Tuesday, November 21, 2023: Sleeping pill, Roger Wallace's stroke, Darrel goes to four Fry's for cranberry celebration, Family party discussion w Stacy, Kim sick, walk w/ book

 

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 3:1-22

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

3 Nephi 12:48

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Come Follow Me

1 Peter 1:3-9; 2:19-24; 3:14-17; 4:12-19 I can find joy during times of trial and suffering. Read 1 Peter 2

October General Conference

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

I woke up at 3 am and couldn't sleep so I took a sleeping pill and then I slept in until 8:30. Wow! I never do that. 

As I was looking through Facebook this morning I noticed a post about our friend and fellow Vernon ward member, Roger Wallace. 

He had a stroke and was flown to St. Joseph's hospital in Phoenix. Roger played Santa last year for our ward Christmas party. He has a beard and a jolly countenance. I sat by him when we went to dinner at Pasta House and really enjoyed his company. He is Ralph Sedig's brother-in-law. We will be praying for Roger and his sweet wife Lynn.

Darrel called today and said he had been to three Fry's and they were all out of cranberry celebration. He said he would check at work tomorrow and see if there was any at that Fry's. I said that was fine and if he couldn't find any I would call Brian and have him check the Fry's in Chandler. 

Darrel called me a few minutes later and said he found some. He heard a rumor, I guess lots of people are looking for it, that they had some at the Fry's on Power and Baseline. Thanks Darrel. I offered to Venmo him $20 but he said it wasn't nearly that much and I didn't need to Venmo him anything. Thanks Darrel!

Stacy and I have been talking about our family Christmas Party where we normally eat and play the White Elephant Game. Stacy doesn't like the game. She says it's gift taking not gift giving. She says she won't play but if that's what everyone else wants to do, that's fine. I was watching a movie where everyone drew a name for Secret Santa and I suggested we do Secret Santa instead. She liked that idea and she is going to talk to her family and I am going to talk to everyone else and see what they think. The only thing I said was that if someone draws a name, they are committed to buy a gift for that person and come to the party. She agreed. Now we have to see how everyone else feels about this change.

I finally felt good about 4 p.m. today. That's when I actually got out of the bedroom and did some chores. I made some dinner and brought some apples in from the garage to freeze. James and I got the turkey out and I put on a dry brine and then we wrapped it in Saran Wrap and stuck it back in the frig. 

I got a text from Kim saying she was sick. Joe had it first and shared with her. This is what she said: "My whole body hurts like it's on fire. Massive headache, sore throat, congestion, chills. I did not do my lesson Sunday. I tried, but I had different issues last week - dizzy, off balance, my eyes kept blurring in and out. I tried, but I could not read or write anything for longer than 20 minutes." 

She said she and Brian probably wouldn't come up until Saturday instead of Friday. They were bringing a big dinner: Ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls, stuffing, gravy, punch, pecan pie and pumpkin dessert. 

Joe says he doesn't think he and Michael are coming up because Michael wants to stay a week and Joe can't miss that much work. 

So we went from company to no company, at least on Friday. 

Listened to Lynne Hilton Wilson as part of my "Come Follow Me" study. James and I walked and listened to "A Not So Distant Love."

Courtney's cranberry pistachio cake

I love old houses!

Mt. Baldy, Arizona

Alice Wilhelm got married

to Trace Brown

Monday, November 20, 2023: Dusting of snow on trees, officially cold, James going crazy over state sales taxes, 2024 Planner arrived!, gingerbread house boxes too, JCP, Walmart, Firehouse Subs, pies @ Wilhelm's, "A Paris Christmas Waltz"

 

Oquirrh, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 2:17-29

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Mosiah 3:19

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Come Follow Me

1 & 2 Peter "Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory" 

Read 1 Peter 1

October General Conference

"Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ in Word and Action" by Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella

Inklings

"The Power of Jesus Christ in Our Everyday Lives" by Elder Joaquin E. Costa

I got up at 5:30 this morning. There was a dusting of snow on the trees this morning. It is officially cold!

James is trying to work things out with the state of Arizona regarding state sales taxes. They say he owes $5,700 and he says he already paid the taxes at point of purchase. He has tried to call but only gets automated messages and when he goes online they don't accept his deduction codes and they keep saying  he still owes the above sum.

The online site locked him out so he wrote them a letter and we sent it off when we went to town. We also mailed some bills that I paid.

