Thursday, April 6, 2023: J leaves for valley, Inklings, Stacy, Elder Holland, Kathy & I visit Chelsea, Wendy Canfield, Janna, Catherine, J home, EQRS lesson plng mtg, Finish "Into the Flames" disappointed mtg,

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Revelation 1:2

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:2-41

Come Follow Me

Many witnesses testify of  the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Words

Atonement & Resurrection

Phrase

"I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. - John 11:25 Christ to Martha

AprGenCon

A Living Prophet for the Latter Days

Elder Allen D. Haynie

Of the Seventy

"Father in Heaven has chosen the pattern of revealing truth to His children through a prophet.

  I got up at 5 and James was already up, which rarely happens. He is going to the valley so he got up early. He brought me a cup of Pero before he left. We had prayer and then said goodbye. He will call me when he arrives safely so I won't worry.

This morning I listened to Inklings and ran off all of the pages for the new workbook, 166 of them. This includes all of the conference talks we will be studying for the next six months. 

I talked to Stacy today about what she is going to do when she can't do food deliveries. She will have to depend on her note buying business, Prime Capital Connection. 

This afternoon Kathy Crane and I made some ministering visits. Our first visit was with Chelsea MacArthur. Kathy made homemade cinnamon rolls for everyone and I had the Andes mints I bought to give them in March. Chelsea was at home with Boone and Scotty who were asleep on the couch when we first got there. Boone immediately woke up. Scotty was awake but she stayed under the covers and wouldn't show her face because she didn't have any clothes on. Chelsea is getting ready to go to the valley to pick up Jared who is flying in from Alaska to spend the weekend with his family. They are going camping up above where we live here, one the Greens Peak road. We wished Chelsea a Happy Easter. She gave me back my Snapware but couldn't find my tray. She said the kids had played with it and she would have to get back to me with it. I had told James to bring it back when he dropped off the food but he forgot.

On our way out from Chelsea's we saw someone walking along the road. Kathy stopped and we spoke with her. Her name is Wendy Canfield. She and her husband have bought the property next to Pierre's and they are putting up a fence. I asked where she lived and she said Chandler. What part? Alma School and Willis. I laughed and told her that is where I lived for over 40 years. Not directly on Alma School but on Willis between Alma School and Arizona Avenue. I felt an immediate friendship with Wendy. She is from my neighborhood. We talked with her for a few minutes, they aren't going to be moving here anytime soon, but they are fencing in their 37 acres so they can have some cattle. They will also be drilling a well. We said our goodbyes and went on our way. 

Our next visit was with Janna Grombach. I noticed when we were getting out of Kathy's car that no progress had been made on the remodeling they are doing. This is a sore spot with Janna. She says Willie is always doing things for other people and has not time to finish their remodeling. I do love the view of Green's Peak  they have from their front porch.

Janna had some other issues regarding her calling and we tried to understand and show our concern. She was grateful for the cinnamon rolls and she said the Andes mints were her favorite. I love Janna. She will be the one that makes a cake for the Scott's surprise 60th wedding anniversary party.

We talked about cancer. Janna's mother, Patsy has had three types of cancer and all of her siblings except one have died of cancer. They all grew up in Show Low between 1940-1962. I was introduced to the term "Downwinder" by both Kathy and Janna. It refers to the testing the government did in southern Utah/Nevada which caused many people to have cancer. James said he has a cousin who died of leukemia as a result of the testing. Show Low was "downwind" from the testing and if you can prove you lived in the area during this time and have cancer, the government will reimburse you $50,000. I lived in Show Low from 1948-53 but I don't have cancer, at least I have not been diagnosed with cancer.

Our last visit was with Catherine Halcomb. Catherine loves visitors. She is a lonely 89 year old widow who lives with her daughter Kerri. Kerri is gone most of the day teaching as a sub either in Show Low or Springerville. 

Catherine told the story of her baptism and how she came to join the Church. I have heard it but Kathy hasn't. Somehow the conversation turns to the fact that her family doesn't visit her. She is afraid her great grandchildren won't know who she is. Her grandson helped her make a video but she says no one has watched it. This is an ongoing problem and I try to encourage her but mostly I listen. Kathy took the approach of telling her how busy everyone is and it isn't necessarily a sign of rejection, just neglect.

Catherine does a lot of service for others. She is always taking in sewing and having others over for dinner or to watch conference. The Scott's and their non-member neighbors are coming for Easter dinner. She said she made a commitment when her husband passed away 13 years ago that she would take every opportunity to serve. What a wonderful legacy.

