Saturday, December 8th, 2018

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981

By: Marion G. Romney

Jesus Christ, Death of

1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 6:12-30

*We learn that the Jaredites were taught the importance of humility. Modern revelation also teaches us the importance of humility:'Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers.' (DC 112:10). Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explained that 'humility is the recognition and attitude that one must rely on the Lord's assistance to make it through life.' (CR, Oct 2004, 110).

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 15-3 Nephi 1

Old Testament

Nahum 3-Habakkuk 2

General Conference

Firm and Steadfast in the Faith of Christ

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"To persevere firm and steadfast in the faith of Christ requires that the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrate one's heart and soul, meaning that the gospel becomes not just one of many influences in a person's life but the defining focus of his or her life and character. The Lord says: 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

'And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

'And...ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.'"

I ordered James an omlet with tomatoes, onions, ham, spinach and cheese and a side of O'Brien potatoes. It looked really good as I ate my yogurt with berries.

I was going to help James with a bath but an x-ray tech came in to take him for a chest x-ray. I told the aide on duty that I was leaving, hoping he would help James with a bath...no such luck. 

I went home to Kim's to take a shower and to do some laundry. 

Kim has turned her kitchen into a cookie factory. She is making 25 cookie plates and each plate has five or six different kinds of cookies. I hope she doesn't wear herself out. 

While Kim was baking Brian was doing errands and I was washing clothes and reading. Brian had a lunch date at Dickey's BBQ and he brought Kim and I back some lunch. We had brisket that was so tender that it melted in your mouth, macaroni and cheese, beans, and rolls. It was delicious! He also went to the store and asked if there was anything he could get me. I asked if he could get some Slimfast shakes, dark chocolate, for James. He said yes he could.

Stacy came over for a few minutes this afternoon. She brought Jared Ammon's dog, Sophie with her. The dog was shaking but finally calmed down. That dog needs a mani/pedi.

I went back to the hospital and Sheri met me there. James was awake but he had not had a bath. He was practicing blowing on one of his devices.

 Sounds like a sick elk

That container in front contained some of the

brisket I brought back for James.

Nurse Ana came in to say hello. She was happy to know that James is off the oxygen and is on the mend. He is breathing fine on his own.

The top one is his oxygen saturation level.

Sheri brought dark chocolate covered Cello cherries, 2 boxes for James and Ghiradelli milk chocolate squares filled with caramel and a Sonic cherry limeade for me. 

Sheri and I walked over to Marshall's and did a little shopping. Sheri also went to the DSW store to look for shoes. She has always been a shoe buff. 

After Sheri left we watched the Hallmark channel and I stayed until Kim and Brian got home from seeing Jim Gaffagin. I don't want to go to their house when they aren't there because of their fancy alarm system. 

 I love everything about this girl!

 Very pretty!

Stacy and Paul high school memories:

Adam's baptism, 20 years ago.

Why get this close to 10,000 and not finish?

Friday, December 7th, 2018

Seattle, Washington

19th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-21 Nov 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Romans 6:8
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Book of Mormon #1
Ether 5:1-6:ll
*The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of light for our world and for our lives. The Lord touched the stones the brother of Jared presented to Him "to give light unto men, women, and children" (6:3) as they crossed the ocean. The Lord also provides light to guide us through the darkness of mortality and toward the brightness of the celestial kingdom - our promised land. Our way is lit by the light of apostles and prophets, the standard works, and inspired leaders and teachers. We too can be a light - we can light the way for others when we hearken to the Lord's counsel and keep ourselves worthy of His Spirit. Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, former Young Women General President counseled: "You have the light within. You can shine in darkness. You can light up the world. You can help dispel darkness. You can make a difference." I was privileged to travel with Sister Kapp when I went to England. She invited my friend and I to have dinner with her and her sisters. She went out of her way to be kind to us, virtual strangers. She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked us questions about our lives. I have never met a kinder or sweeter person. She truly radiates the light of Christ!
Book of Mormon #2
Helaman 13-14
Old Testament
Nahum 1-2
General Conference

Truth and the Plan

President Dallin H. Oaks

"In the course of mortal life, we would all be soiled by sin as we yielded to the evil temptations of the adversary, and we would eventually die. We accepted those challenges in reliance upon the plan's assurance that God our Father would provide a Savior, His Only Begotten Son, who would rescue us by a universal resurrection to an embodied life after death. The Savior would also provide an atonement to pay the price for all to be cleansed from sin on the conditions He prescribed. Those conditions included faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and other ordinances performed by priesthood authority."

Happy Birthday Paul!

