Monday, November 28, 2022: Lights on the tree - can't finish, Decorate in other ways, 60 mph winds, James @ Bartels, "CFM", Tamara's father passes away, "A Royal Corbi Christmas"

 

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 12:40

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:26-41

"Come Follow Me"

Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah "His Ways Are Everlasting" 

Nahum 1.

OctGenCon

We Can Do Hard Things Through Him

Elder Isaac K. Morrison

Of the Seventy

While some challenges may come because of willful disobedience, we know that many of life's challenges come because of other reasons. Whatever the source of our challenges, they can be a golden opportunity to grow.

Up at 4 a.m. Hooray! After my prayer journal I studied for an hour or so from "The Holy Invitation". This is Anthony Sweat's book which helps us in understanding our sacred temple endowment.

I also studied a section of For the Strength of Youth on truth:

Your Heavenly Father is a God of truth. He is all-knowing. All truth comes from Him and leads to Him. You show that you value truth as you seek learning, live with integrity, and bravely stand for what you know is right - even if you have to stand alone. (FSY, Truth will make you free, p. 31).

James went to get his bloodwork done this morning. When he returned he went straight to the bed and said: "I hurt inside and my back hurts so bad I can't stand it. I can't concentrate on anything."

This makes me so sad and is one of the reasons I wish he did not have to work or would find a less physical way to make a living.

Today he worked at Bartel's and Deven Crane was his helper. I went to pick James up this afternoon and the wind was blowing about 60 mph, or at least it seemed like it. 

Tonight we have our "Come Follow Me" group coming over. James called everyone yesterday and the Crane's, Barbara Bartels, and the Goodman's said they would be coming. The Peeler's will be out of town. Our goal was to finish putting the lights on the Christmas tree and decorate it. I am sorry to say that this did not happen.

I began putting lights on and tried to copy the way Kim did it but it is taking longer than I thought. I put at least 10 strings of lights on before I gave up. I also don't think I am going to have enough lights to finish. So instead of focusing on the Christmas tree, we got out some other decorations. James set up the nativity, I decorated the family room, and dining room table. James cleaned out the fireplace and built a fire. I got the refreshments ready and then went into the bedroom to get myself ready. Here are a few pictures. 

Christmas is coming!

The Crane's arrived right before six. A few minutes after James called the Goodman's and Barbara Bartel. Pierce said Susan was sick so they wouldn't be coming. Barbara was on her way but was lost. Chuck went out to find her and they were both back in a few minutes. In the meantime Kathy and I were visiting. Guy Wilhelm, Tamara Applegate's and Kathy's daughter-in-law Susan's dad passed away this morning. 

The lesson was quite short but there were a lot of scriptures to read. At one point there was a talk by Elder Hales that we could read but Chuck didn't want to because it would be too long so we skipped over it. Chuck had a hard time reading because he has cataracts. He is having surgery in January. 

For refreshments we offered pumpkin delight, cherry pie and ice cream or triple berry pie and ice cream. Barbara had some pumpkin delight and loved it, and Chuck had both cherry and triple berry pie with ice cream. Kathy said she was going to pass. James and I both her cherry pie and ice cream. After we said our goodbye's and everyone left, I turned on a Christmas movie I had been watching in the family room. James did some walking while watching. I was already finished with my steps. The name of the movie was "A Royal Corgi Christmas." We went to bed before it was over, around 9:30.

I am so grateful for this sweet family

Sunday, November 27, 2022: Up @ 5:30, Church mtgs, James's family history mtg, lunch & rest, blog, index, "A Christmas Present"

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 12:8

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:12-25

Seeking Jesus

#3 Jesus Christ as Creator and Covenant Maker.

#4 Jesus Christ and the Law of Moses.

OctGenCon

Nourishing And Bearing Your Testimony

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As I share my thoughts, I invite you to reflect upon these four questions:

1. Do I know and understand what a testimony is?
2. Do I know how to bear my testimony?

3. What are the obstacles in sharing my testimony?

4. How do I keep my testimony?

Up at 5:30. Studied Elder Renlund's conference address, "A Framework for Personal Revelation."  

I happened to look at Facebook this morning and Lindsay had a post about a vacation they are on in Florida. She took a picture of her parents, Cid & Michael Elmer, and said they were moving to Houston next week. Jared might be happy to hear this. The Elmer's were our neighbors, Cidnie was my good friend, and Michael was our bishop. He is the one who called me as a ward Relief Society president. Carly, their daughter who drowned, is buried in Chandler so I am surprised they are leaving. I guess Lindsey can watch over her grave. Their daughter Jilley lives in Houston so I assume that is why they are moving there.

Colter Hunsaker was the youth speaker in church. He had just come home from spending Thanksgiving in Roswell, New Mexico with his parents. His sister Makenzi lives there. He said on the way home they passed a guy carrying a cross. He was going to California and he had a sign that told how long it would take him to get there. This reminded Colter of the Savior and how he hung on the cross for each of us. I guess this is why he shared it. He also talked about "For the Strength of Youth." He quoted from the First Presidency: Turn to the Savior. Jesus Christ is the strength of youth. Make Jesus Christ your Rock, your solid foundation.

Donna Peeler - For the Strength of Youth.  Elder Uchtdorf's conference address. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. He will lead you the right way. He is your strength. The Savior's message to you: He loves you. "Fear not." "Doubt Not." "Let not your heart be troubled". the Savior would ask you to repent and follow Him. 2 Nephi 28:32 - I will be merciful to them if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts. The Savior is the most glorious Being in the universe. All truth is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John 14:6 - I am the way.... The power of true doctrine. Jesus Christ is your strength.