Back at home I cut off half of one of the cinnamon rolls Kathy made and warmed it up in the microwave. Oh my goodness, it was gooey, and soft, and most delicious. I had to have the other half. I saved the other one for James but I have to admit I was tempted to eat it too!

James got home from the valley after five but had to hurry and get ready for a meeting he has at six. He is driving and picking up Chuck.

The meeting is with the Relief Society presidency. They are meeting together to choose the talks to use for lessons in Relief Society, Elders Quorum for the next six months. When James got home I asked him what the talks were for the April 23rd lesson since I am teaching. The principle is ministering and I am to use Elder Gong's talk and Elder Uceda's. 

James and I walked together and listened to the last couple of chapters of "Into the Smoke". We were so disappointed. Brother Lund explained that he wanted to write one more book to take us through the end of World War II but he has some other commitments he has to honor first. I am assuming he still hasn't written this last book. I hope Deseret Book will let us know when he does. So, we were left hanging or left to use our own imagination on how to end the book, at least for awhile.

News on Elder Holland today. He is recovering from Covid and is also beginning dialysis for his kidneys. He has been given a two month reprieve from his assignments. I am praying for him.

Trina

This reminds me of my 3 temple friends

 

Wednesday, April 5, 2023: Bed @ 9:30H up @ 5, James cleaned my car inside and out, Temple w/ Catherine, Ruth & Sue, Lois's pacemaker, "Follow Him"

 

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

1 John 5:10

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2: 9-27

Come Follow Me

Matt 28:1-10; Luke 24:13-35; John 20:19-29; 1 Cor. 15:1-8,55 Many witnesses testify of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

Cup

Phrase

...a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

AprGenCon

Safely Gathered Home

Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 "We are in a unique position to gather Israel on both sides of the veil as never before under the Father's plan.

Up at 5:00. I stayed busy until it was time to get ready to go to the temple. James cleaned my car for me, both inside and out. 

I left my house at 9:30 and picked up Catherine Halcomb first. We drove to the 60 and 3148 to pick up Ruth Wallace. For the first time ever, she wasn't there waiting for us. I called her and she said she was planning on leaving at 10:20 and then realized she should have left at 9:20. She said she could be there in 10 minutes and I said we would wait for her. It was more like 15 minutes and we still have to pick up Sue Hubble at Dollar General. We picked up Sue and didn't take the time for her to put her bag in the back. She said she could carry it in her lap. I planned on "riding like the wind" but we got behind a motor home lumbering down the highway. When we turned onto highway 77 going towards Snowflake we got behind a dump truck full of gravel. I tried to stay back because he was flipping little rocks into the air but before I could pass one hit my windshield and caused a ding. 

We got to the temple at 10:46 and I dropped everyone off at the door while I went to find a place to park. I hurried in and made it into the session before it started. Ruth and Sue were already seated when I came in. Catherine was in the bathroom. She made it in just before they closed the door. The last sister in the last seat. 

We had a wonderful, relaxing, spiritual session. I love the new presentation. Sue was overcome and she came into the celestial room. She was so happy and said how wonderful that was. Catherine, Sue and I walked to the dressing room together. Ruth was already there. 

Sue and I went down to get the car while Ruth waited for Catherine.  I am so glad that we waited for Ruth this morning. She gave names to both Catherine and I from her family line. She gave me a big hug when we were waiting to get our new names and said thank you, that she would never forget what I did for her today. 

On the way out of the temple Charlie Patterson was at the recommend desk. I stopped and introduced myself, saying that I was Karen Maxwell from high school. He wanted to know where James was. I told him he was at home working but we would be back later in the month.

I told Sue who Charlie was and that his family had owned the bowling alley in Show Low. She said she remembered going bowling there as a teenager.

It was a beautiful day today, sunshine and no wind. It was a little on the cool side but without the wind it was nice.

On the way home we stopped at Sonic. Catherine bought me a Slinger for lunch and Ruth gave me $10 for gas. I told her she did not have to pay for gas and that $10 was too much. She said that next time she would only give me $5.

Ruth's husband, George is probably 10 years older than James and I. Their grandson is going skydiving and George wants to go with him. You are not supposed to go if you have a pacemaker but that isn't stopping him. He also has a glass eye he will have to take out and false teeth. Ruth sounded a little disgusted when she was telling us the story. She said they are supposed to go to Dollywood right after the skydiving. She made the comment: "If something happens to him when he's skydiving, I'm going to go to Dollywood without him." It made me chuckle.

