Monday, September 5, 2016

Happy Birthday Darrel and Aaron!

This picture was taken a few years back when

we use to vacation in San Diego.

Darrel, Addy, Jon, Logan, Aaron, Sammy

about 11 1/2 years ago at Erik and Amelia's reception.

Aaron's birthday is September 4th, Darrel's the 5th, and Jon's the 9th.  Jon is the baby of the bunch.

Alma 62:1-18

1 - Moroni is glad to hear from Pahoran and know he is not a traitor to the cause.

2 - He did mourn because of the iniquity of those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment seat.

3 - Moroni too a small number of men and marched towards the land of Gideon.

4 - He did raise the standard of liberty wherever he went and gained whatever force he could.

5 - Thousands did flock unto his standard, and did take up their swords in the defense of their freedom.

6 - Moroni and Pahoran unite forces and become stronger than the men of Pachus who had driven the freemen out of Zarahemla.

7 - Moroni and Pahoran went to Zarahemla and did meet the men of Pachus in battle.

8 - Pachus was slain and his men were taken prisoners and Pahoran was restored to his judgment seat.

9 - The men of Pachus received their trial and were executed according to the law.

10 - This law, of capital punishment, was observed for the safety of their country.

11 - Thus ended the 30th year.  Moroni and Pahoran restored peace in the land of Zarahemla.

12-13 - Moroni caused provisions and men to be sent to Helaman, Lehi, and Teancum.

14 - Moroni and Pahoran leave a large body of men in Zarahemla and took a large body of men to Nephihah.

15 - They took a large body of men of the Lamanites and slew them and took their provisions and weapons of war.

16 - Some entered into a covenant that they would no more take up weapons of war against the Nephites.  

17 - When the Lamanites entered the covenant they sent them to dwell with the people of Ammon.

18 - The army pitched their tents near the city of Nephihah.

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

Kim and Brian left this morning for home.  They said they wanted to beat most of the traffic.  I took a couple of pictures before they left.

Addy with Brian and Kim

Brian, Ruby, and Kim

Rowan was sad he missed getting his picture taken but he

was sleeping.

Trina fixed a nice breakfast this morning: cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, and bacon.  I have to admit that I had a cinnamon roll and some bacon.  James had some eggs.  I don't very often cook breakfast so he was going to take advantage.

Rowan went out this morning and helped grandpa move rocks:

Rowan worked for over two hours, taking a break to go for a

Razr ride with his dad and Addy and Ruby, and to get

a drink of water.

They make a good team!

Besides going on Razr rides and working outside, and reading (Addy), here are some of the things we did:

Saying cheese and trying on her sisters shoes.

Ruby and I made a "dice city", including

a school and a park and a water tower.

Ruby and her tower.

Not only did we play with blocks and dice but Ruby and I played

Candyland and Cootie.  We also went out to play on the hammock but there were too many bees for Ruby to feel comfortable.

Hiding from the bees.

When Lola saw Ruby playing with the blocks, of course she wanted to play too.  Here Addy is using the blocks to build

Lola's name.

Concentration is important.

Oh no!

Trina did get to go for one Razr ride but she spent most of her time either cooking breakfast or cleaning.  The family left for home around 2 p.m.  We were sad to say goodbye.

We will miss you!

Being silly!

As soon as everyone was gone James and I took a nap.  The house seems so empty and quiet.  For dinner we had New York dogs and for FHE we listened to a conference talk.  

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Kim took this picture of trees burned in the fire.

It almost looks like the sky is on fire.

Alma 61:6-21

6 - Many are gathering to hep avenge the wrongs of the dissenters or the kingmen.

7 - The kingmen now fear the freemen.

8 - The kingmen in Zarahemla appointed a king and they have joined in an alliance with the Lamanites.

9 - I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment seat that I may preserve the rights and liberty of my people.

10 - We will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed.  We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land.

11 - We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they did not rise up in rebellion against us.

12 - We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if the Lord commanded us to.

13 - He doesn't command us to, but that we should put our trust in Him, and He will deliver us.

14 - Moroni, let us resist evil, tat we may retain our freedom and rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God.

15 - Come unto me speedily with a few of your men.

16 - Leave Lehi and Teancum in charge.  I have sent a few provisions unto them.

17 - Gather together your force and we will go against these dissenters in the strength of our God.

18 - We will take possession of Zarahemla that we may send more food to Lehi and Teancum.

19 - I wasn't sure if we should go against our brethren.

20 - But ye said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them.

21 - Strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord.  Tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free.  And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother, Moroni.

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

Bishop Miller conducted our fast and testimony meeting today.  It was a good one.  Before it started James visited with one of Stacy's friends from Chandler, Becky Jones Tingey.