When we stopped to get the mail I received the 2024 planner I ordered and the cute cardboard treat carrier gingerbread houses I ordered. The houses are so cute, all 20 of them. 

When we got to town our first stop was at J.C. Penney's where I bought two more blankets. While shopping at Walmart I picked up two little Christmas blankets for Charlie and Scarlett. They will get two blankets. While I was shopping James went over to Home Depot to pick up something. He also picked up a Firehouse sub for us to share. I reminded him that I had pork chops in the crockpot at home. I guess we will have them for tomorrow. 

On the way home we stopped at John and Sandra Wilhelm's to pick up pies I ordered from her. There is a key lime one and a banana cream.  When we got home I had a piece of banana cream and James had some key lime although he said it wasn't nearly as good as the lime pie that I make.

We walked and then watched "A Paris Christmas Waltz."

Oh I forgot. We bought a new comforter for our bed at Penney's today. James doesn't like the new one I bought because it has too much white on it. The white on his side is more of a tan now.

A future fashion designer

Joshua and his friend Alana got the sportsmanship

awards for their cross country team.

Congratulations!

Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf starred in "A Merry Scottish Christmas." Will Kemp had a cameo and asked Lacey to do a Scottish dance with him. She said: "Oh no, I can only do the waltz and the tango. (They made "A Christmas Waltz" together and "The Dancing Detective." In one movie they did the waltz and the other they did the tango.)

Sheri's cookie exchange invitation

  

Sunday, November 19, 2023: Up @ 5:30, Cold, rainy & windy today, flurries of snow,, High Council Sunday Knippers & Reagan. Signup to clean temple, James 1:5 a ham sandwich, "A Christmas Love Story", Facetime J's family

  

Draper, Utah

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 2:1-16

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 9:28-29

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

Come Follow Me

Sunday School Class Discussion

October General Conference

"Walking in Covenant Relationship" by Sister Emily Belle Freeman

I got up around 5:30 this morning thinking about the box of apples that I bought from Sandra Wilhelm last week. I put them in an ice chest out in the garage. I went out to check and make sure they weren't rotten. They are okay but I need to do something to preserve them. I think I am going cut most of them in slices and freeze them in baggies. It's something I've not done before but I looked it up and it is totally doable.

Today is high council Sunday. Dr. Knippers was the high councilman who spoke in our ward. His companion was a young man, J.J. Reagan who is a return missionary from the Bentonville, Arkansas mission. 

Dr. Knippers started out by telling us how much President Beeler loves us and that the stake presidency always prays for us. He then said that we are all representatives of Jesus Christ and that we need to share His love for us with others. He said: Bringing souls to Christ brings joy. He talked about the conversion of Alma the younger in Alma 17. When he met his friends after their missions he was grateful that they were still his friends in the Lord. They had taught the Lamanites who began to obey and buried their weapons of war rather than fight. Alma 23:7 says - "For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren. He then quoted Helman 3:35 which is one of my favorite scriptures: "Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." They went from obedience to consecration. He quoted from Emily Belle Freeman's talk in this last conference: "When I cross the threshold of His house I enter into a deeper covenant relationship. Ask myself: "What can I do to have a more consecrated heart? Obedience and sacrifice. Go from duty to love.

J.J. Reagan - I wonder if he is Dr. Reagan's son. He is from the Rainbow Lake ward. Brother Reagan spoke on the temple and eternal families. He had no notes at all. 

There is joy in the temple. #1. The Jorgensen family on his mission. 7 children. I was privileged to attend the temple with the mother and three of their children. She was praying for her husband to be baptized. He is not far from it. #2. Woman who was a Cuban refugee. There is hope and joy in the temple. Hope of an eternal family. This was a family who had no worldly good who are preparing to go to the temple where they will have everything.

Jimmy Applegate taught our Sunday School class on the book of James. We talked a little about grace vs. works but my takeaway was his focus on James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Brother Applegate reminded us of the importance of this scripture and without it none of us would be here as members of the Lord's Church today. Verses 5&6 together make a chiasmus statement where the importance thing is in the middle. He called it a ham sandwich. I should have copied his demo. It was good.

Catherine Halcomb took me aside today and said she was worried about James's neuropathy. She said she wants to have us over for dinner where she will show James some things he can do to treat the neuropathy. She took treatments at the Compass Health Center in Snowflake for her neuropathy and she says it saved her feet. She is always very kind to think of James. 

