Saturday, December 24, 2016

I am grateful for those who have cared for me when I was ill and for the opportunity to care for others.

Moroni 1-5

When have I been blessed because a priesthood holder fulfilled his responsibilities?

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

"The fact that we are able to gather with even one other Saint and partake of the sacrament will help us begin to feel gratitude and love for God's kindness.  The blessing of love we receive will make it easier for us to keep the commandments to "always remember Him."

I am grateful for the bishop and his sweet family.

We fixed a big breakfast this morning: Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and biscuits.  

Afterwards Molly, Emmy and I did some crafts.

Molly made a Christmas tree and Emmy made a

snowflake.

Jared said it is a tradition for their family to go to a movie on Christmas Eve.  This year they wanted to add something to this tradition and wear the new pajamas they get for Christmas which they open on Christmas eve.  Molly and Emmy helped Jared wrap Kacey's pajamas.

It was a joint effort.

I am sure Jared appreciated their help.

Here they are opening their pajamas, starting from the youngest to the oldest, except for Jared:

Molly 

Nice!

Emmy

Emmy's top was a little small but she

loved the bottoms!

Anna's shirt had a dog on it.

James was so excited he changed his clothes immediately!

A picture of Elvis on the top.

Kacey got lama pajamas!

She said why lamas and Jared said, "Why not?"

Everyone except Kacey and Jared wore pj's to the movie.

They went to Lakeside and saw "Sing."

Before they left, a relaxing moment in front of the

TV with grandpa.  I like Anna's pajamas!

Back in the valley Sheri had her annual Christmas Eve hike up A mountain.  Here are the people who joined her three years ago and then today:

Three years ago.

Today

What a fun tradition!

I made a roast beef dinner for everyone when they got home from the movie. Kacey helped clean the kitchen after dinner which I really appreciated.

 Also, I opened Sheri's gift, a wooden shadow nativity which is really neat!

Jared, Kacey, Emmy, and Molly went on a Razr ride but they had to cut it short because Jared was cold which really annoyed Emmy.  That girl loves action!

We had a Christmas miracle this evening.  Snow!  It was beautiful and we were all excited!  We are going to have a white Christmas.

The kids went to bed and Jared and Kacey wrapped gifts and got ready for Christmas morning.

Friday, December 23, 2016

I am grateful for those people in my life who are peacemakers.

I had an opportunity to use this gift as a mother when

my children were growing up.

Ether 15: 18-34

What consequences can anger have for an individual or a family?

GC:  The Righteous Judge by Elder Lynn G. Robbins

"The natural man and woman in each of us has a tendency to condemn others and to judge unrighteously, or self-righteously.  This even happened to James and John, two of the Savior's Apostles.  They were infuriated when the people of a Samaritan village treated the Savior disrespectfully (Luke 9:51-54).  And when they saw this they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did?  But He turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (verses 54-56).

Kacey and Jared took Anna and Addy to the Gilbert temple this morning to do baptisms.  It was Addy's first time and they did family baptisms.  Thank you Kacey and Jared!

James wrapped Michael's GCU blanket we bought from Sheri and we delivered it this morning.  We left it on the porch because no one answered the door.  Michael texted later and said he got it.

Sheri ask us to take donuts to her house so we stopped by the Bosa Donuts south on Arizona Avenue and delivered a dozed donuts to Ben.  James, Joshua and Rowan were all there too along with Max and Evan and Alex.

Speaking of Evan, I got this picture off my phone.

It was taken a couple of years ago.

Our next stop Charlotte's to deliver Christmas presents and then Sonic to pick up a drink on our way south again to IHOP for breakfast.  I had fried eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and pancakes.  Of course I couldn't eat it all and shared with James.  

Grand Canyon

Next I MapQuested James's job for Jerod Bowen and we headed for Tempe to a tenant improvement James is doing for a medical office.  He took measurements, etc. while I waited in the car.

  

We wanted to find some fresh oranges to take home with us.  I told James they might have them at the new Fry's Artesian Marketplace on Ocotillo and Gilbert road so back to Chandler we headed.  

