Wednesday, October 18, 2023: Met w/ Rita & Debbie @ Gma's & Gpa's in Show Low, Keepsakes & photos, DWTS, Kung Pao chicken for dinner, Mr. Black Bull back,

Houston, Texas

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 7:15-8:4

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Moroni 10:32

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

Come Follow Me

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; 4:1-12 "Increase and abound in love."

October General Conference

"Praise to the Man" by President M. Russell Ballard

 Up at 5:30. James wanted to have prayers and scriptures right away and then he went out for breakfast and to go to work with Jared Ammon.

I left for Show Low around 7:40 to meet Rita and Grandma and Grandpa Maxwell's old house to go through photos and keepsakes. I was supposed to go to the temple today with Sue Hubble. When I texted her and told her that something had come up, she said she had had a little accident while spray painting and something was wrong with her eye so she probably wasn't going to be able to go anyway. I felt bad that she was having problems with her eye but was glad she wasn't disappointed about the temple. We are going to try and go again next week.

Patsy Tedder had mentioned to me she wished she would have made it to the estate sale that Debbie held because she would have loved to have a family keepsake. I told Rita and she showed me the crystal collection. I picked out a vase for Patsy and a cute candy dish for myself. 

Grandma had a bird collection. Debbie who came a little while after we started said that everyone needed a bird from the bird collection. I grabbed a rooster, two sets of porcelain birds, and a more rustic looking bird with a piece of wood. I got a stand to put this bird on. James loved it and put the stand up immediately.

You can't seed the colors of the bird

very well here but it is a red-breasted robin.

I left after a couple of hours reminding Rita to text me when she was ready to go through photos. 

On the way back to Vernon I listened to "Unshaken Saints". When I got home I watched last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars." It was Disney night and I really enjoyed it.

James heated up some baked ziti for lunch and he was congested and "plugged up" as he put it, for the rest of the day. '

I spent time with the kitties on the deck and they alerted me to the fact that Mr. Black Bull is back. Jared Ammon was gone on the Razr and Luna was no where in sight so James chased him off on foot. 

Before leaving for his meeting tonight James tasted the Kung Pao chicken and really liked it. He said he was looking forward to having some more when he got home. 

When Jared got back he showed me a video of a herd of elk jumping a fence and running in front of him. He said the bull was back and he chased him off again. Hopefully he will be gone for good this time. 

Jared like the dinner too so I guess it was a success, but there won't be many leftovers. He fed Luna and the kitties and went downstairs.

I walk, work on my lesson, blog, and watch Christmas movies. When James gets back he eats some dinner, indexes, and then walks while he listens to "The Queen and the Knave." 

Maxwell memorabilia. 

I kept the two sets of birds and the candy

dish, and gave the vase and the rooster to

Patsy Tedder. 

Skyscrapers in the clouds

Autumn tunnels

Resurrected Christ

Tuesday, October 17, 2023: James was so stressed today, bids on Deer Valley airport a multimillion dollar job, Temple w/ Ruth Gale and then dinner @ Eva's

 

Caracas, Venezuela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 7:1-14

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 2:25

Adam fell that men night be; and men are, that they might have joy.

Come Follow Me

1 Thessalonians 1-2 "Disciples of Christ serve others with sincerity and love.

October General Conference

"Brothers and Sisters in Christ" by Elder Ulisses Soares

Up at 5:20 this morning.   

James was so stressed today and a little sensitive. I asked him why he was so stressed and he said he has a lot on his mind. He also has to try and keep Jared Ammon busy and he can't always be right there with him when he works and sometimes he needs to be there when he isn't. He also has an opportunity to do a huge job at the Deer Valley airport and he needs to get the bid in soon. If he gets this job and it works out well, he could retire. Oh yes, one more stress, he can't get on his Gmail account and that's where all of his business folders are. I got him on Google with a new password but I am not sure he ever got on Gmail. 

James asked me to go to Taylor this morning to pick up some steel for the stable but I declined because I am going to the temple this afternoon with our friend Ruth Gale. 

Ruth and I met in the 3:30 Snowflake, Az temple session. I also sat by DiAnn Elmer, my former temple shift coordinator when I was a temple worker. It was fun to visit with her a little but boy I sure had a hard time understanding her. She talks low and fast and sometimes when she said something to me I just had to smile. 

Kim and Yvonne Mattice led our session. Kim is the priesthood holder and he gave one of the nicest prayers I have ever heard. I was in the prayer circle because there were only 3 or 4 men in this session.

