Sunday, September 18th, 2022: Isaiah and then Church, Rosie's hug, Wilhelm reunion, Cheryl Sedig, Sunday School, Tithing Declaration, Michelle's request, Hospital, Peach Dessert, "The HIdden Christ"

 

Madrid, Spain

56th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of Man

Revelation 1:13

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the papas with a golden girdle.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 6:1-14

"Come Follow Me"

Review and Isaiah 32-35

AprGenCon

"Christ Heals That Which Is Broken"

Amy A. Wright

Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

Exercising faith in Christ means trusting not only in God's will but also in His timing. For He knows exactly what we need and precisely when we need it. When we submit to the will of the Lord, we will ultimately receive substantially more than that which we had desired.

I read Isaiah 32-35 before going to church. 

The first person I saw when we drove up to the church and got out of our car. It was Rosie Lauritzen. She came over and gave me a hug and thanked me for the birthday card. She is such a sweetie!

I talked with Cheryl Sedig on the way in and asked her how Sally, her mother-in-law was doing. She was taken to a hospital in Tucson when she broke her femur. Cheryl said they were trying to get her transferred to a rehab center in Show Low or Lakeside. I also asked Cheryl what kind of meat she canned. She told me not to get roast and that stew meat was the best. Good to know. I'm glad it's stew meat because then I won't have to cut up the meat.

Julie Wilhelm was on the front row on the left side and we side behind her. Julie is Tamara's sister and she said she was here for her dad's 90th birthday. Her dad came in using a walker and sat by her. Her sister Liesl and her husband sat by us. They live near Idaho Falls and I know that Ben served in their town, not sure if he was in their ward. The Crane's were invited to Guy's birthday party/Wilhelm reunion. Their daughter-in-law Susan is a Wilhelm, Tamara's sister. She didn't come because she doesn't get along with her dad's second wife. 

 Before church this morning, while I was getting ready to go, I listened to Sister Amy Wright's talk, "Christ Heals That Which Is Broken." This was the talk that Denise was assigned to use for the basis of her remarks. 

This first quote that Denise gave in her talk was not from Sister Wright's talk, but I think it was quite profound:

You can't make a mistake twice, the second time it's a choice."

One more quote from this talk:

There is nothing in your life that is broken that is beyond the curative, redeeming, and enabling power of Jesus Christ.

It was so nice to see Bishop Hall. He is a truck driver and is gone most Sundays. The basis for his talk was Quentin L. Cook's talk, "Conversion To The Will Of God." Bishop Hall told about reading the Book of Mormon when he was 12 and putting Moroni's promise to the test by praying about it. He said he got an answer and had a spiritual confirmation that the book was true. He also told the story about his little brother Randy who was a computer programmer who worked for the Church. He was a part of the team that developed Family Search. He contacted Ron one day and told him that he and his wife were leaving the Church. The next day Ron drove to the valley and picked up his two sisters and the three of them drove to Spanish Fork, Utah to talk with their brother and sister-in-law to no avail. In spite of this, the Hall family never stopped loving their brother or involving them in their lives. His wife's family, however, disowned them. We must show love to those that we want to influence.

We had Sunday School today and of course we studied Isaiah. It was a good lesson, but nothing really memorable, at least to me.

After church James and I had our tithing declaration. We declared that we are full tithe payers. Afterwards James stayed at the church with Chuck. They are going to visit the Robles family.

I spoke with Natalie Robles earlier. Michelle Teserak asked me to teach Young Women on October 9th and suggested I might want to bring Natalie with me. She said she would like for the girls to get to know some of the Relief Society sisters. I asked Natalie and she said she would be glad to help. The lesson is on centering our lives on Christ.

I went home and had some lunch and rested a few minutes before driving back to the church. I met Barbara Bartels and our plan was to visit Barbara Sayer who was in the hospital in Show Low. Barbara is diabetic and she had a blood sugar of over 400 and then it dropped to 68. She called 911 and the ambulance came and picked her up. When we got to her room there was no one in it. The nurse at the nursing station said that her daughter-in-law had come to pick her up. I had asked earlier how long she was supposed to be in the hospital and Barbara had said 3-4 days. So much for that.

On the way home Barbara asked if I wanted to stop at Barbara's house. I told her no, I didn't want to wake her if she was resting. I told her if she wanted to make an appointment to go see her that I would go with her.

