Wednesday, December 25th"

Albuquerque, New Mexico

73rd operating temple

Dedicated: 5 Mar 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah is my strength

Isaiah 26:4

Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Book of Mormon

Mormon 6:1-7:19

New Testament

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2

Oct 2019 

"Holiness and the Plan of Happiness"

President Henry B. Eyring

"My prayer for today is that I may help you understand that greater happiness comes from greater personal holiness so that you will act upon that belief. I will then share what I know for myself about what we can do to qualify for that gift of becoming ever more holy.

The scriptures teach us that among other things, we can be sanctified or become more holy when we exercise faith in Christ, demonstrate our obedience, repent, sacrifice for Him, receive sacred ordinances, and keep our covenants with Him. Qualifying for the gift of holiness requires humility, meekness, and patience."

Merry Christmas!

We were up earlier than the kids, which was surprising to me. They were up around 7:30. They checked out their stocking gifts and I don't even think that Ruby noticed the two sleeping bags draped over her big gift, a bicycle. Lola got earrings and a Barbie just what she asked for. She also got a flying fairy and a mouse that lights up and crawls, and some art supplies. These were the main gifts that I saw. Rowan got a Suns hat, an ASU hat, a Suns jacket, some T-shirts and a laser sphere. Addy got a bluetooth record player. It uses bluetooth in case you don't have any vinyl records. She also got a running bag and of course books. 

Darrel's ASU socks. I wonder if he will

wear them to church?

Darrel and Trina gave us an Olive Garden gift card. We always appreciate, but of course don't expect, gift cards. These are some of the things we got from Lois and Dawn. Dawn gave us a $50 gift card to Lucille's. James and I each got $40 gift cards from Amazon. Lois made me some dishcloths embroidered with fruit. She also gave me a sewing kit and some coasters she had painted. From Rebecca we got coasters with birds she hand -painted on them. James got some new Levis which he needed. They will go along with the five new shirts I got him. I was surprised to see a wrapped gift to me from James. I thought I got my gifts last night at Deseret Book. I unwrapped the pink banded watch I had admired last night at Ross. Thank you Honey!

Picture of watch in a later post

Around 8:30 we left for Christmas breakfast at Sheri's. It is raining so hard on the freeway that the windshield wipers are not able to keep up. It's difficult to see but we go slow and there isn't a lot of traffic on Christmas morning. 

Ben's Letter

This is the first time in a long time that James hasn't made venison gravy for Christmas breakfast. We were assigned to bring paper goods instead.

 When we arrived Sheri was cooking bacon and asked if someone would cook eggs. James stepped right in to help. Stacy's organic biscuits that she found last night after 9 pm at Target, were in the oven. She had desperately text me last night wondering where she could find biscuits because that was her assignment and she had forgotten. Thank goodness for Target. I guess you could call this our Christmas emergency. There seems to be one every year.

Trina and Darrel brought an ample supply of orange juice and Kim and Brian brought Pioneer Woman sausage gravy in a crockpot to go over our biscuits. It was delicious. James blessed the food.

Brian had made the gravy and Kim brought a pan of Martha Stewart bars she had made especially for me. I shared although I could have probably eaten the entire pan by myself because they were so good. 

This is the one picture I took at breakfast featuring

Barbie, dirty dishes, part of the mess, and Kim texting.

Nice....NOT!!

Sheri and Ian gave me a Deseret Book gift card, James a Bass Pro Shop gift card, and an Olive Garden gift card for both of us.

Thank you so much!

Those who attended our Christmas morning feast: Stacy, Paul, Adam, Jared Ammon, Dallin, Michael, and Joshua. Kim, Brian, Joe, Ian, Sheri, Alex, Ben on the phone, Max, Evan and Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola and James and I. Oh yes this year there were only two dogs, Ollie and Ziggie. Stacy and Paul left theirs at home. All of our Arizona family was here. We do miss Jared and Kacey's family and hope they had a wonderful Christmas. I am so grateful for them for serving at the Salvation Army Christmas Eve dinner.

