Wednesday, October 25, 2023: Temple with a bum knee, Sue my partner, Her new home, We both run red lights, recliner "bed", J serves me dinner

 

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

104th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Apr 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 12:25-48

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

3 Nephi 10:6

O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.

Come Follow Me

1 Timothy 5-6

1 Timothy 4:10-16 "Be thou an example of the believers."

October General Conference

"Jesus Christ is the Treasure" by Elder Dale G. Renlund

I can't bend my knee but I'm going to the temple anyway. I can't cancel on Sue again. I had called Barbara yesterday and asked if she could go with Sue and I today. When I scheduled with Barbara I had forgotten that I had told Sue I would go with her on Wednesday, 11:00 session. Barbara was okay going with Sue and I today until this morning when she called and cancelled. She wasn't feeling well. So, it was just Sue and I.

I picked up Sue at Dollar General around 9:45 and we headed for Snowflake. We were a little early so before going to the temple we went down Main Street and turned on 3rd street and headed to the end of the street to the house where Sue is moving to in early December. It is the Geiger homestead and is an old home nestled among some very large trees. Sue is very excited and I am happy for her. I hope she will be in Ruth Gale's ward.

When we got to the temple I got out in front of the temple while Sue drove to get a parking space. I hobbled in, rode the elevator upstairs, went to the dressing room to my favorite locker, locker #8 and proceeded to change into my temple clothes. I used the restroom before going in to the new name booth. After getting my new name I walked to the endowment room where the sister checked to make sure I had a red check mark on my card. The room was about half full and I noticed Sue in the back row. How did she beat me? This  let me know how slow I really am.

The room filled completely up before the session started. 

Once I get my knee bent to sit down it doesn't hurt anymore so I was quite comfortable sitting there.

 It was a good session in spite of my pain, especially when I looked at Sue and she commented: "It is so peaceful here. It's like all your worries disappear." I am so glad we came. 

Sue picked me up at the front of the temple and she drove home. On the way I ran a red light and on the way home, she ran one. I told her she made me feel much better and she just laughed. She is a good friend. We didn't stop at Sonic because Sue got a call from her mail carrier that she had a package for her. If she ends up taking the package to Concho that's a forty mile round trip for Sue to pick her up. She told her she would wait at her box for her, so we hurried home. Maybe that's why Sue ran her red light.

Pat Tedder called me as I was waiting for Sue to pick me up outside the temple. She said she wanted to keep the vase I sent over with Janna. I asked her if she wanted to rooster too? She said yes that would be nice and she would give me back the two birds to go with my set. She was so grateful that I had done this for her. 

When I got home I went straight to my recliner "bed." I am determined I am going to kick the bum knee with plenty of rest. I took a nap and watched Christmas movies. James fixed ham, mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner and served me here in the bedroom. Thanks honey, you are the best!

Last nights tribute to Len Goodman

on "DWTS"

Mira Sorvino, Gleb, and Mira's daughter.

Mira did an awesome job yet she went home tonight.

Janna's sister, Pat Tedder, and Janna

Len Goodman's wife

Watching the tribute dance.

It was beautiful!

San Francisco peaks near Flagstaff

Tuesday, October 24, 2023: Thunder @ 3am. Rain!, Baking again, limping because of knee, J,JA town, J washes my car, ministering w Kathy C., Catherine & Janna, K&B's pumpkin carving, DBacks going to World Series

 

Montevideo, Uruguay

103rd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Mar 2001

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 12:1-24

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 2:14

And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

Come Follow Me

1 Timothy 3-4; "Who were Timothy and Titus?"

October General Conference

"Our Constant Companion" by President Henry B. Eyring

I woke up at 3 am to a loud clap of thunder. I said to James, "Is that thunder?" He didn't answer. Then as I listened to him breathe I wondered if what I thought was thunder was actually him snoring. Nope, there it goes again, definitely thunder! 

When we got up this morning it was raining and had been raining. This was not in the forecast and James says he left lumber out. The rain didn't last long, soon the sun was shining.