James picked up the mail for me today and mailed Rebecca's card. Her birthday is on the 8th. I got my purple with white polka dot salt & pepper shakers in the mail. They are so cute!

I made appointments for Kathy and I to go ministering tomorrow. She has made cinnamon rolls for everyone and I have the Andes mints I bought in March with the quote on the front that I want to deliver.

James's mom had a pacemaker put in today. Dawn kept sending us texts letting us know how she was doing. It was put in with no problems and she is feeling well enough to sit up and read a book. She will stay in the hospital overnight just to make sure there are no problems and will most likely go home tomorrow. We are so grateful for modern medicine!

James and I went to bed at 9 because James is getting up early and going to the valley again tomorrow. I told him we should have stayed on Tuesday and it would have saved another trip. He agreed.

James building the patio & firepit

This little 8-9 year old girl attended conference for the first time.

She said she wanted to shake the Prophets hand. Her mother told her that probably wouldn't happen but she could wave to him.

She said a prayer that she would be able to shake his hand. Her grandmother took her to conference. She took her up to the front after the first session and President Nelson beckoned her to come closer and he shook her hand.

Costco pastries:

This isn't me but I have known people like this.

Fantasy vs. Reality

 

Tuesday, March 4, 2023: Left arm & chest in pain, Kim's cake for brkfst, Conference quotes, Stefani visits, Peeler's Starlink, Donna not well, Trip to town, Stacy's text

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of 

1 John 4:15

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:15-2:8

Come Follow Me

Matt 21-28 Jesus Christ delivers me from sin and death, strengthens me in my weaknesses and comforts me in my trials. 

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Word

Cup

Phrase

...a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

AprGenCon

Ministering

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"Let us reach out and care as our Savior would, especially to those whom we are privileged by love and assignment to minister."

 I went to bed last night with my upper left arm throbbing with pain. James rubbed on some Deep Blue and later he found the heating pad, plugged it in and set it for me. I am wondering if this pain is related to my infusion being given in this arm and the fact that I was poked three times. I guess I will never know. I also felt a squeezing in my left chest for most of the morning until I took some aspirin. It finally went away.

I had Kim's lemon ricotta cake with blueberry compote and blueberry frosting for breakfast. It was delicious!

I worked on my blog putting conference quotes on for Saturday and Sunday. At 2:00 one of my ministering sisters, Stefani Hunsaker, came for a visit. Her partner, Donna Peeler, had made the appointment but Donna was not feeling well, so she didn't come. Donna did send a cute bunny bag with chocolate bunnies and chocolate caramel eggs inside, and a magnetic notepad.

I ate the candy

Stefani and I had a nice visit. We talked about her kids and how they are doing. Camrie and her husband are buying houses and setting up airbnb's. Stefani gave me some tips on what to do to prepare to plant grass in our back yard. Go to the "Pot" (Marajuana) farm in Snowflake and get some potting soil. spread it out and then cover it with chicken wire which keeps out the gophers. Next you buy sod because seed blows away and roll it out. Walla, a lawn! I hope I can convince James to buy sod.

James called me from the Peeler's. He needs my help setting up Starlink for them. Stefani said she needed to go anyway. They are going to spend Easter in Texas and so she is trying to get things done before she leaves. 

James and Owen had put up the satellite and now needed help downloading the Starlink app on Donna's phone. Donna was asleep. 

I tried to download the app several times but it would not download.  I finally decided it might be there internet connection so I asked Owen if I could take the phone to our house to try and download the app. He said yes, and I did. It worked!

When I returned to the Peeler's Donna was up. She was not feeling well. Owen and James had given her a blessing. Owen wanted to take her to the ER but she refused to go. I showed Owen where the app was and how to open it. He does not have a smart phone and does not know anything about them. I think he is going to need more help to get this satellite system up and running. 

James and I leave the truck at the Peeler's and take my car to town. He wanted to pick up some plans at Allegra before 5. It was 4:30 when we left. We got there about 7 minutes before closing time. Our next stop was Walmart where I picked up a few groceries. James likes to eat before six so we stopped at Jack-in-the Box for dinner. We are the old folks, fast food junkies.

Stacy texted me and said she wrote down her prayer today and it really did help her to stay focused!

