Friday, December 16, 2022: Ben and Boone's birthdays, lost wallet, Home Depot, LaCasita, Walmart, "The Undaunted", post office, wrap, blog, walk, movies

Cordoba, Argentina

145th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 May 2015

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Revelations 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 paps with a golden girdle.

Book of Mormon

Ether 11:1-23

Come Follow Me

Malachi 3:8-12 Paying tithing opens the windows of heaven.

Malachi 3:8-18

Names of Christ

Prophet - Matthew 21:11

OctGenCon

Are You Still Willing?

Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Of the Seventy

Partaking of the sacrament is not a passive religious ritual implying our mere consent. It is a powerful reminder of the reality of the Savior's infinite Atonement and the need to always remember Him and keep His commandments. Willingness to focus on the Savior is so crucial it is the central message of the two most quoted scriptures in the Church: the sacrament prayers. 

Courage To Proclaim The Truth

Elder Denelson Silva

Of the Seventy

Once we learn the truth, the Lord gives us the opportunity to do what He would do if He were here today. Truly, He showed us by His teachings what we must do: "And ye shall go forth in the power of y Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God. The opportunity for missionary service in our youth is unique!

I got up at 4:12 and went back to bed and woke up again at 5:12. I told myself I had one hour. That is pretty precise for an internal clock.

Today James and I took Boone MacArthur his birthday gifts. It is his first birthday. James is their ministering brother and I am Chelsea's ministering sister. He is Boone wearing his coonskin cap and holding the stuffed animal we got him.

Although Boone didn't like the hat very well,

his dad really liked it!

James has not been able to find his wallet since he was at Home Depot yesterday. We went home after visiting the MacArthur's to look for it one more time. No wallet. James finally called Home Depot and they said they had it. This is an excuse to go to town and to get some lunch while we are there.  While James went into Home Depot I waited in the car. He came out with his wallet. We were both hungry so we headed for La Casita at James's suggestion. All we've been eating lately is Slingers at Sonic so La Casita actually sounded good. I had what I normally get here, a chicken enchilada with red sauce with a side of rice and beans. James had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of beans. We were both very happy with our meal, although I had to take my rice and beans home to eat later. 

After lunch we went to Walmart where I got some cash to send to Jared's kids and just a couple of things I needed. 

On the way home we listened to our new book , "The Undaunted" until we stopped at the Vernon post office. We picked up a couple of packages but still no gift for Autumn and Palmer. Hopefully it will be here by Monday. 

James and I both needed a nap before doing anything else. James did some indexing as he is still trying to reach his goal before the end of the year. He also went over to Barbara's to check the concrete. He was excited when he came back because there were no cracks. 

I walked and blogged, and figured out my budget for 2023. Here are the movies I watched: "Well Suited for Christmas", "Merry Swissmass", and "A Country Christmas Harmony." 

Thursday, December 15, 2022: My testimony of Jesus Christ, James Dr. Ellsworth, Slinger, Returns lights & blower, Christmas movies, wrap gifts, "The Undaunted"

Phoenix, Arizona

144th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Nov 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Hebrews 2:6

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is a man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:17-34

"Come Follow Me"

Malachi 3-4 Malachi's prophecies are being fulfilled in the latter days. Malachi 3:1-7

Christ's Names

High Priest, Hebrews 3:1

OctGenCon

Wholehearted

Sister Michelle D. Craig

First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

President Joseph F. Smith spoke of the inner strength of  pioneer women, saying: "Could you turn one of these women away from their convictions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Could you darken their minds as to the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith? Could you blind them with reference to the divine mission of Jesus Christ, the Son of God? No, never in the world could you do it. Why? Because they knew it. God revealed it to them, and they understood it, and no power on earth could turn them from what they knew to be that truth."

Christmas is sneaking up on me, so much to do, so little time. I have been thinking a lot about our family Christmas party and how to make it a little more meaningful. Before we start our gift exchange, I want to share my testimony of the Savior with them and challenge them to get to know him better through prayer and scripture study. I shared this idea with James and he liked the idea.

