Sunday, March 21, 2021

Tue, Mar 16, 2021: Washington D.C. temple, Snow, Max, Evan, Joshua, James Dr. Moffat, grocery shopping, Tooth pulled and cavities filled, steak dinner, Max's guitar

Washington D.C. 
16th operating temple
Dedicated: 19-22 Nov 1974
By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son
D&C 76:25
and this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,
Book of Mormon
Jacob 1:1-19
D&C
27:5-14
"Come Follow Me"
I should take the sacrament with an eye single to God's glory.
OctGenCon
'Sisters in Zion'
President Henry B. Eyring
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
My experience has taught me that Heavenly Father's daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of God and with the love of God they engender in those they serve.
Sisters, you were give the blessing of being daughters of God with special gifts. You brought with you into mortal life a spiritual capacity to nurture others and to lift them higher toward the love and purity that will qualify them to live together in a Zion society.
It is not by accident that the Relief Society, the first Church organization specifically for Heavenly Father's daughters, has as its motto "Charity Never Faileth."
Charity is the pure love of Christ. And it is faith in Him and the full effects of His infinite Atonement that will qualify you, and those you love and serve, for the supernal gift to live in that sociality of a long-looked-for and promised Zion. there you will be sisters in Zion, loved in person by the Lord and those you have blessed.


Restoration Proclamation
P1 S2
God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

The Living Christ
P11 S2
He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father.

The ground was covered with snow this morning and the boys were anxious to go outside. Evan and Josh asked for gloves, etc., but Max went outside and sat on the electrical box with his book about Light and swung his bare feet while he read. I hope he doesn't get sick.

I made muffins, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Joshua was the only one who ate any eggs.

James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat this morning. When the nurse took him back and asked him questions and found out he was on an antibiotic that Dr. Moffat didn't prescribe, she told him Dr. Moffat was going to be upset with him. When Dr. Moffat came in he said James's infection was gone and he was glad he got an antibiotic and the one prescribed was the one he would have prescribed for him. Not made at all. Thank you Pierce.

James has other issues though. His ribs are still bothering him and so Dr. Moffat ordered x-rays. He also has an enlarged prostate gland so the doctor ordered tests for that too. He told James to get these done right away.

After the doctor's appointment James went grocery shopping at Walmart and picked up the prescription Vanessa at Sonoran Spine wrote for me. She forgot the vallium though. She was going to order me two pills for when I go in for my MRI. She did prescribe a pain medicine for me to take.

The boys came up with a list of groceries for James to buy and I texted it to him. I am so grateful he is willing to do this for me because it will save me a trip into town. When he got home and we started unloading the groceries I noticed that James got several items not on the list. So typical. The boys mainly wanted Red Baron frozen pizza, glazed donuts, and Joshua asked for Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, and lunchmeat, hotdogs, and sodas. Max and Joshua like apples so I told James to get Honey Crisp apples. Of course Walmart didn't have any so he got Gala. I'm not sure they will eat them. 
Sheri sent steak, hotdogs, and bacon and turkey bacon up in an ice chest. She also sent rolls, buns, and bread. 

I had an appointment with Pierce to get the rest of my cavities filled this afternoon at four. I thought it was funny when last week my appointment was at three and he wanted to make the next one at four. When I got to the building, I knocked and opened the door. Pierce's office was dark but his son and his dog came around the corner of another part of the building. I told him what I was here for and he said that his dad was expecting me at three. I asked if his dad was here. He opened the outside door and said, "Here he comes now." I apologized to Pierce but told him I was sure he said four. We both thought this was going to be a quick appointment but boy were we wrong! I wished I had come at 3.

There were five cavities on the right side of my mouth. As Pierce began drilling he found they were deeper than he thought and some went under my crowns and so he had to cut the crowns to get all of the decay. The last cavity was in my back upper tooth. The tooth in front of this last tooth has already been pulled so there is a big empty space in front of it. As Pierce kept drilling he said most of the tooth was gone and there was an infection in it and it needed to come out. I asked him if he was going to extract it and he said yes. I had to have three shots, two to keep this tooth numb. As he began pulling the tooth he said he couldn't get a hold on it with tongs which makes it more difficult. He used several techniques to get this tooth out including a small hammer which was almost unbearable. He said he was sorry and knew this was barbaric but he didn't know what else to do. I just kept praying that he would be able to get this tooth and it's three roots out. Finally he said, root number one. Shortly after he was able to get the other two roots. I paid Pierce another $300 and left with my mouth full of gauze. It was after 7:30 and dark outside. That tooth took over an hour to get out. Pierce came out with a flashlight and helped me get to the truck and brought me more gauze. 

