OUR FAMILY

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Friday, May 19, 2023: James goes to Glendale, Rain, Luna the lawnmower, RS lesson, initiatory cards, blog, walk, puzzle, James home with cake, Carrot Cake Mystery

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sep 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

D&C 138:60

Thus was the vision of the redemption of the dead revealed to me, and I bear record, and I know that this record is true, through the blessing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even so. Amen.

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:19-38

Come Follow Me

Matt 22:34-40 The two great commandments are to love god and love others as myself.

Jesus' Name

Savior

Word

Hosanna!

Phrase

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

AprGenCon

Jesus Christ is Relief

President Camille N. Johnson

Relief Society General President

What more do we know of the friends who provided care for the man with palsy? We know that the Savior recognized their faith. And having seen and heard the Savior and being a witness to His miracles, they were "amazed" and "glorified God."

Jesus Christ had provided the hoped-for healing - physical relief from pain and the crippling consequences of chronic disease. Significantly, the Savior also provided spiritual relief in cleansing the man from sin.

James left for Glendale this morning after our prayer. I stayed in bed a little longer.

The little heater we use in our bathroom isn't working. When it is working it makes going into the bathroom in the middle of the night a pleasant experience. Now it is cold. If we can't fix this heater, I want another one just like it.

So sad

I was walking in the dining room this morning when I noticed that Luna was in our yard. I investigated further and saw that James had left the gate open when he brought the Cat in to level the yard. I called him and told him about the situation and he said to just leave her there and he would take care of her when he returned home. I guess Luna is the lawnmower today.

I had a good day here at home. I worked on my Relief Society lesson that I will be giving on the 28th. The conference talk is President Henry B. Eyring's, "Finding Personal Peace." I also ran off some temple cards for James and I each to do some family initiatories, five each. We will be going around our anniversary and will also do some sealings.

I studied Come Follow Me and read from the Book of Mormon. I blogged, and walked, and listened to my book, "A Heart Worth Stealing." I worked on the cupcake puzzle and watched some TV. I prayed James would get home safely, and he did, around 8:30 this evening. He met with the countertop people at the 51st avenue job. James says that Armando is way behind in hanging drywall and he, James, cannot install the cabinets and hang the doors until he is finished.

James stopped by Kim's before coming home. She had some lemon bar cake for us and also a strawberry's and cream individual bundt cake for me. I took a bite of each before going to bed. Something to look forward to tomorrow.

I watched a Hallmark movie this evening while James took my phone in the other room to walk and to listen to our book. I already had my 12,000 steps before he came home. When he was finished with my phone I had over 16,000. I feel like such a cheater.

Best buds!

Oh Yes!

Ollie

Friday, May 19, 2023

Thursday, May 18, 2023: James's mega brkfst, My kitchen torch, Inklings w/ 2 Emilys, James works here & @ BB's,Terry takes Barbara to buy a dress, Ruby wins!

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

D&C 138:12

And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality;

Book of Mormon

Alma 2:1-18

Come Follow Me

Matt 21:1-11;Mark 11:1-11;Luke 19:29-44;John 12:1-8,12-16

Jesus Christ Is My King.

Inklings

Jesus Christ is Relief by Camille N. Johnson

Mosiah 18

Word - Relief - attend, aid, serve, minister

Phrase - "Be a conduit through which He can provide relief.

Affirmation - Jesus Christ is my relief. My relationship with Him relieves me from the weight of sin and provides everlasting strength to endure. I partner with my Savior to provide that same relief and strength to others.

AprGenCon

One In Christ

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The evening before the trials and crucifixion that awaited Him, Jesus joined in a Passover meal with His Apostles. At the end of this Last Supper, in a sacred Intercessory Prayer, Jesus petitioned His Father in these words: "Holy Father, keep through thine own name mine Apostles whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."

James made one of his "Mega" breakfasts this morning. This is a mixture of eggs, onions, potatoes, ham, cheese, and green chilies into a delicious dish. I love it when my hubby cooks.

I forgot to mention that with all of the puzzles I got this week I also got a kitchen torch. It is so cool looking, I can hardly wait to use it.

It shoots flames!

Now I want to make the Smores cake again.

I listened to Inklings this morning with Emily and Emily Snyder. They discussed Sister Camille N. Johnson's talk, "Jesus Christ is Relief." Here are a few notes.

