Wednesday, October 12, 2016

I forgot to share something last night as I was helping Ruby get ready for bed.  First she had a bath in our big bathtub and we washed her hair.  She reminded me that I needed to sing her a song before she went to bed.  As I went upstairs with her the first thing she did was say her prayers.  It was a silent prayer, but it was long and as she was praying I looked at her and this overwhelming feeling of love came over me as I realized I was looking at a sweet pure and innocent spirit.  I was reminded of the scripture, "and a little child shall lead them."  I felt honored to be in her presence.  Those were my honest and true feelings. 

After Ruby finished praying she climbed in to bed and we sang her favorite song together, "You Are My Sunshine".  I couldn't help but feel that she was my sunshine at that moment.  When we finished singing, (she sang with me), she said, "oh I forgot, there is one more thing I need to pray for."  As she finished praying she informed me that I needed to turn the bathroom light off and close the bathroom door. 

The bedroom door needed to be open and the light on out in the adjoining room.  As I looked out I could see the antelope on the wall was looking at us.  I thought she would be freaked out by this, but obviously she wasn't.  We said our goodbyes and I left.

Later I told Addy about turning off the bathroom light and closing the door and ask her what that was about.  This was her answer:

"Oh, after we were gone to bed our dad use to watch "The Walking Dead" and Ruby is afraid of zombies.  I ask if zombies hang out in the bathroom and she said yes.  Very interesting. Darrel, no more "Walking Dead"!

3 Nephi 4:1-14

How can you prepare to meet your challenges and adversities with the "strength of the Lord"?

Answer: Faith, repentance, prayer and gospel study, and hard work.  Being gathered together in righteousness with others.  Being prepared to fight against Satan.

GC:  'Abide in My Love' by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"God's love is infinite and it will endure forever, but what it means for each of us depends on how we respond to His love."

Evan slept in our room last night.  At first he couldn't go to sleep because he kept thinking about his mom.  I told him to think good thoughts and that would help him go to sleep.  About five minutes later, he was asleep.

Thumbs up!

Evan and Rowan, and Max all did some driving today.

Right after breakfast, cereal and waffles, the kids headed down to work on The Lounge.  They worked for about five hours, until lunch time.  Grandpa went down with them and helped them set up some tarps and a tent.  Evan made a sign.  

Evan said the wood glue worked well, but it looks

like they could have used a little more.

I love it!

The kids kept coming back and forth to get more supplies.  Addy loves to drive!

That's Evan the Kid riding shotgun.

Here is Max driving.  He was a little hesitant and I am not sure why.

Yes that is Max.

Addy said she had to give Rowan a driving lesson.  He kept using both feet, the left for the brake and the right for the gas.  These kids got along so well.  Ruby did get her feelings hurt this morning.  She wanted to go over and look at some cow bones and the kids told her they didn't want her to go because of the cactus.  Evan said he would go with her and sure enough, he stepped in some cactus.  Addy got a little upset and Evan was hurt so Ruby felt bad.  She came up to us crying and said she wanted her parents.  Trina was at work so we Face Timed Darrel and Lola.  This really cheered Ruby up, especially when Lola said: "What the heck"!

Uncle Kay wanted us to send him a picture of the cane he carved for us, so this is the picture we sent.

Ruby was the only one of the kids to get any watermelon.  This picture was taken right after James cut it up.  He put it in the freezer and forgot about it and it got all mushy and we had to throw it away.  

This is our view of The Lounge from our deck.

The kids have been watching a Looney Tunes Youtube video called, "The Long-Eared Drifter" starring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.  It is done in a western theme and has Bugs as the stranger who is all about eating healthy.  He tried to help Black Bart, (Daffy) who loves to eat 16 tacos at a time.  Bugs snacks on carrot neeblers and filtered water.  It is hilarious.  The kids like it so well they decided to put on a play.  I got a video of it on my phone if anyone wants to watch it.  I don't know how to load videos onto this blog.  Max was the Long-Eared Drifter and Rowan was Black Bart.  Evan was the narrator and instead of one girl like the Youtube video we had two, both Addy and Ruby.

They did an amazing job!

I encourage anyone reading this to watch "The Long-Eared Drifter" on Youtube.  It's good, but it isn't as good as the Lambson-Trezise version.

