OUR FAMILY

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Monday, October 31, 2016

Happy Halloween everyone!

From the staff at Chandler Eyecare.

3 Nephi 17:1-25

Why do you think Jesus Christ told the people to ponder the things that He taught and to ask Heavenly Father for understanding?

*The dictionary says that ponder means to weigh mentally, think deeply about, deliberate, meditate. Pondering is, in my feeling, a form of prayer. Pondering the things of God helps to keep us from becoming complacent in our approach to Him. Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained the dangers of not regularly internalizing the gospel in our lives: The worshipers at Rameumpton so ritualized their religion that they never spoke of their God again until they had assembled themselves together a week later at the holy stand. (Alma 31:23). Note the contrast in how Jesus instructed His followers on this hemisphere (3 Nephi 17:3). See how the Master focuses on the family, on pondering, praying, preparing together! It should not surprise us, if we routinize our religion and do not assign the highest priority to the kingdom, that our hearts and minds will quite naturally drift to other things."

James and I went to Walmart today where I had three prescriptions waiting for me. I bought a few groceries and James picked up some paint at Home Depot. We stopped at KFC and picked up some of the tiniest wings I have ever eaten. They were good but they were about the size of quail wings. We read from "Ascension" and then we stopped at the Reynolds' so I could give Marlie her pink CTR ring. She was so excited! There has been a change of plans and now instead of Claire going to California she is going to Phoenix. Marlie is still going to Washington to live with her dad for a few months.

James worked on his shed when we got home.

Allison and Nathan got married at the Justice of the Peace in Phoenix today.

Congratulations!

There were a couple of birth announcements sent out today:

Bishop and Anne

The Hoose family.

Evan and Joshua went trick-or-treating together

in Joshua's new neighborhood.

Dallin and a friend.

Anna, James and a friend, and Molly as Alice.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

Mad Hatter

Rae

This is a picture of Molly in a school production:

Cutest shark I've ever seen.

I love this picture of Ben and had to include it!

I know this picture is two years old, but I love

that Rowan and Addy are both Harry Potter fans!

My friend Denice who is a bus driver in Lakeside.

James and I had a quiet Halloween. We stayed home and listened to Elder Renlund's conference talk and watched a Hallmark movie.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

What temple is this?

3 Nephi 16:1-20

What is the purpose of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon?

* It is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has began to gather Israel and fulfill covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (3 Nephi 29:1; Ether 4:17).

Who is the House of Israel?

* "The House of Israel generally refers to the descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel in the Old Testament (Genesis 32:27-28). In the Book of Mormon the Savior expanded this definition to include not only the literal descendants of Israel (3 Nephi 20:25-27) but also all Gentiles (other people) who repent, are baptized, and come unto Christ. (3 Nephi 21:6).

The gathering of Israel is taking place in preparation of the Savior's Second Coming. In recent years it has been accelerated as missionaries are being called at a younger age. Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants us to be gathered and united when the Savior comes to redeem the world.

GC: "No Greater Joy Than To Know That They Know"

Elder Nattress

Today we, along with Jared and Kacey, attended the Galveston 3rd ward Primary Children's Program starring Evan Trezise.

I know this is an old picture of Evan, probably two years ago,

but I thought it was appropriate for today.

This was Evan's part: Nephi taught: "If ye will enter in by the way, through baptism, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things, what ye should do." - 2 Nephi 32:5

We stayed for Sunday School. Jared and Kacey left after sacrament meeting but they picked us up at Erik's house after Sunday School. We are leaving my car here so Erik can now replace the roters. My car was shaking pretty badly when we tried to drive it on the freeway. We shared our lunch with Jared and Kacey because they forgot to buy food for today. We got ready to leave for home and they got ready to go visit with James's mom before Jared takes Kacey to the airport and then heads for home. Our time together was short, but it was wonderful. We are so excited that Kacey is going to be a part of our family!

I love this picture from last year at Halloween!

On the way home I read to James from our book, "The Ascension." We got home in time to get ready for our marriage class. James unloaded the truck and put away all my new dishes and stemware. I made one of his favorite desserts, the pistachio pudding dessert with pecans.