It can't be a Relief Society if no one receives relief.

Jesus Christ has chosen me first.

He will magnify or decrease my efforts as needed.

Jesus Society.

James worked outside while waiting for me to finish Inklings. He is getting ready to plant grass in the backyard. When he came in we studied "Come Follow Me", Jesus Christ is My King. After our study I cut James hair. It was like sheering a sheep I suppose. Gray hair all over the bathroom floor. After his shower and combing his hair he looked like a new man. I did a pretty good job. Better every time.

While James was showering I went in and fixed us some lunch. Refried beans with chips and a nice salad. After lunch we went into the bedroom to take naps.

After our naps James went over to Barbara's and pulled up a tree so she would have room to put up a new conex container. He drove the Cat home and I took him back to get his truck. This evening he did some leveling in the backyard to get ready for planting.

I started a new book today to listen to while I am walking by myself:

"A Heart Worth Stealing" by Joanna Barker. James and I are listening to "What Dreams May Come." Hopefully I don't get the two stories mixed up.

Tonight Ruby won the East Valley Conference Championship with a PR of 5:52 for the mile. She ran in windy and rainy weather. Yay Ruby!

Ruby is not only the nicest girl I know,

she's the fastest!

The Sedig's new home

Saw Debbie at the Gilbert temple

Ruby & Trina's trip to Disneyland

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Wednesday, May 17, 2023: James finishes tile grouting @ MacArthur's, I sign papers for Dennis, Grocery shopping, Finish "Beauty Reborn" and "Coming Home to Bellingham"

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

D&C 136:39

Many have marveled because of his death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with his blood, that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned.

Book of Mormon

Alma 1:15-33

Come Follow Me

Matt 23; Luke 20:45-47 Jesus condemns hypocrisy.

Jesus' Name

Savior

Word

Hosannah

Phrase

Matt 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

AprGenCon

"The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us To Minister"

Elder Juan A. Uceda

Of the Seventy

Recently, President Nelson has said: "A hallmark of the Lord's true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families. Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did. We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving-kindness."

5:20 Arise and shine. James finished up at the MacArthur's today and reset the toilet. Chelsea said her father-in-law could reset the sink. I told James to check back and see if he needs to come and rehang the door.

I left for Show Low around 12:40. I met Dennis, Denise, and Harold at Chase bank. Harold and I are signing over our share of the land Dad had in Wilcox to Dennis. Dennis has been paying taxes on this land since Dad died in 2007. He deserves to have the land.

Before we went in to sign Dennis and Denise shared something with me. They said they had breakfast with Greg Butler. Greg is someone I went to high school with. He was a year younger than me. He also worked in my dad's store, Kings Market, as he was growing up. He is the son of Hal Butler who started a logging business way back many, many years ago, and has been very successful. Greg has been on the board of directors at the hospital and has been an influential member of the Show Low community for years. Denise said he told them that he had a crush on me in high school and that I was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Whoa, where did that come from? I never knew this. He never said a thing to me. Greg wore glasses but maybe he needed a stronger prescription. My mom came up with a nickname for Greg when he worked in the store. He wore a white apron, white tennis shoes, and had a feather duster in his back pocket. He always walked with a bounce and my mom nicknamed him "Bugs Bunny." Denise said, yeah, that's what Vickie calls him.

It was fun to be with my brothers, Harold and Dennis Maxwell, even though it was just for a short while. Vickie waited out in her car and when we were finished I went out and said hi to her. Dennis and Denise just celebrated their wedding anniversary and James and I will be celebrating on June 1st and Harold and Vickie on June 7th. It will be 55 years for us and 54 for Harold and Vickie. I think we should get together and go to dinner our do something together to celebrate. I didn't mention it to anyone but I am going to.

My next stop was Walmart to pick up three prescriptions and do some shopping. I really wasn't in the mood to shop so I didn't get everything on my list. I just wanted to get home.

It rained a little today but nothing like yesterday or Monday. It was still a beautiful day.

I finished my book "Beauty Reborn" and James and I finished "Coming Home to Bellingham." Both we enjoyable romance books.

James and I started listening to "What Dreams May Come" by Dana LeCheminant. We have a friend from high school who married someone with the last name of LeCheminant. I wonder if Dana is related to Michelle and James.