While at Fry's I got a ham and some chuck roasts (3), that were on sale.  Their oranges were way too expensive.  We drove out towards Queen Creek where James remembers getting oranges at a stand years ago, but there was no farm stands in that area.  I told him to drive up Power Rd.  I remember on my way to Dr. Allen's on Power and Baseline passing a farmstand somewhere just north of the 202.  Sure enought, it was there!  Vertuccio Farms.  We stopped and bought four bags of oranges, some strawberries and what turned out to be very delicious banana nut bread.  James was so excited!  Now we can head for home.  Since we were already on Power Rd. we went the Globe way home and stopped at Burger House for lunch.

We got home, unloaded the car, and settled down to watch a Christmas movie.  Jared, Kacey, James, Anna, Emmy, and Molly arrived way after we went to bed.

Family and Friends:

Niece Christine and her family, Jon, Eden, and Ander.

Kacey and her kids Tanner, Autumn, and Summer.

Christmas caroling at Lois's a couple of years ago when

Lola was a baby.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

I am grateful for my family!

Ether 15:1-17

What caused Coriantumr to have a change of heart?  When have you experienced a change of heart?

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

"Sometimes our attendance at meetings and our service in the kingdom may lack the holy element of worship.  And without that, we are missing an imcomparable spiritual encounter with the infinite - one we are entitled to as children of a loving Heavenly Father."

James helped me finish wrapping presents this morning.  Here he is wrapping the guys flashlights.

I am so grateful for his help and that he didn't complain

that I was so far behind schedule.

He originally wanted to leave at 7 a.m. for a 10:30 meeting but it was obvious we were never going to make that.  We ended up leaving around 12:30.  We stopped in Show Low for gas and to wash the mud off our car.  Dennis called and ask if there was a time they could meet us in town to give us the cookies Denise always makes us for Christmas.  I ask if he could meet us at the Circle K across from the park in about 20 minutes.  He said yes.  We went to the valley with lots of Denise's special Rice Krispy with chocolate and peanut butter cookies.  Thank you Denise!

We went the Salt River way so we could stop at Burger House and get some burros.  It was raining so we had to watch for rocks on the road through the canyon.  Thank goodness they were all small.  At Burger House we ended up getting a dozen burros. We are two, took four to Brian and Kim and gave the rest to Cathi, Terry, Darrel, Trina, Sheri and Ian.  Jared and Kacey went through Miami and got their own.  

This evening we met the kids and grandkids at Lois's where they sang Christmas carols to her.

 13 out of 18 grandkids sang.  Jared, Dallin, Joe, Adam, and

Alex all had to work.

Everyone is looking somewhere else except Lois and Ruby.

After exchanging gifts with Lois and Dawn and them serving us refreshments, we left for Trina and Darrel's.  I think next year we will open gifts at this party if we stay in Vernon for Christmas.  We gave everyone their gifts but only got to see Jared and Kacey and Jared's kids open theirs.  This party was Stacy's idea because she wanted to do something while Jared and Kacey were here.  Those who wanted to shared a talent and then we shared Christmas memories.  

Joshua played Jingle Bells.

Rowan played his recital piece

and so did James.  Rowan was mesmerized by

James's playing.  He was really good.

Addy and Emmy sang a song about grandpa shooting an

elk.  Addy wrote the song.  It was funny.

I didn't get a picture, but Stacy sang "Silent Night."

It was beautiful.

It was a fun evening and everyone was there except Ian and the five boys who had to work.  Thank you to Darrel and Trina for hosting the party.  

We were exhausted when we got back to Cathi and Terry's and went straight to bed.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Forgiveness is such an important part of the gospel

of Jesus Christ!

Ether 14:8-31

* In what ways has the enabling power of the Atonement transformed your weaknesses into strengths?

* In what ways does the book of Ether serve as a warning to the nations of the earth today?

* Anger and hatred played a major role in the destruction of the Jaredites.  What role do you see anger and hatred playing in the world today?  How can you combat this in your own sphere of influence?

*  How has your faith or spiritual resolve been tried?  How did these trials of your faith bring you addition "witness" of Jesus Christ or understanding of eternal truths?

GC:  To Whom Shall We Go? by M. Russel Ballard

"Never abandon the great truths revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Never stop reading, pondering, and applying the doctrine of Christ found in the Book of Mormon."

