Sunday, November 26, 2023: Sore throat & cough, miss church, soup tastes funny, James indexes, Adam has Covid, Stacy & Paul sick, lots of Mormon Messages

 

Quetzeltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 7:1-8:11

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 46:12

And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it - In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children - and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

Come Follow Me

Review

October General Conference

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

I have a cough and a sore throat this morning and won't be able to attend my meetings which makes me very sad. James went without me. I missed Brother Peeler speaking in sacrament meeting. He is one of my favorites. Such a dear, sweet man. I wonder how Donna is doing?

When James returned home he fixed me some Campbell's chicken and rice soup for lunch. Usually this tastes so good to me when I have a sore throat but this time it tasted blah. I couldn't eat it. 

James spent much of the day indexing. We also watched several Mormon Messages. The first we watched was "The Furnace of Affliction." Wow! Some people have overcome such amazing trials and come out on the other side with such strong faith. My trials seem small compared to the woman who lost her husband and children to cancer. 

We watched the story of Brent Taylor and his death as he was serving his country. He left behind a wife and seven children. Aaron Lambson's first marriage was to Brent's sister Michelle. 

We watched a YSA fireside put on by Elder and Sister Holland and the one Sister Nelson and President Nelson did where he reminded the young adults what their main identifiers are:

A child of God

A child of the Covenant

Disciples of Jesus Christ.

Sister Nelson had the young adults ask themselves the question:

What would a holy young adult do?

So good! 

Stacy called today. No only is Paul sick but she is sick and Adam tested positive for Covid. I am afraid James is going to get whatever I have because he keeps kissing on me.

I haven't done my hair since I washed it on Friday. I'm a mess. I watched two Christmas movies:

"A Biltmore Christmas" with Joy Beth Lenz & Kristopher Polaha

"My Christmas Hero" with Candace Cameron Bure & Gabriel Hogan

James and I watched the last one together. They were both great movies!

Scarlett Jane

Connie and Rebecca at the Gilbert temple

Charlie Mae at the Bentonville, Arkansas

temple

Jared Ammon getting ready to run for ASU

Our Vernon Home

Ben being goofy

Nicole and Paul on Paul's grad night

Trina turns 40

Little Lovie

Darrel & Trina in Hawaii

Rowan and the Trezise's minus Alex

There he is!

Jared Ammon and Stacy

Ruby at her baptism

Charlie, Tanner, Kacey, Jared

Charlie and her caterpillar

Saturday, November 25, 2023: Snow and cold! James goes to town for bolts, green chili Santa Fe chicken sandwich, good blood sugars, stuffing casserole, burn boxes, blog, 3 movies

 

San Salvador, El Salvador

135th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2011

By: Henry B. Eyring

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 6:6-22

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Mosiah 16:9

He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

Come Follow Me

2 Peter 2 & 3

October General Conference

"Our Constant Companion" by President Henry B. Eyring

Snow and cold! James continues to wear his new hat when he goes outside. 

James needed to go to town to pick up some more bolts this morning. He wanted me to go with him but I was just not feeling up to it. 

When James returned home he bought a green chili Santa Fe chicken sandwich from Carl's Jr. for our lunch. We split it and it was just enough. 

I had good blood sugars today. I made some Stovetop stuffing with turkey and gravy today. It went well with the sweet potatoes, cranberries and green beans I ate today. 

I had fun burning boxes this afternoon as well as walking with James and listening to "Hearts in the Highland." 

Here are the movies I watched today:

"Christmas in Notting Hill"

"Holiday Road"

"A Coastal Christmas"

James watched Notting Hill with me. He didn't know that Notting Hill was in London.

"Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade"

Desert in the Spring

Kacey's post

Arkansas Thanksgiving

Friday, November 24, 2023: Slept in til 7, Elder Bednar's talk, "Exceeding Great and Precious Promises", James's new hat, so cold!, J works on stable, K&B not coming, Brian sick

 

Kiev, Ukraine

134th operating temple

Dedicated: 29 Aug 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 5:13-6:5

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 32:21

And now as I said concerning faith - faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

Come Follow Me

1 Peter 5 & 2 Peter 1 

"Exceeding Great and Precious Promises" by Elder David A. Bednar from the October 2017 General Conference

October General Conference

"More Than A Hero" by W. Christopher Waddell

I slept in until after 7 this morning. As part of our "Come Follow Me" study James and I listened to a talk by Elder Bednar, "Exceeding Great and Precious Promises." This talk helped me to feel the Spirit this morning. It is one I would love to hear given in sacrament meeting. Elder Bednar talks about our divine identity and how as we follow the plan to gain eternal life we begin to partake of the divine nature. We are born of God. The covenants and ordinances we make allow the power of godliness to flow through us. As we repent we receive and retain a remission of our sins through the Holy Ghost. 

