Fri, Dec 24th, 2021: Vancouver British Columbia Temple, Rain, Breakfast at AJ's, umbrella, Deliver gifts, Lois & Dawn's, Walmart for snacks

 

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

D&C 76:43

Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 1-5

"Come Follow Me"

He will someday return to earth

1 Cor. 15:19-23; Moro 7:41; DC 50:24; 84:44-46; 93:7-10

OctGenCon

Personal Peace in Challenging Times

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Personal peace can be achieved despite the anger, contention, and division that blight and corrupt our world today. It has never been more important to seek personal peace. A beautiful and beloved new hymn, written for today's youth by Brother Nik Day, titled "Peace in Christ" declares, "When there's no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ." We were blessed to have this hymn just before the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.

It was raining this morning when we walked to A.J.'s cafe in the main building of the hotel. We got wet. James tried to find a shortcut but the door he would have gone through went to the kitchen.

This was my view during breakfast, and my breakfast, stuffed French toast with strawberries and cream cheese.

I am so frustrated that these are videos. I wanted them to be photos. 

I'm not sure why these are videos and I don't know how to open them. Anyway, the stuffed French toast was delicious. James got a steak and potato skillet which was yummy too. The room was very nice and there was only one or two other couples eating when we did.

There was a basket of umbrellas by the front door when we left so we took one. A nice service for a hotel in the desert to provide. 

We went back to our room to relax and have scriptures. We already had prayer. I did some blogging.

This afternoon, in the rain, we delivered Christmas gifts. We went to Sheri's first because James wanted to take the venison steak for tomorrow morning and put it in her refrigerator. No one was home when we got to Sheri's except Ollie and Ziggie. They barked at us a few times and then settled in to looking out the window for when Sheri would come home.

When I would talk to Ollie he would start

howling but my camera wasn't quick 

enough to catch it. Ziggie was too busy sniffing the

meat James brought in to put in the frig to be worrying

about when Sheri would be home.

As we were headed out of the neighborhood, Sheri called. She asked where we were. When I told her she asked if we could go back and bake her rolls for her because she was taking Evan and Joshua to see the new Spiderman movie. I told her we would. We baked two batches of rolls before leaving Sheri's house.

On the way to Stacy's we stopped at Culvers on the corner of Willis Rd. and Arizona Ave. I got a cookies and cream mixer.

At Stacy and Paul's Stacy didn't feel well so she was upstairs. Paul was downstairs cooking beans and playing a video game on the TV. We put their packages under the tree when Adam came in with a drink for Paul. We said our goodbyes and went on to Kim's house. After leaving packages at Kim's we went to the Walgreen's on Dobson and Williams Field Rd. to get Amazon gift cards for Lois and Dawn to go with their calendar. 

At Lois and Dawn's we had a nice visit and took some pictures.

That angel on top of the tree has been

around the Lambson family as long as I have.

Lois pieced the beautiful quilt together and

then had it quilted. Sheri offered to buy it

but it's not for sale.

Our pile of gifts. Notice the purple box.

Dawn got it at the dollar store.

After leaving Tempe we drove to Mesa and got a Whataburger. That was our Christmas eve dinner. When we got back to Chandler I said we should make a Walmart run to get some snacks. James agreed. I actually found some Ande's mints!

Back in the hotel room we heard fireworks most of the night. I think they may be legal now. We have seen several tents set up selling fireworks.

James and I finished our audio book, had prayer and then James went to bed. I stayed up to blog and walk. Oh yes, we also watched a movie before James hit the hay and we opened our gifts from James's mom and Dawn. We both go wooden boxes with designs decoupaged on top. I also got a smaller box with homemade greeting cards inside, a teapot, and a purple robe. We each go a Visa gift card. Wow! Lois and Dawn always give sooo much!

 

Thur, Dec 23rd, 2021, Oquirrh Mtn Temple, Trip to valley, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Serranos, David Archuleta Concert, JA works at Crust, Walmart

 

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, relationships with the Father

D&C 50:43 (3 Nephi 9:15)

And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

3 Nephi 9:15

Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:18-34

"Come Follow Me"

DC 1:17-23; 13; 20:1-12; 65; 110; 112:30-32; 124:39-42; 128:19-21

His priesthood and His Church have been restored

Dennis, Denise, Rachel, Eric,

OctGenCon

"A House of Sequential Order"

Elder Vaiangina Sikahema

The Lord took great care in explaining to Moses the order in which He created the earth. First, He started by dividing the light from the darkness, then water from dry land. He added plant life and animals before introducing to the newly formed planet His greatest creation: humankind, beginning with Adam and Eve. 

Inklings

Live with Emily and Chelsea Hightower

I was determined that we would leave for the valley by 10 this morning since I was the reason we were late the last time we went. We did it with our car filled with presents, venison steaks for Christmas morning, and of course our luggage. Poor Luna, she will be alone until Sunday afternoon.

On the way to town we listened to the Book of Mormon. In town I tried to drop off Candace's calendar at the pet store but she wasn't there. Since we were in the neighborhood, we got some tacos to eat as we left town. 

We stopped at Dennis's and then Harold's as we got to Linden. We gave each of them a calendar. Rachel, Evie, and Eric along with Dennis and Denise were at his house. Evie is four and loves to sing. She sang us three Christmas songs; "I Ain't Gettin' Nothin' for Christmas", "Up On The Housetop", and "I Wanna Hippopotamus for Christmas."