James was home when I returned. He was just getting ready to go take a nap so I joined him. I slept an hour or so and he slept for 2 1/2. I got a text from my friend Maxine saying she had left a peach dessert on our porch. I brought it in and had a serving covered in Coolwhip. It was very good. Thank you Maxine!

When I was working on my blog this afternoon I also read from "The Hidden Christ" about Jonah and Nineveh. I like this quote by the author, James L. Ferrell: 

"There is no greater testament of Christ and His divinity and mission than the testament hidden below the surface of the Old Testament."

 I made us a couple of tuna sandwiches for dinner and we went outside on the front porch to enjoy them and the sunset. It was a

wonderful Sabbath day!

Our Sweet Charlie Mae!

A tiny, strange looking scorpion,

the first one we have seen up here.

 

Saturday, September 17th, 2022: Jacob James Barrett's baptism, I paint, blog, walk, Sally Sedig breaks her leg, Oatmeal cookies, Hallmark movie w/ James

 

Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua

55th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Son of Man

Daniel 7:13

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 5:28-52

"Come Follow Me"

Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening Read Isaiah 29-31

AprGenCon

"Our Relationship With God"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In the end, it is the blessing of a close and abiding relationship with the Father and the Son that we seek. It makes all the difference and is everlastingly worth the cost. We will testify with Paul "that the sufferings of this present mortal time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." 

A beautiful Saturday! James worked outside, did some indexing and then went to Jacob Barrett's baptism. Jacob is Cress and Richard Miller's grandson. He said it was the best baptism he has ever been to. The speakers were: Becky Skousen, Cress's Mother, Sister Lannie Gillespie, the Primary president, and Bishop Hunsaker. He said Bishop Hunsaker got down on his knees in front of Jacob and talked just to him.

After the baptism James went to the post office and mailed cards to Amber Judd whose birthday is the 20th and to Denise, Dennis's wife, whose birthday is on the 21st.

I told James before he left for the baptism to tell Barbara Bartels about Sally Sedig because Barbara is one of her ministering sisters. James said he asked Barbara if she knew about Sally breaking her leg and she said yes, and that she had arranged for someone to feed her animals. Barbara is on the ball! Sally is 85 years old and she was air-vacud to a hospital in Tucson.

I'm sorry I missed the baptism and the opportunity to have a spiritual experience. Mel Wilhelm baptized Jacob and tomorrow in sacrament meeting Richard Miller will confirm him and invite him to receive the Holy Ghost. 

I made oatmeal cookies this morning and they were so delicious. I put walnuts in them for James. I think they were probably some of the best cookies I have ever eaten and they were made from a mix.

James said he had 9 and I probably had at least 7. I'm sure my blood sugar will probably be high tomorrow. I blogged, walked, and did some painting in our bedroom today. I am anxious to get the walls painted since we have our new bed ensemble. 

I also studied Isaiah this morning using my commentary. I texted with Kim who is giving the Gospel Doctrine lesson in her ward tomorrow. She bought Brother Kerry Muhlstein's commentary and is using it to study. I told her I have that one too but right now I am using Brother Terry Ball's book. Last week Kerry was on "Follow Him" with John Bytheway and Hank Smith, and this week Terry Ball is on. Oh, by the way, John Bytheway has also written an Isaiah commentary and it is called, "Isaiah for Airheads."

James and I watched one of the latest Hallmark movies this evening stary Brooke O'Dorsay and Jonathan Bennett, "Wedding of a Lifetime." It was a little silly but did have some redeeming value.

More Grand Canyon photos

Trina and friends

Last night's play drew this crowd

 

Friday, September 16th, 2022: James is home today, Computer grief, Tramadol & nap, Snowflake Temple session w James & Ruth, Eva's for dinner, Brian , 100 days until Christmas

 

Anchorage, Alaska

54th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Seed of

Isaiah 53:10

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 5:5-27 (Helaman 5 is my WOW! chapter because all of the amazing things that happen).

"Come Follow Me"

Isaiah 29;30:18-26;35 The Lord can restore things that are lost or broken. Isaiah 26-28

AprGenCon

"Your Divine Nature And Eternal Destiny"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I invite you to center your life on Jesus Christ and remember the foundational truths in the Young Women theme. If you are willing, the Holy Ghost will guide you. Our Heavenly Father wants you to become His heir and receive all that He has. He cannot offer you more. He cannot promise you more. He loves you more than you know and wants you to be happy in this life and in the life to come.

