and liberties, Moroni thought it no sin that he should defend them by stratagem.

35 - Lehi leads his army forth and encircles the Lamanites about on the east in their rear.

37 - As the battle begins the Nephites are more protected than the Lamanites because of their armor.

38 - . . . the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites.

39 - The Lamanites flee towards the river Sidon.

40 - Lehi and his men pursue them until they cross the river Sidon.

What strategies did Moroni use to succeed with his army?  What strategies do we use to fight Satan?

GC: "He Asks Us To Be His Hands" Sister Cheryl A. Esplin.

I have been working on memorizing The Living Christ and The Family Proclamation as our stake president ask us to do in our last stake conference.  I memorize one sentence a week and recite from the beginning everyday for a week.  I actually had a chance to use one of the sentences from The Family Proclamation when I was visiting teaching Hailey Chaffin last week.  The lesson was on our potential for parenthood.  I said: "The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife." (sentence #8)  This week I am on sentence 12.

Get in shape!

James and I made a trip to town.  He needed to pick up grass seed and some supplies and I wanted to go to National Bank and close our account.  I also wanted to get my weekly fix of veggies and rice from Panda.  We went to Panda first but it was packed so we headed to Christopher's Garden for grass seed.  I stayed in the car because it was raining and read from "Rise of the Evening Star", the second book in the Fablehaven series.  

Panda was not busy at all on our second try.  Before we went to the bank I checked online to see how much money we had in the account.  I was excited to be getting some cash.  Much to my surprise our account had a balance of -$63.52.  When James changed our Translife supplemental insurance payment he was supposed to transfer the one taken out of this account to my personal Chase account.  Instead he tranferred the one from our business account and so Translife debited $154.85 which made us overdrawn with a $33 service fee.  I was upset but James calmed me down and went in the bank and took care of everything.  

It rained on us on the way home but no rain at our place.  Brian sat outside reading from "The Washington Hypothesis."  Kim was downstairs taking a nap.  James and I went to take a nap too.

Andrew Mancini from The Online Success Team was supposed to call at 10 this morning.  I worked on the things he ask me to do but when it got to be 11 and he hadn't called I stopped.  This afternoon around 5 he called but I didn't answer because I did not want to talk to him.  We will see what happens tomorrow.

I made meatless taco soup for dinner with cornbread.  It was a delicious dinner.  After dinner, James, Brian, Kim and I had some meaningful gospel discussions and we called it F.H.E.  

James told about his angel, Brandon Garvin, who saved his concrete.  We discussed the Nephites in North America, a vision seen by Heber C. Kimball on the night that the Prophet Joseph Smith received the gold plates.  We discussed the Word of Wisdom and most particularly verse 15.  Is wheat to be the staff of life, or is it to be used sparingly.  Kim and I have a difference of opinion.  We need more clarification.  Kim is gluten intolerant and can't eat wheat.  We also talked about our Will and Living Trust.

I texted my friend Pam Giles about making visits to rest homes.  She is a volunteer at Bannon Springs and Angel Wings.  We are kindred spirits.  I love talking to her.  She said it was raining at her house.  We had no rain here but the weather is gorgeous!

Stacy posted some pictures on Facebook that I must share:

Stacy's 21st birthday.  The baby

is Jared Ammon.

Gargantuan Michael holding pee wee

Alex's hand so they can go jump jump.

Also this picture is from three years ago

when I visited my dad's and my grandparents gravesite:

Show Low Cemetery

Kim ask us where we want to be buried.  We are not sure but I think in Vernon.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

One of my favorite temples

Alma 43:15-26  Why is it important to be prepared?

15 - The two armies prepare to meet.

16 - Nephites are led by Captain Moroni.

17 - Moroni was only 25 years old.

18 - Moroni's army are prepared and armed.

19 - The army has breastplates, arm shields, head gear and thick clothing.

20 - Zerahemnah's army only has swords, cimeters, bows and arrows, stones and slings and the Larmanites are girded with a loin cloth.

21 - The Lamanites are afraid even though their numbers are great.