Dennis, Denise, Rachel, Eric,

Evie, and Eric's dog

After wishing everyone a Merry Christmas we headed for Harold and Vickie's. We ate some of Harold's fudge. My favorite was the peanut butter. Harold told us we could pick out a table that he made.

We will have to come back to pick up the table since we are in the car and on the way to the valley.

I chose the rectangular table to put out on the deck. I may get another one to put where our little trampoline is right now. 

It is a beautiful day with lots of sunshine. Gas is still $3.45 in Payson. When we got to Chandler we checked into the Crowne Plaza, formerly known as the San Marcos Hotel in downtown. The San Marcos the oldest hotel in Arizona. It is charming. I think the rooms are quite expensive because it is next to the golf course. Brian got us a room for two nights as part of our Christmas gift. As soon as we were checked in and I was settled nicely in room 107, James left to meet Sal and someone he knows that wants some construction work done. While James was gone I got "settled in" and started to work on my blog. When James got back he took a nap. 

When James woke up we decided we would walk to Serrano's for dinner.  Downtown Chandler has changed so much! New restaurants, etc. The City of Chandler buildings are modern and updated too. James remembers having to pay his sales taxes by going to the old city building. Chandler now has a very upscale building in the middle of downtown. Our wait for a table was around 20 minutes and then we were called in. I ordered a chicken enchilada with rice and beans. James ordered a green machaca burro. Neither of us finished our meal. The food was not how we remembered it. We did get bean dip which seemed the same.

We got back to the hotel and got ready to go to the David Archuleta concert at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Kim and Brian picked us up at 7:10. It was less than a five minute drive. By happenstance we parked next to Sheri. Stacy was already there and waiting for us near the front entrance. 

Brian paid for everyone's tickets. Ours were $75 a piece.  We were front and center on the 2nd row. Stacy, Sheri, Kim, and Brian we a couple of rows back on the side. 

We all loved the concert. We laughed, cried, danced, and sang. Well, at least some of us did. Part of the encore was "O Holy Night." I was so happy because I didn't think he was going to sing it.

Stacy told us that Jared Ammon works at one of the restaurants at the hotel where we are staying. The name of the restaurant is Crust. She also said he could be downstairs at the Ostrich. She wanted us to go by and say hello to him. After Brian and Kim dropped us off we decided we wanted to go to Walmart. James wanted to get some pomegranate juice. We went over by Crust, on the other side of the hotel from our room, and there was no place to park so we didn't stop. 

 "Train your mind to see the good in everything. Positivity is a choice. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts."

Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Chandler

Tumbleweed Christmas tree

In room 107

"Archie" fans

Dr. A. J. Chandler had an ostrich farm in 

Chandler before it was a city.

 

Wed, Dec 22nd, 2021: Draper Utah Temple, Wrapping gifts, delivering gifts, Christmas movies, Tanna's accident, Singing for Grandmother

Draper, Utah

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

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

Ether 15:1-17

"Come Follow Me"

John 20:1-23; 21:13-19; 3 Nephi 11:1-17, 17:6-25; JSH 1:14-20

"He rose from the grave"

OctGenCon

"Invite Christ to Author Your Story"

Camille N. Johnson

Primary General President

 We can ask questions of our loving Heavenly Father, in the name of our merciful Savior, and the witness who answers our questions is the Holy Ghost, who always testifies of truth. 

"The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

When we contend with each other in anger, Satan laughs and the God of heaven weeps.

Satan laughs and God weeps for at least two reasons. First, contention weakens our collective witness to the world of Jesus Christ and the redemption that comes through His "merits, . . . mercy, and grace."

I blogged for the 12th of December and had my scriptures and prayers this morning. I then wrapped gifts for Kim, Brian, Joseph, Paul, Stacy, Adam, Jared Ammon, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Sheri, and Tanna's little boy Bradley. I'm giving Bradley the Spiderman blanket I bought. 

James and I delivered calendars to: Catherine and Barbara. We also left Kerri's calendar with Catherine.  Barbara is staying with Catherine while Kerri is in the valley. Kerri had a kidney transplant and although she is doing extremely well the doctors want her to stay in the valley in case there are any complications. We couldn't just drop calendars off to Catherine. She loves to visit. I visited with her while James visited with Barbara. Finally I told James we needed to  go. He was telling Barbara all about his cancer treatments. She is a good listener. 

Our next stop was at the Woods's. They live off the beaten path so it took awhile. Then we went to Paula's, the Grapp's, the Thompson's, and Barbara Sayers. We tried delivering to Rosiee Lauritzen and Tanna but neither of them were home. I later learned that Rosie was in Tucson visiting her sister and Tanna had been in a car accident and was at her sisters in St. Johns. Tanna is okay but the picture she sent of her car looks like it might be totaled. Thank goodness her little 2 year old Bradley was not with her. 

When we got home James washed the dishes again and set up the Harry Potter train set I got last year for Christmas upstairs while I wrapped presents.

Today's movies:

"A Fiance for Christmas" Amanda Payton (she has a cat named Tater Tot)

"Saying Yes to Christmas"

"A Christmas Dance Reunion" Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman

"It Takes a Christmas Village" Brooke Nevin, Corey Sevier

Christmas Carols for Grandmother 

& Dawn

Vernon Main Street