I left the hospital at 8 a.m., went to Kim's showered, and washed my hair. Tiger loves Joe's room where I am staying and comes in to visit me and tries to get in my suitcase before I shoo him out. 

Kim and I left about the same time, around 10 a.m. I have an appointment at AARA for my infusion at 10:45. I wasn't in the waiting room too long when Frances came to get me. There was a different girl doing the infusions but it's always great to see Frances. They got me all hooked up and someone came to take me to a room for an appointment with Rana, Dr. Caldron's assistant. My appointment didn't take too long and I was back in the infusion room watching a show on the Discovery channel about repossessing small airplanes. I was done by noon and on my way.  I stopped for lunch at Culver's where I got a roast beef sandwich. I listened to "The Clockmaker's Daughter" on the way back to the airport.

James calls the respiratory therapist working with him a Nazi. She got very upset with him because he took his mask off without calling someone. She says he must be on oxygen at all times!  He can't do anything, including getting up to go to the bathroom, without calling someone. The only problem is that half the time when you call it takes forever for someone to answer and respond. 

James is now on an antibiotic to fight the pneumonia, plus he is on oxygen. 

I walked to Marshall's, Fry's, and Whataburger this evening after dark. I got the cutest mugs at Marshall's for Addy and Rowan. I also got one for me and one for James to use in the hospital.

 Addy gets Mama Bear because she's purple.

 Of course Rowan gets the dog.

 This one is for me to use at the hospital.

This one is for James because he is a silver fox.

I forgot how much I love Marshall's. I found the coolest pink and gray Paris blanket and couldn't resist buying it. 

I took James a Whataburger and he had to wait to eat it after getting back from a test. He didn't even finish eating it. He has really lost his appetite. His favorite thing to eat/drink is a Slimfast shake.

After eating the Whataburger the room smelled like onions and one of the nurses made a comment. 

I like the night nurse Haley. She reminds me of my friend Ashley Umphress. 

I spent the night at the hospital. James asked for drugs at 1 a.m. and then fell back asleep. At 2:30 he still hadn't got them. I complained and they were right on it.

 There is nothing more precious than a

sleeping baby.

This baby could be a model.

December 7, 2013

My Young Women:

LeeAnn, Trenda, Kilee, Maddie, Heaven, Jordyn,

Hope, Alice, Shelly.

Thursday, December 6th, 2018

Tokyo, Japan

18th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1980

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 4:1-19

*Moroni wrote that the brother of Jared recorded in his vision all the inhabitants of the earth from beginning to end (Ether 3:25; 2:13). This vision reveals "all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof" (2 Nephi 27:10). Moroni explained that "there never were greater things made manifest" than what the brother of Jared saw (Ether 4:4). We know Moroni sealed a copy of this vision with the plates he delivered to Joseph Smith. (Ether 4:5; 5:1). Moroni further informed us of the conditions the Lord indicated must exist for this sealed portion of the record to come forth. The scriptures indicate we must repent; exercise faith in the Lord, like the brother of Jared did; and become sanctified. (Ether 4:6-7).

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 10-12

Old Testament

Micah 5-7

General Conference

Gather Together in One All Things in Christ

Elder David A. Bednar

"Much like the braided strands of a rope produce a powerful and durable tool, all of these interrelated actions are part of a unified effort to better align the focus, resources, and work of the Savior's restored Church with its fundamental mission: to assist God in His work to bring to pass the salvation and exaltation of His children Please do not focus primarily upon the logistical aspects of what ha s been announced. We must not allow procedural details to obscure the overarching spiritual reasons these changes now are being made."

I ordered James a chicken quesadilla for lunch along with cottage cheese, fruit, and a berry cobbler. He was so groggy that he fell asleep eating and spilled cobbler all over the sheet in the chair.

Stacy and Joshua came by this afternoon. Even though he wasn't feeling too well he faked a smile.

James is running a fever and his oxygen level has gone down into the 80's so they put him on oxygen and began doing tests...MRI...CTScan. He has aspirational pneumonia.

While he was getting his MRI I went over to Fry's across the street to get some cranberry celebration. I also found this new kind of ice cream ....it's called Mochi.

 I tried the strawberry and butter pecan.

At first I loved the ice cream and did not like the dough.

But gradually I took a liking to the dough.

 You can buy them like this

or

like this:

After trying several flavors the strawberry remains at the
top of the list.

Another night at the hospital. Since James is on oxygen and a little unstable I wanted to stay and make sure he was okay. I watched Hallmark reruns this evening while James slept. 