Anne was sick this evening so Bishop taught the marriage class for her. Bishop taught the second lesson in the new manual, "Communicating with Love." It was great!

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Saturday, October 29, 2016

We went here this morning with Jared, Kacey, Brian and Darrel.

Jared and Kacey

A couple of old people who

are very happy together.

3 Nephi 15:1-24

Why is it so important to keep the commandments? How does keeping the commandments allow us to be a light to others?

*Keeping the commandments can help us avoid a lot of sadness, misery and really hard things. "If ye love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15). Every commandment has a promised blessing. Obedience brings growth, protection, spiritual and temporal blessings, and ultimately Eternal life. The most important reason is we show our loves, gratitude and devotion when we keep His commandments.

GC:"Lest Thou Forget"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

'I encourage you to recall, especially in times of crises, when you felt the Spirit and your testimony was strong; remember the spiritual foundations you have built.'

After our temple trip Brian suggested we go to the Hen House for breakfast. It is a small place on the corner of Pecos and Lindsey.

I liked the slogan in the front window: "The rooster may do the crowing, but the hen delivers." Kacey and I both had chicken and waffles. The chicken was delicious. The waffles were average.

When we got back to Cathi's it was time to get ready for Jared's party and our pumpkin carving at Sheri's. I made 12 pumpkin buckets for the kids with candy and prizes. I had three or so left after the day was over.

Halloween buckets

We sang Happy Birthday to Jared:

Jared looks a little contemplative about turning 40.

That is alot of smoke!

It was a fun afternoon and we appreciate Sheri and Ian

allowing us to use their home.

Outside pumpkin carving.

According to Addy she carved her pumpkin on three sides

and didn't like how any of them turned out.

Kim helped Evan with his pumpkin.

Joshua and Rowan carved our pumpkin

I like the eyes, but what about the mouth boys?

Addy is still working.

Lola liked the balloons

Lola and Evan playing with a balloon.

Some people preferred to stay inside.

Michael, Alexis, Shana, Joe, and Alex.

Joe and Shana looking on as Alex does the carving.

Alexis has a nice smile.

Darrel when he sees I am taking a picture.

Watching the ASU game.

Later in the evening Trina and Darrel's ward had their Trunk or Treat.

Addy as Athena.

Ruby the Egyptian princess.

Group picture.

Back at home in Vernon my little Zemira won his first wrestling

tournament:

Very proud of #1

James and I went by the new Chik-fil-a in south Chandler for some dinner. I went home and washed my hair while James went to Fry''s to buy some food for tomorrow.

Jared took Kacey to Cafe Rio and Jester's. Two places they don't have in Texas.

Friday, October 28, 2016

3 Nephi 14:1-27

What fundamental truths do we learn from Christ's teachings in these verses? How will you incorporate these important teachings into your life?

Stop judging, extend love. Follow the Savior's example. Verse 7 - Pray for others and for answers. Verse 12 - Live the Golden Rule.l Beware of false prophets. Build our foundation upon the rock of Christ, and when the storm comes we will stand strong.

GC: 'Serve'

"Every member is needed, and every member

needs an opportunity to serve."

James and I stopped at Sonic on the way out to Stacy's. James had talked to Adam earlier on the phone and he was low, so we got him one too. Jared Ammon was sleeping on the couch. I gave him a hug. We should have brought him a sandwich too. Adam now has the keys to the Scion. He will pay the payment tomorrow when he gets paid. Jared needs a car for work and to move out of his apartment. He wanted to keep the Scion but James said no, he could keep his truck until next week. Adam helped James at Bill's construction yard. James wants to clean everything out before the end of the year so we can stop paying rent.

I went to Dr. Allen's after leaving Stacy's to get bloodwork done. Then it was on to Deseret Book for baptismal gifts, Costco for a cake for Jared's birthday, Walmart, and the Dollar Store.

James and I had lunch at Pei Wei's. We shared lettuce wraps and I had my usual Pei Wei spicy chicken salad. At 3pm we took my car to Erik's for new brakes. Erik stopped work to take his kids to their ward Trunk or Treat so my car was not ready to be picked up until 8:30 this evening.