Sat, June 4th, 2022: Happy 17th Emmy! $200 gift cards, J leaves for Globe, boys swim, Josh & Stacy here, Chikfila, I leave for home,

  

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sep 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Ezkiel 21:27

I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.

Book of Mormon

Alma 11:1-20

"Come Follow Me"

Judges 2:10 Family scripture study & FHE. Judges 15-16

AprGenCon

"Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker"

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Lord taught how to live, then and now, in a contemptuous world. "Blessed are the peacemakers," He declared, "for they shall be called the children of God."

By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching - meaning to calm, cool, or extinguish - all the fiery darts of the adversary.

  James indexed this morning and then went to a resort presentation and brought back $200 in debit gift cards which he gave to me. I appreciate him so much!

I listened to an "All In" podcast where Morgan interviews my cake lady, Courtney Rich. Courtney tells about her bouts with depression which were triggered by the divorce of her parents. She says that cake making and Christ have brought joy to her life.

After family prayer, and fixing breakfast for the boys, James left for home. He is going to work in Globe for a few hours. Rowan and Max went down to the pool. Evan stayed here because he says Joshua is coming and he's waiting for him. I begin packing and cleaning the condo, or villa as they call it here in the southwest. Stacy and Joshua arrive. Of course Evan and Joshua immediately go down to the pool. Stacy went grocery shopping at Fry's Marketplace on north Hayden Rd. 

When Stacy gets back she said Joshua texted her and said he is starving and would she please go get Chikfila. I told her the other boys were probably hungry too. I said I would pay for their lunch with my debit gift card. I bought each of the boys lunch. Stacy didn't want anything because she says she is not eating until 3:00. I had four chicken nuggets. 

James took my suitcase and all of the hanging clothes down to my car earlier when he left. Stacy and I loaded most of the things from the kitchen onto the suitcase carrier and took it down when we went to Chikfila. When we got back Stacy took a suitcase and some other items down for me. When I left all I had was my makeup bag and my drink. My purse was already in the car.

It was around 2:00 when I left. The boys never came back to have lunch before I left so I didn't get to say goodbye. James had already filled my car with gas and paid for it. I stopped in Payson for a potty break and some snacks. I got a drink, some cherry Nibs, and a Caramello bar. My rationalization was that they would help keep me awake. What a copout.

I got home around 5:30. James got here about an hour later. After unloading the car and putting all of the stuff away I walked. James indexed. I listened to "A Case for the Book of Mormon" by Brother Callister on the way home and while I walked. When James walked with me we listened to "The Sport of Matchmaking."

I should have mentioned on our anniversary what our songs were back in the day. Our first song was "More" by Vic Dana. I played it for James and then a rendition by Andy Williams and we decided we liked Andy better. 

Another of our songs was "You're the One." I was reminded of this when a memory came up on Facebook. In June of 2013 we were at the Taco Bell in Silver City, New Mexico and they had an oldie's station on. The station played "You're the One."

This is the dessert we had at Lois's

I'm going to make this for our

next CFM at our house.

My go to breath mints

Happy Birthday Emmy!

Fri, June 3rd, 2022: Newport Beach California Temple, Boys breakfast, swim, boys dinner, dinner & dominoes at Lois & Dawn's, Chelsie Hightower, cake, Jared Ammon, Shayna,

 

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

D&C 133:46

And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:17-32

"Come Follow Me"

Judges 13-16 Strength comes from faithfulness to my covenants with God. Judges 13-14.

AprGenCon

"But We Heeded Them Not"

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I pray that the Holy Ghost will bless and enlighten each of us as we consider together how we can be strengthened to "heed not" the evil influences and mocking voices of the contemporary world in which we live.

Scriptures and prayers with James and then with the boys. James went to the store and got sausage, a watermelon, and a cantaloupe and some other things to fix the boys some breakfast. They ate a little and then went down to go swimming.

Sheri sent me $100 this morning for which I am grateful. The pizzas and garlic knots last night were over $60. 

James took a nap after breakfast and I walked and blogged. I also watched "Teaching with Power" and listened to an "All In" interview with Chelsie Hightower, "What My Battle with Anxiety in Hollywood Taught Me About God's Love." After listening to the interview I had to watch Chelsie and Mark's dance on "So You Think You Can Dance" to the song, "Bleeding Love." It's still good.

At 3:00 James and I left for Lois's to play dominoes with her and Dawn, Cathi & Terry, and Dave & Laura. I gave each of the boys $20 to buy dinner at the Splash Grille. We hadn't gone too far down the freeway when we got a text from Rowan. The Splash Grille doesn't take cash? What? I was quite surprised. We immediately got off the freeway, turned around and met Rowan back at the resort and I gave him my credit card. 