23 - Moroni sends spies to follow the Lamanites.  He also inquired of the Prophet Alma if the Nephites should go and defend themselves against the Lamanites.

24 - Alma says yes and tells Moroni's messengers the Lamanites plan to attack Manti.

25 - Moroni takes part of his army to Manti.

I spent most of the morning before church preparing for my Primary lesson and typing quotes for James's gospel doctrine class. 

My lesson is entitled "Nephi Prophesies".  The main message is on the importance of following the Prophet.

Sacrament meeting was wonderful today. Rick and Pam Giles spoke and they were amazing.  Here is a quote Pam shared in her talk: "The most terrible poverty is loneliness and feeling unloved." - Mother Theresa.  She spoke about love and service and I loved the things she said.  She is a great example as she visits those in rest homes who don't have many visitors.

Rick spoke about President Nelson's talk on priesthood power.  He is a very eloquent speaker and spoke with conviction and sincerity.

I was so proud of both of them!  They were the celebrities for the day.

The bishop said we had more sick people in our ward than all of the other wards in the stake combined.  Along with George Wallace, Mil Bell, and Julie Berry we have Sean Hunsaker with heart problems, Dave Kustuziak, Billy Gillaspy, Brother Patrick, and Dustin Curtis who has stage 4 bladder cancer.  Dustin is the son of our good friends Blain and Diana Curtis.  He is quite young, in his late 20's or early 30's.  I need to text Diana.

We had four girl visitors in our Primary class today along with Curtis and Zemira.  Our visitors were: Reagan, Mariah, and Addison Tingey all from Mesa, and Carson who is also from Mesa.

During the 3rd hour I was excused from Primary Sharing Time to go to the bishops counsel meeting.  I am so glad that I did.  It was wonderful.  He ask what he had recommended to us last year in this meeting to help with most of our problems and to help give us an added measure of comfort for our concerns.  Teresa Smith knew the answer: "Keep the Sabbath day holy."  He reaffirmed that promise and added something else.  He said over the past few years he has been prompted to increase his temple attendance from monthly to weekly and it has made all the difference in his life and also in his wife's life.  He said he began this before he was called as bishop and knows that he would not have been called if he had not made this weekly commitment.  He quoted Elder Maxwell: "Not shrinking is more important than surviving."  I now quote from the remained of his counsel:  "The temple and the Sabbath will hone us to become more like God.  I am a better person because of the temple.  The temple will give you added strength to carry your burdens.  You know what is important and need to do it.  Please don't say you don't have time.  We all have the same amount of time.  It is a matter of priorities.  Remember Elder Oak's talk from a few years ago: "Good, Better, Best."  The temple is the best.  There is power in the temple.  Christ's gospel makes us the best."

He also quoted from President Ezra Taft Benson:

"The temple is a standing witness that the power of God can stay the powers of evil in our midst.  Many parents, in and out of the Church, are concerned about protection against a cascading avalanche of wickedness which threatens to engulf Christian principles.  I find myself in complete accord with a statement made by President Harold B. Lee during World War II.  Said he: 'We talk about security in this day, and yet we fail to understand that ... we have standing the holy temple wherein we may find the symbols by which power might be generated that will save this nation from destruction."

Wow I love our bishop.  He is humble and inspired and such a great example.

Becky Skousen went with me today to visit three boys in my Primary class that I have never seen.  The first was Lej Westbrook. His mother came to the door.  I had cookies.  When I ask if I could meet Lej she hesitated and then said, "I will take the cookies" and that was that.  Well, at least we made contact.  Next we went to the Kenyon's which is always fun.  We gave Cameron two plates of cookies and a handout from today's lesson.  I had a good feeling about him.  Our last visit was to Braxton Penrod.  He was on the computer and you could tell he didn't want to be disturbed, but at Becky's insistance he came to the door and accepted the handout and cookies.  I am grateful to Becky for going with me.  Next month I am going once a week except for fast Sunday, and taking members of my class with me.  Next month we will be delivering Book of Mormon's with reading assignments along with our cookies.

