Saturday, December 24, 2022: AJ's brkfst, Brkfst @ Sheri's, Sheri's fmly gifts, San Marcos, rest & wrap, Deliver gifts, Lois, Dawn, Tibbetts, Aunt Faye, Uncle Paul

 

Ft. Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Spirit of

Philippians 1:19

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 1-5

"Come Follow Me"

"His name shall be called wonderful" Light & Peace

Jesus's Name

Chief Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20

OctGenCon

Legacy of Encouragement

President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Mormon begins in the first verses of Moroni 7 with a testimony of Jesus Christ, of angels, and of the Spirit of Christ, which allows us to know good from evil and so be able to choose the right. 

Brian bought us breakfast along with two nights in the San Marcos. Even though we are scheduled for breakfast at Sheri's at nine, James wanted to have breakfast here first. I stayed up late last night wrapping and watching movies and walking so I was very "perky" this morning. I wanted to stay in the room and take a shower and get ready to go to Sheri's. He sent me the menu and I picked out what I wanted, stuffed French toast with fresh strawberries. It was delicious. I couldn't finish it all so James helped. He also brought orange juice but there just wasn't any room for it. 

We were a little late getting to Sheri's. She actually texted just as we turned into the neighborhood and said she had all of this food but nothing to serve it on. I told her we would be there in less than a minute. 

Sheri's house smelled so good when we walked in. I guess it was the bacon.  She was cooking bacon and making scrambled eggs. Brian and Kim brought sausage gravy and biscuits. Darrel's family was late but when they came they brought a big batch of cinnamon rolls. Stacy sent orange juice with Paul and the boys. We got to see Alex and Dallin for the first, and last time. Alex ate and left and so did Dallin. We got to visit with Michael before he left on his motorcycle. James brought in the Trezise gifts without letting the dogs out. That was quite a challenge. All of Sheri's family was at the breakfast, Kim, Brian, Paul, Adam, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola and James and I rounded out the group. I love this tradition we normally do on Christmas day but changed to Christmas Eve because Christmas is on Sunday.

Michael ready to leave.

This is the only picture I took this morning.

It is a beautiful sun shiny day in Chandler, Arizona. I am grateful to be here when the weather is this nice. After breakfast Ian went to work and the rest of the family, including Joshua, went to A mountain for their traditional Christmas Eve hike. Trina and Darrel's family have this tradition too and they also went. Here are some pictures. 

While these guys were hiking, James and I were napping. I had to build up some energy to finish wrapping all of those gifts before going to see James's mom and Dawn. 

My nap was short because I just kept thinking of all of those gifts I had to wrap. I wrapped and watched movies on my phone most of the afternoon. Finally I was finished and it was time to make deliveries. Our first stop was Kim and Brian's. I always like to see their tree. Kim & Brian's gifts are always service to others and I am grateful for that. Sheri left our gifts from their family at Kim's.

Kim's tree

Next it was Stacy and Paul's. Of course we were greeted by yapping dogs, especially Sophie. For such a small dog she has a big bark. We stopped at Sonic after Stacy's and got Slingers and I got a drink. 

When we got to Tempe Rebecca and Brent, Nathan and Scott were there so we got to visit with them. I put Lois and Dawn's gifts under the tree. We visited for awhile before Rebecca and family left. Of course Dawn tried to feed us. She had some good bean dip and she gave me the recipe. As we got ready to leave, Aunt Faye and Uncle Paul arrived. Paul is 93, Faye 87 and Lois is 95. 

Back at room 101 I set up a place for our gifts. I know that one of the ones from Lois is a quilt and I am so excited! James went to bed while I wrapped his gifts. I am finally finished!

Kacey & Jared rented a cabin in Arkansas to be

close to family Christmas activities.

They were there from the 21st-24th

Friday, December 23, 2022: Wrap Lola under tree, gym, nap, San Marcos, J's call w/ surgeon, Pei Wei order in, David Archuleta concert,

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

152nd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Sep 2016

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Son of man

D&C 130:15

Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter.

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:18-34

"Come Follow Me"

Branch & Holy One

Names of Christ

MEDIATOR - Hebrews 9:15

OctGenCon

Overcome The World And Find Rest

President Russell M. Nelson

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

The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power - power that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations, and heartaches better. This power eases our way. Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power. Thus, covenant keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest that comes to them through their covenantal relationship with God.

James got up and went downstairs before I did. I think he might be indexing. I got up and got dressed and went outside to get Darrel's family's gifts out of the car. I took them upstairs to wrap them in Rowan's room. Trina's is already wrapped and under the tree. I took them downstairs to put the bows on and then Lola put them under the tree for me. I took a little break and then went to the car to get more gifts. Next is Sheri's family. I got most of their gifts wrapped but no bows. Around 2:30 it was time to load up the car and get going over to the San Marcos. James was taking a nap so I loaded the car with Lola as my helper. She really was a big help. James has a call from his surgeon at 3:30. We left and checked in and I had to carry all of those gifts back in to the hotel room, Room 101, to put the bows on and to finish wrapping. Whew....

After James's call I asked him if he would go to Pei Wei to get some food. He said he wasn't hungry but I knew if I didn't get him anything he would decide he wanted something. I ordered some lettuce wraps and sesame chicken with fried rice. The lettuce wraps were delicious but the sesame chicken was mushy and meh. I was very disappointed. I used to love the spicy chicken salad but they don't have it anymore. 

At 7:00 Brian and Kim picked us up to go to the Chandler Center for the Arts for the David Archuleta Christmas concert. We could have walked but it was fun to be with Kim and Brian. We waited for Stacy and Sheri outside. When they arrived we all went in together. Our tickets are in like the second row. Some of the best seats in the house.

Instead of "Silent Night" at the end David sang, "O Holy

Night" which is my favorite Christmas song. He also sang "The Prayer" and "Hallelujah." Lots of other good songs. Such a great voice and a sweet personality. You just can't help but love him.