Bishop Miller announced the Brother Mel Bell passes away.  We found out later that bishop spent the night with the family after he passed.  He also spent four hours visiting with Mel and Ruth Wilhelm when Mel's sister Jeannie passed away.  That is the kind of bishop he is.  Sister Julie Berry who has cancer bore her testimony.  She wore a bandana around her head.  The ward has been praying for her for months so it was wonderful to see her.  Ellen Kustuziak bore her testimony of blessings and she is not even a member.  When her husband had surgery for a heart attack Chuck Crane gave him a blessing and said he would live.  She was so very grateful for that blessing.  After her testimony Owen Peeler got up and said: "Sister Kustuziak you better get baptized before you keel over."  I guess my favorite testimony was Blain Curtis's.  His son is in our ward and has cancer.  He talked about how everyone has trials and then shared his favorite scripture, Psalm 46:10: "Be still and know that I am God."

More pictures from San Antonio.  This one is my favorite.

I looks like Molly has made a new friend.

Her name is Kacey.

Doesn't Molly look beautiful!

I had eight children in my Primary class and six of them were visitors: Johnson, Boston, Rowan, Joshua, Claire, and Alice.  My regulars were Curtis and Zemira.  Our lesson was on the Savior visiting the Nephites.  We had a paper to fill in and Curtis refused to do it.  A few minutes later I announced that anyone who finished their paper would get to choose something from the treasure basket.  You could tell Curtis was a little miffed.  I told him he would have another chance next week.  I must have had 12 kids behind my car picking out treasures.  Some of the kids brought their younger brothers and sisters.  It was a little crazy.  And oh yes, kids following me down the hall out to my car made me feel a little bit like the Pied Piper.  I am lucky the Primary president didn't fire me.

You can't tell but Addy has on a Harry Potter

shirt and sweater, and socks.

We broke our fast a little early today.  It is difficult to fast after church when you have company.  For lunch we had soup and some of Darrel's pistachio dessert.  During our nap time Darrel and Trina took their kids and went to Greer.  It was a beautiful day it.

Four of my favorite people!

More fun in San Antonio.

James and Molly dancing.  

This was probably on Saturday

Rain and kids playing in the street.

A nice quiet Sunday game.

Anna and Summer.

Anna loves having her picture taken.

We had a fun relaxing day here in Vernon.  

Kim loves having her picture taken too.

Ruby and Lola had on the same outfit.

How cute!

Lola always says "cheese" when she is

posing for a picture.

Rowan relaxing in the hammock.

Lola pushing Ruby

Lola telling her mom:

"It's my turn."

We celebrated Darrel's birthday even though we

didn't have any candles for the cake.

Darrel loves having his picture taken too.

It was a wonderful day and the weather was just about perfect.  Darrel grilled burgers and hotdogs for dinner and we had cake and ice cream and played games and just relaxed.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Jeannie Wilhelm Turley and her husband

Mel, Jeannie, and Guy Wilhelm

Mel and Guy are Jeannie's brothers.

Mel is a member of our ward.

Today was Jeannie Wilhelm Turley's funeral.  Even though Jeannie lived in Holbrook with her husband of four years, the funeral was held here in Vernon because this was her hometown.  She was also buried here.  Wilhelm family and friends gathered at the Vernon chapel for the 11 a.m. services.  Afterwards there was a luncheon in the cultural hall.  I helped to set up chairs and decorate the tables.  I helped for about an hour and when I got home Darrel and his family had arrived.  It is Darrel's birthday weekend and he almost always chooses to come to the cabin.  Jared and his kids have come in the past but this year Jared went to San Antonio to be with his kids.  Kacey and her kids went too.  

Alma 60:29-61:5

29 - Bestir yourselves in the defense of your country and your little ones or the sword of justice doth hand over you.

30 - Behold, I wait for assistance and if it doesn't come, I am coming with my sword.

31 - The Lord will not suffer that ye shall live in your iniquities to destroy His righteous people.

32 - (Moroni's letter really applies to the kingmen).  The hatred of the Lamanites has been redoubled by those who have dissented from us (Ammoron and his brother).  Your iniquity is for the love of glory.

33 - The Lord has said unto me: If those appointed as your governors don't repent, ye shall go up to battle against them.

34 - I, Moroni, have covenanted to keep the commandments of God.  Send us provisions and men.

35 - If you don't, I come unto you speedily.  See that ye fulfill the word of God.

36 - I am Moroni, I seek not for power, but to pull it down.  I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country.

Alma 61:1-5

1 - Moroni receives an epistle from Pahoran.

2 - Moroni, I do not joy in your afflictions, yea, it grieves my sould.

3 - There are those who have risen up in rebellion against me and they joy in your afflictions.

4 - The kingmen have sought to take away the judgment seat.  They have used flattery and have led away the hearts of many people.  They have withheld our provisions and stopped our freemen from coming unto you.

5 - They have driven me out from before them, and I have fled to Gideon, with as many men as possible.

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

We had fun here in Vernon and Jared and his family had a great time with Kacey and her family in San Antonio.

Lola was afraid to go down the stairs by herself because there is no carpet on the stairs.  Here is Ruby helping her.  After the two girls came downstairs Trina and I took the on a Razr ride.  Lola kept saying: "Go faster!"

Here Kim, Addy, and Rowan are looking at pictures on their phones.  Ruby is posing for the camera.  Kim and the two older kids spent alot of time doing puzzles.  They did two donut puzzles which made us all hungry for donuts.

Addy spent alot of time reading from her Rick Riordan series

about Percy Jackson.  

