Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Saturday, December 7th, 2019


Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua
55th temple
Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church
Moroni 7:3
Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.
Book of Mormon
Ether 5:1-6:11
New Testament 
Jude; Redheaded Hostess study sheets; "Teaching with Power" YouTube;



10/19 General Conference
"Trust in the Lord"
President Dallin H. Oaks
"The work of salvation in the spirit world consists of freeing spirits from what the scriptures frequently describe as 'bondage.' All in the spirit world are under some form of bondage. President Joseph F. Smith's great revelation, canonized in section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants, states that the righteous dead, who were in a state of 'peace' as they anticipated the Resurrection, 'had looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage.'"

These are the things I had to do this morning before attending Randy's funeral in Show Low. Bake cookies and drop them off at the church for Sue Hubble's baptism, wrap Curtis Wilhelm's birthday gift, a blanket with a tiger on it, and finish getting my book shipment ready. It's a good thing the funeral was at 11 and not 9. 

We left for the funeral at 10 am. We dropped off cookies at the church and the blanket at the Wilhelm's. When we got to the Show Low Stake Center it was filling up quickly. They had lots of rows saved in the chapel for the family and chairs were set up to the back of the cultural hall. The family was still having their meeting in the Relief Society room. 

James met up with a friend from high school, Marion Hatch. Marion's wife Deanne was one of my good friends from high school so I asked where she was sitting so I could go and say hi.
Deanne is actually Randy and Rita's cousin on their dad's side. Her mom was Uncle Clair's sister. We had a nice chat and then I said we should probably find a place to sit. I did not see Harold, Vickie, Dennis and Denise. 

James and I walked back to the Relief Society room. The family was still inside and the door was closed. We met up with Brian, Cher, Jeffrey, and Colby. We all walked down the hall and sat in the foyer waiting for the family to come down the hall. We also picked up a program with Randy's picture on the front. 

When the family came down the hall it was like an army of all shapes and sizes of people. I picked out Aunt Gene who was being helped by Gary, her oldest son. I walked over and gave her a hug and a kiss. We saw Rita and Bill and Rita thanked us for coming. She had three of her sons with her, including Ricky and his wife.

We followed the family into the chapel and sat on the back row. It worked out perfectly. As we were sitting, Cher said, "There is Harold and Vickie." They were two rows behind us.

All eight of Randy's children were on the program to speak.







 What a legacy!

Here are some things I learned about Randy during the funeral:

Scatter Sunshine was his favorite hymn.
He loved the color yellow because it was so cheerful.
His first job was killing flies in a barber when he was under 10 years old. A penny for every fly he killed.
He loved having Ruby Stock for a Primary teacher. She gave the kids candy bars and this is where Randy learned the Articles of Faith.
He was baptized when he was 11 by Chet Adams. Chet was the dad of my good friend Beverly. 
He and Dennis road one of my dad's horses into our store.
(One of his favorite memories when he got together with Dennis.)
He sends daily group texts to his family. Here are some of the things he is famous for saying: 
"Have a good day!"
"Wear your smile!"
"Be a good example!"
Randy hated to lose. He had the "Tenney Temper."
To save his wife from having to cook all day he started taking the family to the buffet at the casino in Honda for Thanksgiving. The kids nicknamed him Frank and changed the name of Thanksgiving to Franksgiving.
One Thanksgiving when Karen was in college Randy went with Dennis, Uncle Marlin and Aunt Betty to the valley to have Thanksgiving. The family went to Roy Rogers Buffet and when Randy began piling food on the tray Dennis told him he needed to get a plate. Randy said, "Why? I can get more food on here."
When Randy was bishop he called every single person in his ward on their birthday to wish them a Happy Birthday.
Led his family in scriptures and prayer everyday.
Couched Little League for 35 years and had four championship seasons. 
In August his boys took him to the Little League World Series in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Taylor said his dad was a firm believer in the Atonement of
Jesus Christ and the power of Repentance.
He called his wife Deb his angel.


If you look at the program each one of the talks his children gave had a title.
Kami - Dad's Early Years
Kory - Their Love Story
Karlee - His Favorite Things
Kira - His Selfless Service
Jerem - His Temper Passion
Jordan - His Funny Quirks
Jeff - The Coach
Taylor - He Taught Us 

Instead of sending flowers the family asked that donations in Randy's name be made to the general mission fund of the Church.

The services last for two hours. We did not go to the cemetery or stay for the luncheon. We talked to Harold and Vickie afterwards but didn't see Dennis and Denise. They did stay for the funeral and now I wish we would have. James was in a hurry to go pick up his truck. 

We mailed my book shipment, had lunch at Panda, did a little shopping at Walmart, and picked up James's truck. 

This evening James and I watched a new Hallmark movie, "Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen" starring Erin Krakow and Luke McFarlane.
Happy Birthday Paul!













 Helping mom at the Peppermint Lane
Boutique




 Dallin performs at the Crescent Ballroom











Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Friday, December 6th, 2019

Anchorage, Alaska
54th temple
Dedicated: 9 Jan 1999
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church
4 Nephi 1, 29
And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.
And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them.
Book of Mormon
Ether 4:1-19
New Testament
2-3 John; Redheaded Hostess study sheets


Oct 2019 General Conference
"Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ"
Elder Dale G. Renlund
"The Book of Mormon people known as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies 'laid down the weapons of their rebelliion,' burying them 'deep in the earth' as 'a testimony to God ... that they never would use their weapons again.' In doing so, they promised to follow God's teachings and never go back on their commitment. This action was the beginning of being 'converted unto the Lord' and never falling away."