I got out my pumpkin cake recipe and my 4" cake pans to make mini-cakes for the sisters I minister to and my ministering partner, Kathy Crane. The mini-cakes did not come out of the pans clean, they crumbled, although I waited the allotted time to take them out. Next time I will wait longer before trying to get them out of the pan, and I scratched the plan to frost them and take them to my sisters, even though I worked over 2 hours in the kitchen. 

Luckily I had some fun-sized Snickers candy bars to give to each sister. I put this tag on the Snickers:

Attached to a fun-sized Snickers

 

Kathy's ghost attached to a big with a mini-scarecrow

and white chocolate dipped Oreos.

I am limping because of my left knee. I am pretty miserable. James wants me to call the doctor and tell her that Actemra is not working for me as well as it use to. Maybe later.

James and Jared Ammon make a trip to town, going after lumber and a jacket for Jared. When James returned, he washed my car, paying special attention to the windshield and the windows. Bless him!

I picked up Kathy at 2:45 in my nice, clean car. I brought my little handouts and a basket with the memorabilia from Gramma and Grampa's house. I am visiting Janna Grombach who is Pat Tedder's daughter. Pat use to babysit for Aunt Gene and wanted something to remember their family by.

We visited Catherine first. Janna was scheduled first at 2 but had to reschedule to 4 because she was taking their dog, Grizz, a rottweiler, to the groomers. Her husband, Willy, usually takes him, but he was at our place helping James with the stable. 

 Catherine is an 89 year old widow who lives with her daughter Kerri. Kerri subs at Show Low High School so she is usually gone during the day. Catherine is lonely and really misses her husband who passed away in 2010, I believe.

I have heard most of Catherine's stories, her mother not wanting her and her grandmother raising her when her mother wanted to put her up for adoption. She was abused by her stepfather and has some trauma from her childhood. Catherine proceeds to tell Kathy some of her stories. When we left Kathy said she was exhausted from listening to Catherine. I personally did not feel that way. 

Grizz greeted us when we got out of the car at Janna's and we complemented him on how nice he looked. He was sad when Janna would not let him in the house. Janna said the groomer was a new girl and Grizz growled at her. Because of his size she was a little nervous. He is a very, gentle, sweet dog normally.

We had a nice visit with Janna and I left her with the "trinkets" for Pat. She didn't open her bag from Kathy but I saw a scarecrow head sticking out and Kathy gave me the chocolate dipped cookies so I knew those were in the bag too. 

When we left Janna's it was raining but it fizzled out before we got home. I am grateful that Kathy is my partner. She is the first partner I have had in a long time who actually likes to go ministering. 

This evening Kim and Brian had their annual pumpkin carving activity at their home. Here are some of the photos.

Last seconds of the D-Backs playing the

Phillies for the National League Championship.

The did it!

The D-Backs will face the Texas Rangers

in the World Series!

Monday, October 23, 2023: Dave's 77th bday, my knee is better, Millie Scott, a day in the kitchen, dinner, pumpkin bread, deliver dinner to Scott's, J does dishes

 

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 11:18-41

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

3 Nephi 9:15

Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

Come Follow Me

1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon 

"Be Thou an Example of the Believers"

October General Conference

"More Than a Hero" by W. Christopher Waddell

I was up at 5:20 this morning.  My knee is better but still not 100%.

I am going to have a busy day. After saying my morning prayer I added some things to my to do list. One of them was to call Millie Scott. She left my lesson yesterday with a very painful pinched nerve in her shoulder. I asked how she was doing and she said better, but it was still bothering her. Millie is the type of person that offers to take dinner to anyone who is in need. I told her I wanted to bring dinner to her and Jerry tonight.  At first she resisted saying she didn't want to put anyone out, but I wore her down. I told her we would be there sometime between 5 and 6.

 I spent most of the day in the kitchen. I put 7 pork chops in the crockpot covered in gravy and set them on low to cook for six hours. I found a partial bag of old rolls in the freezer and set them out to rise. No guarantees. I started making pumpkin bread then realized I had no pecans. James had just left for town and asked me if I needed anything. I said no but I called him and asked if he would pick up a bag of pecans. He said he would. He ended up spending over $37 because he remembered his kitties needed some food.

It was over an hour before James got home, so until I could finish the pumpkin bread, I worked on making more mashed potatoes and Longhorn green beans. 