Pierce always makes me feel better about my decaying teeth. He said he has both of the same teeth as mine gone too and he was going to go to Colorado and get his dentist son to do an implant. An implant is something I am going to consider in the future too so I can chew on my left side again.

When I got home Max and James were cooking dinner. Max said he had started cooking the steaks outside on the grill but it was too cold outside so he brought them inside. James was cooking broccoli and baked beans. He burned the beans. I made some hashbrowns and along with the rolls Sheri sent, we had a nice meal. The steaks were delicious! Joshua was so polite and thanked us for the nice meal.

Max said he never gets to grill at home and he wanted to learn how to do it. He said he doesn't know anything and would like to learn useful things like how to change a tire, and put gas in the Razr. He said he likes it up here because people know how to do useful things and they help each other. He said he would like to grow his own food so James asked if he would like to go see Pierce's greenhouse. He said he would so later in the week James took him.

Max played a song on his guitar and sang to us after dinner. He is very talented.

The boys watched TV this evening because they said the internet upstairs was not working very well. We did not have a gospel discussion but we did have family prayer with them.




Darrel's family flew to Texas today.
They are in Waco visiting with Chip and
Joanna at Magnolia and the Silo Bakery.




May readying about light in the snow








Happy Anniversary!















 

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Mon, Mar 15, 2021: Provo temple, Sonoran Spine, First Watch, Jean Howard, Chandler Auto Body, pick up Joshua, Max, Evan and take to Vernon,

 

Provo, Utah
15th operating temple
Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972
By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son
Moses 7:59
And Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend up unto the Father; and he called unto the Lord, saying: Wilt thou not come again upon the earth? Forasmuch as thou art God, and I know thee, and thou hast sworn unto me, and commanded me that I should ask in the name of thine Only Begotten; thou hast made me, and given unto me a right to thy throne, and not of myself, but through thine own grace, wherefore, I ask thee if thou wil not come again on the earth.
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 33:1-15
D&C
27:1-4
"Come Follow Me"
"All Things Must Be Done in Order"
OctGenCon
'The Healing Power of Jesus Christ'
Sister Cristina B. Franco
Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency
"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.


Restoration Proclamation
 P1 S1
We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world.

The Living Christ
P11 S1
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles - that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God.

James left early this morning to go pick up his truck. When he came back an hour later without it I knew Rick did not have it ready. James was upset and told him he had traveled a long ways to get the truck that was supposed to have been ready last week. Rick apologized and said he could have it ready by the end of the day. What actually happened was he got busy and got it ready by 12:30. 

I called Sonoran Spine this morning and told them I forgot my x-ray. They asked if I had it done at Summit and when I said yes the told me to come on in. James dropped me off at 9:30 and I waited about 30 minutes, finishing my paperwork while I was waiting. My appointment was with a PA, Vanessa. She brought up my x-rays and as we looked at them she explained what the problem was. I have degenerative disk disease and one of my disks is pushing against my sciatic nerve causing it to be pinched. She said I needed an MRI and physical therapy. She also wrote me a prescription for pain. When I told her I was claustrophobic she said she would give me a couple of valium pills to take before going to for the MRI. 

James and I went to get something to eat after my appointment, although James had already been to Subway. We went to a place that serves breakfast and lunch, a place that Jean introduced me to called, First Watch. I had a drink called Purple Haze, lemon ricotta pancakes with fresh strawberries, and a side of bacon. Since James had already eaten he ordered one whole grain pancake. 



Yummy!