 Kim and Brian did a lot of service too. They took a Christmas Jar (an explanation will be given after I watch the "Christmas Jars" movie with Sheri on New Years Eve), to a sister in her ward who is legally blind. They also did service at some kind of organization that distributes food to the needy. Of course lots of people in their ward got Kim's wonderful goody plates.

James and Brian had already loaded our new TV into the back of the car. We said our goodbyes to everyone and headed back to Darrel and Trina's. 

Ruby and Lola are sitting at the table working on puzzles. Ruby can't ride her new bike because of the rain. Of course Ruby got lots of new games. She is the game meister. She told me that she loves her kitty blanket. 

James packs the car and we are ready to go. We say goodbye to Darrel's family and thank them for the gifts and for the nice place to stay and the good company.

Since we are out this direction we went home the Globe way. We stopped at the McDonald's in Globe for some chicken Mcnuggets. They are open on Christmas Day and they do a booming business. 

I fall asleep for much of the ride. The one thing I do remember is how beautiful the snow looks in the pine trees as we come in to Show Low. We did not get as much snow in Vernon as Show Low which is rare. It is usually quite the opposite. 

My friend Pam had texted me yesterday. She was at our house trying to deliver a bouquet of flowers but of course we weren't home. She told us to stop by her house which is close to the highway, on the way home and she would deliver the flowers to my car. We stopped and she delivered. They are beautiful!

The calm before the storm. I won't see my kitchen countertops again until New Years Day.

Unloading and putting away is a major task but we managed to finish before Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Dallin and Sarah arrived with their three dogs, Shipley, Vader, and Charles Barkley who goes by the name Charlie. 

Paul, Dallin and James put in the new TV in the family room and then "try it out." I go into the bedroom and watch the "When Calls the Heart" Christmas special. James will put the old TV from the family room in our bedroom when we get a mounting bracket at the store.

James and I went to bed before anyone else. It has been another wonderful and joyous family Christmas. We are so grateful to our Savior who brings us all together and reminds us of what is really important in life... the family, and His gospel. We are so blessed and filled with gratitude. We are so grateful for Ben and one of the highlights of the day was getting to talk to him and see his face on the phone. He is doing great and the work moves forward in gathering Israel before the Second Coming of the Savior.

 Lemmerman's

 Whalen's

 Chelsea, Cash and Carter

Jon, Jamie, Logan, and Lexy

 Monte and Tasha's kids

The Case grandkids and Christmas

 Kim's blanket. She squealed with delight

when she opened it.

Gingerbread House

Monday, Dec 23rd

Trina and Darrel both worked this day so Addy was in

charge. With permission the kids walked over to Safeway to 

buy candy for their gingerbread house. We were gone out to

lunch with our friend Judy Pargetter. Here is what we found

when we returned:

James admiring his Merman doll while hugging Lola

 You can tell Trina's not home because Lola's

hair is not done.

Tuesday, December 24th, 2019

Hermosillo, Sonora

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 1-5

New Testament

Revelation 14-15; Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual

Oct 2019 General Conference

"The Second Great Commandment"

President Russell M. Nelson

"It would be impossible to calculate the amount of service that Latter-day Saints render around the globe every day of every year; but it is possible to calculate the good the Church as an organization does to bless men and women - boys and girls - who are in need of a helping hand.

The Church's humanitarian outreach was launched in 1984. Then a Churchwide fast was held to raise funds to assist those afflicted by a devastating drought in eastern Africa. Church members donated $6.4 million on that single day."

 I went shopping in the rain this morning. I returned two tops that I bought yesterday at T.J. Maxx. One should not by things for oneself at Christmas time. All money is to be spent for the enjoyment and pleasure of others. I have decided to give blankets to Harold, Vickie, Dennis, and Denise. I need a couple of more and T.J. had none that I liked. I went to Ross and meh. I struck it rich at Marshall's. I'm a happy camper. Plaid is in. The blankets I showed yesterday were actually bought at Marshall's. I drove home with a smile on my face.

Sheri, and her boys including Michael and Joe hiked "A" mountain as they normally do on Christmas Eve. Afterwards they went to lunch at a pizza joint.

Darrel, Trina and their kids usually go with them but this year they waited until afternoon when the rain stopped. Afterwards they went to Firehouse Subs for lunch. 