After the play was over the kids changed their clothes, grabbed the Nerf guns and went outside to play good guys and bad buys.  Grandpa caught a squirrel in one of his traps.

The kids named the squirrel 'Charlie.'

She is the mama.

For dinner tonight we had some tortellini that Sheri left and pork chops, corn and beans.  The kids loved the pork chops that James cooked.

Tonight Addy got to choose the movie.  Since we didn't have "Beauty and the Beast" she chose "Snow White."  Max wasn't going to watch but I reminded him that Addy watched the movie last night and so he stayed.  We all watched together.  We enjoyed the seven dwarfs the most. 

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

3 Nephi 3:11-26

Why did Lachoneus admonish his people to pray?  After they prayed what did they do to fortify their lands and possessions?

Answer: He wanted them to repent and be right before the Lord so they could receive His blessings.  They gathered together with food and weapons.

GC: 'Look to the Book, Look to the Lord' by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"Can you see the Book of Mormon as your keystone, your spiritual center of strength?"

The kids had a fort up on the hill but when they went up to clean it up they decided they wanted to build a different one, this time out in the flat under one of our "broccoli" trees.  (Alligator juniper).

Addy learned how to drive the Razr today.

Evan and Addy went to town with me because Max told Evan he needed to get some "tools" for the Lounge.  We stopped at Jack-in-the-Box for lunch for Evan.  He got his chicken strips, fries, and drink and brought them over to Taco Bell to eat with Addy and I.  Back at home James fixed grilled cheese sandwiches for Ruby, Max, and Rowan.  

When we got to Walmart we couldn't decide which "tools" Max wanted.

There were at least three aisles of tools.

Evan ended up getting some wood glue.

I also told Addy and Evan they could pick out a game.  Addy wanted the game of Life and Evan wanted Quelf.  Evan talked Addy into getting Quelf. 

The game was a little advanced and a little harsh for Ruby.  She didn't last long and then Rowan was the next to opt out.

 I think the game is for adults.  Addy had to sit on her

hands for part of the game.  

It ceases to be fun when people get their feelings hurt.

Just before dinner Ruby and Grandpa went out looking for elk.

This girl loves to ride the Razr with her grandpa.

For dinner this evening we had mac and cheese and hotdogs.  Afterwards everyone, except Addy, wanted to watch the movie,

"Over the Hedge."  Addy was a good sport.

Monday, October 10, 2016

My nephew's wife Cher hit an elk.  She said the antler went

right through the windshield and would have hit her if not

for her airbag and seatbelt.

Speaking of elk:

Conquering hero.

3 Nephi 3:1-10

Why is it so important to stand guard against the flatteries of men?

So that we stay on the covenant path.  We need to constantly repent and progress and flattery blinds us to our sins and areas we need to improve.  Flattery causes us to be puffed up and vain.

GC: 'Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus' by Elder Quentin L. Cook

"We cannot afford to have our testimonies of the Father and the Son

become confused and complicated by stumblingblocks."

Sheri brought pumpkin mix and I made pumpkin muffins for breakfast.  After breakfast Rowan, Evan and Max went outside to help James paint and do some other odd jobs.  Ruby, Addy, and Ben helped me by washing windows.

I sure do love these girls.

Ruby getting the window over the sink.

Such a sweetie.

Ben and Ruby working together.

Sheri was a little miffed this morning.  She forgot her workout clothes and something is wrong with her phone so she was ready to go home today.  Ben needed to get back to study for the ATC's which he is taking on Saturday.  While James and I went to town for pizza, they left.  

We found out that we really like Dominoes thin crust veggie pizza and the kids like their pepperoni and their cheese pizza.

This afternoon I was doing a Mario puzzle with Evan when Ruby asked if we could do the donut puzzle.  The donut puzzle is 500 pieces but how could I say no to such a cute little girl?

The kids had a poker tournament today.

Addy is losing this round to Rowan.

Such a cute group of kids.

I think Max won the tournament although everyone agreed

that Evan was really good at poker.

While the other kids were playing poker Ruby colored some pictures for me.

Such a good artist for a seven year old.