The night nurse, Toni, started James on antibiotics. I got calls, texts from a whole list of people: Harold, Dennis, Pam, Cathi, Laura, Lois, Tamara, Kerri, Maxine, Kacey, and Trina. 

Although I didn't get a picture of them Sheri, Max, and Evan came by to visit this evening. James was struggling to breathe and Sheri was very worried. I walked her back to her car and she cried. 

Kim and Brian went to see David Archuletta this evening in Mesa. Kim said he was amazing!  He talked about his testimony and an experience receiving inspiration to write a song.

All of the above memories are from 2012

I love this girl!

Wednesday, December 5th, 2018

Sao Paulo, Brazil

17th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct - 2 Nov 1978

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Death of

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Book of Mormon #1

Ether 3:17-28

*What blessings have I seen in my life because of my faith?

- Every blessing I have in my life comes because of my faith in Jesus Christ.

Book of Mormon #2

Helaman 7-9

Old Testament

Micah 3-4

General Conference

Be Not Troubled

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"We may or may not have chariots of fire sent to dispel our fears and conquer our demons, but the lesson is clear. The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear. I have been there and so have you, which is why the scriptures are replete with the Lord's counsel: 'Be of good cheer, and do not fear.'

'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.'

I got to Kim's at 7:30 this morning. I was back at the hospital by 12:30. While I was gone James got nauseous and was very uncomfortable. I am grateful for a sweet nurse named Anna who took care of him. Ana is a tiny Arabic woman who wears a scarf around her head and has the most wonderful way of radiating love.
When she learned that James had three separated ribs she could not understand why the doctor would do surgery. We believe it was because of the pain from those ribs that caused James to get pneumonia. Because of the pain associated with these ribs James was not using the full capacity of his lungs and they began to fill with fluid. 

James had been on a clear liquid diet after surgery. When I went to order him something to eat they still had him on clear liquids. I had to go speak with Ana and she changed his chart. For dinner he had salmon with potatoes and asparagus and bananas foster brule for desert. The desert sounds fancy but it didn't look very fancy. James says it was good though. I had pork chops with poblano chili sauce. It was very good. I had to make a trip to the cafeteria to get James some packets of salt. 

James is in a lot of pain. They are giving him 10mg of oxycodone every four hours and a drip of morphine. Once he got to sleep this afternoon I took a walk across the street to Barnes and Nobles. It is an absolutely perfect day with lots of sunshine and the high around 70-75. 

While at Barnes and Nobles I found a multi-colored llama Beanie Baby. I looked at the tag to see her name. Lola. How could I not get her.  

Lola says she wants soft, cuddly and cute things for Christmas.

I think this one fits the bill, although it was certainly spur of the moment...not something I planned to do. 

Buying a llama named Lola is not the reason I came to Barnes & Nobles. I am making a gift basket for Cathi's daughter Wendy who had a radical masectomy on Monday. Cathi told me she like magazines with decorating ideas, so I came here to buy a magazine for Wendy. Years ago I used to subscribe to a Victorian magazine. I wish I would have kept them because Wendy loves Victorian and that magazine is no longer in print. I did find and buy a Southern Living. Magazines cost what books used to cost. This one was $12.99. Yikes!  

Buying Lola the llama caused a bit of a problem for me. I now think I have to buy something for Ruby, Rowan, and Addy. I found a cute Beanie Baby for Ruby.

Her name is Kookoo

Now what do I get for Addy and Rowan. I am so ridiculous! I don't want to get them Beanie Babies and I don't find anything else in this store. Another store another day.

James had more visitors today. Michael and Paul came by to give him a blessing. Since Darrel already gave him a blessing of healing, this one would be a blessing of comfort. I was so proud of Michael for showing up in a white shirt and tie.

Paul posted this.

Michael changed his clothes after the blessing because

he and Paul are going to a concert. Michael bought the

tickets for his dad for his birthday.

Before leaving Michael said to me: "Now grandma, you know I am closer than anyone else to this hospital so if you need anything please call me."  I sure do love this boy...young man.

James kept complaining about being cold this evening. These hospital blankets and thin and threadbare.  Kim had asked me if there was anything they could bring us and I said, a blanket. A little while later these two showed up with two of the warmest, softest blankets you could imagine. 

Thank you Kim and Brian

We sat and watched James sleep and had a nice visit. I left soon after they did to sleep at their house tonight since I got very little sleep in the hospital last night.

These babies are the best dose of medicine

anyone could have:

 Harrison Fjord is Dallin's band

Happy Birthday to my Nannie, Myrtle Mae Rutledge Strickland.
She was born on December 5, 1905.