Saturday, July 29, 2023: Checkout & locked out, On my way home, Rain, new bathrm lights, JA & J work on deck, clean kitchen counters & floor and the sawdust out of the bathtub

 

Washington D.C.

16th operating temple

19-22 Nov 1974

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Alma 13:16

Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

Book of Mormon

Alma 42:1-25

Come Follow Me

Scripture notebook: Acts 20:13-38 & Acts 21:1-40

AprGenCon

"Do You Know Why I as a Christian Believe in Christ"? by Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt

I was up at 7:00 this morning. I had my prayers and scriptures and some breakfast before I started packing.

Did I mention that I killed a cockroach while I was here. Gross.

Other memories from this week: I gave Sheri two temple names.

Stacy said Joshua spoke in church last Sunday and his girlfriend, Alayna, who is a nonmember came and said she really enjoyed being there.

As I was carrying loads downstairs I noticed that I was going to be working after 10, which is checkout time. I thought to myself that I should leave the door ajar in case the lock didn't work after 10, but then I forgot. 

As I was coming back up after taking a load down, sure enough, my card didn't work when I tried to unlock the door. I had to call the front desk and ask them to send someone up with a key. After unlocking the door he asked to see my I.D. 

By the time I was finished taking everything down, I was pretty sweaty. I didn't want to take a shower so I just changed, cleaned up a little and was on my way home. 

I stopped at Wendy's in Payson for a kids meal and a mini strawberry Frosty. 

It rained much of the way until I got to Heber. It looked like there was a dark cloud over Vernon but when I got home there wasn't any rain, just a big dark cloud. But I can't complain. When I left Scottsdale it was 108 degrees and when I got to Vernon it was 69 degrees.

James had put in new light fixtures in the bathroom to surprise me. The old ones over the shower and toilet don't work and when you take a shower at night it's quite dark. The new ones are great and really light up the room. I did notice there was sawdust and wood chips in the bathtub. 

While James carried in all of my stuff I cleaned the bathtub, the kitchen floor and counters. James is good at doing the dishes but usually forgets the counters and the floor.

I also finished the puzzle I was working on before I left. 

James and Jared have been working on putting down the new deck so the old deck is torn out when I open my bedroom door. 

Jared took the Razr out. When he returned he said he saw a deer come in onto our property. James thinks it's the doe he saw the other day that is about to have a fawn any day now.

Jared goes to bed early so I didn't get to spend much time with him. 

James fixed him dinner and then he went downstairs. We went to bed after we finished walking.

Picture taken outside my room 2065

Building 7B Spring Court

 

Friday, July 28, 2023: Lunch and card-making @ Lois & Dawn's Facetime w/ Connie & Carmen, My car is hot!!, Cool again, Walk, read, blog, Christmas movie

 

Provo, Utah

15th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Feb 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Mosiah 13:31

But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come.

Book of Mormon

Alma 41:1-15

Come Follow Me

Scripture verses notebook: Acts 19:21-41; Acts 20:1-12

AprGenCon

"Hosanna to the Most High God" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"The Imperfect Harvest" by Elder Vern Stanfill

I went to bed at 1:00 a.m. with two more chapters of my book to read. I got up this morning and finished the book, "The Bridge to Belle Island." It was a good one with a happy ending, the kind I like.

I had my prayers, scripture study and breakfast before leaving for Tempe around 10:20.

I was the first one to arrive at Lois and Dawn's only to find out that Cathi and Laura aren't coming. Neither one of them feel good today. I was disappointed but I understand. There have been times I haven't felt like coming to something too.

Soon Rebecca and her oldest granddaughter, Christina's daughter, Eden arrived. Dawn got Connie and Carmen on FaceTime. 

The first thing we did was have lunch, provided by Dawn & Lois. 

We each had a green salad with grilled chicken from Whataburger. There was also cherries, berries, and grapes. For dessert we had a banana split dessert and for the road, a brownie. 

Wow! How nice is it for them to provide lunch. Now it's time for the card making. Here again, everything we needed was supplied. All I had to do was bring myself. Carmen had sent a card and all of the supplies for everyone to make them. Here is my rendition.

 

Carmen made the pink paper on top.

I wish I would have taken a picture of

the one she sent Lois for Mother's Day.

Sitting by Rebecca I felt a little intimidated and Eden was a whiz and a natural. Here is one of the cards she made:

Eden is 9, almost 10

Cathi came on FaceTime but her image kept freezing. She finally called Dawn and said her blood pressure was high and she was going to go lie down.

I was the first one to leave.  It was around 2:00. My car was unbearable and all if blew out was hot air from the air conditioner. My eyes began to water and I couldn't see. I need to get to the freeway asap so I can speed up and create some cool air. It couldn't happen fast enough. Dorsey has speed bumps so I had to go slow and then there were several stop lights on Broadway. Finally the freeway!

Back at the timeshare I cooled things down so much I had to turn the AC off for awhile. I guess I overcompensated for my hot car. 

I blogged, and walked, and read and watched a movie. I am so predictable. I was going to start carrying my stuff down to the car because I leave in the morning, but it never happened. My last night of staying by myself.

Cardmaking at Lois & Dawn's

Connie and Carmen are on the computer.

I have the materials to make the

ladybug card.

 

Thursday, July 27, 2023: Inklings, 8-4 eating, bacon, my knee is better, James's kitties, walking, reading, blogging, just like home, Conversation w/ Stacy

 

Ogden, Utah

14th operating temple

Dedicated: 18-20 Jan 1972

By: Joseph Fielding Smith

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Mosiah 3:15

And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood.