James had an appointment with Dr. Ellsworth, the orthopedic doctor, this afternoon. He took the blower and lights with him to take back to Home Depot. 

The doctor didn't think the knee was seriously injured. He said the swelling had gone down since the x-ray was taken which means it is getting better. He did offer to drain the knee but James declined. 

James brought me a Slinger, (small chicken sandwich from Sonic). I was in the bedroom walking and watching a Christmas movie when James arrived. I was also working on my blog and wrapping gifts. I am behind in both areas. 

James is a little discouraged right now. Because of complications with the city of Casa Grande he had to get workmen compensation insurance and put Bob Joye on his payroll. This is because Bob was working on his airport property and was stopped by the city saying that the contractor or someone who works for him is the only one who can be working on this project. It is Bob's property but he can't work on it? It is a frustrating situation but the city shut the job down so James and Bob have no choice but to comply.

We started a new book today, "The Undaunted" by Gerald Lund. 

Sue Hubble

 

 

Wednesday, December 14, 2022: 4" snow, 7 degrees, Temple, Ava's, Sue Y, Stefani, Donna, Janna, Cheryl, Barbara, Natalie, Rosie, Me, Twitch, Ben's card, movies

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

143rd operating temple

Dedicated: 4 May 2014

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Son of man

John 13:31

Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

Malachi 1:6-14 The Lord asks for "a pure offering" Malachi 2

Christ's Names

King of the Jews, Matthew 2:2

OctGenCon

Our Earthly Stewardship

Bishop Gerald Causse

Presiding Bishop

The work of creation is not an end in itself. It is an integral part of God's plan for His children. Its purpose is to provide the setting in which men and women may be tested, exercise their agency, find joy, and learn and progress so that they may one day return to the presence of their Creator and inherit eternal life.

It was 7 degrees and there was about 4" of snow on the ground this morning when I left around 7:45. I arrived at the Vernon church around 8:00, the first one. The RS sisters who want to are carpooling to the 9:30 session at the Snowflake temple this morning. Stefani Hunsaker was the next one to arrive and parked next to me in her Ford Explorer. A few minutes later Brother Peeler and Donna drove up and parked next to Stefani. Soon I saw Donna get into Stefani's car so I turned my car off and asked Stefani if she was driving. When she said yes, I asked if I could ride with her. Yes. I told her that I had said I would drive but I guess I wasn't needed and there was more room in her car than mine. Rosie Lauritzen drove up and said she was waiting for Barbara Bartels. We waited with her until 8:15, the designated time we set to leave, and we all left. I told Barbara, who showed up at the temple by herself, that we had waited until 8:15 for her. She said, "I got there at 8:19."

As we were driving along, me in the backseat and Donna in the front along with Stefani, I happened to look at my phone and I noticed that Natalie Robles had called. She was supposed to meet at Dollar General with those sisters in that direction who wanted to come this morning. I called Natalie and she said she was the only one there and could we pick her up? Of course we could, and we did.

The first person we saw that we knew when we got to the temple was Brother Applegate at the recommend desk. He had his black arm sling on and I asked if he couldn't find a white one. He said no he couldn't and that he had looked. When we got upstairs the sister working at the top of the stairs also had a black sling on. It was just a funny coincidence. 

I had my own family name to do, Maddie J. Tyson. I sat by Natalie in the session. Sue Young and Janna Grombach were on our row. Donna Peeler and Rosie Lauritzen were in front of us and Cheryl Sedig, Barbara Bartels, and Stefani Hunsaker were behind us, nine of us in all. Another member of our ward was one of the sister followers, Sister Judy Hunter. President VanWinkle, of the Show Low stake, was the officiator. His wife was also at the recommend desk downstairs. He was in the stake presidency when we were members of the Show Low stake. Charles Patterson was the only other person I knew in our session. I went to high school with Charles or Charlie as we called him in high school.