Brother Wallace is doing poorly again.  This has been going on since May 9th when he had his first surgery.  James is very concerned about him.  George is discouraged, but says he is getting better.  I hope so.  James's blessin he gave him said he would get well.

Studied this afternoon and waited for Kim and Brian to arrive.  I finally texted Kim and they said it would be after 10 tonight.

We also waited for the rain but it didn't come until after we went to bed.  Here is the place Kim and Brian attended the Avett Brothers concert on Saturday night..

I love these two C.S. Lewis quotes:

Last year at the cabin:

You've come a long way baby.

A tea party in honor of Molly's birthday.

  

Saturday, July 30, 2016

The sunrise was gorgeous this morning.

Alma Alma 42:26-43:14

This is Alma still speaking to his son Corianton:

26 - God brings about His great and eternal purposes.

27 - . . . come and partake of the waters of life freely.

29 - . . . let your sins trouble you unto repentance.

30 - Don't excuse yourself because of your sins.

31 - Preach the word with truth and soberness so the plan of mercy can take place in peoples lives who repent.

Alma 43

1-2- Alma and his sons continue to preach the word.

3 - Wars between the Nephites and Lamanites in the 18th year of the reign of the judges.

4 - The Zoramites become Lamanites.  The Nephites prepare for war as the Lamanites prepare to attack.

5 - Zerahemnah leads the Lamanites.

8 - Zerahemnah wants the Lamanites stirred up in anger against the Nephites.

9 - The Nephites desires were to preserve their liberties and protect their families and the people of Ammon.

Instead of a conference talk today I want to post this quote by Elder Renlund:

Two of my new heroes,

Elder Renlund and his wife.

James and I attended the temple this morning.  James didn't think he could sit through a session so he did initiatories and I took three names into the baptistry for a youth group to do.  The names were:

Gertrude Alice Louderback, Vickie's mother, Winnifred Braddy who is Levi Strickland's wife, and my new find this week, Mary Elizabeth Ennis.  I love doing temple work and I also put 20 names on the temple prayer roll.

After the temple we went to El Cupido's for brunch and then to Walmart to shop for food until Wednesday when I will shop again.  I like doing two shopping trips.  It's not quite so overwhelming.  we bought lots of fruits and vegetables but passed up the cherries because they were $4.48 a pound.  When we go to El Cupido's we pick up the Snowflake paper.  We can check out the Basha's ads for sales which Walmart with ad match.  On the way home we were slowed down by a bicycle race.  It was okay because we read from our book "Dawn at Emberwilde."  

When we returned home James needed a nap.  I was reading my chapter from the second Fablehaven book when I received a phone call from a guy named Andrew Macina who said he was with an Internet business Success Team.  He knew I had signed up for an internet business and wanted to know if I would qualify for their success team.  He asked me a ton of questions about our finances and our personal situation.  He wants me to set some goals and ask myself why I should be selected for their team.  I told him if it cost more money that I wasn't interested and he said I would make the money it would cost.  He is calling back on Monday and scheduling a two hour meeting for James and I to meet with his supervisor.  

Because our financial situation is not what it should be at this stage of our lives I am desperate to find a way to help James but I am leary of things on the internet and know i need to be very careful.  I can't stand the thought of James having to work another year or so because his body is wearing out.  He has supported me all these years and I want to support him now so we can go on a mission and fix up our property.  

After my phone call James was up from his nap and we loaded up the truck and went to the dump.  I came home and made cookies for Primary visits tomorrow and worked on my Primary lesson.  James worked on his gospel doctrine lesson.

James went outside to work for a little while.  

I think he was trying to beat this storm that's coming.

For dinner I made my Weight Watcher veggie soup.  It is so delicious!

As we went to bed tonight the storm we had seen earlier in the distance hit with a great vengeance.  We had lightning and thunder that was a little to close for my comfort, but we are so grateful for the rain!

In other news, Michael and his family toured the campus of Grand Canyon University where he will be starting school on a track scholarship at the end of August.

Michael looks good in purple.

Michael and his biggest fan.

As I understand it the plan is to attend a semester and then put in his papers for a mission.  I hope that goal rings true.

Lola and her cousin James