Saturday, November 26, 2016

Guess where we went this morning?

We met a friend at the front desk who is from our ward and was officiating the session would be in.  His name is Blain.  He ask us to be a witness couple.  We could not refuse.  

Mormon 7:1-8:11

Why am I grateful for the Book of Mormon?  I feel the Spirit when I read the Book of Mormon, and my life is so happy and blessed when I apply its teachings.  The truths contained in it will answer my questions about the times I live in.  The Book of Mormon is essential to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It testifies of the Bible and they come together to testify that Jesus is the Christ.  It is my peace and my comfort.  It brings me closer to Jesus Christ.  "Whoso treasureth up my word shall not be deceived." So many wonderful testimonies and witnesses of Jesus Christ in this book.

GC:     Gratitude on the Sabbath Day by President Henry B. Eyring

"I give unto them a commandment saying thus: 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy might, mind and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him...Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God

in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and

a contrite spirit." (D&C 59:5,7-8).

It was an overcast, cold day today.  Brian and Kim loved it.  They even went for a Razr ride.  I love having a fire and a Christmas tree on days like these.  

Today I watched Christmas movies, did some laundry, read to James, and worked on my Primary lesson and my blog.  All of this after my gospel study and going to the temple.  It did seem like a short day.  James and I are still eating Thanksgiving leftovers so I did not make any dinner.  Kim worked on her Christmas puzzle and James sealed our front porch and sidewalk so they would not crack.

He also covered up our wood pile because it is suppose to snow tonight.  

My Primary lesson tomorrow is on Moroni.  He was alone for 36 years keeping the Nephite record and adding to it.  Some of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon are those written by Moroni.  He is definitely one of my heroes.

James sealing the sidewalk so it wouldn't crack.

It has to be over 50 degrees to do this.  I think it was 53 as the

high today.

It was a little warmer in the valley than it was here.  

Shana, Alex, Sheri went on a hike.

Max, Evan, and Rowan played barefoot

football in the backyard.  When Evan got hit in the face

with the football he said:

"Don't worry, it's only a sprain."

Ian said: "A brain sprain?"

Oh dear.  

Chandler friends who have now moved

to Gilbert.

This place looks magical.

How fun would it be to live on this street!

The highlight of the weekend for some people was Chandler High

School winning the State Football Championship!

Friday, November 25, 2016

The Christmas season is officially here!

Mormon 6:6-22

Mormon asks his people why they rejected the open arms of Christ.  Mormon taught that their reunion with the Savior would have been joyful.  We too must prepare ourselves to stand before the Lord at the Judgment.  President James E. Faust explained: "We long for the ultimate blessing of the Atonement - to become one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love.  How gloriously sublime this experience will be if we can feel worthy enough to be in His presence.  The free gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us is the only way we can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see Him face to face.  The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each of us.  It is a love full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering and, above all, forgiving.  The evil influence of Satan would destroy any hope we have in overcoming our mistakes.  He would have us feel that we are lost and that there is no hope.  In contrast, Jesus reaches down to us to lift us up.  Through our repentance and the gift of the Atonement, we can prepare to be worthy to stand in His presence. (CR, October 2001).

GC:      "The Righteous Judge" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins

In His mortal life, Jesus Christ was a loving judge, uncommonly wise and patient.  He is known in the scriptures as "the righteous judge," and His counsel to us is to also "judge righteous judgment" and "to put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good and to judge righteously."

 I just couldn't resist.

There were over 20 cows in our yard today and James had to chase them away twice. After the second time he said: "I need a dog.  I guess the Dobson's just opened the gates and let them go."

We spent a relaxing day at home eating leftovers, and watching Christmas movies.  I am sorry to say that I ate a little too much.

Kim and Brian went on a Razr ride.  Kim was happy because they got to see snow and she got to feel the wind in her face.

James wrapped up in his polar bear blanket on the couch

watching "An Old-Fashioned Christmas."

He is such a romantic at heart.

I am grateful to James for keeping the fire going all day, and for building us such a beautiful home,  and for his desire to make constant improvements.

Sheri, Max, and Evan went over to visit at Darrel and Trina's today.

Lola was upstairs but when she saw Evan she yelled:

"Evan, come here, I need you!"

 Better than shopping on Black Friday!

Lola takes Sheri for a ride.

Some sad news in this entertainment world today.  Florence Henderson, the mother on the "Brady Bunch" TV show passed away today. She was 82 years old.

The last time I saw her was in September on "DWTS"

when she paid a surprise visit to Maureen McCormick, who played her daughter Marcia Brady on the "Brady Bunch."

This evening while we were watching Christmas movies, James, Kim and I, Brian went upstairs to watch the annual ASU vs. UofA

game.  Sad to say there won't be much celebrating in Tempe tonight unless it is by the Wildcat fans.  

Here are the movies we watched today: "An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving," "An Old Fashioned Christmas," "Christmas Homestead," and "Christmas List."

Some photos of guys that I love:

Grandson James two years ago on Thanksgiving.

Rusty and Jackson from our ward.

These are two of the kindest, thoughtful,

and polite boys you will ever meet.

Rusty is a return missionary and Jackson is a state

wrestling champ from last year as a junior.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Mormon 5:13-6:5

What does it mean to you to be "in the hands of God?" (v.23).

* Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy explained some blessings suggested by being in God's hands: "To be in the hands of God would suggest that we are not only under His watchful care but also that we are guarded and protected by His wondrous power.  Throughout the scriptures, reference is made to the hand of the Lord.  His divine assistance is evidenced over and over again.  His powerful hands created worlds, and yet they were gentle enough to bless the little children ... Every one of us needs to know that we can go on in the strength of the Lord.  We can put our hand in His, and we will feel His sustaining presence lift us to heights unattainable alone. How do we learn to extend our hand an connect to the comfort provided by the Lord?  Hear are four keys: Lean, Listen, Seek the Spirit, Pray always. The Lord will supply sustenance and support if we are willing to open the door and receive His hand of divine assistance.  Imagine the wounds in His hands.  His weathered hands, His hands of torn flesh and physical sacrifice giving our own hands greater power and direction.  It is the wounded Christ who leads us through our moments of difficulty.  It is He who bears us up when we need direction, or even more courage to continue.  If we will keep the commandments of God and walk hand in hand with Him, we will go forward with faith, and never feel alone."

A beautiful start to the day.

GC:     "The Blessings of Worship" by Bishop Dean M. Davies

'Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.  And behold, I am the light and the life of the

world." (3 Nephi 11:10-11).

"And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

Hossanna! Blessed be the name of the 

Most High God!" 

(3 Nephi 11:14, 16-17).

After reading Bishop Davies talk I realize that daily worship is critical to my spiritual well-being.  

Today is the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.  How appropriate.

Also, Donald Trump posted a Thanksgiving message on Facebook asking the American people to set aside their differences and come together to make America great.

James helped me get things ready for our Thanksgiving guests.  I put the turkey in the roaster oven and it was done in 2 hours instead of 3.  Kim and Brian got here before noon and we were ready to eat by one.  James's friend Virgil who he home teaches joined us for dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving

Before we began eating James ask everyone to tell what they were

most thankful for.  I said I was thankful for my family and the gospel.  James said he was thankful for me.

I am also thankful for good food!

Sheri started her day out at the Turkey Trot was

Connor and Michael:

Gotta make room for the turkey.

Jared went to Arkansas to have Thanksgiving dinner with Kacey's family.  I told him to send some pictures.  He said he doesn't like pictures and would avoid them at all costs.  I told him that Kacey could take his picture when he took his food coma nap.  This is the first picture Kacey sent:

Food coma nap

Cute couple

This is what I feel like after Thanksgiving dinner.

I call this one Watcher in the Woods.

I love this picture.

This is a good one too.

I have not had this many pictures of Jared since

he was a kid.

Jared, Kacey, Tanner, Autumn, and Summer.

Here are some Thanksgivings memories from years past:

Two years ago

Two years ago James and Alex joined us for Christmas with Kim, Brian and Joe.  Jared and Anna were here for a few minutes but had to leave to rescue Tricia who had a roll over accident with Molly and Emmy.  Luckily no one was hurt.

Two years ago.

In 2012 Alex caught the biggest rainbow trout ever!

2014 Evan loves pumpkin pie!

Last year at Sheri's house.

Fun outside

Addy, Lola, Molly

Darrel, Emmy, Rowan, Evan, Trina, Addy

We spent the afternoon and evening just hanging out at home watching Christmas movies and the Disney Christmas Special.

We watched "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade," and "Love Always, Santa."

James built a fire, decorated the mantle, hung the 

stockings and turned on the tree lights for atmosphere.

Sedona

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Houston temple.

Mormon 5:1-12

What lessons can we learn and apply to our lives from the writings of Mormon?  Why do you think he documented all of the wars and sorrows of the Nephites for us to read?

* We can learn from Mormon's writings that wickedness never was happiness!w  Mormon's accounts of events during his days has been full of sorrow and despair and unfortunately, because of their wickedness, life did not improve for the Nephites.  Mormon takes time in this chapter to explain what he thinks we should learn from this tragic account.  The Book of Mormon came forth in our day to persuade us that Jesus is the Christ.  Mormon sorrowed that his people did not repent so they could be clasped in the arms of Jesus.  Mormon increasingly looked beyond the tragedy before him to a people he hoped would profit from their mistakes.

GC:     "To Whom Shall We Go?" by Elder M. Russell Ballard

'Our precious relationships with families, friends, the Lord and His restored Church are among the things that matter most in life.

Because these relationships are so important, they should

be cherished, protected and nurtured."

I can do this!

I made a trip to town by myself this morning.  I picked up James's three month supply of Nefediprin and then went on to Walmart to do more shopping for Thanksgiving.  I also stopped at the post office to mail a temple name to Jared, and some bills.  The last stop was at the gas station to get gas and wash the mud off of my car.

I carried in and put away all the groceries.  James was grouting the stone outside and couldn't stop to help me.  When he finished he came in and ask me to read him a chapter from "The Justice of Alliction."  Afterwards James went back to work and I sat down on the couch to "rest" and watch the last part of the "DWTS" finale.  I knew Laurie had won, but I wanted to see it anyway.

Laurie and Val

I worked on my blog, watched "A Princess for Christmas," and ate my bean burro from Burger House.  

Monument Valley

James came in and made a fire and I read from "Justice of Affiction."  After reading we watched a new Christmas movie starring Daniel Lissing called "December Bride."  Daniel plays Mountie Jack in "When Calls the Heart."

Super moon tight rope walking.

I love these pictures: