Sunday, October 1, 2023: Very windy, J's brkfst for our guests, Sami & Jared build a fire, Conference session, Sami leaves for home, Conference session, "Think Celestial"

 

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon Reading

Helaman 13:1-20

October General Conference

"In the Path of Their Duty" by Elder David A. Bednar

193rd Semi-annual

General Conference

Sunday Morning Session

Sunday Afternoon Session

 

20 New Temples Announced

Savai'i, Samoa

Cancun, Mexico

Piura, Peru

Huancayo, Peru

Vina del Mar, Chile

Goiania, Brazil

Joao Pessoa, Brazil

Calabar, Nigeria

Cape Coast, Ghana

Luanda, Angola

Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Laoag, Philippines

Osaka, Japan

Kahului, Maui, Hawaii

Fairbanks, Alaska

Vancouver, Washington

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Roanoke, Virginia

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

I was very windy today and a little discouraging to Sam and Jared.

They went outside around the fire for awhile but Sami decided to leave a little after noon because she said there wasn't much to do. She didn't see any wild animals when she was here except Luna and our cats. She really wanted to see some elk. We were sad to see her go and told her to come back anytime. She said she would.

I'm glad James made a big breakfast for Sami and Jared this morning. He was very concerned about her feeling welcome. 

It was a great Sabbath day!

Kim made this Caramel Apple Cheesecake

for Dawn and Lois's birthdays

Vermont

Sweet Charlie and Lovie

Saturday, September 30, 2023: 3 sessions of General Conference, James invited JA & Sami but they went to Greer instead, James visits w/ Sami at firepit

 

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon Reading

Helaman 12:14-26

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 25:20

And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

Come Follow Me

Read & Study Galatians 6

April General Conference

"The Answer is Always Jesus Christ" by President Russell M. Nelson

I got up at six and did my morning devotional. When I went out into the kitchen I guess James and Jared Ammon had already eaten. Sami was frying a pound of hamburger and she also fried two eggs to put on top. She also had a bowl of peaches and bananas. I guess she eats a lot in the morning and not very much the rest of the day.

She and Jared Ammon went to Greer today in her little Nissan Ride. She says she loves her car. It really is a cute little car.

While Sami was eating I put a 2 lb. chuck roast in the crockpot along with green chilies, diced tomatoes and some Rotel along with a variety of spices. It needs to cook 8-10 hours on low.

Before leaving for Springerville, James put some air in one of Sami's tires that was low. I told them that when they were in Springerville they should check out Western Drug. It is quite old-fashioned and has some interesting things you don't see everyday. They said they would. Jared also wanted to have lunch at Molly Butler's Lodge, which is famous in Greer.

James spent part of the morning trying to fix the holes Luna made in the new lawn when she got in the yard last night. He is not very happy with her. 

We watched three sessions of General Conference in the bedroom.

This is the 193rd Semi-annual Conference of the Church.

Saturday Morning Session

Saturday Afternoon Session

  Saturday Evening Session

The Mexican shredded beef I made in crockpot was delicious. We made tacos and they were very tasty. I noticed that Sami didn't eat very much. Today at Molly Butler's she said she at soup and now she isn't eating very much dinner. 

After dinner I thought Sami and Jared were outside at the fire pit. James went out and came back in and said Sami was out there alone that Jared was tired and had gone to bed. James didn't think she should be out there a lone so he went out to talk to her. He wanted me to come but I was walking, working on my blog and my puzzle. He was out there for well over an hour. I guess they had a good talk about religion and other things. Sami thanked him for coming out.

She helped me a little with my puzzle before we both went to bed.

Missionaries for breakfast: cinnamon rolls and

breakfast casserole.

For dinner there was brisket, beans, and potato salad.

It's Cross Country Season

Friday, September 29, 2023: Sam is coming today, Clean upstrs & James helps, Sam arrives after with cookies for us, chicken stuffing casserole, Getting to know Sam

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

Helaman 12:1-13

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Moroni 7:47

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Come Follow Me

Galatians 5:13-26; 6:7-10 If I "walk in the Spirit," I will receive the "fruit of the Spirit".

April General Conference

"Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore Walk with Me"

Sami is coming today. Thank goodness she won't be here until after two which gives me time to clean upstairs. Because of my left arm pain James had told me if I needed help to call him. I told him to make sure his phone was turned on. I did end up calling him and he did come. We put sheets on the bed in Sheri's room and he brought up the vacuum and log duster for me. I worked upstairs for almost two hours. Jared asked me if there were any bees. I said I didn't seen any live ones but I vacuumed up lots of dead ones. Sami can stay in Sheri & Ian's room or Darrel & Trina's. I was ready for a nap.

Sami got a little lost so it was later than planned when she got here, but it was still before 3. She brought her own food and lots of it. She also made us cookies, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip. How thoughtful. She seems very nice. She lives in Queen Creek and has lived there all of her life. Her dad works at home and has some health issues which Sami helps with. Her mother homeschooled her, her brother and sister when they were young. She took swimming in high school but says she isn't very athletic. She eats like Jared, mostly protein or keto. One other thing about Sami. She has a sister who is an artist and lives in Italy even though she is having problems with her Visa. Sami has been to Italy to visit her.

Jared Ammon asked grampa if he could take Sami to Green's Peak in his truck. Of course James said yes. The Razr is down with two missing back tires. James has has new ones ordered but they aren't  here yet. 

Both Jared and Sami were a little disappointed because they didn't see any wildlife. Sami loves animals just as Jared does. 

I made chicken and stuffing casserole for dinner using the rotissere chicken I bought. I had picking the meat off the chicken carcass but it is so delicious. Sami helped me make a salad and we also had cranberry sauce. 

After dinner Sami helped me with the dishes as did James and Jared Ammon before they left to go look for elk. I finished cleaning the kitchen, did some walking and worked on my puzzle. It seemed like they were gone for a long time when I got a call from James. They had a flat tire and they were changing it. He was impressed with Sami because she wanted to help change it so she could learn how. 

Sami said she was hungry when she returned and asked me if she could cook some eggs making sure I knew that she brought her own. James says she cooked six eggs and ate them. 

I asked Sami how she and Jared met. She said they both worked as bar tenders at the Ostrich. The Ostrich is next to the San Marcos hotel where James and I stay in December. It is in a basement and is a very old building. Sami said she was quite ill when working there and had to quit because of the mold. She said a cockroach once fell onto someone's plate. Yikes!

James asked Sami if it was all right with her if we offered a blessing on the food before eating. She said, of course. She has a strong belief in God, she studies from the Bible in the mornings and goes to a non-denomination church near her home.

While we walked before going to bed Jared Ammon and Sami built a fire in the firepit outside and sat and talked. 

I am grateful for James today. He not only helped me upstairs but he finished cleaning the patio, took Dawn's birthday card to the post office and took me to Dollar General to get some mayonnaise.

What a guy!

Happy 28th Anniversary

Kim & Brian!

Sami, James and Jared eating dinner

The Arnett family:

Boggs (Cliff, Jr.), Cliff Cathy, Wayne Lamb

Wendy, Channy, Heidi, Chea Lamb (married to Wayne)

Jackie (on Channy's lap), Pierce, Chea's & Wayne's daughter on Chea's lap, A.J., Danny, Casey, and Anthony

I use to love 57 Chevys

Thursday, September 28, 2023: Up @ 5:30, Berberine, Cher's text abt Brian, J's friend Sam coming tomorrow, left shoulder in pain, Trip to town, 76 degrees,

 

Palmyra, New York

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

Helaman 11:21-38

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 56:47-48

Now they had never fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

Come Follow Me

Galatians 4

April General Conference

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

Unlocking the Powers of Faith

"Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you. -Moroni 7:26

I got up at 5:30 this morning. I took a pill called Berberine with my breakfast which is supposed to help control my blood sugar.

I finally got my menus planned for this week. James was going in to town to get some lumber and offered to drive me. He dropped me off at Walmart and took the truck and trailer to Home Depot to get his lumber. I had a lot of shopping to do. When I was about half way through I got a call from James. He asked me how far along I was. When I told him I was only about halfway done he said, "good because I'm just now getting the lumber. I went to Lowe's first and now I'm at Home Depot. 

I finished shopping, checked out, which was a long and tedious process by myself and went outside to wait for James. While I was outside a friend from when we worked at the temple, Jeanie Gentry, came by. She and her husband are still working at the temple but she says she feels that the end is near. She seemed a little tired. It was good to see her. 

We were going to get some food to take home but we were so late we decided not to, besides, it's rather difficult to take a truck through a drive-thru with a trailer behind it. 

After putting all of the many groceries I bought I made some shrimp and some corn for dinner. 

Jared's friend Sam is coming tomorrow. Sam is a girl by the way.

Oops! I'm three days late.

Listened to Inklings this morning where everyone was excited about

General Conference only to see this.

Sheri's in Vegas for work.

Our big patch of grass