 I talked to my niece Jenifer today and told her how proud I was that she had graduated from college with a degree in social work.  She was telling me that there are several opportunities in her town for work that she was going to look in to.  Jenifer is legally blind and depends on others to do many things for her.  This should make her more independent.

I love this picture of the Provo temple.

James is still trying to fix his trailer.  He thought he had it fixed but the spring he put in keeps popping out.  He went with me this evening to visit Jean and to make a delivery to Claire, two of the sisters I visit teach.  I was at Jean's for quite awhile and he just waited in the car.  Jean's daughter Deana and her friend Denice are my visiting teachers and they gave me a lesson while I was there and a gift.

Popcorn and apple cider in a cute

Santa container.

James set up a meeting for the job he is doing for Jerrod Bowen at 10:30 in the morning.  I told him there was no way I would be ready so he offered to clean upstairs while I finished wrapping gifts.  

We went to bed before I was finished wrapping.  I was too tired to finish.

Family and Friends:

This picture was taken three years ago at 

Chocolate Lake.  To me it looks like Addy is

pulling Ruby.

Carol and her second husband with

Brennan's kids.

.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Ether13:19-14:7

Coriantumr had devoted a great deal of time to studying "all the arts of war and all the cunning of the world", yet he rejected the simple message of Ether, which would have brought him peace in a way that all his military skills could not.  Not the prophet Ether's promise to Coriantumr in Ether 13:20-21 as well as its fulfillment (see Ether 15:1-3, 26-32; Omni 1:20-22).  Coriantumr and Shiz allowed all their followers to be killed instead of ending the conflict.  We cannot fully comprehend the horror of the final Jaredite battle in which even women and children were armed and sent to war (see Ether 15:15).  This does, however, provide a graphic picture of what people become when the Spirit of the Lord withdraws and no longer strives with them (see v. 19).  Anger and hatred played a major role in the destruction of the Jaredites.  What role do you see anger and hatred playing in the world today?  How can you combat this in your own sphere of influence?

GC:  The Great Plan of Redemption by Linda S. Reeves

Amulek testified, "I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; ... if ye will repent .... immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you."

I finished the last two stockings for the kids in my Primary class and delivered them today.  I also bought a dozen tamales from my friend Rosa.  She makes the best tamales!  

James Facetimed with Jerod Bowen today about the job he is going to do for him.  When we go down on Thursday he will go and look at the job and take measurements.  

In commemoration of Michael's sweet sixteen birthday three years ago I had to post this picture taken at Olive Garden.

James had to go to town to get some stuff to fix the gasket on the pump.  He brought me back a chicken taco from Alibertos.  I stayed home and started wrapping blankets.  While wrapping I watched a Christmas movie starring Yannick Bisson.  James and I watched a new Christmas movie starring Cameron Mathison, "A Christmas to Remember".

Tonight was Michael's birthday party at Organ Stop Pizza.  Paul made a video of Stacy that I really enjoyed.

Taylor's wedding was today at the Gillbert temple.

Megan also got her endowments today as she is leaving on her mission in January.

Ruby made this family board for her mom for Christmas

because she knows how much her mom loves her family.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Ether 13:1-18

Ether 13:1-12 describes what a great seer Ether was.  Ether was shown many marvelous things by the Lord, including the establishment of a New Jerusalem prior to the Second Coming.  Note what Ether said about the New Jerusalem:  1.) It will be the "holy sanctuary of the Lord" (13:3).  2.) It will be built on the American continent for the remnant of the seed of Joseph (vv. 4-6).  (This is our heritage!).  3.) It will be a holy city like the Jerusalem built unto the Lord (vv. 8-9).  4.) It will stand until the earth is celestialized (v. 8).  5.) It will be a city for the pure and righteous (v 10).  How can we better cultivate the characteristics that will help us to be worthy to dwell in this glorious city?

GC:  The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy by Peter F. Meurs

" Our sacrament meeting experience can be enhanced when we arrive well before the meeting and ponder as they prelude music is played."

Friends and memories:

Andersen's daughter returns from her mission.

The little tree was for Joshua