Another thing she talked about was getting the Kostusiak's to the temple. She said there is an article in this month's Liahona that she is going to have Ellen read. She also said she is going to make her a white temple dress. How can she say no to that. My concern is that Dave has not progressed in the priesthood. I wonder if he attends Elder's quorum. I need to ask James.

For lunch James said we needed to heat up the green chili pork I made and finish it off. I heated what I thought was it up and made a burro for James. When he tasted it he said it was awfully sweet and it tasted funny.  I tasted it and realized I had used the sweet pork I had taken out of the freezer the other day instead of the green chili pork. I ate James's burro and he heated up the green chili and ate it with some beans.

We finished eating the baked apples with oatmeal that I made. So tasty!

I got a text from Kim this afternoon. They are coming up the Friday after Thanksgiving and bringing a big dinner. She wants to know if I want ham or turkey. James and I vote for ham. Joe and Michael have been planning on coming but I am not sure. I text Michael but I don't here back from here. Joe isn't sure what Michael's plans are. 

I text Darrel and ask if he can get us 16 oz of cranberry celebration at Fry's. He says that he will. Since he works at Fry's I didn't think it would be a problem.

James and I watched an older Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movie, "A Christmas Love Story." Kristen Chenoweth and Scott Wolfe. It was a good story and we enjoyed it but I'm not sure watching Christmas movies is a good Sunday activity. I felt a little guilty. I did finish listening to "Unshaken Saints" today.

James built a fire and we had our scriptures and gospel study by the fire. It was nice. After scriptures we Facetimed with Jared, Charlie, and Kacey. Here are some things we learned and enjoyed in this FaceTime with Jared's family: 

Charlie had on her Christmas 'jammies. They are red plaid and so cute. I suggested that Jared and Kacey get some to match. Jared didn't like that idea. Charlie showed us the Christmas tree in her room. She sang a turkey song for us and showed us one of her favorite Christmas decorations and also wanted us to see Lovie. In return she wanted to see some snow so James opened the patio door and showed a pile of snow that fell off the roof. 

Kacey had on an ASU sweatshirt. I guess their ward is getting a new bishop soon and she thinks it could be Jared. I think he would be a great bishop!

Jared is tired of their ward never doing any activities so he invited the elders quorum over to his house the other night to watch a basketball game. Seven people showed up. I would say that was a pretty good showing for a spur of the moment invite. Jared also told about preparing his talks for sacrament meeting each month and putting Christmas lights on the house. It was a nice visit and we are so grateful for this Facetime chats! We love you guys so much!!

Rebecca and Brent with Christina's son 

Ander who was baptized!

Sweet Scarlett

Jared went to a lot of meetings today!

Besides sacrament meeting and Primary her

mom is the Young Women's president and

her dad is on the high council. 

I'm not sure which meetings Charlie had to

attend with them.

Saturday, November 18, 2023: Sleeping pill and I sleep in, RAIN, Sheri's call about her floor, Kerri, Tamara and I go to lunch, Tamara's treat, El Charro, "A Merry Scottish Christmas"

 

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 1:1-19

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 17:10

And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them; Be comforted. And they were comforted.

Come Follow Me

James 2:1-9 As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I should love all people, regardless of their circumstances.

October General Conference

"Praise to the Man" President M. Russell Ballard

We woke up to rain this morning. It rained all day long. 

Sheri called this morning about a problem with her floor buckling in the kitchen area. She talked to James for awhile and he is going to look at it when we go down next week for Thanksgiving.

I left to pick up Kerri Halcomb this morning around 10:45. Tamara and I are going to lunch with Kerri so she can tell us about some health issues she is having. 

Kerri and I visit on the way to town. Tamara is meeting us at the restaurant because she says she has some errands to run in town.

I told Kerri to wait until we were with Tamara before she talked about her health. 

We are having lunch at El Charro where Kerri and I had lunch about a year ago and she told me about a bacteria she is receiving infusion treatments for. We ate chips and looked at the menu until Tamara arrived and we all ordered. We all ordered the two item special.

Kerri got a chicken enchilada and a tostado. I got a chicken enchilada and a shredded beef taco and Tamara got a chile relleno and a chicken chimichanga. The waitress asked us if we wanted separate checks and I said I was paying for Kerri's. Tamara then said she wanted to pay for everyone's. That was nice of her. Tamara doesn't work at the library, she works for Jimmy at Beacon Treatment Center. They just bought another treatment center in Show Low and are making the needed changes to make it profitable. For the future they are looking at the reservation. I am happy to see them doing so well.

