Sunday, August 14, 2016

Saturday, August 6, 2016

The beginnings of a beautiful day!

Alma 46:11-28
What is the significance of the title of liberty?

11 - Moroni becomes angry with Amalickiah.
12 - He rent his coat and wrote: "In memory of our God, ur religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children - and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
13 - He put on his armor and he took his title of liberty and he bowed himself to the earth and he prayed mightily unto God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land.
15 - Those who belonged to the Church were faithful and took upon them the name of Christ.
16 - Moroni prayed that the cause of Christians and the freedom of the land might be favored.
17 - The north and south of the land Desolation Moroni called a choice land.
18 - God surely will not allow the Christians to be destroyed unless we bring it upon ourselves.
19 - Moroni goes among the people waving the title of liberty saying:
20 - Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.
21 - The people came running with their armor on rending their garments in token, or as a covenant that they would not forsake the Lord their God, or, if they should transgress the commandments or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments.
22 - They cast their garments at the feet of Moroni saying: We covenant with our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall into transgression.
23 - Moroni said unto them:  Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain.
24 - Let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed.  And he said - Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment.
25 - Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow; nevertheless, my soul hath joy in my son, because of that part of his seed which shall be taken unto God.
26 - Now behold, this was the language of Jacob.
27 - And now who knoweth but what the remnant of the seed of Joseph, which shall perish as his garment, are those who have dissented from us?  Yea, and even it shall be ourselves if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ.
28 - Moroni continues to gather people seeking liberty to stand against Amalickiah and the dissenters. 

What can we do today?  Be an active citizen and promote liberty and freedom.  President Ezra Taft Benson said:
"Improve your community by active participation and service."

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

The struggle for liberty is a continuing one.  
The torn coat of Moroni - "The Title of Liberty was a reminder of the preserved remnant of the coat of Joseph of Egypt.  That remnant now found among the Lamanites shall eventually partake of the blessings of the Gospel.  They shall unite with the remnant which is being gathered from among the nations and they shall be blessed of the Lord forever." - Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith

Saturday James and I usually get up and drive to the Snowflake temple for the 8 a.m. endowment session.  This morning I decided I wanted to spend time with Jared and his kids because I don't know when I will see them again.  The kids are moving to San Antonio with Tricia this next week.  James stayed home and kept Alex and Seth busy.  Adam slept in and acted like he was not feeling well.

It was a beautiful day to be outside.  The high was around 65-70 and there were big fluffy clouds in the gorgeous blue sky.  Here are some of the activities the kids participated in:
I think this is James.  He just jumped off
a 45 foot tower onto a huge air mattress.
 The first step is the longest.
This is Molly coming down the slide in a tube.
Molly and Emmy.
You know it's hard when Emmy doesn't make it to the top.
Riding the lift to the top of the mountain is a must!
So relaxing and peaceful and the scenery is beautiful!
What's at the top of the mountain?
Delicious Navajo tacos,
made by the Apache tribe.
Anna and her friend, Joe.
Even Emmy had to slow down for a bite.
Of course we had to take pictures.
It was the perfect day.
I am so glad I came.

When we returned home it was time for dinner and Molly's party.  
James and I were going to start our fast this afternoon but Jared tempted us with ribs.  They were delicious!

After dinner it was time to party!  Kim and Brian arrived while we were gone to Sunrise.  They are always a nice edition to any party.  Molly was especially happy to see Kim and Anna loves Brian.
The perfect cake, pink and purple on the outside
and rainbow blast inside.
Go Molly!
It looks like she got them all.
A nice art kit from dad.
Checking it out.
A sketch book.  Molly was surprised that it 
didn't have any pictures to color.
We gave her a pretty CTR necklace with pink jewels around the outside.  Her birthday celebration was a good one.  She will be 7 on Monday.



