Sunday, January 28, 2024: Interrupted sleep, up passed 6, Clear beautiful morning, Scotts are sick, Bowen's miss speaking, RS calendar for Feb, potstickers, Youth Theme Fireside @ our house

London, England

12th operating temple

Dedicated: 7-9 1978

By: David O. McKay

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 16

23 - And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 16-22 "I Will Prepare the Way Before You" Introduction

October General Conference

"Love is Spoken Here" by Elder Gerrit W. Gong

I like this quote by Elder Bednar:

Just as Lehi was blessed in ancient times, each of us in this day has been given a spiritual compass that can direct and instruct us during our mortal journey. The Holy Ghost was conferred upon you and me as we came out of the world and into the Savior's Church through baptism and confirmation...what ye should do' (2 Nephi 32:5)."

April 2006 General Conference

My sleep was interrupted several times last night, making it difficult to get up on time. It was passed six when I finally got up.

It was a clear, beautiful morning here in Vernon. We left for church around 8:30, my goal. 

I sat by Catherine today because the Scott's who normally sit by her, Millie and Jerry, are home, sick. Brother Dewitt came to James and told him Jerry was supposed to teach elders quorum today and they should probably be ready to teach. James agreed. Jerry got Brother Sedig to teach his lesson so it was all good. Brother DeWitt's wife, Wendy taught the lesson in Relief Society today so he said he could have led the discussion.

The Bowen's were scheduled to speak in sacrament meeting but they couldn't make it so Chris and Becky Skousen covered for them. Sister Golly wasn't here to lead the music so Alicia Hunsaker covered for her. This is how it should be in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we all step up when we are needed.

Jesse Crater, Sister Pronger's daughter, was the first youth speaker. I really like Jesse. She always has a smile on her face and is very friendly. Jesse spoke about making choices. She said she has made a choice to be better. She mentioned the scripture JS-H 1:14-15 and Joseph Smith's desire to know more and to please God. She then said that small choices can turn into great blessings as it did for Joseph Smith. I later learned that Jesse wants to serve a mission.

Curtis Wilhelm - Curtis forgot he was ask to speak today. His dad sent him a story and an example of making choices. My takeaway from this talk was: We can make inspired choices as we ask of God.

Becky Skousen - Becky based her talk on a talk by Elder Zeballos, "Building a Life Resistant to Sin" given a year or two ago in General Conference. The Plan of Salvation, the Gospel of Jesus, living prophets and apostles all help us to resist sin. Jesus was spiritually prepared to resist temptation. He fasted for 40 days, and He always used the scriptures to counteract Satan. He wants us to use the gift of repentance on a daily basis. He has atoned for our sins and if we repent we can be forgiven for them. Nephi had the right perspective when he mentioned all of the sorrows they had but yet they were "highly favored of the Lord." We need to bear with patience our afflictions and "Be of good cheer." "I am always with you."

Chris Skousen - Brother Skousen based his thoughts on two talks by Elder Uchtdorf, "Jesus Christ is the Strength of Youth", and "Jesus Christ is the Strength of Parents."  As we remember that Jesus Christ is our strength we can know who we really and who we can become.

The Lord loves you, He is with you, He stands beside you. Prepare for a lifetime of righteous choices. A mighty change of heart. Jesus Christ is a God of miracles. We can get better through the Savior's grace. You have the power to choose happiness.

We talked about how we can minister to others before we started the lesson discussion today.

Sister Robles wrote up on the board our RS calendar for February:

Feb 1st - Lunch Bunch 11am @ Cheryl's

Feb 10th - Cooking group @ 11 am @ church

Feb 13th - Temple trip 9:30 session

Feb 17th - Craft/Sewing group 9am @ church

Feb 24th - Drops of Awesome Activity 1 pm @ church

 Wendy DeWitt was our discussion leader today. The conference talk was" The Prodigal and The Road that Leads Home" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. 

The robe, the ring and the shoes that the Father gave to the son were symbols of his belonging. 

Thomas B. Marsh story about leaving the Church over milk. 

Wendy's grandfather David Alma Brown - generations are now inactive because of his choice to quit going to church while raising his family.

Wendy ended her lesson by telling us we need to forgive others and that we should not be judgmental. It was a good lesson.

James fixed potstickers for lunch. I could only eat five. I was in the family room looking for the youth video we will be showing tonight when the older young men and young women come over. I found it on YouTube and watched it. Elder Stevenson, President Freeman and President Lund narrated the video. It's about 40 minutes long and I watched it all. It introduces the YMYW theme for the year which is take from 3 Nephi 5:13:

Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I have been called of him to declare his word among his people,

that they might have everlasting life.

Such a great theme, almost as good as last years which was based on my favorite scripture of all time, Philippians 4:13.