The boys went out and worked some more for grandpa.  The girls wanted to paint too.  Grandpa told them if they would pick up pinecones for him he would let them paint tomorrow.

We have plenty of pinecones.

For dinner we had hotdogs and hamburgers.  Max says it is one of his favorite cabin meals.  Afterwards we made smores in the fireplace.

Rowan enjoying his smore.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

I love this quote!

3 Nephi 2:1-19

Why do you think forgetting spiritual experiences can make us vulnerable to Satan?  What can we do to insure that we do not forget the spiritual experiences we have had?

Answer: I record spiritual experiences I have had so I will remember and never forget how I felt when I had those experiences.  Keeping a journal has blessed me many times.  I sometimes go back and look at it and reflect on the good times and spiritual experiences I have had, and all that God has blessed me with.  Keeping a journal/blog helps me see God's hand in my life and fills me with gratitude.

Losing a testimony usually happens a little bit at a time.  When we don't record and remember our spiritual experiences they begin to erode and be forgotten.  To guard against erosion, write down spiritual experiences, ponder them, thank the Lord for them, and share them when appropriate.

When we take the sacrament each week we eat and drink in Remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and promise that we will always Remember Him.  Remembering is so important.  When we feel close to Him, we act differently.  When we forget we gradually withdraw ourselves from Him and His Spirit.

GC: 'A Witness of God' Elder Neil L. Andersen

"As you pray often and sincerely for opportunities to 'stand as a witness of God', these opportunities will come."

 Fall in Colorado, posted by Tyler Maxwell.

James and I left for church early so he could set up his classroom before sacrament meeting.  I don't teach today because we are practicing for the Primary program in the chapel.  Darrel, Trina and Lola left this morning in our car for home.  Lola laid down on the floor and cried when Sheri and all of the other kids left for church without her.  She was also upset that we had taken her car.  The kids are staying here with us this week and we need to use Trina's Suburban to get them all back home.  We are meeting her in Payson on Saturday. 

During sacrament meeting I was sitting by Evan and Rowan and Ruby.  I gave Evan and Rowan a notebook and Evan drew this picture:

 I ask him if it was ok if I ate a donut while I

read from my Book of Mormon.  He said that would be ok.

Alice and John Wilhelm spoke in sacrament and so did Brother Thompson.  John forgot to get speakers and there was no written program.  The Giles' were there and sat right behind us.  

Our Primary practice went quite well but many of the children were missing, including two from my class, Braylin and Kacey.  Hopefully they will be here next week.

Sheri had a roast in the crockpot for dinner.  While it was cooking she and I went to Pinetop to winterize John and Betty's mobile home.  We had a hard time getting in but Sheri perservered and finally got the key to work.  As I was there I was reminded of Ian's grandparents who spent their summer's in this home and the time we were there and Ian's grandmother jumped the fence around her garden.  My mom was with me and we were both impressed.

I love this time of year.

These pictures were taken up by Green's Peak.

Sheri's roast and veggies were delicious.  We also had some rolls.  Afterwards we decided to have FHE since Sheri and Ben are leaving for home tomorrow.  First we listened to Elder Nattress's conference talk "No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know."  He tells of how his mother use to read to him and his siblings from the Book of Mormon every morning at the dinner table and how he ask her why she did it because he wasn't even listening.  Her loving response was a defining moment in his life.  She said, "Son, I was at a meeting where President Marion G. Romney taught about the blessings of scripture reading.  During this meeting, I received a promise that if I would read the Book of Mormon to my children every day, I would not lose them."  She then looked her son straight in the eyes and, with absolute determination, said, "And I will not lose you!"  Elder Nattress asks the question:  " If all that your children knew of the gospel came from you - as their only source - how much would they know?"

After the conference talk we watched the new movie, "Saturday's Warrior."  About half way through, Ruby got up and went upstairs and went to bed because she was crying and she didn't want anyone else to see.  Addy went up and sang her a song.  

Right before the end of the movie Rowan got up and ran upstairs.  When we went up to check on him he was behind the recliner, crying and saying he wanted his mom and dad.  He was upset because Pam had died in the movie and he realized how much he loved his family.  I love that these kids are so sensitive and have such love for family.  We Face Timed Darrel and Trina and after talking to them for awhile he was ok and came down and joined us for family prayer.