After our delicious meal I texted Deana to ask if we could come over and see her mom, Jean. She said yes. James waited in the car because he did not want to take a chance on making Jean ill. I took Jean her birthday card and gift. When I arrived Dean answered the door and said her mom was feeling weak and was still in bed. Jean's bed is in a small room at the front of the house. I went over and squeezed her hand. I sat her gift by the side of the bed and handed her the card I got her. She opened it and thanked me. I told her the next time I was down we would go to lunch. She agreed, but I knew in my heart it would probably not happen. She looked thinner, and weaker than she was a week ago. When I got ready to leave Deana followed me out the front door and took me aside to tell me that her mother was not eating, and her kidneys were shutting down. She said it was just a matter of time because the doctor had told her not to force her to eat. 
This is probably the last time I will see my dear friend. I am so sad. We have been together for lunch so many times it will not be the same without her. I am sad for Deana who is losing not only her mother but her best friend.

Rick from Chandler Auto Body called and said the truck would be ready at 12:30. I guess he put a rush on it. James and I went back to Darrel's and packed up our stuff, said our goodbye's, and wished everyone, except Trina who was at work, a good time in Texas. They leave tomorrow morning around 8 a.m. 

When we got to Chandler Auto Body I began transferring stuff to the truck while James went in to pay Rick. Rick came out and said hello to me and also said he would return the rental car for us. We thought we got everything out of the rental car but we would later find out that we left the garage door opener and our house keys. 

Next we picked up Joshua and waved to Michael and Jared Ammon who were going somewhere together in the red car. After picking up Joshua we went to Sheri's to get Max and Evan. Sheri was there and sent an ice chest full of food with us. We put everything in the back of the truck, including Max's guitar and Evan's X Box so the boys get sit in the backseat. 

When we got to Show Low we stopped at Little Caesar's to pick up some pizza and breadsticks for dinner. Once we got home we realized we did not have the garage door opener or the keys to the front door. Max volunteered to climb up to the second floor balcony of James's office and go in through the sliding glass door. James was impressed how quickly he was able to climb!

The first thing Evan asked for was the wifi modem to take upstairs to use with the X-Box. After carrying things in and James making us some tea he and I settled down to watch "When Calls the Heart" and then the latest episode of "Aurora Teagarden." 

We had a FHE with the boys where James asked them if they had a testimony of the gospel. Max said he thought he did but he was still considering, Evan said he wasn't sure, and Joshua said he did. James told a story about giving a blessing to someone he didn't know and setting him apart in a new calling and afterwards the brother came up to him and said, "Brother Lambson, that was exactly what I needed to hear. James then talked about how he knew then that Heavenly Father knows each of us individually. The Spirit was strong and I shared a story about Pres. Hinckley. Afterwards we had family prayer and we told the boys how much we loved them. I'm so glad Sheri asked us to do this because it created a warm feeling in our home.

 


















Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Sun, Mar 14, 2021: Ogden temple, Daylight savings trick, Church, trip to valley, Dinner at Darrel's, Charlie and Molly, Scarlett, etc.

 

Ogden, Utah
14th operating temple
Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972
By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son
Moses 7:50
And it came to pass that Enoch continued his cry unto the Lord, saying: I ask thee, O Lord, in the name of thine Only Begotten, even Jesus Christ, that thou wilt have mercy upon Noah and his seed, that the earth might never more be covered by the floods.
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 32:1-9
D&C
Review sections 23-26
"Come Follow Me"
Review "Strengthen the Church"
OctGenCon
'Keep the Change'
Sister Becky Craven
Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
I occasionally run into friends whom I haven't seen for many years. Sometimes they say, "You haven't changed at all!" Each time I hear that, I cringe a little, because I hope I have changed over the years. I hope I have changed since yesterday! I hope I am a little kinder, less judgmental, and more compassionate. I hope I am quicker to respond to the needs of others, and I hope I am just a little bit more patient.
As we travel the covenant path, sometimes we pick up stones in our shoes in the form of poor habits, sins, or bad attitudes. The quicker we shake them from our lives, the more joyful our mortal journey will be. Maintaining change takes effort..
I testify that because of Jesus Christ, we can change. We can adjust our habits, alter our thoughts, and refine our character to become more like Him. And with His help, we can keep the change.


Restoration Proclamation
P9 S3
We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Living Christ
P10 S4
Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

I woke up early to take the meat out of the crockpot and shredded it and add the sauce and put it back in to cook another two hours. Afterwards I went to lie down on the recliner for a few minutes after taking my pain medicine. The next thing I knew it was 7:40 when I looked at my phone, time to get ready for church. James is not going today but I am because I feel good. 