A member of our stake presidency, President Alder, and his wife, who is the stake choir director were in our session. I wanted to go over and talk to them in the celestial room as I was waiting for Ruth but never did do it. Later I saw them as I was going in to Eva's for dinner and got to tell them then how much I enjoyed stake conference, and how fabulous the music was. They both seemed grateful. I didn't talk long as Ruth came out looking for me. 

As Ruth and I were eating our dinner here are some of the things we talked about: Ruth's recent reunion with her kids at Show Low Lake. She said it was a bit of a disaster but some good things did come out of it. It was  extremely windy, they were in the scrub oaks instead of the pines and her son David's family dog got attacked by a big dog and almost died. She said David gave his family's dog, Daisy, a blessing and she lived and is now okay. That was a good thing. One of Shelly's kids who is estranged from his dad saw a video of his dad before his mom and dad were divorced from a few years back and wanted a copy. That was the other positive. 

I wish I would have told Ruth about Fool's Hollow Lake. I guess I still have time. She won't be in charge of their reunion again for five more years.

She told me a little about her Alaskan cruise. I told her about how I got a new car and I also gave her an advertisement for a new deck of cards for her to play Hand and Foot rather than using face cards. 

We said our good byes and on the way home I stopped at the Taylor Circle K and bought some gas. I actually figured out how to use my EasyPay card and saved 10 cents a gallon.

Rita called me on the way home and said she would be at gramma and grampa's old house in the morning if I would like to join her to look at pictures. I said I had an appointment to go to the temple but I thought I could change it, which I did. 

When I got home I watched part of DWTS Disney 100 night before James came in and asked if we could listen to our book, "The Queen and the Knave" and walk. 

James received a $3,500 check today from someone who is doing work at the St. Johns airport. The check was for James's license and consultation.

England

Canyon de Chelly National Park in Arizona

My candle warmer

Fall in Utah

Fall in Boston

 

 

Monday, October 16, 2023: Up @ 5, "Think Celestial" study, J & JA go to town for oil for Cat, Willy doesn't come, "Destined 2:Christmas Once More" Casey Elliott, J& I go to town Wmrt, Firehouse, Mr. Black Bull holes, 74 today

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 6:15-30

Book of Mormon 100 Favorite

Moroni 7:41-42

And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised up to life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

Come Follow Me

1&2 Thessalonians: "Perfect That Which is Lacking in Your Faith"

Introduction

October General Conference

"Seeing God's Family Through the Overview Lens" by Sister Tamara W. Runia"

I was up at 5 this morning. Monday is always a new beginning for me. I began by studying President Nelson's talk, "Think Celestial."

James thought Willy and Ralph were coming this morning to work and he would need to use the Cat which needed oil. He and Jared Ammon left around 6:30 for town to pick up oil only to find out later that Willy and Ralph wouldn't be coming. Willy didn't really say why but he is dependent upon Ralph.

I watched the first Christmas movie of the 2023 season. It's a GAF movie and a sequel to one I watched last year, "Destined 2: Christmas A Once More." It was filmed in Utah and Casey Elliott, a member of the Church who plays Satan in the temple movie and a member of the singing group Gentry is the male lead. His daughter plays his daughter in the movie. It was actually a very good movie and I really enjoyed it.

After going to town early this morning James came home and filled about 50 holes in the yard which Mr. Black Bull made. About an hour and a half later, he went to town with me. He dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Firehouse Subs to get us some lunch. He asked what I wanted and I said, "what I always get." We usually share a medium Hook & Ladder so I thought that's what he would be getting. The cost is $11. 

As I started my shopping I realized that I left my phone in the car. Oh well, I think I can remember what I came to get. As I was going up and down the aisles doing my shopping I was surprised to see James at the end of the one of the aisles. He brought me my phone and helped me finish my shopping. 

When we got out to the car there were two large drinks, two bags of chips, a small sandwich and a medium. Instead of spending $11 at Firehouse James ended up spending $28.81. I guess he was extra hungry. 

We listened to "The Queen and the Knave" on the way home. For some reason I just can't get interested in this book. It might be because there are at least three different stories going on and I keep track of them. 

The high today is 74 with lots of sunshine and no clouds in the sky. Not the way I like it. One of the things I love about living up here is how beautiful the clouds are. 

Jared Ammon tried to fix the fence while we were gone to keep Mr. Black Bull out of the yard but I think if he decides to return he will just walk right through the wires which hold no electrical shock right now.