After watching the video, it was nap time. After taking a nap I cleaned the hall bathroom and got it ready for company. I did most of the cleaning yesterday but I forgot the bathroom. James brought in some firewood and cleaned the ashes out of the fireplace. He also cleaned all of his stuff off of the dining room table, his favorite place to do office work. 

We were ready when Bishop Hunsaker and his son Colter rang the doorbell, the fire was going and the house was ready.

Bishop commented about how much he loved our home. He said he was grateful we would open it to the youth and that if it was all right they may come here again. We said that was fine.

It took me a few minutes to get back to the youth video on YouTube but I did it before the entire crowd was here. Others who attended. I wish I would have taken a picture.

Michelle Tesarek a member of the YW Presidency. Zemira Wilhelm and Jesse Crater (Pronger). I guess she and Zemira are an item. They make a cute couple but I hope they aren't too serious before missions. Bailey Umphress and Curtis Wilhelm came with Z and Jesse. Sandra Wilhelm brought most of the girls or lead them here. The Finnegans, Tyler and McKyla brought ham and cheese sliders which were delicious! McKyla said she made them and I complimented her. There was also cookies and hot chocolate. Cole and Lily Flake, and Abigail and Georgia Jameson were also here. 

11 youth and five adults, counting us. 

Abigail Jameson conducted the meeting. I wish I could remember who said the opening prayer. The kids all got plates of food and watched the broadcast while they were eating. We paused at the appropriate times and discussed the questions that were asked. I was impressed with the bishop and how insync he is with the kids. My favorite part of the video was when they visited the stained glass window making business and were each allowed to make a flame of several different pieces. The video talked about being broken and how the Savior can fix us. The bishop led a discussion about this concept. 

It was a very nice evening and we were glad to be a part of it. I do hope they ask us again.

Sweet Charlie on the Sabbath

 

Saturday, January 27, 2024: Feeling better today, CFM listened to all of the talks, 13,000 steps, J works outside, Ruby says they had a great time, cleaned, laundry, Follow Him

 

Hamilton, New Zealand

11th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Apr 1958

By: David O. McKay

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 15:19-36

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 15:23-25 Holding fast to the word of God helps me resist Satan's influence.

October General Conference

"The Savior's Healing Power Upon the Isles of the Sea" by Elder J. Kimo Esplin

I'm feeling better today than yesterday. That's progress!

James and I had scriptures and prayer this morning before he went out to feed Luna and Tom.. We finished "Come follow Me" and listened to all of the talks in the lesson on our own. 

I got almost 13,000 steps today so I am back in the game. My streak is 1!

The weather was good enough for James to be able to work outside today, although it was very muddy. He hung the door on the stable. He came in a little early because of the mud. 

I talked to Ruby today about our trip. She said that she and Lola had a great time and they were grateful they got to go.

This afternoon I cleaned in preparation of the youth coming to our house tomorrow night. I also did all of the laundry from our trip. I am feeling as good as I normally do. 

We had pot pies for lunch and frozen pizza for dinner. James says we need more veggies so I told him I would fix our garden veggie soup next week.

Listened to Joshua Sears on "Follow Him" and part of "Unshaken."

Fresh Strawberry Cake

Friday, January 26, 2024: Foggy, Winter Wonderland, Finished my puzzle 3 pieces missing, Movies, James office work, a restoration day for me, James gets his steps, I don't, Emily & Anthony on Inklings

Los Angeles, California

10th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-14 Mar 1956

By: David O. McKay

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 15:1-18

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 15:1-11 God will answer me if I ask in faith.

October General Conference

"Divine Parenting Lessons" Elder Valeri V. Cordon

We woke up to a foggy winter wonderland. First thing James and I had prayer and scriptures study.

Today is something I call a restoration day, a day off from duties. 

I did finish my puzzle only to discover there are three pieces missing.

Two pieces on the edge and one up above

the Dalmation dogs are missing.

Today I rested, relaxed, restored, and watched movies. James did office work. He still hasn't received any payment from Daryl the barbership guy. Armando thinks he's a little shady and so do I.

Stacy called me about her newest business venture idea, drop shipping. She wants me to watch a video, which I may or may not do. If she is interested in doing it that's fine, but I am really not.

James went to clean the temple this evening. I was just too tired and achy. He took Virgil Cooper with him. Here are the other people who went from our ward: Willy Grombach, Cheryl & Ralph Sedig, Lynn & Roger Wallace, Stefani & Sean Hunsaker, Bishop & Alicia Hunsaker, Kerri Halcomb, Rick & Rosie Lauritzen, Fred & Barbara Klug, James & Virgil, Cress & Richard Miller, and Becky & Chris Skousen. 20 people in all. We always have such a good turn out.