I didn't know they made caps and gowns so

small. Kacey and Jared

with Charlie.

James picked up the mail today. All of these puzzles came

and also a kitchen torch. The guy at the post office says

all of our money must go to Amazon.

This is where Sheri works and where Jared started

out as a partner with Dr. Carpenter.

Dr. Van Over, Dr. Keiser, Dr. Carpenter, Dr. Giles

Tuesday, May 16, 2023:Kim's response to my question about puzzles, Temple with Ruth Gale, James lays new tile, Rain, rain, rain, Prayer circle, Streets closed Ava's again, "Beauty Reborn",

San Antonio, Texas

120th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

D&C 135:5

And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I . . . bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force.

Book of Mormon

Alma 1:1-14

Come Follow Me

Luke 19:1-10 The Lord judges not by the outward appearance but by the desires of the heart.

Jesus' Name

Savior

Word

Hosannah!

Phrase

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

AprGenCon

Have I Truly Been Forgiven?

Elder K. Brett Nattress

Of the Seventy

Brothers and sisters, I testify that our Heavenly Father always remembers us and that Her loves us perfectly. My question is this: Do we remember Him? And do we love Him?

Five o'clock should be my new get up and go time.

James laid tile at the MacArthur's.

It rained again today and we are loving it.

I told Kim about how hard the cupcake puzzle is because there is so much pink and so much white. There are 35 cupcakes and 21 of them have pink on them.

I asked Kim how I could justify working on puzzles and then asked if she thought they were a waste of time. This was her response:

Listen to a Come Follow Me podcast while you do them.

Also, fun is allowed! You are meant to have happiness.

If it was the only thing you were doing it would be a problem, but it is not. You also read and study and journal and do your calling and minister and go to the temple and clean and a whole bunch of other things.

It's about balance. And fun is a part of that balance!!

You have to find things that bring you joy!

Puzzles are not a waste of time.

Plus it's good for your brain!

Keeping it healthy!

Thank you Kim! I needed to hear this!

Fun is allowed!

Even President Hinckley said that life is meant to be enjoyed, not JUST endured.

We all do plenty of enduring. We've got to find more ways to enjoy!

It's the third Tuesday of the month, my date with Ruth Gale at the temple is today. I left for Snowflake at 2:10. Our session is the 3:30 session.

As always, this session is a small one and the sister in the new name booth asked everyone if they would be willing to be in the prayer circle. There were six sisters in the session and six brothers. We were all in the prayer circle. My partner was Brother Gilliland from our stake. I am friends with his wife Karen but she obviously wasn't here. I don't think he knows me but he thanked me for being his partner. He is the former temple president for the Phoenix temple.

After the session Ruth and I decided we wanted to go to Streets for dinner. Last month they were on vacation. We went to the door and pulled but it was locked. We looked at the schedule on the door. They close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. I told Ruth we may have to change to Wednesday for our temple session if we want to eat at our favorite restaurant. Ava's again.

Last month it was taco salads, tonight it was enchiladas. Ruth had cheese and I had chicken. The enchilada plates were very hot and the cheese was very stringy but everything tasted delicious.

We had a nice visit. Ruth has three grandchildren getting married this summer. Janice's son got married a week or two ago and she said the quilt she made for her grandson Scott and his new wife was a real challenge, but after spending 10 hours a day working on it she got it done on time. I told her that was a real act of love. She said she has a friend who made her grandson a quilt and when she went to visit him, she saw the quilt draped over his motorcycle. Young people don't always appreciate the work that goes into a quilt. Ruth said she will look forward to her Alaska cruise at the end of the summer. I am excited for her.

I told her about Barbara Bartels and Terry Tignor getting married. It is an interesting story and you just never know what life is going to send you, even when you are 87. I am so excited for them.

It was raining while I drove home. I had to stop for gas and couldn't get my Easypay card to work which would have saved me 10 cents a gallon. Oh well. I filled my tank and was on my way. I listened to my book, "Beauty Reborn." An interesting remake of Beauty and the Beast.

James said it rained a couple of hours while I was gone. It is so wonderful and everything is so green. We are grateful.

James and I did lots of walking while listening to "Coming Home to Bellingham."

My cherry chip cake