When James returned I chopped up some pecans and put them in two of the loaves of pumpkin bread.  I wanted one without pecans so the Scott's have a choice. The third loaf with pecans is for us. 

When all the food was done, I packed it away in foil and James put it in the car and we headed for the Scott's. When we arrived they had company. There house is basically one room and it was a little crowded so we didn't stay long. Millie picked the pumpkin bread loaf with pecans. 

I was exhausted when I got home and my knee was bothering me. James told me to go relax and watch a Christmas movie while he cleaned the kitchen. I love my husband!

 

Four Peaks

One of those rare photos where Dave is smiling

This is a good one!

Sunday, October 22, 2023: Up @ 4am for lesson prep, James helps setup, Sacrament mtg & Smith's, YW attend RS to my surprise, Rest & Eat, Peeler's, left knee hurts, Tignor's,

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 11:1-17

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 2:11

For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things. If not so . . . righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.

October General Conference

"The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home." 

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I was up at 4 am to type my lesson outline and finish laminating my handouts. I worked until after 8 o'clock at which time I began getting myself ready to go. We left for the church at 8:37, a little late as I wanted to leave by 8:30. 

James asked me if there was anything he could do to help when we got to the church. I asked him to finish cutting out my laminated 2 Nephi 9:39 handouts, which he did as I set up. It didn't take us long and we were on our way to sacrament meeting. 

Owen Peeler gave a sweet and humble prayer to open sacrament meeting. Teresa and Wes Smith were the speakers. This is their last week here as they will be returning to the valley this Friday for the winter. 

Teresa gave a little bit of background on Wes and herself. They met at Ohio State University. Wes was an officer in the Coast Guard while they lived in New England. They joined the Church after moving to Washington state and adopted two daughters. 

Teresa spoke on how we have made a covenant to bear one another's burdens. She told of her friend from Africa, Magongo and her husband who fled Africa. Magongo lost her husband and Teresa and Wes helped her raise her children. Teresa also told of a time she was shopping in the notebook department in Walmart and spoke to a man who was also shopping for a notebook. She said he was a recovering alcoholic and wanted a notebook to record his story for his family. Speaking to this man only took 7 minutes of my time. Teresa is a very friendly person and reaches out to others on a regular basis. I admire her for this and I aspire to be more like her. 

Wes spoke on how we have made a covenant to be a witness to the Savior. He spoke on the importance of sharing our testimony with others. He told of a time brother Jim Lambson shared his testimony in a talk and how this testimony affected him in a time of need. 

He said that a testimony is found in the bearing of it. It was a good talk and it made James feel grateful that his testimony had helped someone else. 

Much to my surprise the young women and their leaders had been invited to join us in Relief Society today. The room was packed!

It made me feel a little nervous. I told the young women it was a little scary having him here today but I was glad that they were here. 

I felt the lesson went well although I forgot to mention what President Nelson said about not making our prayers a shopping list but that they should be living discussions with our Heavenly Father.

After eating and resting James and I went to visit the Peeler's. I promised Donna last night that we would come back today. Donna and I ended up having a conversation and so did Owen and James. 

Donna told me about her daughter Serena and her blood disease. I tried to catch her up on what was going on in the ward. We discussed sacrament meeting today. 

Donna's birthday is coming up on November 2nd and I told her I would like to make her a cake and asked what kind she would like. 

She said chocolate. I should have known. A couple of years ago I made her a cake and she asked for Texas sheetcake. I mentioned a Texas sheetcake and she said that was too much cake for just her and Owen. I told her I would make a smaller cake this time.

As we were saying our goodbyes and leaving the Peeler's I noticed a little pain in my left knee. When we got home the pain was a little worse. An hour or so later we went to visit Barbara and T-Bo Tignor. James is their ministering brother and we also wanted to make an appointment to go to the temple with them this week. My knee is getting worse. 

We couldn't come up with a time for all four of us to go to the temple so Barbara and I made plans to go on Thursday afternoon. We really enjoy visiting with Barbara and T-Bo. T-Bo is so funny. He talked about the Catholic Church being in Belly Button and how they practice lint in the Catholic Church. Lint and Belly Button.