Before playing dominoes at Lois and Dawn's we had dinner. There was taco soup, cornbread, chips, a salad which Cathi made from the produce from her garden, and a delicious banana split dessert. 

Let the game begin! We start out with the double 12 and go to the double zero so this game takes several hours. James had said we would leave by 7 but it ended up being after 8. We stayed until the end. Lois was the winner, which some how seemed appropriate. I enjoyed the game because I sat by Cathi. She is so much fun. She and Dave banter back and forth with each other and I'm always on Cathi's side. I really do miss her. As we were leaving Laura came up and put her arm around me and apologized for talking on the phone so much, she kept having to leave the game. She said it was Kevin calling her. He has a custody battle going on with Alena. I guess Alena is trying to turn the girls against him. He is pretty stressed. So sad.

We got back to the resort at 9 and the boys were still at the pool. We went down to see them and say hi. We did some walking and listening to our new book, "The Sport of Matchmaking" before going to bed.

Courtney's son, Westin's cake:

Dark chocolate cake, peanut butter

cookie dough, chocolate fudge frosting

chocolate covered graham crackers on top

Do you like this one Charlie?

My go to gum

Kilee and Shayna

Sean & Stefani's grandbabies 

Thur, June 2nd, 2022: Aba Nigeria Temple, James & Dave in Globe, Burger House burros, pickup Ro, Ev, and Max, shopping, NYPD pizza,

 

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Isaiah 60:2

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

Judges 6-8 The Lord can work miracles when I trust in His ways.

Judges 7-8

 

AprGenCon

"We Are The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints"

Reyna I. Aburto

Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

 My fellow disciples of Christ, let us not underestimate the marvelous work the Lord is doing through us, His Church, despite our shortcomings. Sometimes we are givers and sometimes we are receivers, but we are all on family in Christ. His Church is the structure He has given to guide and bless us as we worship Him and serve each other.

I said family prayer before James left to pick up Dave and then go on to Globe to work. Dave helped with some electrical problems.

As I was walking and working on my blog, I listened to several "All In" podcasts. #23. Wendy Ulrich, "How God Expects Women to suse Priesthood Power. #30. Tad Callister, "The Case for the Book of Mormon". (I am now listening to his book by the same name.) #26. Sheri Dew, "Lessons Learned from Following the Prophet."  #33. Barbara Morgan Gardener, "How Women and Men Misunderstand the Priesthood and What We Can Do About It."

I'm not feeling well. My feet hurt so it's going to be hard to get all my steps today. I left a little after nine to pick up Rowan. Darrel, Addy, and Lola were all home. I left the popsicle puzzle for Lola to do. Later Darrel sent me this picture: 

I love the smile on her face!

Next stop, Sheri's to pick up Max and Evan. They both got their hair cut or should I say their heads shaved, but Max still has his beard.

We went through the Chikfila on Chandler Blvd. to get some lunch. Evan got a spicy chicken sandwich with fries and Rowan got a regular chicken sandwich with fries and I got some nuggets. Max didn't order anything.

Once we got to the resort it wasn't long before the boys decided it was time to go swimming. Evan mentioned he forgot his sunscreen so I told him I would go to the store and get him some. I also got a couple of pool balls, lots of rootbeer, and some grape Zevia. I also bought some sandwich stuff for the boys. I asked them what they wanted from the store and all they said was rootbeer so I didn't buy any snacks. Oh yes, I also bought three gallons of water. James hates the water at the resort. I had to make four trips up and down the stairs, or in the elevator to carry everything in. The boys were swimming so they couldn't help. The first trip a couple of guys had a hose and they were spraying the walkways right in front of my door. I told them I needed to get in and they moved out of the way. I almost tripped on the hose once which was a little frustrating.

When I finally finished carrying in the last load I needed to sit down and cool off. I was sweaty and exhausted.

James brought me back a green chili mixed burro from Burger House.  This evening the boys wanted NYPD pizza. We ordered a large pepperoni pizza and 12 garlic knots for the boys and a thin crust veggie pizza for James and I. I had one piece of pizza and James had four. We saved the other three pieces for tomorrow. 

This evening I blogged and walked while James indexed. We had family prayer with the boys before they went swimming again and we went to bed.