In Sister Craig's conference talk she said we need to make a regular appointment with the Lord. My appointment is every morning from 5-7:20. I love having this quiet time with the Lord. James joins me the last 20 minutes as we read our scriptures together. I also read two conference talks during the day and listen to at least one spiritual podcast. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I got to say hello to Trina before work and thank her for allowing us to stay with them. She thanked me for helping her and doing the dishes on Wednesday.

I told Ruby to give me a hug before she left for school. She didn't remind Darrel until they were already on their way to the bus stop so I did not get to see her before school. Darrel went to the gym and he returned just as we were leaving around 9:36 so we waved goodbye to him. 

James dropped me off at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology office around 10:15. They have a new kiosk in the corner where you check in. Since I am seeing Dr. Kumar today I had to fill out lots of paperwork asking me questions about my arthritis and the pain associated with it. Dr. Kumar is a woman and a very young one at that. I liked her though. Frances got me started with my infusion as soon as Dr. Kumar  brought me in to the infusion center. As hour later I was finished. 

James was waiting for me outside, he was walking, when I was finished. We drove north on Arizona Avenue which changes to Country Club at Baseline and we had lunch at Culver's on Country Club and Baseline. I ordered a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and a strawberry sundae. James had a fish sandwich and we both had water to drink. He made this comment to me when I couldn't finish my cheeseburger: "I used to be the cleanup guy, but not anymore."

We went the Payson way because I wanted James to show me where Punkin Center is. It's near where the Rawling's were washed away in Tonto Creek. It is way down in a valley. I've seen it before but didn't know what it was called. 

We stopped at Basha's in Payson. By the way, I love seeing Trey doing their commercials on TV. I bought chocolate chips and two moi ice cream bites. Ice cream wrapped in some kind of dough.

We arrived at Discount Tire in Show Low at 3:30. James's truck has been there all week and they still did not have the tire put on. James was a little peeved. One of the attendants came out to the car and apologized and offered him something for free and told him it would be ready first thing in the morning. James told him we had a funeral and wouldn't be there until early afternoon.

We stopped to get ice at the Speedway station on the hill. I was tempted but, "no more diet soda for me."

We stopped at the Vernon post office before it closed. I had received six books and one return from Amazon. 

We were surprised to see that all of the snow had melted in the few days that we were gone. There is still mud though.

I finished my steps, printed labels for my book order, fixed a small pizza for dinner and watched two Christmas movies. 

LifeTime: "You Light Up My Christmas" starring Kim Fields from "Facts of Life."

Hallmark: "Christmas Town" starring Candace Cameron Bure




I sent this picture to Trina. I thought it might save
her a trip to Los Angeles.



 It looks like Scarlett too.

That word that got cutoff his internal.







Monday, December 16, 2019

Thursday, December 5th, 2019

Monticello, Utah
53rd temple
Dedicated: 26 July 1998
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Head of Church
Alma 1:19
But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
Book of Mormon
Ether 3:17-28
New Testament
1John 5; Redheaded Hostess


Oct 2019 General Conference
"Spiritual Capacity
Michelle Craig
"Be Intentional about Creating Time and Space to Hear God's Voice"

James had a meeting at Montessori School this morning with the owner and the architect. Darrel went to work, the kids are at school, and Trina went to the gym. She also has to work at the boutique for four hours today. I have an appointment at 11 to get my teeth cleaned at Dr. Douglas's in Chandler. 

James comes home before 11:00 in a panic. He thinks we have a major oil leak in the car. He goes to get two quarts of oil and puts it in the car. We drive to Dr. Douglas's where he lets me off and then he goes to have Erik check the car out. Shelly cleans my teeth and does my yearly x-rays. I have four cavities in my front teeth so I have to come back in January. When will this end? When all of my teeth are gone I guess.

James picks me up. Erik said we do not have a leak. The oil on the ground must have belonged to someone else. 

We had lunch with Stacy at the Garcia's on Queen Creek and Arizona Avenue. James orders a sampler plate but he doesn't eat very much because he's having a hard time swallowing. I ordered a sour cream enchilada. 

After lunch I went shopping at Dollar Tree in the same shopping center and Ross. I got birthday cards for December at Dollar Tree and more blankets at Ross. Their blankets are wonderful and at a great price. 

We take Paul's birthday card and drop it off at Stacy's house. Stacy shows me the centerpiece she designed for their ward Christmas party. It is supposed to be something depicting some of their Christmas traditions. She had a nativity, lights, and a pretty box full of sugar cookies. I loved it!

We were going to go to the temple this afternoon but James was sick and I didn't want to go by myself. He went back to Darrel's and took a nap. I watched "The Christmas Prince III" with Addy. Addy sits on the couch with her laptop and does homework while watching TV. 

Trina went out and bought everyone Firehouse subs. Thanks Trina! James and I went to Safeway and got some herbal tea, stevia, and honey. James says tea is the only thing that sounds good to him.

I inventory all the books I brought with me. There were around 12. I will go home to print the labels and we will ship them from home.

I listened to a podcast called, "This Is The Gospel." The feature this week is "Angels Among us." I walked with James. Trina and Ruby asked me to play Cover Your Assets with them but I ended up drawing with Lola instead. 

I still can't download pictures so I couldn't blog. I got a notice from Walmart that my new computer, which was supposed to be here tomorrow is delayed until next Tuesday.


 Shouldn't he be more white?

 Christmas house in Darrel and Trina's
neighborhood






 Mark Lamb and his wife


 Bruce R. McConkie's granddaughter,
the murder mystery writer and a former member of
our ward in Chandler.

 Love this. It reminds me of my dad's ranch.
Virginia is a former member of our ward in Vernon.