 He is from Texas and he loves country music so we talked about that a little. Barbara has never listened to country until meeting T-Bo. She had the Choir at Temple Square playing in the background.

When I got up to leave I had difficulty walking. James helped me and so did T-Bo. 

When I got home I sat on the bedroom recliner and James helped me get both heating pads setup. One of my hands is hurting too. After getting me setup James went in to do some indexing. 

I listened to Amy Wright's conference address which is my next lesson on November 12th. I am trading with Wendy. I made a schedule for this week and finished watching a Christmas movie.

Elder Rasband dedicated the Bangkok, Thailand temple today. Tonight was also the Worldwide Testimony meeting for youth. President Nelson spoke to the youth and I listened to it. It was amazing! Sister Freeman and Brother Lund also bore their testimonies in a beautiful garden in Lehi, Utah with statues depicting the Savior's life. All of the youth in our ward, except for the two with autism, bore their testimonies.

Here are some of my appointments for next week:

Tuesday afternoon - ministering with Kathy Crane to Janna Grombach and Catherine Halcomb.

Thursday afternoon - Temple with Barbara Tignor

Friday - Trip to the valley for Alex Braddock's sealing in the Gilbert temple.

Kacey's post

"Inventing the Christmas Prince"

Cutest Grand

 

 

Saturday, October 21, 2023: Up@ 5:24, cooked a lb. of bacon, Mexican meat mix in crockpot, lesson for tomorrow, pumpkin cake w/ cream cheese frosting, ward missionary dinner, dinner to the Peeler's,

Boston, Massachusetts

100th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Oct 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 10:1-19

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Moroni 10:31

Put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion.

Come Follow Me

2 Thessalonians 3 "How can we 'increase and abound in love one toward another?'"

October General Conference

"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

I got up at 5:24, thinking as I got up that I have a very busy day today!

I cooked a pound of bacon this morning and a 5 pk. of biscuits. Afterwards I put a Mexican mix roast in the crockpot. I already have the buttermilk, eggs, and butter sitting out so when I start my cake they will be at room temperature. 

Before starting the cake I went back into the bedroom and began working on my lesson. I am making the cake for a missionary dinner and activity this evening, and tomorrow is the day I teach Relief Society. 

This afternoon I baked a pumpkin cake and then when I went to do the cream cheese frosting I realized I had forgotten to take out the cream cheese to soften it. I took out two packages of cream cheese and then went to take a shower while it began to soften. 

This evening we attended the ward activity and dinner put on by the ward missionaries. Rosie Lauritzen and Theresa Hein did the decorating and did a beautiful job. They had bales of hay set up and decorated for a photo op and the tables were decorated with fall decor.

 James called Owen Peeler this morning and offered to bring he and Donna dinner from the party this evening. We ate and were sitting at our table when the program started. We happened to be sitting right in front of the podium and microphone so it would have been very obvious for us to get up and leave. I was nervous during the entire program thinking about the Peeler's waiting for dinner and how they go to bed early. Finally the program was over and we could fill some plates of food for the Peeler's. Chuck Crane insisted on helping us even though he had one arm in a sling.

When we got to the Peeler's it was 6:30 and had been dark for some time. We apologized for being so late and explained why we couldn't leave earlier. Owen invited us to sit down and visit but we said no, we would leave so they could eat. He didn't argue and we said our goodbyes.

Back at home James did my cake dishes and the crockpot which cooked dinner for Jared Ammon. I worked on laminating three handouts for my lesson. James finished in the kitchen and came into the bedroom to walk and listen to "The Queen and the Knave."