I listened to Emily Belle Freeman and Anthony Sweat on Inklings today. The discussion was based on "The Savior's Healing Power Upon the Isles of the Sea' by Elder J. Kimo Esplin. One of my takeaways, for some reason I didn't take notes, was how we can harness God's power. Emily said going to the temple, saying sincere, heartfelt prayers, and searching and pondering the scriptures. She also asked how we can keep these things from becoming rote repetition. It gave me something to think about.

I also listened to "Walk with Him" with Barbara & Elaine who discussed Emily's conference talk, "Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ." They talked about the five finger promise given to Jacob and how the hymn "Nearer My God to Thee" is about Jacob's experience with God in a dream. They said the five-finger promise is part of the Abraham Covenant.

James spoke with Willy at the temple and he said he just got back from Quartzite. They like to go to the swap meet there and ride the ATV's. James told him we may have seen their travel trailer but we just didn't know it.

James did not get home until 10:30. I was already in bed and asleep but I did hear him when he came in.

 

Thursday, January 25, 2024:After breakfast girls use the hot tub although the jets didn't work, 10th floor the only place the ice machine works, Goodbye California, Rain, Wendy's for lunch

 

Bern, Switzerland

9th operating temple

Dedicated: 11-15 Sep 1955

By: David O. McKay

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 14

14-And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 1-9; 14:9-11 What is the "great and abominable church" that Nephi saw?

October General Conference

"Eternal Truth" by Elder John C. Pingree, Jr.

Again James took the girls down to breakfast while I stayed back in the room. He's my room service. I do enjoy those bacon and cheese omelets. 

After breakfast the girls went to the hot tub. They were gone for well over an hour.  When they returned I asked them how it was. Ruby said, "Fine, but the jets didn't work." This hotel really does need a handyman. No ice machine works except on the tenth floor and not the hot tub. I hope they don't ask me to write a review. When I get home I will be sending an email.

James went walking around the hotel while I got ready to go. It was drizzling (light rain) when we left. 11:00 was checkout time.

We joined the ribbon of traffic leaving Orange county. Arizona here we come. The kids slept for awhile and then when they woke up we played Family Car Trivia again for awhile. 

We stopped in Ehrenberg, just across the California border in Arizona at the station that has a Wendy's attached to it. The girls said they liked Wendy's.  I ordered a Biggie Bag with a junior bacon burger, 5 chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink, all for $5. I was hoping the girls would order a Biggie Bag too but I wasn't going to insist on it. Ruby ordered a cheeseburger and fries and Lola did the same. The cheeseburgers were $7 a piece. I'm not sure on the fries. I would have been happy except for the fact that the burgers were so messy they were difficult to eat. Here is a picture of Lola trying to eat hers:

Next time we will special order cheeseburgers with less condiments.

While I was in Wendy's with the girls James was in the gas station store buying me a necklace. 

I love this necklace because James thought of me when he bought it and there was no special occasion approaching, so he bought it just because he loves me. 

As we got in to Phoenix James again wanted to go around the mountain to avoid downtown Phoenix. Neither of us was sure which highway we were looking for. James turned on the 303. It go us to where we were going but it was the long way. We finally got to the 202 which is the highway that goes around the mountain. 

When we got to Darrel & Trina's there was no one home. There was a gift card, a bag of dark chocolate almonds, a scotch mellow and two cinnamon suckers on the credenza near the front door. Ruby tried to call her mom but she didn't answer so she called Addy. Addy said the gift card to Carraba's and the candy was for us for grandpa's birthday. How thoughtful.

As I opened the front door to leave I was met with one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen for awhile.

It looks like the sky is on fire!

I had made arrangements to spend the night at Darrel & Trina's but James wanted to get home, so we said our goodbyes to the girls and left. Before we even got out of Mesa Trina called and asked if we wanted anything from Panda for dinner. I told her thank you but we were on our way home at James's request. She thanked me for taking the girls and I told her it was our pleasure.

On the way home we ordered green chili mixed burros from Burger House. Mine tasted especially delicious. Maybe it was because I was so hungry. 

We got in to rain and snow on the way home. We arrived at home at 9:30 and James went out immediately to feed his babies. 

I took a shower, put my stuff away and while James walked I relaxed. I lost my 117 day streak because I had more than two days this week that I didn't get at least 10,000 steps. James's streak is over 350 days. 

I loved sleeping in my own bed!

These photos were taken on Wednesday in Cars Land.

Carmen's Creations

 

 

Wednesday, January 24, 2024: Late start because of me, James blow dries my hair but he can't curl it, California Adventure, Yesterday a perfect day, today it's overcast,

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sep 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 13:20-42

16 -And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord and the power of the Lord was with them.

Come Follow Me

1 Nephi 12-14 "I can be 'armed with righteousness' and power."

October General Conference

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

Today is California Adventure day. We feel like we've already been on a California Adventure navigating the freeways. We slept in and I was moving slow and couldn't lift my right arm to wash my hair or do my hair. 