Hey Brian, it's 100 days until Christmas!

James was home today. We had scriptures and family prayer together and he even fixed me some breakfast, scrambled eggs with potato. After breakfast he went to his end of the table in the dining room and I went to my computer in the bedroom. I did go back to the kitchen to make myself a cheese crisp. That little bit of eggs and potato didn't quite fill me up. 

My computer is giving me fits. I keep saying I'm going to take it in but then it starts doing better and I think maybe I don't need to. I finally just took some Tramadol and then napped for a little while.

At 1:00 I started getting ready to go to the temple. I washed my hair with the new shampoo and conditioner I got on the clearance table and I have got to say that I really like it. I blow dried my hair and when I went to style it my hair just seemed so soft and manageable. 

James and I are both ready to go by 2:00. I figured if we left by 2:15 we would make it to Snowflake by 3, and the session starts at 3:30. We left at two, a little early because we wanted to stop at the post office. I got some more cards and James got his cancer test score. It was .9. Last month it was .8. Both scores are way down from 12 where it was last year.

On to Snowflake. We arrive at the temple a little before 3. James wants to take a quick nap in the car. I tell him no, we need to go in.

When we get inside James can't find his recommend. He looks for about five minutes in his wallet and then realizes it's on the outside of the wallet in a clear pocket. Finally!

I get in the endowment room before James does. When he comes in he tells me that he forgot his pants, belt and tie and so he had to borrow from the temple. This is the first time he has been to the temple since we worked in July and he still has his pants, belt, and tie hanging up in the closet instead of in his temple suitcase. I'm glad we came a little early and didn't take naps in the car.

Jim and Linda Diewald from our ward are temple workers on this shift and they both help in our session. Brother Diewald gives the prayer and does a nice job. After our session is over and we are dressed in our street clothes Ruth waits for us while we put family names on the prayer roll. 

When we get out to the parking lot Ruth shows us the quilt she quilted today on the machine that she rented. We then decide we want to eat at Streets and drive to the restaurant. The parking lot is so crowded we decide to go to Eva's instead. It's not nearly as crowded.

Ruth and I both order taco salads with shredded beef and James orders a tostada. I should have looked at the prices. James's tostada was $6.99 and our salads were $15.99. Ruth asks for a separate check but James pays for both orders while Ruth and I are chatting. Ruth is very appreciative. She told us about a friend of hers whose daughter had been trying to get pregnant and kept having miscarriages. She finally got pregnant and was 7 months along. She and her husband were driving between Show Low and Snowflake Monday night during the rain storm and a girl driving a pickup truck going 80 mph hydroplaned and ran into them. Ruth's friend's daughter and the baby died. The husband lived and the girl wasn't even hurt. She will have to live with this mistake for the rest of her life. Ruth's friends name is Clarissa Shumway but she doesn't know the daughters name.

Ruth's daughter Valeen is moving to New Brunswick, Texas just outside of San Antonio. Ruth is showing their house next Tuesday. Ruth will have the son Matthew who is mentally handicapped and four dogs. She's not sure what she will do while the realtor is showing the house. Maybe take the dogs and Matthew for a walk. I hope Valeen knows what an awesome mother she has!

Janice, Ruth's daughter who is Kim's age is getting her degree in psychology. Her daughter Katie, their last name is Allen, is a freshman at NAU just like Addy.

Ruth's granddaughter, Mike's daughter, who lives in Snowflake just adopted a black baby girl with downs syndrome. They have already adopted the girls two brothers. These are some of the things we talked about. Ruth and I had a lot to say to each other because it's been awhile. James just basically listened which was so sweet of him.

I texted Brian this evening to see how he was doing after his sinus surgery. Our conversation went something like this:

Brian, How are you doing? I heard you had sinus surgery. That doesn't sound fun.

Brian: "Hi. I'm okay. Had a follow up today. Still some pain but I'm okay. Thank you for asking.

Me: Brian, We love you so much and need you to be well and happy, whatever that takes! Take care!!

Brian: "You're too kind!! I love you too. And I hope you and Jim are doing well. We need you two to be well and happy!!!

Me: We are! We just got back from going to the temple with our dear friend Ruth Gale from Chandler.

Brian: That's great!

I am grateful for the temple and the opportunity to do ordinance work for those who have passed on.