We must remember the promises we make at the sacrament table and in the temple. The Sabbath is a sacred time and the temple is a sacred space. Our home is the combination of sacred time and space.

"What we do in our homes with His sacred time and with what we learn in His sacred space is pivotal to becoming partakers of the divine nature. We lighten our minds with heavens view."

I gave James the hat I bought him for Christmas. He was getting ready to go out to feed the animals and couldn't find his knit hat. This new hat will keep him warm.

I finished watching "Christmas on Windmill Way" starring Chad Michael Murray. It was good but of course predictable. I watched it on my phone while working at my desk.  

James was so cozy and warm in his new hat that he worked outside on the stable most of the day in spite of the cold wind. I fixed him some lunch and he didn't come in until an hour later. That's how engrossed he was in his work.

I did some walking today listening to Jared Halverson on "Unshaken Saints." I worked on my puzzle for a few minutes at a time and then cleaned some leftovers out of the frig. 

Kim and Brian are not coming because now Brian is sick. First it was Joe, then Kim, and now Brian. Hopefully they will be able to come next Saturday after the family lunch at Serranos. I put one piece of Christmas decor out, my green tablecloth. No centerpiece yet. 

This evening James and I watched Candace Cameron Bure's new Great American Family movie, "My Christmas Hero." It was a great movie and I loved the references to the Savior. James and I also walked and listened to "Heart in the Highlands." 

Thursday, November 23, 2023: The valley for Thanksgiving, Visit D's family & cranberry celebration, Sheri's for dinner, Stacy & Paul's, home to Vernon

 

Cebu City, Philippines

133rd operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 5:1-12

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

2 Nephi 28:7-8

Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. And there shall also be many which sha say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God-he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow e die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

Come Follow Me

2 Peter 1:1-11 Through the Power of Jesus Christ, I can develop my divine nature. Also read 1 Peter 4

October General Conference

"More Than a Hero" by W. Christopher Waddell

We left for the valley around 7:45 this morning. We are going through Salt River Canyon because our first stop will be at Darrel and Trina's. We arrived at there house at 10:45. The first thing we noticed was a group of boys in the green belt playing football. I mentioned to James that Rowan was probably one of them. He said he didn't see him. I couldn't imagine that boys would be out playing football in front of Rowan's house and he not be with them. 

Lola answered the door. She is getting so big I always have to stop and make sure it's actually her. After giving her a hug Ruby was right there to hug us. Darrel and Trina were in the family room and we hugged them too. Addy was out running, and sure enough, Rowan was outside playing football. 

For the first time in years Trina didn't go to the Turkey Trot. She is just getting over Covid and still has shortness of breath. Addy didn't go either but both of them ran at home. Sheri, Ben, and Michael all went to the Turkey Trot and they all got great times.

Dedicated 10K Turkey Trotters!

 I got to talk to Lola, Ruby, and Addy who came in before we left. Here are some things I found out: Lola loves math and hip hop dance. Ruby got 29th out of 150 runners in the state for cross country. Not bad for a freshman. Seminary is her favorite class along with social studies. Addy said Calculus 2 is very hard. She is still working at Firehouse and she loves Institute. 

I thanked Darrel for going to four Fry's to get our cranberry celebration. I also noticed that Darrel is getting gray hair. It makes him look distinguished. I wanted him to do Tri tip for our family Christmas party but he says he is working that day. Darn!

After saying our goodbye's we headed for Chandler. Sheri texted and asked us if we could stop and get three bags of ice so we headed for the Circle K on Fry and Arizona Avenue. James went in and grabbed the ice and we were gone. I did notice that Fry's is open today but who knows if they would have had any cranberry celebration. I'm grateful Darrel got ours yesterday. I didn't realize it was such a hot item.

