Saturday, January 28, 2017

1 Nephi 18:5-20

1.  When has Christ been a "ship" in my life,and kept me safe from lif's storms?

2.  Why did the Liahona stop working for Lehi's family?  How can we avoid this happening in our lives?

2 Nephi 29-30

DC 15-16

What does the Lord mean when He says, "...mine arm is over all the earth?"

Talk: "To Look, Reach and Come unto Christ"

By: Anne C. Pingree

Oct 2006

GC:   'Lest Thou Forget' by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Generations are affected by the choices we make.  Share your testimony with your family; encourage them to remember how they felt when they recognized the Spirit in their lives and to record those feelings in journals and personal histories so that their own words may, when needed, bring to their rembrance how good the Lord has been to them."

This statement was made in response to President Trump's

immigration policy.

Icicles on our shed

I was up at 5am and actually stayed on my schedule!  I almost forgot what a schedule was.  

I was frustrated this morning while trying to download pictures from my phone to my computer.  The import prompt was not coming up.  I say several prayers, and finally it appears!

My Primary lesson is about Joseph Smith receiving the

Gold Plates and the Urim and Thummim.

Here is a picture of what we believe the Urim and Thummim

to look like.

James had requested a meatloaf for his birthday dinner.  Since we were at Sheri's for his birthday I told him I would make him a meatloaf when we got home.  Today for lunch we had meatloaf, baked potatoes, and green beans.  It was a delicious meal and we both enjoyed it.

This is a picture of the water tank and windmill across

highway 60 as you come into Vernon.

Ian took this picture.

Today was a gorgeous, sunny day with the high of 35 degrees.  I love to see the snow glisten when the sun shines on it.  

An announcement was made regarding the Tucson temple today.  The open house will be in June, and the temple will be dedicated in August.

Tucson temple,

the sixth temple in Arizona

James and I read from "The Boys in the Boat" and I read from "The Contrite Spirit" today.  James loves the book I got him about Joseph Smith.  It goes right along with the Sunday School lessons he is teaching from the Doctrine and Covenants, Church History.  He also likes his photo stick.

Fun Photos

They look so small!

James giving Michael some advice.

It looks like Michael is trying not to laugh.

Lola and James on his birthday last year.

Amanda and Anna at the Snowflake temple,

December 2015.

December 2015

Friday, January 27, 2017

Looks a little like Hogwarts

1 Nephi 17:48-18:4

1.  When has the Lord asked me to do something and the give me the instructions rather than do the work for me?

2.  How can you build your life just life Nephi built the ship, not after the manner of men but "after the manner which the Lord had shown unto" you?

2 Nephi 27-28

DC 14:1-11

Has there been a time when you stood as a witness for God?

Talk: "Standing with God"

By: Sharon G. Larsen

April 2000

GC:       'Serve' by Elder Carl B. Cook

" I felt a distinct spiritual confirmation that my new assignment was inspired.  All Church callings come from God - through His appointed servants.  It is important that we make that connection - that our callings literally come to us from God through our priesthood leaders."

I got up at five but I am off to a slow start.  I make the mistake of laying back down.  James and I have scriptures and prayer together, and then I get read to go to lunch with Kaeli and Hailey.  Kaeli is my visiting teaching companion and we visit Hailey.  She stays in town on Fridays until her kids get out of school, so we decided to take her to lunch.  She wanted to go to Persnikkity's.  

Of course Hailey brought her 18 month old Huntleigh with her.  Haiey and I both had the green chili chicken sandwich.  It was delicious!  

We got into a discussion about green tea.  To drink or not to drink.  When I got home James said no, we don't.  It is tea, it has tannic acid and caffeine.  

The message this month was on the purpose of Relief Society which is to "Come Unto Christ" and become perfected in Him.  I told Hailey that the work she was doing as a mother was much like the work of the Savior.  She feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, and cares for the sick and needy.  

James serving me by helping me clean the refrigerator.

After lunch I went to Walmart to get some groceries.  I also made a stop at the post office.  Now I know why they call it the White Mountains.  The mountains surrounding Vernon were all covered in snow.  I should have stopped and taken a picture.

Although this is snow, this is not one of the mountains 

surrounding Vernon.

By the time I got home, Lexy was covered in mud.  Our road is a mud bog for the last two miles.  I got stuck in the driveway because the snow was piled so high.  The snow shovel and James dig me out.  Lexy hides her shame in the garage.

This picture doesn't show really how dirty she is.

