Sunday, January 29, 2017

1 Nephi 18:21-19:6
How does Nephi remind me of Christ? (Compare Mark 4:34-39)
2 Nephi 31-33
DC 17:1-9
When have you relied on the word of the Lord and felt that you have been protected from the adversary?
Talk: "Trust in the Lord"
By: Marion G. Hanks
April 1975
GC:  'God Shall Wipe Away All Tears' by Elder Evan A. Schmutz

"Many of us have pleaded with God to remove the cause of ur suffering, and when the relief we seek has not come, we have been tempted to think He is not listening.  I testify that, even in those moments, He hears our prayers, has a reason for allowing our

afflictions to continue, and will help us bear them."

Our garage door was frozen shut this morning when we went to open it.  "Superman" has to open it with his suit on.  Now the rubber guard is torn.  

The Applegates spoke in sacrament meeting today.  First they spoke together and then each of them spoke separately.  The topics: Home and visiting teaching.  

My lesson on Joseph Smith receiving the gold plates went quite well.  Jace, Lianna, Colter, and Curtis attended.  During the third hour the Primary president told the teachers they were excused to go to the bishopric adult meeting in the chapel.  Woohoo!

Bishop spoke for a few minutes and then Brother Wilhelm led the remainder of the meeting.  Here are a few notes I took:

Bishop - Take the Book of Mormon challenge seriously.  Blessings will come, your life will be changed.  Your ability to serve will be elevated.  Stretch yourself and put God first.  How sincere are your prayers?

Brother Wilhelm - The importance of Teacher Council Meetings.  How can we be better teachers?  The Savior's way of teaching came from who He was and the "power of the Spirit that He carried with Him" (Luke 4:14).  The key to teaching as the Savior taught is to live as the Savior lived.  How did He live?  The Savior was full of love.  Everything the Savior did was an expression of love.  The Savior sought and obeyed His Fathers will and taught His Father's doctrine.  The Savior was completely committed to His sacred mission - to bring God's children back to Him.  The Savior loved the scriptures and used them to teach and testify of His mission.  The Savior lived what He taught.  In every setting He was the perfect example.  He taught His followers to pray by praying with them.  He taught them how to live His gospel by the way He lived.  He was always teaching.  

Friends

Brother Bogle who passed away two years ago.

He is remembered for singing the song

"Stampede" around scout campfires.

The Kempton's, our dear friends from Chandler.

President Kempton was a mission president in the same

mission where Jared served while he was there.

For lunch today we had leftover meatloaf and potatoes.  Afterwards James went home teaching to the Wallace's.  I took a nap on the couch.  When James gets home I get up and he takes a nap in the bedroom.  

It is a little unusual to see deer in our yard.

I worked on my blog, and did my gospel study.  When James woke up we watched "Love Locks", a Hallmark movie and read from "Boys in the Boat" by the fire.  We went to bed around 11.

Jared and Kacey

Jared shared this on Facebook recently:

"Three years ago I was at the lowest point that I've ever been in my life.  I was desperate and it felt like there was no escape in sight.  One week ago I married the most amazing person I've ever met.  She has taught me about life and love and what's most important.  There were many days and weeks and years of pain and heartache.  With those days came much prayer and fasting.  I've learned that the Lord lifts us up and comforts us through our trials.  He teaches us.  He leads us, and when we turn our will over to Him then He blesses us.  No prayer goes unheard.  No heartache is given without an opportunity to learn and grow and for Him to lift and carry and comfort.  He has blessed me with the most amazing woman and a wonderful blended family that I love and adore.  I'm grateful for her and I'm grateful for Him.  I'm just grateful."

Kacey shared on Facebook:

"Exactly a week ago, I stood in a Holy temple and committed myself in marriage for eternity.  Literally the best day of my life.  

Today, a week later, I sat in a church for my grandmother's funeral.

Two very different weekends.  However, as I stood at my grandmothers casket and looked at her, so beautiful and peaceful, I was overwhelmed with a very strong sense of the eternal nature of families, very similar to what I had felt just a week prior as Jared and I were married and two families merged.  As I stood and looked at my paternal grandmother, I felt her presence, as well as the presence of my maternal grandmother.  In this moment I became so much more aware of the beauty of God's plan for families.  I felt no divisions of mom's side or dad's side or Mormon or Baptist...I felt unity.  Unity in my grandmothers. l Unity in family.  Whether in the happiest time of marriage or the saddest time of death, it all ties back to the same place.  Family.  Forever.

I love and appreciate these two so much and we are so grateful to have Kacey and her children as part of our family.

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.