Kerri is teaching full-time at Show Low High School. She teaches criminal justice and she focuses on the constitution. Way to go Kerri!

Kerri does not have cancer. About a year or so ago she took me to lunch and told me she had picked up a bacteria. She said she was taking weekly infusions and I checked with her from time to time. She would say it was better but she never got rid of it and it will eventually destroy her kidney. The doctors said she has approximately 5 years. She does not want to tell her mother because she said she will stress out and worry. We have to honor that commitment. I am so grateful for these two friends!

It was still raining as we left the restaurant, Kerri and I going back to Vernon and Tamara staying in town to do her errands. After I said goodbye to Kerri and drove home I noticed that James was outside raking pine needles off the grass and putting them in the fire pit. 

I worked on my blog, walked with James and then we watched "A Merry Scottish Christmas" with James. This is a good movie starring Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf. 

James listened to Greg Matsen this afternoon to a Palestinian Christian woman who says that Israel is killing innocent people, including patients in hospitals. 

I love this little sweetie!

I love movies starring these two:

Autumn Reeser & Antonio Cupo

Friday, November 17, 2023: 3 am insomnia, dirt for stable, Pres. Ballard's funeral, Christmas shopping w/ James, "Navigating Christmas" w/ J, "A Not So Distant Love"

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

4 Nephi 1:23-49

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Mosiah 2:22

And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

Come Follow Me

James 1:26; 3:1-18 The words I speak have the power to hurt or bless others.

October General Conference

"Brothers and Sisters in Christ" by Elder Ulisses Soares

I am sleep this morning because of my insomnia at 3 a.m. 

James ordered dirt for the floor of the stable, to level it out and to put above it so the water won't come down from the hill and flood it out. 

After the dirt arrived he and I went into town to do errand and to do some Christmas shopping. I'm so excited that he is coming with me!

We stopped at the post office where we had two packages. The big one was the new business checks and checkbook we ordered. The other one was the Christmas stamp puzzle I ordered for Tamara.

Before we left home we ordered Sonic. We went there first and had lunch. We each had a Slinger. James had a side of mozzarella sticks and I had a side of fried pickles. We shared a large diet Dr. Pepper.

James dropped off his tire at Discount Tire. A new tire cost him almost $300. He said next time he's going to Walmart. Next stop was J.C. Penney's. They had blankets on sale. Their $40-50 blankets were on sale for under $20. Some we $12.99, 16.99, or 17.99, depending on the size. This is part of the Black Friday sale. We bought several blankets but we still need more so while James put our purchases in the truck, I walked down to Ross. James moved the truck and joined me. 

I was a little disappointed with the selection at Ross but I manage to find about seven blankets. It was almost time for our appointment at the bank so we headed back to Chase. Our appointment was with Dave Bergman. Dave was a friendly guy who grew up in Pinedale. He knew Charlie Brown, our Pinedale neighbor, and he knows the Maxwell and expressed his concern for Brian. 

The purpose of our visit to the bank was to have me sign a card so I will be an "official" signer on the Lambson Construction account. I have been signing checks for years but I guess I wasn't really a signer on the account. Now I am. Dave didn't have enough time to link our accounts so I will probably have to make a call to do that.

We went back to Circle K and got gas in the truck and then it was over to Walmart. James picked up my prescriptions and I did some shopping. We left to go back and pickup the new tire, then to Epic Sports for bearings for the Razr. Finally we got to go home!

I made us cheese crisps for dinner and then we had baked apples for dessert. I laid all of the blankets out and realized that 33 isn't enough, I need two more. 

James and I watched a new Christmas movie, "Navigating Christmas." Stephen Huszar was one of the stars and the story is about saving a light house because it means so much to the community. It was pretty good.

Today was President Ballard's funeral.

I am going to miss his warm smile and special

spirit.

Charlie is the cutest pilgrim ever!

Kevin took Sophie deep sea fishing for her 13th birthday.

Looks like she was successful.

Lily came along for the ride.

One of my all-time favorite Hallmark

Christmas movies, "It's the Most

Wonderful Time of the Year."

President Ballard and his beloved

wife Barbara.

The younger Ballard's