Sunday, November 5, 2023: Hand swollen stay home, fasting for Sheri, James's report, JA cleans dwnstrs & goodby Vernon video, "Yielding Our Hearts to God", Christmas Markets

 

Brisbane, Australia

115th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 June 2003

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 20:20-46

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma37:46-47

O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so it was with our fathers; for so it was prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. . . . yea, see that ye look to God and live.

Come Follow Me

"Yielding Our Hearts to God" by Sister Neill F. Marriott

Pain is my middle name. Today it's my middle and index finger on my left hand as well as my left arm. I got out of bed, went to the recliner and put the heating pad on my hand,. It helped a little. I am still miserable. I am trying to fast. James said I needed some pain meds. I said I couldn't take any because I was fasting. He said he would get me something to eat. I succumbed to some toast and milk so I could take a couple of Tramadol. I think he hoped I would feel better and be able to go to church with him. I didn't. I am weak and still miserable and it will take me forever to get dressed and do my hair. James looked sad when he left without me. I hate missing the sacrament. 

When James got home he gave me a big hug. I asked him what that was for and he said, "Oh, that was from Catherine Halcomb." Thanks. James gave me a report of fast and testimony meeting and Sunday School. While he was gone I read from the Book of Mormon and listened to a conference talk. I also listened to Sister Marriott's 2015 conference address called, "Yielding Our Hearts to God." 

Sheri has been at Baywood Banner on Power Rd. since yesterday. They are doing tests and more tests and the results take for ever. She will probably be there until at least tomorrow as she is still in a great deal of pain.

We all had leftovers for dinner. Thank goodness there were plenty with the soup and the beans I had made. Jared spent a good part of the day cleaning downstairs and packing up his stuff. I finally caught up on my blog. I also spent time looking at European Christmas Markets on YouTube. There are so many!  It's a thing! I told Addy about them and she watched some too.

I spoke with my friend Karen Schneider this evening. We were supposed to go to lunch tomorrow while I am down for my infusion but Karen has fragile health and doesn't want to go out during "sick" season. We had a nice visit on the phone.

Jared and Kacey attended a work conference for Jared in Ft. Worth this weekend and Charlie got to stay at Scarlett's house. They always have so much fun together!

Scarlett's soccer game 

on Saturday

A few of the many, many European

Christmas Markets

  

Saturday, November 4, 2023: Happy 48th bday Jared!, Call from Sheri back to urgent care, miss RS activity and Brian's fundraiser, Brian gives Sheri a blessing

 

The Hague, Netherlands

114th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Sept 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 19:30-20:19

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 34:40-41

And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience. . . . and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

Come Follow Me

Hebrews 6

I got a call this morning from Sheri quite early. She asked me if I was up and I said yes. She began to cry and tell me how miserable she is every time she tries to eat anything. Ian told her she just needed to fast for 72 hours. I told her to go back to the ER and get some help. She called Trina and asked her to find an urgent care with a gastrointestinal doctor on duty, which she did. She ended up on Power Rd. in east Mesa at Banner Baywood. They are doing tests for gall bladder and celiac. 

This morning I missed a Relief Society activity and this afternoon I missed Brian's fundraiser. I would have had to go by myself. I texted Brian and told him I was going to send some money to his parents house for him. He said my prayers and love were enough but I told him I wanted to do more for him. I think he was grateful. 

Rusty and Dustin are football players that Brian coached. Nicole Rogers is his sister-in-law, Cheri's sister.

James returned 16 sheets of plywood that he "over ordered" for the stable. It took him awhile but they finally gave him a credit on his credit card. He also sent Jared to Walmart to get food and milk for his kitties. When he returned home he ate some lunch and took a nap. I am waiting for him to go out and get some wood but I don't say anything.

Jared tried to go on one last Razr ride but something is wrong with the back axle and one of the tires isn't even touching the ground. James says he will take it to Willy to fix it next week.

Finally, at 3 pm he went out to get some wood. He was gone a couple of hours and says he got a weeks worth. Well, it's a start.

I made some meat with sauce in the crockpot to go over rice pilaf. I also cut up some avocados and that was dinner. It was delicious and they guys liked it too.

James did some walking for me this evening as I wasn't feeling well. I watched "Flipping Christmas." It was on the Hallmark romcom channel and was just okay.