James carries in all the groceries and I put them away and then go to my recliner for some rest and relaxation.  I watch the 2016 "Signed, Sealed, Delivered Valentine Special."  James says we have seen it, but I don't remember it.  It was really good!  I can hardly wait for this years.  Afterwards he helps me clean out the refrigerator.  (See picture above.) He breaks a glass shelf and glass shatters everywhere.

Fun Photos

Mad Eye Moody from Harry Potter

One of the members of my Primary class enjoying

the snow on his family's snowmobile.

Lois with Darrel's kids.

Taken a couple of years ago.

Fieldtrip to Boyce Thompson Artoretum.

Sheri's favorite fieldtrip.

Dallin and Adam enjoying some pizza after

helping their dad.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Fairy Tale Scene

1 Nephi 17:31-47

1.  What message do you think Nephi wanted Laman and Lemuel to get out of verses 17:36-43?

2.  What can we learn from the story of the Israelites being bitten by the serpents in the wilderness?  Why did Nephi choose to share this story with his brothers?

2 Nephi 26

DC 12:1-13:1

In what ways has the priesthood blessed my life?

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

"Repentance causes us to become 'true followers' of Christ, which fills us with love and casts out our fears.  Repentance is not a backup plan just in case our plan to live perfectly fails.  Continual repentance is the only path that can bring us lasting joy and enable us to return to live with our Heavenly Father.  Through repentance we become submissive and obedient to God's will.  Now, this is not done alone. A recognition of God's goodness and our nothingness, combined with our best efforts to align our behavior with God's will, brings grace into our lives.  Grace 'is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ...to do good works that we otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to our own means.'  Because repentance is really about becoming like the Savior, which is impossible on our own, we desperately need the Savior's grace in order to make necessary  changes in our lives."

I was home alone this morning while James went to work and Terry was at the R.O.C.  I thought I was alone but I was wrong.

I feel safe now!

Stacy came by this morning to pick up some letters that I printed for her.  I invited her in but she said she was in a hurry.

I am preparing to leave today.  I washed sheets and towels, took a shower, and ironed some clothes.  I also did some studying.  Soon I became hungry and heated up the leftover carbonara noodles in the refrigerator.  

James got home in the early afternoon.  He takes Cathi and Terry's five gallon water jug to go fill it up.  He was gone a long time but I forgave him because he brought me back a taco from Elmer's.  While James was gone I did the dishes.  When he returns we pack up.  Terry is home so we say goodbye to him and the doggies.  Cathi is coming home from Las Vegas today so Terry won't have time to get lonely.  

This was the view as we drove into Payson.

I love the snow on the mountains!

We zip right on through Payson and stop in Show Low for food at Panda Express and Firehouse Subs.  The snow in the Walmart parking lot was piled high!

It is dark by the time we get home.  We got stuck in the snow and mud in front of the house.  The snow in the driveway was piled too high to even attempt going that way.  James manages to get the water and heat turned on.  He also brings in the suitcases while I unpack and put things away.  

Someone posted this picture and I couldn't resist.

We have about a foot of snow.

Once we are unpacked we sit down to watch the newest Hallmark movie, "Birthday Wishes" and enjoy some hot chocolate and whipped cream.  Home Sweet Home!

Family Memories

2016 Joshua and Holly

Holly a few months before she passed away.

Fun at the zoo

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Jordan River Utah Temple

1 Nephi 17:17-30

 What are some worldly pleasures that might be hard to give up, only trusting that the Lord has something better in store?

2 Nephi 25

DC 11:22-30

How can we overcome our fears and prepare to receive revelation even if it is not what we want to hear?

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

"We becomeacquainted with Him and His voice as we study and feast upon His word in the scriptures, pray to the Father in His name with real intent, and seek for the constant companionship

of the Holy Fhost  Learning and applying in our lives the doctrine of Christ is a prerequisite to receiving the gift of faith in Him.  Exercising faith in the Lord is a necessary preparation for following Him."

This morning after bringing me breakfast again, James left for work, Terry left for the ROC, and I left for Darrel and Trina's.  I got to their house a little after eight.  Darrel was gone taking kids to school.  When he and Lola returned, she ran into my arms and gave me a big hug.  Boy, that felt good!  It has been awhile since I have seen her and I wasn't sure how she would accept me.  Darrel ask me a few weeks ago to babysit this day.  He was called in to work and Trina was already scheduled to work.  After Darrel show me how to operate the TV, Lola and I settle down on the couch to watch "We Bare Bears," and "Home."  We also went upstairs and had a tea party, colored with my markers and ate Goldfish, and played hide-and-go seek.

Lola was very careful with the markers.

Kim came around 10:30 or so to visit and help.  At first Lola was shy around her, but it didn't take her long to warm up.

Such an affectionate little girl.