I wrapped blankets this afternoon. I even had enough, I think I bought 40 in all, to give blankets to Rebecca and Brent. When I was finished wrapping we loaded all of the packages in the car and began making deliveries. 

Our first stop was at the Ross near Darrel and Trina's as I am still checking out the blanket scene. I saw a pink banded watch I really liked but no blankets. We also went to Deseret Book where James bought me a new Sunday journal and the first volume of The Joseph Smith Papers. There are going to be 30 volumes before they are all done but at least I have a start. 

We dropped off 3 blankets at Kim and Brian's. We made Kim and Brian open theirs while we were there. Joe will open his when he comes over tomorrow morning.  Kim absolutely loved hers and Brian was very gracious about his. They said they wanted to give us our present, so we said, of course, that would be great! Lo and Behold, it's a new TV. Oh my goodness. I happened to mention one time when I was here watching a Hallmark movie what a great picture their TV has. Brian picked up on that and bought us a TV just like theirs. He said he already measured the opening at our house and knows it will fit. Wow! Such a thoughtful, sweet and totally unexpected thing to do. I hope he doesn't think I was hinting when I commented about the picture on their TV.

Next stop, Paul and Stacy's. Paul, Stacy and Joshua opened their blankets. Michael was asleep upstairs and the other boys weren't there. Stacy loved her pink heart blanket and Paul liked his black plaid full sized blanket. Joshua seemed to love his tiger one.  

Michael actually texted me later and told me he loved the yellow blanket we gave him. He said, "Gramma, yellow is my favorite color! 

At Sheri's Max, Evan and Sheri opened their blankets. Evan liked his polar bears, Max his orange, gray, white striped, and Sheri was gracious about her peach tie-dyed blanket. We left Alex and Ian's blankets for them to open later. 

We stopped at Dave and Laura's and saw them along with Jon and Lexy. Jon's son Logan is visiting Kevin's son Bremen. Kevin was here a couple of weeks ago and bought Bremen a car. I can't believe Bremen is old enough to drive. Jamie, Jon's wife was asleep in the other room and I told Jon not to wake her. We gave Dave and Laura their First Vision calendar but didn't ask them to open it.

On to Cathi and Terry's. They were having their annual Christmas Eve family dinner with their kids and grandkids and invited us to eat with them but we declined. We visited with Cathi, Terry, and Cathi's daughter Wendy a few minutes, gave them their calendar and were on our way. 

Our last stop was at James's mom and Dawn's. Of course the first thing they wanted to do was feed us. We had goodies galore including Carmen's wonderful caramels with pecans. We also tried out a foot massager that Dawn bought for her mom at Costco. It felt so good on my feet! James insists he is going to buy me one. Dawn says she will go back to Costco and if they have one she will pick it up for us.

They opened their blankets and Amazon gift cards and thanked us. No one can ever outdo Lois in the gift giving department. We saved our load of gifts to open  tomorrow at Darrel and Trina's.

After saying our goodbye's we headed back to Darrel and Trina's in east Mesa. Here is how the evening went:

Darrel, Trina and kids read Luke 2 together. Each of the kids look for their pajama packages which are hidden somewhere in the house. They open their pajamas, put them on, and then open their blankets from us and wrap up in them. That cotton candy pink blanket of Addy's is still my favorite. Lola loved her unicorn blanket. I guess the unicorns name is Jojo and she loves him/her.

Next they left gingerbread cookies decorated by the kids out for Santa, and some carrots for the reindeer. The kids go to bed, Santa comes, and all is well.

Carol Ray-Decker grandkids

Darrel and Trina this year

 Hayden and Cheryl Lambson Family

As we look for the tender mercies of the Lord in our lives,

we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

 Kevin, Wendy, Teresa, Charlotte, Jon, Sandy, Pat

I can't wait!

 Frozen pajamas Elsa or Anna?

New PJ's

 Cardinal's blanket

 Cotton candy pink, kitty, and Jojo blankets

Leopard and white for Darrel and Trina

This blanket makes lying on the floor feel comfy

 Ruby showed us her newly decorated room. She loves
her swing.

