Thursday, December 29, 2016

The Mesa temple at Christmas time.

Moroni 9:1-19

GC: God Shall Wipe Away All Tears by Elder Evan A. Schmutz

"God invites us to respond with faith to our own unique afflictions in order that we may reap blessings and gain knowledge that can be learned in no other way.  We are instructed to keep the commandments in every condition and circumstance, for 'he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.'  And as we read in scripture, 'If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.'" (D&C 136:29)

My morning went something like this: Get up, study for awhile.  Eat something and take some Tramadol and lay down to take a short nap.  Get up, read to James from "Babylon" and then go to work cleaning house and washing sheets.

I cleaned and polished the wood floors even though I am going to have company and will need to do it again when they are gone.  I like my floors to look nice when people come.  

Monument Valley

James helped me clean the kitchen.  We finished just before Sheri, Ian, Ben, Max, Evan, and Rowan arrived at 4 pm.  

As soon as Sheri had her car unloaded she began fixing chicken tacos for dinner.  She also brought a huge bag of molasses, gingerbread cookies.  They were delicious and so were her chicken tacos.

While we were in the kitchen the boys were out on the patio.  I heard a thump and figured a bird had hit the window.  Sure enough. He was knocked out and the boys came in to ask grandpa what kind of bird he was.  

A beautiful woodpecker

The bird got up so the boys and grandpa buried him.  How sad that this happens.  My windows are not even that clean.

While Sheri and I and James watched a Rooftop Christmas in the bedroom the boys played Headbandz.

Yes Rowan, you are a toothbrush.

I fixed Ben and Rowan some hot chocolate.  They were the only ones who wanted it.  I think it helped Rowan to sleep soundly.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Moroni 8:1-30

GC:     Lest Thou Forget by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Each of us must first strengthen ourselves spiritually

and then strengthen those around us.  Ponder the scriptures

regularly, and remember the thoughts and feelings you

experience as you read them.  Seek other sources of truth as

well, but heed this caution from the scriptures: 

'But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels

of God.' Attend Church meetings, especially sacrament meeting, and partake of the sacrament and renew covenants, including the promise to always remember the Savior, that His Spirit

may ever be with you."

Elder Bruce D. Porter passed away today.

He was 64 years old.

James and I spent the morning at home studying, blogging, reading, and keeping the fire going.  We had leftover roast and veggies for lunch.  I washed sheets on three beds and then got ready to go to town.  We stopped to get mail.  We got a card from Ruth Gale and a picture, plus a Christmas card picture from the Boles.  We read from "Babylon" and shopped at Walmart and Home Depot.  I got my methotrexate and $200 worth of groceries.  

We had burgers for dinner.  James did some indexing.  Afterwards we watched "When Calls the Heart, the Christmas Special."  

Other news and memories:  

Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher's mother, passed away today.

She said she missed Carrie and wanted to be with her.

They are listing the cause of death as a stroke.

Carrie, Debbie, and Carrie's daughter.

I remember this picture.  Liz Taylor was Debbie's best friend

and Eddie was Debbie's husband.  He left Debbie to be with Liz.

I remember thinking in this picture that his eyes were definitely

on Liz.  I always admired Debbie Reynolds because she forgave them both.

State record elk shot by this girl in

Nebraska.

Hogwarts Legos.  Trina and her kids spent

hours putting this together last Christmas.

The Hobbit house I want James to build.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

I love snow!

Moroni 7:35-48

GC: Serve by Elder Carl B. Cook

"Even if we think that our Church calling was simply our 

priesthood leaders idea or that it came to us because no one else

would accept it, we will be blessed as we serve.  But when

we recognize God's hand in our calling and serve with all

our hearts, additional power comes into our service,

and we become true servants of Jesus Christ."

James used some of one of the roasts I bought to make steak and gravy for Stacy and Paul's family.  He really is pretty amazing!

After breakfast, Stacy, Paul, and Joshua got on the Razr and followed James and I to the Vernon pit, not to be confused with the Swing pit.  There was more snow in that direction.  Although we never actually found the pit, Joshua had a great time!

Being pulled behind the Razr.

Great smile Joshua.

Paul has the right idea.

Paul's two sisters, Trisha and Dorina came for a visit with four kids. 

James and I were in the bedroom just getting up from a nap.  James walked in to the kitchen and Dorina was making lunch for everyone, using our food.  It was fine but I am wondering why no one asked.

They stayed for awhile and played games and then everyone left, including Stacy and Paul's family.

The Group.

In other news today:

Summer and Tanner got their blankets.

Carrie Fisher passed away.

Darrel is trying out a new look.

I love this chart sent out by Ancestry. 

Monday, December 26, 2016

Moroni 7:35-48

What does it mean to you to have Jesus Christ as your advocate?

GC: "The Doctrine of Christ" by Brian K. Ashton

The prophets have taught that faith begins by hearing the word

of Christ.  The words of Christ testify of His atoning

sacrifice and tell us how we may obtain forgiveness, blessings

and exaltation.

Our friends, the Lamb family.