I ask her if Evan was her boyfriend and she said, "Yes!"

Rowan and Ruby had early release time from school.  They were out before noon and someone from Trina's carpool delivered them at home.  We were waiting for them to go to Peter Piper Pizza.

On the way Ruby says, "Kimmy" and Lola says, "No, it's Emmy!"

Of course we had to correct her.  It was an honest mistake.  

Lola ate more than Rowan and Ruby but I think maybe they had already had something to eat for lunch.  We took most of the pizza home with us.  It's just too fun to play while you are at the restaurant.  Lola and I played skee ball together.  Lola wanted another pink ball, and so Rowan won one for her.  He is such a good brother!  What would I have done here without Kim?  She is awesome and the kids love her!

The only thing missing was Addy.  Darrel got off work at 3 and picked her up at Kayla's.  I was so happy to see her!

Showing off her Golden Snitch necklace.

Being silly.

Everyone loves Kimmy!

One of Lola's favorite things to say is: "Whatcha doin?"  When Kim came one of the first things she said to Lola was: "Whatcha doin?"  What a coincidence.  

Darrel was telling me that the past weekend they left their car at Trina's mom's house and someone slashed the tires and broke the windshield.  Walmart said they had several cars in the same condition from that neighborhood.  It cost them over $500 to get everything fixed.  

I helped Ruby with her homework.

Rowan and his phone.

Lost Dutchman Park

Darrel and Trina have a beautiful view of the Superstition Mountains, especially from their upstairs window.

Mary Tyler Moore passed away today.  I watched her in the Dick Van Dyke Show and the Mary Tyler Moore Show.  She was great. 

She had juvenille diabetes and her death was caused by complications because of this disease.  

She will be missed.

This evening James and I took my car to Sears for another oil change.  Afterwards we used James's gift certificate and went to Olive Garden for dinner.  I had chicken and shrimp carbonara.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

1 Nephi 17:1-16

1.  Why did Nephi feel so blessed in spite of their suffering?

2.  How has the Lord been your light in the wilderness?

2 Nephi 21-24

DC 11:11-21

What are some ways we can seek Christ to obtain better understanding and knowledge to guide us to do His will?

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

"Just as we sometimes cannot see the results of our own service given on the Sabbath, we may not be able to see the cumulative effects of other servants of the Lord.  But the Lord is building

His kingdom quietly through His faithfu and humble servants,

with little fanfare, towards its glorious millenial future.

It takes the Holy Spirit to see the growing grandeur."

Breakfast delivery from James before he went to work this morning.

I did some laundry and caught up on my General Conference reading.  At lunch time James came home to take me to Jersey Mike's.

I could tell he was a little stressed because he forgot his coupon and blamed me for not bringing it.  I remember him mentioning it this morning but I had no idea where it was.  

After lunch, James went back to work to fix a broken water line.  Is there anything worse in the construction business than plumbing problems?

I went shopping at DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) and Deseret Book.  

One of these pair of shoes is very comfortable and the other one is rubbing a blister on my heel.  Can you guess which is which?

The first book here I bought for James to read as a resource for teaching Church History and the Doctrine and Covenants in his gospel doctrine class.  The second one is the book I started reading at Jared's and decided I wanted my own copy.  The third one is the book James and I are currently reading together.  I bought the first two today at Deseret Book.

James's treat from Deseret Book

I had a diet orange creme soda and one small truffle.

Before leaving office Obama sent $221 million dollars to the Muslims.  Trump was not happy about it.

This afternoon I took a nap, studied, and worked on my blog.  Cathi is still in Las Vegas and Terry is gone to the ROC and James is at work.  As he was turning a shut-off valve it broke off and blew 80 pounds of water pressure all over him.  He said he was freezing cold but had to stay to fix the problem.  

At 4:30 I left with Sheri and Evan to go to Evan's flag football practice.  It was cold!  Sheri and I finally went back to sit in the car.  I got home at 6:45 and James was still gone.  I am a little hungry so I eat my leftover steak from last night, to tide me over until James comes home and we can get some dinner.  

When James finally gets home he takes a shower and we head for Serranos even though it is after 8 pm.  Hey, it's taco Tuesday.

I ordered a chicken taco with a side of beans and rice but it ended up being a beef taco.  Oh well.  

Kim and Brian came over this evening and gave James a $50 gift card to Olive Garden for his birthday.  Oh boy!

Fun Photos

My friend Janet's Harry Potter party.

Last year's birthday breakfast at Mimi's after the

Pinewood Derby.

At the Pinewood Derby last year.

When Brookly found out it was James's birthday,

she made him a card.

So sad.

The Heyman family.