I did three blog posts today, texted with Sheri, worked on my lesson and listened to several conference talks. I fixed beef tips and mashed potatoes for dinner. It was quite delicious although the gravy was a little runny. Jared Ammon came into the kitchen from watching TV and asked if he could help me with the dishes. I told him it wasn't necessary but I really appreciated him offering. 

James got a $3,500 check for consultation fees for work being done at the St. John's airport.

I watched a Christmas movie I saw last year this evening called , "A Christmas Present" starring Candace Cameron Bure. It was actually very good and she won some awards for the movie.

The D-Backs lost their first game against the Phillies. 

"Come Follow Me"

Casey Elliott

 Memories of Kacey & Jared

Sunday, October 15, 2023: How is the Savior changing me? Conference talks, CFM, BM, Prayer, JA's early morning ride, Bull wrecks havoc, Meetings, Tithing Declaration, Sis Eyring passes, Kim, "WCTH"

 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

94th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 July 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 5:20-6:14

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 7:19-20

For I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness; I perceive that ye are in the path which leads to the kingdom of God; yea, I perceive that ye are making his paths straight. I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning form the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course in one eternal round.

Come Follow Me

Colossians 4

October General Conference

"Hallmarks of Happiness" by Gary B. Sabin

"Humble to Accept and Follow" by Joni L. Koch

How is the Savior changing me? (Colossians 3:1-17) I am less likely to stay angry. I want to get to a point where I don't get angry at all. I read from the Book of Mormon and the New Testament and listened to several conference talks today. Now I need to study and prepare for next week's Relief Society lesson. 

I heard the Razr startup early this morning. I guess Jared Ammon is taking a ride up to Green's Peak. There was evidence that Mr. Black Bull came back during the night, drank Luna's water and trampled all over our new grass.

Today was high council Sunday. Sister Brooksby, the first counselor in the stake young women's presidency was the first speaker in our sacrament meeting. She spoke on President Nelson's conference talk, "Think Celestial." She started out by saying that thinking celestial will always lead us to Jesus Christ. In the book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon it says that to be spiritually minded is life eternal. As Sister Brooksby worked in the temple her trials became worse but she became better. Ask, seek, knock.

Steve Whiting

Brother Whiting has lived in the White Mountain for ten years. One of the things he loves up here is the wide open spaces and seeing the stars. He feels close to Heavenly Father in the temple. We make five covenants in the temple. Obedience, sacrifice, law of the gospel or the covenant path, the law of chastity, and the law of consecrations. 

Go to the temple and feel of Heavenly Father's love.

James and I attended Jimmy Applegate's Gospel Doctrine class. He has Sister Lindsey Shaw help him teach his lesson today. They debated grace vs. works. It was a great class. James loves Jimmy and says he is the best teacher he has ever had for gospel doctrine.

For lunch James and I had frozen burritos heated up in the microwave and then in a skillet. We decided we liked the beef one but the bean and cheese weren't very good.

We were back down at the church before 1:00 for tithing declaration. When we arrived Tamara Applegate was walking across the parking lot. We stopped to talk to her and she said the door to the church was locked. We said that was odd because we were scheduled for tithing declaration at 1:00. She made note of the car parked under a tree in the parking lot and I said that looked like the bishop's car. James tried to call the executive secretary, Brother Lauritzen but got no answer. He left a message. A few minutes later the bishop opened the door and walked out on the porch. He is here! We were happy to see him because we had some tithing to pay. Two of my online donations did not show up on the paper the bishop had with a list of our donations. He made a note of them and then I gave him a tithing enveloped with a check for $1,300 in it for the money we paid for our car over the cost of the old one and for the cost of the material for our stable. James said they were both an increase. We didn't stay long because the McClellan's had an appointment at 1:15.

We came home and both of us took naps. When I got up I walked past the open blinds and saw the bull outside in the back and told James. He called Jared and Jared chased him away on the Razr. 

James worked on filling holes in the lawn and watering trees. 

I talked with Kim this evening and watched last week's and this week's "When Call the Heart." Tonight was the finale. It was a real cliffhanger.

President Eyring's wife passed away today. She has been ill for a long time.

It looks like Scarlett had a fun week!

With her dog Duchess

Ready for Church with her new boots

Playing soccer

Eating ice cream

Visiting Dinosaur Valley with her family

Cute Charlie & Lovie

President & Sister Eyring