Wednesday, January 4, 2017

I am so excited that we get to study the life andB
teachings of President Hinckley this year in
Relief Society and Priesthood!

1 Nephi 3:9-31

Why do you think Sam willingly followed Nephi while Laman and Lemuel persecuted him?

DC 1:31-2:3

What great promises in these verses spoke to me today?

*Verses 31 and 32 - Repent and be forgiven.

GC:   Fourth Floor, Last Door by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The problem was not a lack of prayers or a shortage of faith.  She needed only to understand that, as painful as it might be for our Father in Heaven, He will not force anyone to choose the path of righteousness.  God did not force His own children to follow Him in the premortal world.  How much less will He force us now as we journey through this mortal life?  God will invite, persuade.  God will reach out tirelessly with love, inspiration and encouragement.  But God will never compel - that would undermine His great plan for our eternal growth."

  

Today is the day I actually sent out the family email regarding the reading of the Book of Mormon.  Each day I will send the reading assignment and a question to Stacy, Paul, Kim, Brian, Sheri, Ian, Jared, Kacey, Darrel, Trina, and Ben.  I got positive responses from both Sheri and Kacey.  I am excited that our entire family will be reading the Book of Mormon together if everyone will accept the challenge.

Today we had 27 elk in our yard.

Here are just a few.

James is in the valley working for Jerrod Bowen.  Today he took Max and Evan to Lois's to do yardwork.  Ben would have gone too but he is quite sick.  The boys don't go back to school until next week.  

Because I am sick I tried to cancel my infusion but no one called me back.  Meanwhile, while Adam is driving for Uber he has an accident on the freeway.  No one was hurt but the Scion was towed by a company located in Apache Junction.  The sad thing is that Adam does not have collision insurance.  

Waterfall between Miami and Superior

James came home this afternoon bearing gifts: burros from Burger House, homemade soap from Rebecca, and a Family Proclamation plaque that Darrel and Trina made.

Of course Lola is always right there to assist Trina.

 This evening was another evening of movie watching.  I am trying to finish up all the Christmas movies.

Family Pictures:

Michael on the run.

Addy, Lola, Ruby, and Rowan.

Some of the cutest kids in the world!!

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Castle in the sky

1 Nephi 2:16-3:8

How do you find the faith and courage to do what the Lord asks of you?

DC 1:21-30

How can we prepare ourselves to receive instruction and knowledge from the Lord regarding our missionary efforts?  

Why does God choose the "weak things of the world" to do His work?

GC: Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion by Bonnie L. Oscarson

"President Russell M. Nelson told us a year ago: 'Attacks against the Church, its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase.  Because of this, we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation.  We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms.  We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant-keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity.  We need women who have the courage and vision of our Mother Eve.'"

James and Max left early this morning and Kim and Brian left later.

I am now officially "home alone."

I love these two!

I thanked both Kim and Brian for spending time with Max yesterday.  Kim did not even have time to do a puzzle like she normally does or to watch any Hallmark movies.  Thank goodness they did not get sick while they were here. Kim made me a "flu bomb" with her DoTerra oils.  We talked about Kacey and Jared's wedding which is now scheduled for January 21st.  It seems no one has any money or time to go.  James and I may be the only ones representing our family.  

I love snow!

My day is spent watching movies and laying around coughing.  I am afraid to use the internet because we have very few megabytes left and our cycle doesn't end until January 13th.  

 The course of study for Relief Society and Priesthood this year

is actually President Gordon B. Hinckley.  He is the master of the Jedi order!

I sent out an email and challenged all of our kids and their families to read the Book of Mormon again this year.  Each day I will send the reading assignment and a discussion question.  Everyone seems to be on board with it, at least I haven't heard any complaints

So true!

James sends me the sweetest texts when he is out of town.

Evan's business goals.

Sunday, January 1, 2017

We took this picture coming home from church.

1 Nephi 1:1-15

What do you love most about the Book of Mormon?

* I love the fact that if we "keep the commandments, we will prosper in the land."  I also love the examples of God's power delivering or strengthening the obedient.  There are so many things I love about the Book of Mormon.  These are just a couple of examples.

DC 1:1-10

How have the words of the prophets been a blessing in my life?

GC: I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home by Jean B. Bingham

"One of the most significant ways we can develop and demonstrate love for our neighbor is through being generous in our thoughts and words.  Some years ago a cherished friend noted, 'The greatest form of charity may be to withhold judgment.' That is still true today."

Andy Wilhelm was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting today.  He told about Curtis getting a priesthood blessing when he was diagnosed with leukemia.  He also told about Curtis and Johnny both being flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital and how it is a miracle neither of them had spinal meningitis.

Kip Hunsaker was a replacement speaker for Jimmy McNeil who had to go into work today because of the snow.  He spoke about baptismal covenants and the importance of teaching our children the importance of the covenants they make when they enter the Kingdom of God.  We are changed forever through baptism.  It is important to renew our covenants at the sacrament table because we need the Holy Ghost in our lives everyday.  His son Colter we just baptized on Friday.

Steve Allen is our elder's quorum president.  He spoke about commitment and testimony.  He based many of his comments on a talk by Elder Robert D. Hales, "Receiving a Testimony of Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel."  Brother Allen stressed the importance of sharing our testimonies often throughout our lives.

Sheri, Kim, Brian, Ben, Max, Evan, and Rowan attended sacrament meeting with us.  Michael had promised me he would come, but I guess he stayed up too late last night.  Alex didn't come either which was a disappointment.  I was hoping they would want to be missionary examples to their friends.

Sheri, Ian, Ben, Evan, and Rowan went home this afternoon.  Evan and Rowan wanted to stay but Evan is sick and Sheri wanted him to come home.  Rowan was going to stay with Max until he saw how sad Evan was that he was coming home with him, so he changed his mind and went home.  Max stayed.  Alex, Shana, Michael, Alexis, Daniel, Connor, and Kim and Brian are all still here.