We had the battle of the pancakes this morning.  James made potato pancakes and I made Bisquick pancakes.  I had strawberries and whipped cream with mine.  Kacey did the dishes while James and I cooked and Jared packed the car and cleaned the ice and snow off the windshield and the top.  

James pulled Emmy and Joshua behind the Razr on a sled.  Joshua came in while Anna and I were working on a puzzle and said: "That was the worst experience of my life.  I hit a tree and hurt my favorite leg, my right one."  It didn't seem like he was really hurt and it was all Anna and I could do to not laugh out loud.

A relaxing time around the table.

Stacy and Michael "horsing" around.

It was actually pretty funny,

especially looking at Michael's face.

Jared and his family left for El Paso around noon.  Anna wants to

get their in time to see some of her friends, especially Joe.

Tomorrow at 6 a.m. they will all leave for San Antonio.

Looks like alot of tired people with their eyes closed.

We will miss this family!

Michael went on a run and Paul rode the Razr beside him and ran out of gas.  James had to go to the rescue.  When Paul got back, Dallin and Sarah took the Razr for a ride.  

We babysat Shipley this afternoon while Stacy and Paul's family went to town to meet his sisters, Trisha and Dorina at Pizza Factory.  Shipley likes us.

This evening James and I watched "The Rooftop Christmas Tree."

It was good and we cried at the end.  We also read from our book "Babylon."

A picture of an elk taken by a

friend in our ward.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

My greatest desire is to become more like my Savior,

Jesus Christ.

Moroni 6:1-7:19

As we celebrate the Savior's birth, what can we do to better serve Him with real intent?

GC: "If Ye Had Known Me" by Elder David A. Bednar

A grand objective of mortality is not merely learning about the Only Begotten of the Father but also striving to know Him.

Four essential steps that can help us come to know the Lord

are exercising faith in Him, following Him, serving Him,

and believing Him.

Kevin's girls.

At 6:45 this morning we all met upstairs where Jared read the Christmas story from Luke 2.  

Even though this isn't a picture from our reading I couldn't resist posting this picture of the Case grandchildren acting out Luke 2.

I remember when our kids used to dress up for this event.

The kids all lined up youngest to oldest

before coming downstairs.

All the kids had a filled stocking and their own Santa stash.

Anna wrapped up in her new blanket.

James got a watch and cash from his dad and from us.  Anna got cash, Emmy got a drone from her dad and a Harry Potter Clue game from us.  Molly got a microphone and singing app for her phone from her dad and a Magic Sketch from us.  We also gave all the kids a blanket.

Molly's singing app.

Molly loves to sing!  

The kids helped me get a drone for James.  Here he is opening it and then he and Emmy with their drones.

I guess it was the Christmas for drones.

Rowan got one and so did Tanner.

If you look closely you will see Rowan's

drone flying in Darrel and Trina's house.

It was a perfect white Christmas morning.

It was a Christmas miracle.

After opening gifts and eating cinnamon rolls we all got ready to attend sacrament meeting.  It was so wonderful to have Jared and his kids and Kacey here to celebrate Christmas with us!!

Becky Skousen was the speaker in sacrament meeting.  She spoke about the Light the World campaign and shared some stories. 

A women's choir sang "O Holy Night", my favorite Christmas carol.  James Hayden didn't feel well and went out in the foyer for most of the meeting where he fell asleep.

He happen to be wearing Anna's flip flops.

Back at home we had brunch: waffles, strawberries and whipped cream, venison gravy and biscuits.  Afterwards I had a short nap and then James and I attended Kacey Jo Westbrook's baptism:

Kacey was baptized by her brother Sy.

I got a call from Cathi this afternoon.  She attended Stacy and Paul's sacrament meeting with Terry today at my request.  Joshua was singing a solo as part of their Christmas program.  It was a surprise for Paul.

 Cathi said that Joshua did an amazing job.  He was on tune

and never missed a note.  Oh how I wish I could have been there.

I am so proud of him!!

I was in the kitchen for over five hours today preparing dinner for everyone.  We had ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry celebration, salad, rolls, and pie for dessert.  James made some of his punch.  Jared and his family ate and then Stacy, Paul, Michael, Dallin, Sarah, and Joshua showed up later this evening, starving.

They had come from Chandler in a snow storm and were exhausted.  Oh yes, did I mention that Shipley was with them too.  

We are glad to have them here with us.

I got to have a nice conversation with James Hayden and he told me a little bit about his broadcasting class.  He gets to help give the school announcements in the morning.

I also got texts from Addy and Rowan thinking me for their Christmas gifts.  Addy loves her golden snitch necklace and Harry Potter Trivia game.  She sent me a picture of Lola with her monkey.

She is saying Thank you.

Rowan loved his Harry Potter chess set too.  Ruby likes her Magic Sketch and so do Lola.  Trina is going to get Lola one too.

I was exhausted by the time James and I got the kitchen cleaned.  While our company played games, James and I went to bed.

Christmas greetings:

Seth and Jasmine

Thor, Denise, Dennis, and Rachel.