Happy Birthday Jared!

Ruby's Fan Club

 

Brian's fundraiser

Friday, November 3, 2023: Roof is on the stable, Air quality dangerous, trip to temple w/o Tignor's, Eva's, pepper steak, "The Christmas Guide", Sheri's health issue

 

Nauvoo, Illinois

113th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 June 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 19:1-29

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

1 Nephi 7:21

And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so.

Come Follow Me

Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:1-11 God's blessings are available to those who "harden not their hearts."

Hebrews 5

October General Conference

"Sir, We Would Like to See Jesus" by Elder Robert M. Daines

James and Jared Ammon finished getting the roof on the stable today, in spite of the dangerous air quality here in Vernon. Someone recorded the air quality index at 999. The air quality index in the capital city of India, New Delhi, veered into "hazardous" territy Friday reaching a level of 640 at one point and topping a real-time list of the world's most polluted cities. No one knows about or cares about the pollution in the little berg of Vernon. 

We were supposed to go to the temple with Barbara and Terry Tignor today but when we went by to pick them up Barbara said she couldn't go because she wasn't feeling well. Terry opted to stay home with her. They left James a message on his phone but he didn't get it.

James and I went to the temple by ourselves. 

We went to the 2:00 session. There were six brothers and seven sisters so we were one of the couples in the prayer circle. Brother and Sister Nichols were the officiators. It was a very peaceful session and we really enjoyed our time in the temple. We both forgot a family name so we did temple names, both were oriental. Mine was Si Mii. 

Before having dinner at Eva's in Snowflake I showed James where Sue Hubble is going to live and then he took a picture of one of the first houses he lived in when he lived in Snowflake. There were three. 

I had a chicken enchilada with red sauce and James had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of refried beans. On the way home we had a bit of a misunderstanding and it put a damper on the rest of the evening. Both of us are a little too sensitive and prideful.

Jared had eaten some of the pepper steak before we got home and then he ate some more after we arrived. I guess he liked it. 

I watched the movie, "The Christmas Guide" on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. It was about a girl, Amber Marshall who played Amy on Heartland, who trains guide dogs, and one of her clients who is a single dad and an English professor at the local college. It was one of Hallmark's better movies and I really enjoyed it.

James and I walked this evening while listening to "A Lady's Promise." I got all of my own steps. 

Sheri went to the hospital today because of pains in her stomach. They said she had a bleeding ulcer in her uterus. They gave her some pain medication but it is not helping. Every time she eats something she is in severe pain. In spite of her pain she took dinner to Alex this evening. James and I are praying for her and will fast for her on Sunday if she isn't better.

These girls get to spend the weekend together.

 

Thursday, November 2, 2023: Sheri's call about gas smell by Sal's, James calls him, huge gas leak, Inklings w/Emily & Nash, frost Donna's cake, Visit w/ Donna, Stefani, Millie,

Asuncion, Paraguay

112th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 18:15-39

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 34:15-16

And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

Come Follow Me

Heb. 2:9-18; 4:12-16; 5:7-8 Jesus Christ suffered all things so that He can understand and help me when I suffer.

Hebrews 4

October General Conference

"Abide the Day in Christ" by Sister Amy A. Wright

I watched and listened to Emily and her non-member friend Nish on Inklings this morning. They discussed Elder Soares conference address, "Brothers and Sisters in Christ."

After James and Jared went out to work on the stable, I got a call from Sheri. She had been for a walk this morning and when she passed Sal's house she picked up a very strong odor of natural gas. 

She tried to call James but he didn't answer, she called me. She wanted him to call Sal and tell him. 

As soon as I hung up with Sheri, I tried to call James but he still wasn't answering so I walked out side and shouted to him to please call me. When he called I told him about Sheri's call and he said he would immediately call Sal, which he did. Sal and his entire family were home and they had smelled nothing from inside the house. 

Sal called Southwest gas. They came out and said there was a major leak and everyone needed to get out of the house. Sal later thanked Sheri and told her she had probably saved their lives. 

Sheri gave a report on Alex. He still doesn't want to take pain pills, even though he is still in a lot of pain. He did go home today.

I made a big batch of chocolate frosting using both cream cheese and butter. It came with the Most Amazing Cake recipe and is called the Most Amazing Frosting recipe. I was running out of time so I frosted two of the 6" cake layers for Donna. It made a cute little cake which I decorated but forgot to take a picture of it.