James cut up our turkey and we added some chicken broth and put it in a crockpot where it would stay warm. Betty also brought a turkey. Hers was beautiful. I also put the gravy in a crockpot to warm up and the sweet potatoes. Sheri had stuff for a charcuterie board. She asked Sariah and Cayli to help her put it together. It looked great! 

Sariah and Cayli are cousins who work at Chandler Eyecare. They are both from Washington state and Cayli is Ben's girlfriend. 

Those brown ovals are not olives, they are

chocolate covered almonds. Sheri would

not forget the chocolate on her charcuterie.

I wish I would have taken a picture of Betty's bird. It was a beaut, perfectly golden brown all over. Ian started to cut it but didn't want to mess with its beauty.

Here is a picture of my plate of food.

James and I ate outside with Sheri, Ben, Cayli,

Sariah, Alex and Shayna. 

Those still inside: Ian, Max, Evan, Betty, Sean and Matea, Sean's 13 year old daughter. Here is what was served for dinner:

Turkey, stuffing, yams, corn, potatoes and gravy, two kinds of mac & cheese, one was gluten free for Shayna, pink salad, pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie, key lime and apple pie and a gluten free chocolate pie for Shayna which looked beautiful. Sheri got the pies at Pi-fection. The key lime was so much better than the one we got from Village Inn.

James collected $3,000 from Armando while we were eating. Armando brought it buy. James also spoke on the phone to his mom, Dawn, Aunt Faye, and Connie who is in town. Aunt Faye was sad we weren't coming over to Lois's. She says that James is her favorite.

Betty, Sean and Matea left a little early because Matea was going over to her mom's to spend part of the day with her. Sean and Megan are divorced.

It was after Betty, Sean and Matea left that we took pictures which is a shame. We didn't get any of them.

Namera, Dallin and Michael's dog.

She is like a miniature Husky

The Child family

Alex, Max, Ian, Sheri, Ben, Evan

Tanner, Summer, Charlie, Kacey, Jared

Summer and Tanner

Clint and Janet Andersen family

Sariah, Cayli, Ben

Cayli and Ben

Alex and Shayna

After we cleaned up at Sheri's and said our goodbyes, we headed for Stacy and Paul's just to say hi. We skipped Kim and Brian's because they are coming to our house tomorrow.

Paul wasn't feeling well so he kept his distance from us. I hugged Dallin, Michael, Adam, Joshua, and Stacy. Jared Ammon hadn't arrived yet. They had not eaten and were just about ready so we didn't stay long. We just wanted to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

It was around 4:00 when we headed home. James has me convinced the Globe way is faster so that's the way we went. We were home by 7:10.

James fed the animals and then we washed our three crockpots together. We then walked for 30 minutes and then watched a movie for 30 minutes, alternating until the movie was over and we finished our 10,000 steps. 

The movie we watched was called, "Catch Me If You Clause" starring Italia Ricci and Luke McFarlane. I like both of them but I can't say I liked the movie all that well. It was a bit weird although there were some funny parts.

All in all it was a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are filled with gratitude for our many blessings!

 

Wednesday, November 22, 2023: Chase response to electronic letter refund our money, LaCasita, Wlmrt, HD, Trac Sply, sweet potatoes, freeze apples, cook turkey

 

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon Reading

Mormon 4:1-23

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

Alma 32:42-43

And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Come Follow Me

1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:1-6 The gospel is preached to the dead so they can be judged justly.

October General Conference

"The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We got an electronic letter from Chase today. They have reimbursed us the last $5,000! I hope that never happens again!

James and I went into town today. We had lunch at LaCasita. I had a chicken enchilada with red sauce and James had his with green sauce. We each had a side over of beans although I couldn't eat all of mine. 

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to get something at Home Depot. After we were both done with our shopping we stopped at Tractor Supply on the way home to get some horse feed. 

Back at home I took a short nap and then began my work in the kitchen. I made a sweet potato casserole minus the three tablespoons of flour it calls for. Sheri made sure I knew that Shayna can't eat flour and she loves sweet potatoes. I peeled, sliced and froze some apples and then got the turkey ready to cook. James went to bed around 9:30 while I stayed up with the turkey until passed midnight. 

I watched a good Hallmark movie earlier this evening called "A Season for Family" about two singles adoptive parents who find out that their sons are biological brothers. The parents end up falling in love and they end up as one big happy family. That's what I like about Hallmark movies, most all of them have a happy ending.