  I love the skies and trees in Vernon.

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Amen!

3 Nephi 1:15-30

What do you think some of the symbolism is in these verses?  What happened to many of the rising generation?  Is this happening today?

My answer: D&C 6:36 says, "Look unto me in every thought doubt not fear not."  I love our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world.  When He was born into the world there was no darkness for the people on the American continent.  When I have had Christ in my life there definitely has been "no darkness."  We all have to decide if we are going to believe in the Light, follow the Light, and be saved by the Light.

Many of the rising generation chose not to follow the Savior.  Yes it is, even in our own family.

GC: "Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?" Elder Devn Cornish

If you will really try and will not rationalize or rebel - repenting often and pleading for grace - you positively are going to be good enough.'

I just thought this was a beautiful picture.

We are so grateful for Terry and Cathi's hospitality when we are in the valley but we are always so glad to be home!  It was cold and rainy this morning as I sat at my spot at the dining room table and did my gospel study.  I am usually there about 3 1/2 hours and then I move in to my computer to work on my blog and my Primary lesson.  

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby and Lola arrived around 1:30 and that's when the fun began.  Sheri, Ben, Max, and Evan were here around two.  Here is a picture of Dad and Darrel contemplating the weightier things in life.

Sheri coming in from the cold.  James built a fire

inside and it was so cozy.

James took Lola in our bedroom and had a little photo shoot.  Here are the results:

She likes our bed.

This is your place grandpa.

Such a little poser!

Ruby ask grandpa is he would play her in a game of chess.  Remember, Ruby is 7 years old and grandpa is 68.

Grandpa says she understands the game.

Rowan was probably her coach.

Grandpa won but Ruby was a worthy opponent.

Ruby and Max looking at grandma's collection of dice for the game Tenzi.  For some reason we don't play very often.  

Ruby and I made a dice city the last time she was here.

It was a day for relaxing and just enjoying being together.  

Rowan and Evan playing Bounce Off and Trina

trying to avoid the camera.

Evan's turn.

Rowan is amazed about something.

Sheri grilled chicken for dinner and Darrel grilled steak.  I added beans, rice pilaf and corn and Red Lobster biscuits to make a nice dinner.  

Darrel watched the ASU game and so did the rest of the fans.  It was an enjoyable day.

Friday, October 7, 2016

James and I went to the 7 a.m. session at the Gilbert temple.
There were only two sisters and five brothers in our session.
We were the witness couple again.

After our temple session I had an infusion in Mesa at the AARC.  I was finished a little after 11.  I went back to Cathi's to wash sheets and towels and then James and I left to pick up Kim, Adam, and Seth and Michael to go to lunch at the Red Lobster at 35th Avenue and Peoria in Phoenix.  They are having unlimited shrimp and all of the boys love shrimp.

We are missing Alex.  He went on a hike with his family.

This is our monthly scripture reading luncheon.

3 Nephi 1:1-14

What does it mean to you to "lift up your head and be of good cheer?"

To not despair.  Literally lift up your head, look to Him and His Atonement.  Be optomistic and exercise faith.  I love President Hinckley's quote: "Things will work out."  We don't just endure, but enjoy life.  I love President Uchtdorf's "Grateful in Any Circumstances" talk from the October 2014 General Conference.  I am also reminded of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's quote:

Don't give up on the Lord.  Things will be right soon enough.  Believe in good things to come.  Focus on helping others rather than focusing on my problems helps me to be of good cheer.

GC: "The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray" Elder Juan A. Uceda

'When you pray, are you really praying or just saying prayers?'

I had to send this to Addy because she loves owls.

On the way home from Phoenix we took Adam and Seth by their job at Greenfield and Baseline.  They are making phone calls for John McCain's re-election campaign.  They were about an hour late but they didn't seem too worried.  

It was after six when James and I left for home.  He drove his truck, pulling the trailer with no lights.  He wanted me to follow behind him so he wouldn't get a ticket but he was going a little too fast.  He made it home without a ticket so he wasn't too upset.  It was after 9:00 when we got home.  We were both so happy to be back in Vernon!

This is me.  James doesn't completely understand, but at least

he doesn't ask anymore, "do we have to have the fan on?"