It was a great session except for the fact that the screen was broken and wouldn't go up so to temple worker brethren held it up as we went through the veil. After our session, everyone, except Sue Young met at Ava's for lunch. Sue stayed at the temple where she is being set apart as a temple worker. Judy Hunter placed a pick up order at Ava's and she came in to pick it up and ended up joining us at our table. I had one of the lunch specials, a chicken enchilada with rice and beans for $9.99. I sat by Natalie and Barbara Bartels. We sat in the back room and had it all to ourselves. 

Even though the high was only 28 it was a nice day because the sun was shining and there was no wind. 

When I got home James is sitting at his point at the dining room table working on his computer. I notice the box with the blower is all taped up and ready to be returned. I asked him if we were going today to return it and he said no, tomorrow when he goes to the doctor. I was glad. I got my lights, shoved them back in the box and set them with the blower. 

I needed to mail Ben's card and it was apparent that James wasn't going anywhere because he went in to take a nap. I changed my clothes and headed to the Vernon post office. I mailed Ben's card and picked up about four quite large packages. I went home, opened them and put them away all before James got up. One was for him. 

Sheri texted me today and informed me that "Twitch", Steven Boss, had committed suicide. This is sad news. I am always watching dance videos he and his wife Allison do together in their home, sometimes with their children, sometimes by themselves. My heart is hurting for his family. 

I wrapped all of the Texas gifts except for one thing I got for Autumn and Palmer that hasn't come yet. Hopefully it will come soon. I am sending Jared's kids, James, Anna, Emmy, and Molly money so they can buy what they want.

This evening I walked, wrapped, blogged, and watched Christmas movies. Another string of lights went out on the tree but I don't even care. James is trying to get workman comp insurance for Bob Joye at the Casa Grande job. If he doesn't do this, he may get his contractor's license revoked.

Come and live with me instead Charlie!

This is the dear sweet sister who got me to join

the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers when I was

her visiting teacher.

Vernon on a cold winters day

A quote from Bishop Causse's conference address.

 

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2022: Carmen's bday, James's procedure, HD-blower & lights, Firehouse Subs, Fix tree lights, Troy Lunt, Denice, RWC

 

Gilbert, Arizona

142nd operating temple

Dedicated: 2 Mar 2014

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

John 12:23

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Book of Mormon

Ether 9:23-35

"Come Follow Me"

Malachi 1-4 "Return unto me, and I will return unto you."

Malachi 1:6-14

Christ's Names

MASTER, Matthew 23;8

OctGenCon

"The Doctrine Of Belonging"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

A sense of belonging is important to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Yet it is quite possible that at times each of us might feel that we don't fit in. In discouragning moments, we may feel that we will never measure up to the Lord's high standards or the expectations of others. We may unwittingly impose expectations on others - or even ourselves - that are not the Lord's expectations. We may communicate in subtle ways that the worth of a soul is based on certain achievements or callings, but these are not the measure of our standing in the Lord's eyes. "The Lord looketh on the heart."

He cares about our desires and longings and what we are becoming.

Happy Birthday Carmen! I hope you got our card.

James had surgery this morning. It was exploratory surgery to find out why he still has internal bleeding. We went to the outpatient center first and say John and Lynda Finnell and they told us we were in the wrong place and that we needed to go to the main entrance of the hospital. 

James was assigned to be in room 11 in the surgery center. The anesthesiologist came in and happened to ask if we knew Larry and Doris Lunt. Yes we know them. He said, "I am there son, Troy." He said he recognized James. This is interesting because he was very young when we knew their family in Chandler. Doris's brother is Loren Hatch a good friend of ours from high school who is from Taylor. I guess Larry and Doris recently moved to Taylor. Maybe we will see them in our travels to the temple. The Lunt's daughter, Jennifer was a good friend of Stacy's when they were in high school in Chandler.