Sheri did not want her picture taken, but it's our

tradition.

Drive safely in the snow. 

Evan and Rowan didn't want to get out of the car for

pictures.

After lunch we had a game of Five Crowns.  Michael, Alex and their friends went to Green's Peak. 

Michael and Alexis

Michael, Daniel, Alex

I feel like I am getting sick.  I spent much of my time taking it easy today.

Maybe this is why I am feeling sick. jk

Here are some memories I wanted to share:

Max and his snowman.

The Snow family.

Such an adorable picture of Molly and Ruby

from a few years back.

Monday, January 2, 2016

A light in the darkness

1 Nephi 1:16-2:15

What do you admire most about Lehi and his family?

DC 1:11-20
How can we better prepare ourselves to counsel with the ord and then have the courage to do His will?

GC:   The Master Healer by Carole M. Stephens

"Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?"  She had received a witness - she had begun to partake of the living water - and she desired to witness of His divinity to others.  When we come to Him with humble and teachable hearts - even if our hearts are heavy with mistakes, sins, and transgressions - He can change us, "for He is mighty to save."  And with hearts changed, we can, like the Samaritan woman, go into our own cities - our homes, schools, and workplaces - to witness of Him."

I am definitely getting a cold.  I was too tired and miserable to even get up and say goodbye to Michael and his friends before they left.

Thanks to James for this picture.

Michael, Alexis, Daniel, Connor.

Alexis was sick while she was here, but she looks like she is

feeling better.

I did manage to get up and say goodbye to Alex and Shana when they left.

A couple of cuties

Alex took this picture outside of Heber.

I played a game of Five Crowns with Kim, Brian, Max, and James. Max wanted to stay with us even though the rest of his family went home yesterday.  I am afraid I wasn't much fun.  Thank goodness for Kim and Brian!  They played lots of games of Mexican Train with him.

Somewhere in Arizona

As is my habit, I checked our bank accounts on my phone this morning.  There was a charge on James's business account of $105.82l made at a Filiberto's with a debit card.  Very strange.  I am the only one who has a debit card for this account and it is in my wallet.  I immediately called the bank and they will dismiss the charge and send a new debit card.  Thank you Chase Bank.

I love Mother Teresa!

Kim and Brian fixed taquitos and pizza pockets for lunch and I had some.  This afternoon James and I started the last book in the Millennial Glory series, "Adam Ondi Ahman."  

I went to bed before dinner because I felt so lousy.  Kim and Brian fed Max.  I hope he understands how sick I am and I am not just ignoring him.

Cabin memories:

Alex looks so young!

Rockband with Michael, Ian, and

Joe while Evan and Max look on.

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy Birthday Kim!

Moroni 10:8-34

GC:  Repentance: A Joyful Choice by Elder Dale G. Renlund

" Changing our behavior and returning to the "right road" are part of repentance, but only part.  Real repentance also includes a turning of our heart and will to God and a renunciation of sin.

Yet even this is an incomplete description.  It does not properly identify the power that makes repentance possible, the atoning sacrifice of our Savior.  Real repentance must involve faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith that He can change us, faith that He can forgive us, and faith that He will help us avoid more mistakes.  This kind of faith makes His Atonement effective in our lives."

Happy Birthday!

Kim and Brian got in to a snow storm on their way up today. 

Kim took this picture and wrote underneath:

"Happy Birthday to me!"

James and I went to town again today.  I needed to get some throat lozenges and we also got a snow shovel.  We brought back some cough syrup for Evan who has a cough and congestion.  

I got Kim's Texas sheetcake made before she arrived.  When Kim and Brian arrived our guest list rose to 14.  

We played games

And sang Happy Birthday

And ate birthday cake.

We played games...

And went on Razr rides in the mud

and snow.

Some of us read scriptures.

Kim brought her DoTerra medicine kit.

Even though Lola wasn't here I had to post

some pictures of her and Evan.

Somebody has a crush on Evan.

James and I went to bed early but some people stayed up until midnight, including Kim, Brian, Ian, Alex, Shana, Michael, Alexis, Daniel, Connor, Ben, and Max.  They went outside and built a fire and let off fireworks.  

Happy New Years!

Friday, December 30, 2016

Gilbert, Arizona

Moroni 9:20-10:7

GC:    No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know by Elder K. Brett Nattress

" President Marion G. Romney taught that if we would read the Book of Mormon everyday to our children,

we would not lose them.

Beautiful Arizona!

I got up and made pancakes for breakfast.  Sheri was going to run this morning but it was too wet.  After breakfast Sheri and I made a trip to Walmart.  I needed some things to make Kim's birthday cake.  She always wants a Texas sheetcake.  I also bought her a card and a card for Taylor Wanlass's wedding.  I ended up sending him $50.  

After shopping at Walmart Sheri ordered pizza from Pizza Factory.  I told her how much Stacy's family loves this place.  I really like their pizza too.  When Stacy's family was here Michael brought James and I a couple of pieces of pizza home.  How sweet!

When we got back from town Michael was here with his friend, Alexis, Connor, and Daniel.  A little later in the day Alex and Shana arrived.  Welcome to games, food, movies, and messes.  Let the party begin!

Sheri in a party mood

Max, Rowan, and Evan playing poker.

Michael teaches Alexis to play Five Crowns

Sheri said it was hilarious!

Sheri and I went in our bedroom and watched "Falling for Christmas."  She had not seen it because she doesn't get the channel it was on.

Rowan with his phone.  Evan wishing he had a phone.

Evan loves to take videos.  He and Rowan spent alot of time

today making bowling videos, etc.