I put the cake on a tray and drove slowly to Donna's with her gift, a tube of body cream from Bath and Body.

Stefani Hunsaker answered the door when I arrived at Donna's. Stefani and Donna are my ministering sisters so this visit is their way of keeping in touch with me as well as celebrating Donna's 81st birthday. Stefani told us a neat story. She said Sunday during the sacrament she had the thought, "who can I help this week.?" The thought came to her to finish up a baby quilt, which she did. Later on Facebook, Brother Richard Miller asked if anyone had a baby blanket they could use for their new grandbaby. Stefani offered them hers. 

I set Donna's cake on the kitchen table and then handed her the gift and gave her a hug. As the three of us were visiting, someone knocked on the door. Donna called, "come in" and Stefani got up to answer the door.  It was our friend, Millie Scott, coming to bring goodies and birthday wishes to Donna. Millie brought homemade peach jam, homemade pickled beets, a bouquet of peach colored roses, and some salmon for Owen, Donna's husband. Millie found a mason jar and put the roses in it. They looked beautiful!

Millie visited with us for awhile and then said her nephew from Houston was visiting so she needed to get home. 

Soon after Millie left I excused myself. Owen walked me out as he did Millie and thanked me for coming. He was cutting wood while we were there. He said Donna loves it when her friends come to visit because she gets tired of talking to him. I am sure she is very grateful for everything he does for her.

James and Jared were finishing up their lunch and getting ready to go to town.  I made myself a ham and cheese sandwich and then I had a piece of chocolate cake with a glass of milk. 

When James returned from town he had a piece of cake too. He says it is delicious which makes me feel good. He's pretty picky about his sweets. 

I made a hamburger soup for dinner with corn muffins. James put the food away afterwards and did the dishes. I finished the book "The Governess" while walking and started a new one, "Diamond Rings are Deadly Things." I got 11,000 of my own steps and then James took my phone and got 4,000 more steps while I watched "The Golden Bachelor.

White Mountain winter

 

 

Wednesday, November 1, 2023: Alex's surgery a success, Lynne Hilton Wilson & "CFM", stable work, no firewood, chainsaw in shop, Rangers win the Series, parmesan chicken,

 

Campinas, Brazil

111th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 May 2002

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon Reading

3 Nephi 18:1-14

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Mosiah 27:31

Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God.

Come Follow Me

Hebrews 3 and Hebrews 1-5 Jesus Christ is "the express image" of Heavenly Father.

October General Conference

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

Alex's surgery was a success. The doctor said he has never seen an appendix so inflamed and thick. He actually had to remove part of his colon but not enough to worry about. Everything went well.

 I listened to Lynn Hilton Wilson this morning and her take on the "Come Follow Me" lesson.  

All of my big bills are due the first week of the month. I paid the mortgage and my credit card yesterday. Today I paid Church donations, our electric bill, James's truck payment and our line of credit. I made myself a ham sandwich for lunch. Jared and James were still outside working on the stable. We still have no firewood but we will have a roof on our horse stable. 

James's chainsaw is still in the shop. He went by to get it but they wouldn't take a credit card. I gave James $100 to pick it up. 

This afternoon I made the Most Amazing Chocolate Cake. That is the name of it. I made 4-6 inch rounds and a 4" round. When it was finished James and I ate the 4" round. This cake really is amazing! So chocolatee and moist! I'm still deciding what frosting to use, the one with cream cheese or the one that sounds like the one you use for a Texas sheetcake. I will decide tomorrow morning. Now it is time to fix dinner. 

For dinner I made chicken parmesan with marinara sauce and mozarella and parmesan cheese, baked potatoes and peas. The chicken was delicious!

Tonight was game 5 of the World Series. If the D-Backs don't win then it's all over. They are still playing in Arizona so it's going to be sad if they don't win. It was sad and it's all over. I had to turn it off. 

The Rangers won but I'm not feeling as bad as I thought I would. They have been a franchise since 1961 and have never won a World Series. 

James and I started a new book called, "A Lady's Promise." I am reading a book by myself that we have read before but I am enjoying it just as much this time as I did the first. It is called "The Governess." 

I got my own 12,000 steps!

My favorite DWTS couple

Five Faithful Virgins