Friday, August 5, 2016

Friday, August 5, 2016

Visit Arizona - Sedona

Alma 45:15-46:10
How do we avoid being prideful?
15 - Alma blesses his sons and the earth for righteousness sake.
16 - Alma: Cursed shall be the land unto destruction, which do wickedly.
17 - Alma blesses the Church and all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth.
18 - Alma departed out of the land of Zarahemla . . . and he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of.
19 - We know he was a righteous man.  The saying went abroad in the Church that he was taken up by the Spirit or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses.
20 - In the 19th year, Helaman went forth to declare the word and his brethren also.
23 - A dissensions arises and the people won't listen to Helaman and his brethren.
24 - The people grew proud because of their riches and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God.
Alma 46
1 - The nonbelievers gather against the believers.
2 - They were angry (why?), and determined to slay them.
3-4 - Their leader was Amalickiah and they wanted him to be king.  Some were lower judges of the land seeking for power.
5 - They were led by the flatteries of Amalickiah.
6 - They were led by Amalickiah's dissensions even though they were high priests in the Church.
7 - Many dissented from the Church because of Amalickiah.
8 - Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God.
9 - One man (or woman), can cause great wickedness among the people.
10 - Amalickiah sough to destroy the Church and the liberty of the people.

According to Bruce R. McConkie, Alma was translated.  
Alma 46:50 - The Contrast Between Wicked and Righteous Leadership. (See Book of Mormon Student Manual).

GC: "Where Two or Three Are Gathered" by President Eyring.

James helped me make whole wheat pancakes this morning.  He was my sou chef.  We put blueberries in some of the pancakes.  They were quite delicious.

After breakfast Jared, Molly, and I went shopping at Walmart.  Molly picked out her birthday cake.  
Pink and purple.  Molly's favorite color is now purple.
So is Addy's, Ruby's, and Kim's.  They can now join
my club.

While Jared was buying groceries, Molly wants ribs for her birthday dinner, Molly and I went clothes shopping.  She picked out a pink unicorn shirt.  She said Emmy likes unicorns, but she hates pink so she probably wouldn't like the shirt.  She got denim leggins, sparkly blue tennis shoes, a purse, some lipstick, and nail polish, both bright red.  Here are some pictures in her new outfit.
The stuffed bunny is Abigal, her gift from Jared.
She got to make and dress her at Build-a-Bear.
What a cutie!
Nice pose Molly and such a cute smile.

When we got home there was a big game of Five Crowns going on.
I'm not sure who won.

James did a sleep study last night at a center in Show Low.  The results were not good.  He stopped breathing 60 times an hour.  When they put on the cpap machine it was even worse.  They guy doing the study said there were things they could do to help him but he would have to see Dr. Moffat.  No wonder he is tired all the time!

Jared made an early dinner, beef stroganoff, and then took his kids into town to see a movie.  My mom always made me beef stroganoff for my birthday dinner.  Jared, Molly, Anna, and Joe saw "The Secret Lives of Pets."  Anna is know for her puns and I guess she was on a roll during the movie.  James and Emmy saw the new Jason Bourne movie.  

Alex, Seth, and Adam went on a ride to Green's Peak and Alex posted these pictures. 
 Love it!

Someone posted this picture on Facebook.
It was taken in Show Low.
The bridge cloud and the face of the Grim reaper.

In other news about the Clintons:
There have been over 110 people dead who are associated with the Clinton's since their days in Arkansas.  There have been
five in the past few weeks.
I found this on Facebook:

Maybe Hillary and Bill listen to the wrong wolf.
It makes me so sad that Hilary will probably be our
next president.  She is not qualified.

I found this house and would love to build it for a guest
house.  It might also make a good house for Kim and Brian.

This is so true.

Here are some Throwback Friday pictures.  I love that Shoebox posts past pictures for you to look at.
These boys love to build, rather in be blocks
or Legos.
Two years ago.  
More pictures two years ago in August.
Anna loves Brian and Lola!
Love these two!
Emmy loves to climb.
At Chino Bambino probably two or three years ago.
Razr fun two years ago.

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