James took the girls down to breakfast and brought me back a bacon, cheese omelet. After I was finished eating I asked James to blow dry my hair, using the brush and blow dryer. He did a good job but when I asked him to curl my hair, that was a different story. He "bent" my hair so I had to take over. Luckily my arm was feeling better and I could lift it, somewhat.

Finally, I am ready. Everyone else was waiting for me. We parked in the main "Donald Duck" parking lot today.

We headed for California Adventure and got behind a group of school kids all carry "see-thru" backpacks. They stopped and we kept going. 

The first ride we headed for was "Soarin' Over the World" which use to be "Soarin' Over California." The line wasn't too long, but even though this is my favorite ride, I just couldn't stand in another line. We tried to get me a scooter but we would have had to go back out and over to Disneyland to get it. 

I sat outside the ride and enjoyed watching people while Lola, Ruby, and James enjoyed the ride. It is James's favorite and he was sad I didn't go with him. I'm sorry honey, I just wasn't up to it.

James and the girls went on ahead of me. They went on the Little Mermaid ride while I got one of Disney's famous corndogs. Brian and Kim highly recommend them. Brian told James if he got one, Brian would pay for it because he loves them so much. 

James tried my corndog and said it was too greasy for him and why was there so much cornmeal? I told him that was what made it so good. The girls went on the Zepplin ride and then the swings. Lola loved the swings so much that they went again. 

As we were walking Sully and Mike came out. They are the main characters for the movie, "Monsters, Inc." There was a little girl there with her parents and she had on a Boo costume. Here are some pictures.

We didn't want to wait in line so James took

these pictures

Lola and I went on the big ferris wheel while James and Ruby rode the roller coaster. I told Lola we had to get in the line where the cages didn't rock because I would get dizzy if we got in a rocking cage. The line wasn't too long in the non-rocking line, not nearly as long as the rocking line.

We were put in a "cage" with two women from Australia, a mother and a daughter. They were from Sydney and the younger woman was here with her kids on summer break. It is 104 degrees in Sydney right now. They were very nice to visit with and I am glad we met them, although I looked at Lola and she seemed a little bored.

As we were making our way to Cars Land Ruby stopped at the Abominable Snowman ice cream stand to get a "Dole Whip." She got a mango and so did Lola. James and I shared a lemon one. They didn't have any pineapple. At first the lemon was too tart but after awhile I got used to it and it tasted better.

Ruby and Lola and their "Dole Whips"

I told James and the girls go ahead over to the Cars ride and I would follow at my own pace. As I was walking along I saw a familiar face, Michelle Skinner. Michelle was with her husband. I don't know his name. They live in the valley and they have a summer home in Vernon and come up from time to time. When Michelle saw me she immediately came over and gave me a hug. They have family coming but had the opportunity to come alone today. I told her what I was doing and we talked a few minutes before going our separate ways. This made my day, especially since Michelle, someone I barely know, seemed so happy to see me.

Lola loved the Cars ride so much she and Ruby went on it again. James and I waited at Flo's V8 Diner for them. When they arrived we ordered lunch. It was rather disappointing. The chicken tenders were tough and the mac and cheese was dry. The fries were good. Lola and Ruby went on the Maynard's Junkyard ride and seemed to have a lot of fun.

Lola really wanted to go on the Monsters Inc. ride so we headed in that direction. Again, I waited outside while the three musketeers went on the ride. I sat by a fountain outside the ride and next to a stage where a band called "Galaxy" performed. Lola had to make a trip to the bathroom while she was in line so I was glad I was out here to take her. 

James and I were ready to head back to the hotel but Ruby wanted to go on Guardians of the Galaxy which used to be Tower of Terror until Disney bought Marvel. Ruby talked Lola in to going with her. Lola was feeling brave and since it wasn't a roller coaster she said she would go.

James and I found a place to sit on main street and watched a Mulan parade. Ruby and Lola were in line for over an hour. When they found us, Lola was crying and said she hated the ride. She was made at Ruby. I told her that Ruby didn't do it to be mean to her, but she thought she would like the ride. I told her about the time I went skiing with Grandpa and he made me climb clear to the top to go down the run. I told her I fell all the way down the hill and was so made at Grandpa until I realized that he loved me and really thought I could ski better than I did. After a few hugs and trying to comfort her, Lola calmed down. She and Ruby went shopping in the nearby Five & Dime. Ruby bought herself a little Stitch to sit on her shoulder, Lola a photo album and Addy and Rowan both key chains. 

Ruby always thinks of others.

Before going back to the hotel we stopped at the Taco Bell on Harbor for dinner. I had a soft taco supreme and loved it. It was just as much as I needed.

Back at the hotel we got ready for bed, made hot chocolate, read scriptures and had family prayer before going to bed.