I ask the nurse taking care of James if she knew Denice Maxwell. 

Monday, December 12, 2022: ER in a blizzard, Wlmrt, Sonic, HD, Circle K, PO, Dinner for Crane's, Miss CFM, Walk, Blog, "Recipe for Joy"

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Son of man

John 6:62

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

Book of Mormon'

Ether 9:1-22

"Come Follow Me"

Malachi "I Have Loved You, Saith the Lord" Intro to lesson, Malachi 1:1-5

Names of Christ

Alph & Omega, Revelation 1:8

OctGenCon

And They Sought To See Jesus Who He Was

Elder James W. McConkie III

Of the Seventy

For me, for Laurel, and for our missionaries, spending time with Jesus in the scriptures changed everything. We gained a deeper appreciation for who He was and what was important to Him Together we considered how He taught, what He taught, the ways He showed love, what He did to bless and serve, His miracles, how He responded to betrayal, what He did with difficult human emotions, His titles and names, how He listened, how He resolved conflict, the world He lived in, His parables, how He encouraged unity and kindness, His capacity to forgive and to heal, His sermons, His prayers, His atoning sacrifice, His Resurrection, His gospel.

Building A LIfe Resistant To The Adversary

Elder Jorge F. Zeballos

Of the Seventy

The day finally arrived for my first class on how to design building and other structures that could then be considered "anti-seismic."

The first words from the professor were the following: "You are surely anxious to begin this course and learn how to design anti-seismic structures," to which many of us eagerly nodded our heads. Then the professor said, "I am sorry to tell you that this is not possible, for I cannot teach you how to design a building that is against, that is 'anti-'or that is opposed to, an earthquake. This makes no sense," he said, "because earthquakes will occur anyway, whether we like it or not." 

James decided this morning he wanted to go to the ER so we drove to Show Low in the middle of a blizzard. Even with his hurt knee, he was the driver. I am grateful because I really don't like to drive when the roads are icy. 

I stayed with James for awhile but then he told me to go ahead and go over to Walmart and pick up my prescription and do my shopping, which I did. Thank goodness it has stopped snowing. 

After I was finished at Walmart I went back to the emergency room parking lot and texted James. He said he was finished and they were supposed to be bringing him the checkout paperwork. I asked if I should come in and he said no. He waits for several minutes and then decides to leave because they are taking so long. He tells the girl at the desk his situation and she says, "Okay, goodbye."

James was frustrated because they did an xray and said he had no broken bones. He already knew that. He asked about an MRI and they said they only had one machine and it was reserved for stroke patients. I guess this isn't a full service hospital. Maybe this is why so many of our friends go to Springerville. They gave him nothing for the pain but told him to make an appointment with Dr. Ellsworth.

I let James drive and told him I was hungry. We went to Sonic and got lunch and then we drove back to Home Depot because James wanted to buy a blower for blowing the snow off Barbara's concrete.

He didn't buy it because it was almost $500. We stopped at Circle K for gas and then at the post office in Vernon. We had three packages waiting for us and we saw Alicia and Colter Hunsaker. 

After putting the groceries away it was nap time. While James was sleeping I went into the family room and finished watching "Undercover Holiday." After my nap I got up and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner for the Crane's. 

I prepared two pork tenderloins, one for them, and one for us, some stuffing, corn, a salad, croissants, and cheese Danish for dessert. I took it over to them in the snow. They seemed very grateful and I admired there tree and the village scene beneath it. Next year I am going to put my snowman scene under our tree. 

Kathy was on oxygen and did not look well. She said she was very tired. She is recovering from pneumonia and today is her first day home from the hospital.

James's knee is really hurting so we don't go to the Peeler's for CFM. We don't like to miss but he was just not feeling up to it. The Goodman's are in Globe where Susan's sister is in the hospital. 

After cleaning the kitchen I walked, blogged, and watched "Recipe for Joy."

Our driving conditions today

Chandler Eyecare staff

Where is Nancy?