Indexing with Grampa

Kim & Brian Memories

Michael & friends at the condo

 

Monday, April 3, 2023: Trip to valley, AARA infusion, Stacy picks me up, James in Glendale, I do Grub Hub delivery w/her and then "hang out" at her house, Kim's cake, Elmer's, Costco, Home again 70 mph winds

 

Palmyra, New York

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Hebrew 11:5

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God has translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:1-14

Come Follow Me

Easter "O Grave, Where Is Thy Victory" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Jesus' Name

Redeemer

Words

Atonement & Resurrection

Phrase

...a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

When faced with disappointment, painful experiences, personal inadequacies or other challenges, do not "let discouragement overwhelm us." God will help individuals overcome discouragement and other obstacles if they "look to Him, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and just keep going - with faith."

Elder Carl B. Cook

Presidency of the Seventy

 Up at 4:01. Sometime during the night I decided I would go with James today in the truck. It is silly for me to take a car just so I can go shopping when it is not necessary. I have enough family in the valley that I surely will be able to get a ride from the AARA to Chandler Eyecare. I texted Sheri and asked her if she could come and get me. Yes, she can.

We left at 6:00. We went the Payson way because James asked me which way I wanted to go. We stopped in Payson for gas and then we were on our way. The desert was beautiful, so green and covered with yellow and purple flowers. 

We stopped at a McDonald's close to AARA to use the restroom and have a little breakfast. James dropped me off at 9:30 and my appointment isn't until 10:15. I walked around the building a couple of times and went in at 9:50 to register and wait for Frances to call me back. Normally it takes about five minutes to call me back. Today, I waited, and waited, and waited until finally at 10:20 Frances came to get me.  The girl who usually "pokes" me to get my infusion started had a difficult time. She tried 2x and was unsuccessful both times. Ang came over and was successful. It was 10:25 and it takes an hour for the infusion to be complete. I texted Sheri and told her my situation hoping I could still keep my appointment at Chandler Eyecare. She texted me back and said if I couldn't be there by 11:45 my appointment would be cancelled because of their busy schedule. 

I decided I needed to cancel and reschedule. She suggested I not wait a month but come down with James sometime in the next week or so. I said I would have to talk to him and look at my schedule. I was a little bummed. I asked Sheri if she could go to lunch and she said she couldn't because Evan has an orthodontist appointment. She asked if I still needed her to pick me up. I said no, I was going to call Stacy and she if she could, which she said she could, and she did.

Stacy was running a little late because I really didn't give her any warning so I started walking south on Arizona Avenue. We met up just north of the QuikTrip on Az Ave and Guadalupe. 

I went with Stacy on her Grub Hub run. She only made one delivery from the Chikfila on Gilbert and Germann. She made the delivery and earned over $6.00. She isn't going back out until later because the lunch rush is already over. We went to her house and I just relaxed and enjoyed visiting with my daughter. We went to Circle K to get a drink and then went back to Stacy's. Soon James showed up and we left. Before he came Paul came out of his work room and gave me a hug and then went right back in to work. 

I told Stacy about my prayer journal and writing my prayers. I told her it helps me to stay focused and I feel closer to Heavenly Father as a result. She was intrigued and said she was going to try it.

James finally showed up and he was very hungry. I told him I had already eaten. I ordered him a machaca burro and an order of strips, cheese and beans from Elmer's. We went to pick up the order and then we stopped by Kim and Brian's to pick up a piece of her blueberry lemon cake. It was delicious. James said I ought to make this cake next. I don't know. I want to make one for Mother's Day. Right now I am thinking of strawberry or a hummingbird cake.

Although I was bummed that I didn't get my eyes checked today I am grateful I got to spend some time with Stacy. Her foot that she had surgery on in December is not healing. The bone is not growing back together and she is going to have to have surgery again in about three weeks. She is extremely worried. She makes about $2,000 a month with her Grub Hub business and she will not be able to do it as her foot heals. The doctor said she has to stay completely off of it for at least six weeks. I told her I would pray specifically for this problem and she should to. I think I was meant to be with Stacy today and the Lord lead me here.

We stopped at the Costco in Gilbert and picked up a few things that added up to $130.00. Wow! It is certainly easy to spend money on the "little things."

Darrel had a friend who wants some concrete work done in his back yard and James is going to bid on it. We stopped at the Packer's Kent and Kelly's, and James looked at their backyard and it's accessibility for concrete trucks which is actually non-existent. It will either have to be hauled in with wheel barrows or pumped in.

Since we were already almost to Apache Junction we went home the Globe way. 

When we got home our first item of business after putting out groceries and other things away was to walk and listen to our book.

We were appalled and shocked that two of the main characters in our series were shot and killed by the Germans; Hans Eckhart and Allamond Ziegler. We were both very disappointed.

Scarlett

Charlie

Desert in the spring

Dianne & Ray Heyman