 Goodies for Santa and veggies for reindeer

Scarlett

Such sweet boys because of a sweet mom

Cousin Christina's kids

We love our friends in Chandler, the Lueck's

We remember the kids when they were young and little

If you heard about the elder in British Columbia who was
killed in an accident you will remember Dallin. He was
this elder's companion and has suffered with head injuries
since the accident. He was sent home to recover.

With this post I end today.  A recovering missionary who has
experienced the tender mercies of the Lord in his life.

Monday, December 23rd, 2019

Ciudad, Juarez

71st operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

2 Nephi 16:1

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train felled the temple.

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:18-34

New Testament

Revelation 12-13; Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual

Oct 2019 General Conference

"Deceive Me Not"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

"Satan, the father of lies and the great deceiver, would have us question things as they really are and either ignore eternal truths or replace them with something that appears more pleasing. 'He maketh war with the saints of God' and has spent millennia calculating and practicing the ability to persuade God's children to believe that good is evil and evil is good."

A strong testimony of Jesus Christ gives peace, comfort, and assurance. It generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path. A testimony grows from understanding truth, distilled from prayer and the pondering of scriptural doctrine. It is nurtured by living those truths in faith and the secure confidence that the promised results will be obtained. 

James and I had lunch with a friend from Chandler at Olive Garden today. Her name is Judy Pargetter. Judy's husband Allen passed away about six months ago. She reached out to me on Facebook and we arranged to meet for lunch. Judy has overcome many trials in her life. At one time she weighed over 400 lbs. Now she is at an average weight for her age and height. Her husband served in the military most of his life and had PTSD and alzheimers along with some other physical handicaps, in their later years while she was his caregiver. She passed on genetically a weakness in her sons and grandson causing mental and physical disabilities. Through all of this she has persevered and remained faithful and active in the gospel of Jesus Christ. When James had his heart surgery she was the one friend that came to visit us and brought a blanket because she knew the hospital blankets were not warm enough if I decided to spend the night. She is a wonderful friend and an inspiration to both James and I. When Allen, her husband, was wheel chair bound James went over and built them a ramp. They were also in our ward when James was the bishop. I think you can say that we belong to a mutual admiration society. We love Judy and she loves us.

After lunch and saying goodbye to Judy, I asked James if we could go to Hobby Lobby so I could get some ribbon to use on the packages I am wrapping. I have an entire box of ribbon at home that I forgot to bring. Of course he said yes because he loves Hobby Lobby almost as much as I do. I told him he could look around while I was buying ribbon and maybe he could find something for his mom for Christmas. 

The ribbon was 66% off as were all items in the Christmas department. I told James I was going next door to look for a couple of things at T.J. Maxx. James said he was going back to the car to rest. No, he did not find anything at Hobby Lobby for his mom. I guess a blanket and an Amazon card will be our gifts to both her and Dawn. 

James called Janis Willis. Janis wants him to get someone to do some drywall work on the eaves of her house, which he did. Now he needs to either paint for her or arrange for someone else too.

James went over to talk to Mario Chacon about the two houses he is going to build while I went back to Darrel and Trina's to wrap presents. I listened to two podcasts while wrapping, "The Scripture Study Project," and the Proctor's from Meridian magazine who also do a "Come Follow Me" podcast. 

Lola helped me wrap and made a list of all the people I was wrapping for. She loves to write as long as you do the spelling for her. We wrapped: Ian's, Alex's, Kim's, Brian's, Joe's, Paul's, Addy's, and Darrel's blankets. 

It is raining outside and I need to make another trip to the Hobby Lobby close to Trina's. James went with me and helped pick out ribbon. I wanted to buy more because it was so cheap but he told me to wait until next year when we would, "have more money."

Ruby gave a Christmas lesson for her family. She had cards with all the symbols of Christmas and what they represent. Afterwards she hid the symbols and you had to look for the symbols you had cards for. It was fun for the entire family, especially Lola!

The Symbols of Christmas lesson

 Ray-Decker grandkids

 The plaid blanket was made for Kim!

Tan one is for Harold, my brother.

Oh my