Evan and Ben in Nana & Papa's pool

Wed, June 1st, 2022: San Antonio Texas Temple, James's breakfast and card, "Top Gun", Lunch, Visit Lois & Dawn, Nap, Carrabas for dinner,

 

San Antonio, Texas

120th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

Isaiah 52:10

The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Book of Mormon

Alma 9:19-34

"Come Follow Me"

Judges 2:13 "Who were Baal and Ashtaroth" Judges 6

AprGenCon

"Preaching the Gospel of Peace"

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

His gospel is the only answer when many in the world are stunned with fear. This underscores the urgent need for us to follow the Lord's instruction to His disciples to "go . . . into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." We have the sacred responsibility to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ with all who will listen and who will let God prevail in the lives.

"Missionary Service Blessed My Life Forever"

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

While attending college, several friends and I decided to serve missions. Visiting with my bishop, I filled out my missionary application while my parents were out of town. When my parents returned, I surprised them with the news that I had been called to serve in Great Britain. I am grateful for their enthusiastic support of this decision and for good friends who helped me decide to serve.

My missionary service prepared me to be a better husband and father and to be successful in business. It also prepared me for a lifetime of service to the Lord in His Church.

Happy 54th Wedding Anniversary to Us!

James got up before I did and fixed breakfast, fresh fruit, eggs, and 1/2 a toasted muffin. He also bought me a card. 

We went to the new "Top Gun, Maverick" movie this morning. We went to the new theater at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The seating is all recliners. It was so relaxing and we loved the movie! Tom Cruise looks pretty good for someone who will be 60 on July 2nd. 

After the movie we went down to the food court and had lunch. I went to Chipotle and James went to Charley's and got a cheesesteak sandwich. 

James was intrigued by the three-wheeled car in the mall.

After lunch we drove to Tempe to see James's mom and Dawn. 

We enjoyed our visit. It was great to see mom look so good.  They started showing us some of the quilts mom has made. 

This is one of Dawn's favorites

As we were getting ready to leave Dawn asked if we would like to come over tomorrow afternoon/evening to play dominoes. We said we would. Dawn said she would call Dave and Laura, and Terry and Cathi. She said we would also have dinner. Sounds good.

We went to the resort for a short rest and then we went out to Carrabas for dinner. Darrel & Trina gave me a gift card to Carrabas or Outback for Mother's Day and we chose Carrabas. I had a steak with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli and James had mahi with artichoke and lemon sauce, and garlic mashed potatoes. We both had a salad and bread too. I could only get through about half of my meal before I asked for a box. James ate all of his. I am not a big fan of garlic mashed potatoes. I would rather have plain mashed potatoes with butter or a baked potato. James felt the same way. The garlic was a little strong. I got marsala sauce with mushrooms to put on my steak. It was delicious and the steak was cooked to perfection and very tender.

When we got back to Scottsdale James had to get something at Home Depot so I went to Staples and found a notebook I liked better than the one I got yesterday at Target. The only problem is this one only has 80 pages and the ones I use have 100. Somehow I will make it work.

I downloaded a cardmaking class from Lisa's Handlettering. I think I am really going to like it.

Our anniversary was lowkey but enjoyable. It was nice to get to spend the entire day with James.

Smoke from the Marshall Mtn fire

Tue, May 31st, 2022: Manhattan New York Temple, My infusion, Machaca burro from Elmer's, Target, Walmart - June notebook, Ben & Jerry's, Succulent puzzle, 17,000 steps

 

Manhattan, New York

119th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Second Coming

1 Nephi 21:11

And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.

Book of Mormon

Alma 9:7-18

"Come Follow Me"

Judges 2:1-19; 4:1-16 The Lord offers deliverance when I stray

Judges 3-4

"The Power of Deliverance"

Elder L. Tom Perry

April, 2012

I finished all of the conference talks for this month!

My infusion was scheduled for 10:15 this morning. It takes an hour and when I got out James was outside waiting for me. He had bought me a machaca burro from Elmer's and encouraged me to go back to the resort to eat it, which I did. I also had my own little order of strips with cheese and sauce. Yummy!

James worked in Casa Grande this morning helping pour concrete. When we got back to the resort he took a shower and a nap. I ate my lunch and did some walking and then I took a nap. Later in the afternoon/evening after it cooled down a bit we went shopping. I forgot my June notebook and since tomorrow is the first day of June, I need a notebook.  

Target had one that was the right size but it looked like a comp book. I got it because I was pretty sure that Walmart did not have what I was looking for. It was the right color, purple. We didn't find anything else at Target that we wanted to buy so we headed to Walmart. 

At Walmart I bought a couple of T-shirts and James bought some groceries, a watermelon, some cherries, and Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream, our favorite. We also bought some Hagan Daas butter pecan.

Back at the condo I do the sweet succulent puzzle and James indexes. Somehow I managed to get 17,000 steps today.

It was a most relaxing day for me. 

I had ice cream too Charlie!

A cabin in Australia or New Zealand

I did this one by myself