After getting ready I looked at my phone and it was 8:45 as I prepared myself a drink and left. When I got to the church it was just a little before 9 and there were no cars in the parking lot, except one or two. I realized that last night the country went on daylight savings time but my phone should be on Phoenix time and should not have changed. I went back home and went in to settings and found that my phone was on Colorado time, an hour ahead of Phoenix time. Well, I guess it's better to be early than late. I was able to do some more indexing and have family prayer with James.

Skimpy attendance in church today. It snowed last night and the Wilhelm's were in Payson at a wrestling tournament. They couldn't get back home over the rim because of the snow so they went to the valley and came home this morning through Globe. This bishop was gone so Curtis, Zemira, and Colter were not there to pass the sacrament. For some reason the Judd boys were not there either so the Melchizedek priesthood passed the sacrament today. Also, Kerri could not get the Zoom broadcast to work so James did not hear the speakers, Jeff and Rebecca McCamy, a fairly new couple in our ward. On a positive note, I wore my mask the entire meeting. I sat by the Scott's and Kerri. Catherine stayed home with a sore throat.

Sister McCamy spoke on Sister Craven's talk, "Keep the Change."
 At one point in her life Sister McCamy was divorced with four small children to raise, she was bitter, but the ward she lived in embraced her and her four children which made all the difference for them to change and become active again. We are all needed. We learn to love and grow through ministering to each other. The Lord will increase our capacity to change. The Holy Ghost will let us know what changes we need to make. We must pray to know how to reach out to others.

Brother McCamy spoke on President Oaks's talk, "Love Your Enemies." Here are some notes from his talk: People are often driven by fears based on lies. Only through kindness and love can we convince people of our care for them. We are all children of Heavenly Father and deserving of His love. We many times can change the hearts of people by establishing common ground. This land is a chosen land.

President Smithson presided at our meeting today.

After the meetings were over I was supposed to have a meeting with the elders quorum presidency and the Relief Society presidency but I totally forgot and left for home. The meeting was regarding a new family history leader and ward missionaries. While at home I realized I had forgotten the meeting and apologized to Tamara via a text. Here was what she shared with me: Just finished our meeting. Recommendations made for T&FH leader and ward missionaries. The recommendation is Rick Lauritzen for T&FH leader. They are wanting to call as ward missionaries Collin & Wendy Dewitt, Cody & LeeAnn Snyder, and Sam & Amy Gordon. We briefly talked about getting new youth in temple and family history committee. Kyah is moving to Colorado and Ty's a senior.

From 10 - 12 James and I got ready for our trip to the valley. I have an appointment at Sonoran Spine in the morning at 9:30 and we have a family dinner at Darrel and Trina's this evening. We left around 1 p.m. I was so careful to get all of the papers Sonoran spine asked me to fill out but forgot my x-rays. I did not realize this until later this evening. 

We arrived at Darrel's around 4:30. The dinner is not until six so we have plenty of time to get settled in and warm up the meat in the crockpot. I gave Ruby and Lola their new Book of Mormons. Ruby's is a teal blue and Lola's is pink. Addy was there and I told her I would like to buy her one too. She seemed to like that and chose a violet one, like mine.

Stacy called and said her family would not be coming. She admitted she was afraid to be around dad because of her compromised immune system. Sheri and Evan came with brownies and stuff to make sundaes, and a lemon pie for pi day. Addy made a cherry pie. Brian called before he and Kim came and asked if James was there. Darrel told him that dad was quarantining himself upstairs, which he did. I took his food to him upstairs. Kim had a nice visit with Ruby, Addy, and Rowan while she was here. Trina made a salad, cilantro line rice, queso dip, and black beans which went nicely with the sweet pork, very similar to what they serve at Costa Vida. I also brought some homemade rolls. Kim and Brian brought chips. It was a nice meal and fun to visit. We had no lesson or gospel discussion, just dinner. 

Again we slept in Rowan's room while he slept on the couch. We appreciate him so much! I had a hard time going to sleep worrying about my x-rays.

Trina ordered me a laminating machine when I admired hers. I have to be careful telling her I like something she has.


Scarlett singing "This Girl
Is On Fire"!


The Wilhelm brothers

The Gonzo brothers minus
Michael, sorry.









I think we need one of these


Addy's cherry pie

Paul's sister Nicole



Lola knows what she likes