Ward Choir - "For the Beauty of the Earth." - Kathy Crane, Chris Brady, Carmalynn, Alicia Hunsaker, Katie Hahn, Tamara Applegate, Wendy DeWitt, Susan Goodman, Mike Brady, Dave Westbrook, Jacob Robles, Brother Brown, Bishop Husaker.

Owen Peeler - I don't like using a paper. The first thing Owen did was ask all of the youth between the ages of 12-17 to raise their hands. Then he asks them to raise their hand of they remember hearing Elder Uchtdorf's conference talk. Very few raised their hand. 

Brother Peeler shared some of his testimony with us. What keeps me close to the gospel? Repentance, my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and knowing Jesus is waiting for me with open arms. When Brother Peeler was 14 he needed to know of a surety that what he believed was true. He knelt down and said a prayer. Heavenly Father, I need to know, is Joseph Smith a prophet of God and is the Church true. He said he received a powerful spiritual witness, a warmth throughout his body that this was true. He also learned that we can overcome anything in the flesh, with the help of the Lord.

Relief Society was taught by Natalie Robles. Natalie is a great discussion leader. She acts lots of meaninful questions.  The lesson was based on Elder Dale G. Renlund's conference talk, "A Framework for Personal Revelation." I sat by Kathy Crane and across the aisle from Catherine. Sue Hubble is not here today. She has a cough. Sad to say, there are no more Zoom meetings.

After the block James had a family history meeting. During the meeting I made a trip to the post office. We have a yellow slip which means a package awaits. Good, because I have lots of orders still out.

Back to the church parking lot. It was me in my car and Resten Tesarek and his dog. Resten was riding his bicycle. 

When we got home we had some lunch, chicken tacos, and pumpkin delight. Now it's time for a nap. James slept in the bedroom. I tried to sleep next to him but I just couldn't go to sleep so I slipped out with a book to the family room. The book I chose was, "The Hidden Christ Beneath the Surface of the Old Testament." 

This afternoon I helped James runoff his ministering district. He just couldn't figure it out. I also worked on my blog, listened to "Seeking Jesus", indexed for about an hour, and the worked on family history. I found four sisters I need to do initiatory for so I scheduled the 11:00 session on Tuesday at the Snowflake temple. I'm also going to the temple to an endowment session on Thursday with Sue Hubble, Catherine Halcomb, and Ruth Wallace. 

This evening around 7:30 I was tired and just wanted to sit down and watch a movie. I knew the new movie by Candace Cameron Bure would be good and have the true meaning of Christmas. I was right. James liked it too.

This is from John Hilton III's

"Seeking Jesus" class

Elmer's in Florida

Sweet Charlie

Scarlett

The Chuck & Kathy Crane family

(Some of them)

Lambson Christmas Memories

 

 

Saturday, November 26, 2022: Anthony cancels James, Can M&Ms, KIm tree lights, Brian sick, James cuts wood, turkey tacos, goodbye, Christmas movies, blog, read, walk

 

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple 

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 11:30

For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 7:1-8:11

"Come Follow Me"

Micah 7

OctGenCon

That They Might Know Thee

Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt

Of the Seventy

A few years ago, I had a life-changing experience during a sacrament meeting in our home ward in Arizona. As the sacrament prayer indicated our willingness to "take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ," the Holy Ghost reminded me that Jesus has many names. This question then came to my heart: "Which of Jesus's names should I take upon myself this week?"

The Virtue Of The Word

Elder Mark D. Eddy

Of the Seventy

"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just - yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them - therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."

James had planned on taking his Cat out to Anthony's today to help him put up a new antenna for his radio. James got a call from Anthony this morning. He said he wasn't ready for James to come out with his Cat. He had some prep work to do first. I think James was a little disappointed. He wanted to help Anthony and this is really the only day he could do it.

Kim worked on the tree lights all morning. Brian was sick and stayed downstairs. While Kim was working on our tree, I canned her M&M's for her. She had enough M&M's to fill 8 quart jars. I also made some turkey tacos for her and Brian to take home with them. I got a message from her this evening saying the turkey tacos were delicious! Thank you so much!

Brian had a bishopric meeting tonight so they left around 2:30. Kim was so sad she didn't get to finish the tree. The lights are about 2/3's done. Kim said she would come back on Thursday and finish the lights. I told her that wasn't necessary. We are having a "Come Follow Me' meeting here Monday night and I would like to have the tree done by then.

I forgot to mention that Brian bought me a white cast iron pot from Costco. He said I had mentioned that I saw them and wanted one but couldn't justify buying one, so he bought one for me. He is very thoughtful like that. Be careful what you say you want around him because he will probably buy it for you. He did the same thing with the TV and with our rocking chairs that go on the front porch.

Something else that happened yesterday that I forgot to share. James got up early and went in to town to get his quarterly cancer check bloodwork done, but they were not open. Many medical places now take Friday's off and since this is a holiday weekend it was just another reason to close. 

Brian hung the wreath on the beams in front of the fireplace before he left so James wouldn't have to climb on the ladder. One of the gold flowers fell off and later James climbed the ladder and put it back on. There is no way we can keep him off a ladder as long as he can walk.

This afternoon and evening I worked on my blog, walked, and watched Christmas movies.  James came in and wanted to read from our book while he walked. We read the last chapter of "The Call of the Sea." I know he liked the book but I wasn't a big fan. The names were too confusing.

I watched "A Match Made At Christmas" on GAF, "Baking All The Way" on Lifetime, and James and I watched "I'm Glad It's Christmas" on Hallmark, starring Gladys Knight, Jessica Lowdes, and Paul Greene. Yannick Bisson was in the baking movie. I used to watch him on "Sue Thompson F.B.Eye, and I really like him.

We went to bed around 9:30.

Safe Travels, we will miss you!

Griffin twins,

Midland, Texas

Sheri and her boys