 

Friday, October 20, 2023: 3:00 am personal revelation, lesson prep, Hallmark Christmas movie kickoff day, J like ham & cabbage & so does JA, Kung Pao Chicken, Deer Valley airport bid

 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 9:1-22

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

3 Nephi 1:13

Lift up your head and be of good hceer; for behold the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Come Follow Me

2 Thessalonians 2 "An apostasy, or falling away from truth, was prophesied to precede the Second Coming."

October General Conference

"Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ in Word and Actions" 

Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella

I woke up at around 3 am with thoughts of Scott Tibbetts and Brian Maxwell running through my head. I had thoughts of what I needed to say to Rebecca about what a wonderful family she and Brent have created and thoughts of expressing my love to Brian Maxwell, my nephew. I felt warm inside and couldn't go back to sleep until I got up and wrote down my thoughts to Rebecca. Here is what I ended up sending to her later in the day:

Rebecca, I have always admired the way you and Brent parent your children. You are quiet but spiritually strong. You have such a beautiful family bond with them. They know they are loved and  cherished and this gives them the power and strength to become who they were meant to be. Scott and Nathan's journal entries are a testimony to this. They have the ability to think deeply about things of eternal importance.

The way your family has handled this trial will only strengthen the bond of love that you and Brent have created. Thank you for your wonderful example. 

I need to include Nathan's journal entry after giving a blessing to his brother Scott. Here it is:

I wrote this text to Brian Maxwell:

Hi Brian, this is Aunt Karen. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am that you have cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Cher.

Please know the Uncle James and I love you and wish you well and are praying that you will beat this cancer. 

If there is something we can do for you please don't hesitate to ask. Take care. Love, Aunt Karen

Answer:

Thank you

Love you guys also.

We are going to be fine, just have a few rough months ahead.

Me:

That is a great attitude Brian and we are with you all the way!

There is a fundraiser for Brian on November 4th which is being sponsored by the Bilbie's.

After getting up this morning, I sat in the recliner and fell back asleep. 

We had burgers and cabbage soup for lunch. After lunch, I rested some more. For dinner I made another batch of Kung Pao chicken. The guys ate most of it. I was surprised when Jared got up from the table and put the food away and washed some of the dishes. 

James and I did some walking and then we watched, "Destined 2: Christmas Once More." The movie stars Casey Elliott and because James knows him as Satan in the temple slides, he wanted to see what kind of an actor he is. He liked the movie and really liked him as an actor. 

James is very excited about bidding the work on the Deer Valley Airport. If he gets this job either as the concrete contractor or the general, it could be his ticket to retirement. Also, John Dean fires his contractor for some work he is doing and hired James and sent him $9,000. 

Thursday, October 19, 2023: The guys follow a big bull elk, "Inventing the Christmas Prince", cabbage & ham in crockpot, Walmart, LaCasita, "Think Celestial"

 

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sep 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 8:5-25

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Enos 1:4-5, 8

And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. . . . because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou has never before heard nor seen. . .  Wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.

Come Follow Me

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 5:1-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 

"If I am faithful and watchful, I will be prepared for the Savior's Second Coming."

October General Conference

"Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ" by Emily Belle Freeman

Up at 5:44. 

James brought me my cereal this morning. He tells me he is going outside to work and will be back for scriptures around 8:30. A few minutes later he comes in and puts his camo sweatshirt on. I asked where he was going and he said there was a big full elk on the other side of the fence and Jared Ammon wants to get a picture of him. Let the stalking begin. 

About an hour later James came back in to change clothes. Jared got his video. I saw it and it was a good one.

I watched one of my favorite recent Christmas movies called, "Inventing the Christmas Prince." The little girl in this movie, probably about six years old has such faith and belief in the Christmas Prince. She literally changes him with her belief.

So sweet. It makes me cry every time.

I knew I was going shopping this afternoon. I didn't want to have to come home and make dinner, so before I left I chopped up a head of cabbage I had, added three cups of ham, some butter and chicken broth and turned the crockpot on low. It will be ready in about four hours. 

As it turned out, we all went to town in the car. James dropped Jared and I off at Walmart while he went to Kay's Building Supply to get some more bolts. When James got back to Walmart Jared was waiting for him while I was still shopping. James picked up my prescriptions and then he and Jared went across the street to LaCasita to get some dinner while I finished shopping. 

On the way home we noticed a prescribed burn in Vernon. It upset both James and I. It didn't hit Jared until later when he smelled the smoke when we were at home. We won't be sleeping with the window open tonight. 

I am wondering why President Nelson called the Plan of Salvation the fabulous Plan of Salvation. I asked James and he said, because it is fabulous. I say because it is everlasting and eternal and the Savior is at the very center of it.