Trina spent alot of time in the kitchen.  Ruby and Addy

helped her dry dishes.

Darrel spent alot of time smiling.  After all, it was his birthday weekend.

Brian made friends with Lola.

In San Antonio:

Playing in the rain.

Tanner and Emmy playing a game.

Tanner and James playing Settlers while 

Jared checks his phone.  

James getting his hair done by Summer.

For dinner tonight I cooked a whole chicken in my Power Cooker, and used it to make homemade chicken and rice soup.  It was delicious!  James liked it too and so did Trina and Darrel's girls.

I also made a pistachio pudding dessert for Darrel's birthday.  I put it in the frig to chill.  We will eat it tomorrow after we break our fast.

Friday, September 2, 2016

San Antonio temple

Alma 60:14-28

14 - I fear that the judgments of God will come upon this people; because of their exceeding slothfulness.

15 - . . . we could have withstood our enemies.

16 - Had it not been for the kingmen and the war that broke out among ourselves, we should have dispersed our enemies.

17 - Our people are suffering all manner of afflictions because of these kingmen.

18 - Perhaps you are traitors to our country.

19 - Maybe you neglect us because you are surrounded by security.

20 - Have ye forgotten the commandments or the captivity of your fathers and the many times we have been delivered?

21 - Do ye suppose the Lord will deliver us while we sit upon our thrones and don't make use of the means the Lord has provided for us?

22 - Will ye sit in idleness while thousands are falling by the sword?

23 - Remember God has said cleanse the inner vessel first.

24 - Except ye do repent and send forth food and men unto us we will come and cleanse the inner vessel, our government.

28 - I do not fear your power and authority, it is my God whom I fear.

GC: "What Shall We Do?" Sister Marriott.

I worked on my Primary lesson a couple of hours this morning.  I know with company this weekend it will be difficult to study tomorrow.  The lesson is on the Savior visiting the Nephites after His resurrection.

Grand Canyon

James and I made a trip to town today.  I went to Walmart and James went to Dennis's to return the blankets he used for the lawn.

Walmart was insane!  This is the busiest weekend of the month plus it's a holiday weekend so there are extra people here from the valley and Tucson.

James and I ate subs and chips on the way home and called it dinner.  We have got to stop eating in the car!

I love President Hinckley!

Another day that is overcast but no rain.  The high was around 74.  We sat on the porch and read from our new book.  James really likes it.  It's about the Vandermark mansion in New York state back around 1898.

Sophie van Riijn is the main character.

The story takes place in a little village called New Holland.

James helped me put the clean sheets on Kim and Brian's bed downstairs.  They got here somewhere between 9 and 10, just before we went to bed.  Glad they arrived safely.

Polar Bears arguing

Interesting. I like the polar bears better.

Here are the other two books I am reading right now.  I actually
finished this Fablehave book 2 and have moved on to book 3.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Oregon

Alma 60:1-13

Moroni writes again to Pahoran. 

2 - Moroni reminds Pahoran of his responsibility to provide provisions and soldiers for the war.

3 - He tells Pahoran of the sufferings of those involved in the war.

5 - Great has been the slaughter among our people and great has been your neglect toward us.

6 - Why are you neglecting us?

7 - Are you sitting upon your throne in a thoughtless stupor?

8 - You could have saved thousands from falling by the sword.

13 - For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that His justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; Ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God.

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

Mormon Helping Hands

Deep Thoughts:

These thoughts are taken from an article about prayer that was published in Meridian Magazine:

"The tidy pretense of being a good person did not hold up to the painful reality of my fallenness."

"O Jesus, thou Son of God, Have mercy on me." (Alma the Younger)

"If I make myself humble He makes me clean."

"Prayer is not a polite beg-a-thon.  No, it is a lost and confused child in a hostile and foreign land calling home for directions."

"Begging for mercy is different from presenting our demands."

James and I seem to have good timing.  We have been deciding it's time to go to town right around lunch time. Today we went to Grumpy Jake's.  It was our third choice but Persnikkity's and Darbi's were too busy.

I had the pulled pork sandwich.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot.  It was raining hard, but we didn't get any rain in Vernon.  On the way home we finished our book, "With Every Breath."  We liked it.

We had a quiet relaxing afternoon.  Even though we didn't get any rain, it was overcast and cool.

This is a picture of Rainbow Lake in Lakeside, just

down the highway from Grumpy Jakes.

 James's dad had 12 brothers and sisters, having one sister who died in infancy.  Now there are only two siblings left, Elton Kay, and Delbert.  Today is Delbert's 93rd birthday.  We hope he has a great day!

A World War II prisoner of war, a poet,

and an artist.

Delbert Dempsey Lambson

Elton Kay Lambson,

the baby of the family.

He is an artist too.

During my gospel study today I came across this diagram in the gospel doctrine Sunday School manual.

This is called the Pride Cycle and was the

downfall of the Nephite society.

I wonder if we will follow their example, or

learn from their mistakes.

My desires have evolved from wanting James to build a playhouse to having him build a guesthouse.  Here is one I like because of the porches.

James said the flat roof might not work too

well when it snows.

Someone posted this on Facebook today:

I love it!