Book of Mormon

Alma 40:15-26

Come Follow Me

Acts 17:16-34 "We are the offspring of God."

AprGenCon

"The Teachings of Jesus Christ" by President Dallin H. Oaks

"Remember What Matters Most" by President M. Russell Ballard

Surrounded by people in this resort, but I'm all alone. It was a good day in spite of being by myself. I'm not doing anything here that I wouldn't be doing at home so you may ask yourself, why I'm here.

There are no distractions like chores being left undone or duty logs, floors needing to be vacuumed or a dirty garage. I don't have to worry about anything except what I am doing. I'm a little bit afraid to go home to see my house after two guys have been living there the past few days. 

This is a good time for me to plan and set goals for what I want to do differently in my life. One of the changes I want to make is how and when I eat. I'm going to try intermitten fasting. I'm not going to start eating until 8 in the morning and then stop at 4 in the afternoon, my big meal being midday. Hopefully I can do this. 

I also want to work on decluttering my home. My bedroom has way too much stuff in it. I've got to keep cleaning my closet and taking things to Goodwill. 

Today I listened to Inklings and boy did I need it. The talk we discussed was "Christlike Poise" by Elder Bragg. Emily and Sharma were the leaders. Sharma is from Texas and she told about when her dad was in charge of the Houston temple open house. Houston is in the middle of the Bible belt and there were loud protestors at the open house. Sharma's dad told the people helping with the open house to be kind and smile. This went on for a few days and then he decided the protestors needed some water so he send over bottles of water. A few days later he asked the temple workers to take sandwiches over. This was done with some murmuring among the workers. The last day of the open house the protestors came over and asked if they could go through the temple. Christlike poise on the part of Sharma's father and the other temple workers had won them over. I love this story!

Here are some other notes that I took:

Christlike poise is peacemaking

Diffuse instead of escalate

Calm in a storm

Heavenly Father has a plan for you. If it's not good yet, it's not the end.

We can't control circumstances, we must trust God.

I'm trying to do a good thing and help build the kingdom. 

I can experience rough waters and still have peace. His capacity is to help me traverse rough waters.

Emily's grandpa after serving a mission to Fiji: "After this, I can do anything,"

Replace fear with curiosity

Pressure can be a privilege

All things will work together for your good.

I'm going to practice Christlike poise when I go home on Saturday.

My knee is better today. I stayed up late reading from the book Kim loaned me, "Bridge to Belle Island." Tomorrow I have been invited to Lois and Dawn's for a cardmaking session and lunch. Kim was invited too but she doesn't feel up to coming.

I ordered a new portable phone charger and had it delivered to Kim's house. I will pick it up when I come back down for my infusion on August 7th. 

Gene & Flora

Flora was 91

Progress on the stable thanks to Willy and James of course.

Tea party with the Grapp's a couple of summers ago

with Ruby and Lola.

Lola at a soccer game a few

years ago.

Helping Gramma make chili

The Wilhelm's and a friend

Andy, Ruth, Mel, friend holding Eldern

Courtney's Dreamsicle cake

 

Wednesday, July 26, 2023: Jury duty notice, text from my ministering sister, James's deck materials fiasco, Luna & JA, lazy day, eat 9-5, my thinning hair and expanding waistline

 

Oakland, California

13th operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 Nov 1964

By: David O. McKay

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation

Jacob 4:5

Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son.

Book of Mormon

Alma 40:1-14

Come Follow Me

Acts 16-21 I can declare the gospel in all circumstances.

AprGenCon

A Voice of Gladness! by Elder Kevin R. Duncan

"Peacemakers Needed" by President Russell M. Nelson

I got a text from my sister-in-law Cathi. It was a jury notice for Maricopa county. I am to report on August 28th. I got online today and told them I had moved 200 miles away and I was excused. I made this sound easier than it really was. I did have to download my drivers license which actually expires on my birthday and reminded me of something else I need to do.

I got a text from one of my ministering sisters, Stefani Hunsaker. She wants to come and see me. I told her I wasn't home until next week and she scheduled a visit next Thursday.

Report from the home front. James had to chase cows away and when he saddled up Luna Jared asked if he could ride her. When he got on she wouldn't do anything, she just kept walking back to the corral. I told James not to let that be the end of it but give him another chance until he gets her to do what he wants. 

James went in to to town to get the materials he ordered for the deck only to find that they sold it to someone else. He was pretty upset and told them what he thought. They apologized and gave him some 16 foot boards instead of 20 foot which will take a little longer to put down. Because he had the trailer he didn't go to the grocery store like I had hoped he would. When he hired Jared he offered him room and board too.

As I walk around my room in a loop I pass a mirror in the bathroom. I see that my hair is thinning and my waistline is expanding. I've decided to make some changes. I'm going to try the intermittent fasting that worked for Stacy. Today I didn't eat until 9 and I stopped at 5. I hope I can stick with it this time. 

There are some other changes I need to make to but this is going to be my main focus right now. 

There was a little rain, lightening, and a dust storm tonight so they had to close the pool. I wouldn't have known but I received a text. It is so nice and cool in my "condo" sometimes I have to turn the AC off.

After reading about the missionary travels of Paul and listened to a talk by Elder Uchtdorf about missionary work. Here are some suggestions he makes:

1. Draw close to God.

2. Fill your heart with love for others.

3. Strive to walk the path of discipleship.

4. Share what is in you heart.

5. Stand as a witness. Simple conversations in person & online.

6. Invite others to come and see, help, and stay. Do so with love and patience.

7. Trust the Lord to work his miracles.

I watched the movie, "The Christmas Ornament" starring Cameron Mattison and Kellie Martin.