Friday, February 9, 2024: What a day! Stuck in the snow, J cancels his doctors appt., Mr. Heil stuck & J pulls him out, George Wallace passes away, waffle cone, Wlmrt, finished my book The Lady in the Coppergate Tower

 

Santiago, Chile

24th operating temple

Dedicated: 15-17 Sep 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:11-19

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 2:15-29 

The Fall and the Atonement of Jesus Christ are essential parts of Heavenly Father's Plan.

Dallin H. Oaks "The Great Plan of Happiness" Oct 1993 GC

October General Conference

"Promptings of the Spirit" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Relief Society

"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Book

"Your Endowment" Mark A. Shields

I was up at 5 a.m. What a day!

James had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Ellsworth regarding the pain in his thumbs at 8 this morning. I had decided to go with him and do my grocery shopping while he was at the doctors. We headed out in my car about 7:15 confident we could make it through the snow in all-wheel drive (the same as 4-wheel drive). We made it down our hill and onto the adjacent road but before we got to Pierre's we high-centered and we were stuck. We said a prayer and James got out and pushed while I steered. We went forward but were soon stuck again. It was obvious by now that James was not going to make it to his doctors appointment on time. He decided to walk back to the house to get his truck so he could pull us out. He asked if I wanted to walk with him but I declined. I had my thin shoes on and my feet were already freezing just from walking around the car in the snow when I was steering.

I waited 20 minutes or so in the car, keeping myself occupied with my phone. James attacked the tow rope to the car and eventually pulled me out to where we could turn the car around for home. While he was gone I had called and canceled his appointment. We went back home to "freshen up" and then decided we would head for town.

This time we took the truck. We got almost to Pierre's on the corner when we came upon a pickup truck that was stuck. James got out to speak to the man. He lives up on the hill and his last name is Heil. He said he had ordered propane and was going down to meet the truck. He still had on his house slippers. James tried to pull him out by hooking to his back bumper and pulling him backwards but it didn't work. About this time Mr. Heil's wife Chris drove up on a four-wheeler with a pair of boots for him. While he was putting his boots on James decided he was going to try and go around him so he could pull him out from the front. He gunned the motor and off we went in the deeper snow on the side of the road. We did it! I couldn't believe it and Mr. Heil said he couldn't either.

James attached the tow rope to the front of Mr. Heil's truck and the back of his and pulled him out. He broke his town rope in the process. Mr. Heil was very thankful and we said our goodbyes and off we went.

Sheri's cancer test came back early. It is benign. That is a relief!

She still has to have surgery but at least we aren't dealing with cancer.

As we were driving into town we heard the news that our dear friend George Wallace had passed away. He has had heart problems for a few years now and has been in the hospital in the valley for several weeks. I guess he fell last night before going to bed and he never woke up. George was always in a good mood and so kind and giving.

He has a beautiful place where we had ward parties. Ruth, his wife will be living in the valley with her daughter and another daughter and her husband will run the Wallace Ranch up here. People book girls camps, wedding receptions, family reunions and other gatherings at Wallace Ranch. I will miss going to the temple with Ruth.

Our first stop in town was at Culver's for lunch. James had his regular fish sandwich and I had a Single Wisconsin Patty Melt and a waffle cone. 

At Walmart I spent more than I had planned but part of it was James's prescription, green powder, and cat food. 

After getting the groceries put away I went in to take a nap on the recliner with my electric blanket. Before I could get comfortable, Tom jumped up into my lap and settled down. We were there for three hours! I was ready to get up long after about an hour and a half but I didn't want to wake up Tom. Finally I had James come and pick him up.

Spent most of the evening walking, enough to finish my book, "The Lady in the Coppergate Tower."

Lovie

Tom

Ruth and George Wallace

Thursday, February 8, 2024: Swollen face, Sheri's biopsy report, Inklings, "My Perfect Romance", chili for lunch, Stacy's group text, Snowing again, Tom follows me from room to room,

 

Nuku 'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:1-10

27 - Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 2:1-4, 6-25 God can turn my trials into blessings.

October General Conference

"The Power of Jesus Christ in Our Lives Every Day" Elder Joaquin E. Costa

Relief Society

"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Book - "Unlocking the Powers of Faith" by Garth Allred

Liahona

Principles We Can Learn From the Way the Presiding Bishopric Works"

After taking my thyroid pill this morning I sat on the recliner just waiting until I could eat something. I am supposed to wait 30 minutes. As I was waiting, I could feel the left side of my face down around my mouth starting to swell. I thought back and remembered I had taken some Naprosyn a couple of days ago. I believe that is what makes my face swell. I'm glad I don't have anywhere to go today.

Today is Stacy's 52nd birthday. Happy Birthday Stacy!

Sheri texted me this morning and said she got the results of her biopsy back. There is no cancer. Thank goodness!

I listened to Emily and Rio on Inklings this morning discuss Elder Phillip's conference talk, "God Knows and Loves You." It's a good way to start a day when you day hasn't started out to well. (Does that make sense?).

Stacy sent out a group text this afternoon asking if when Jared & Kacey are in town if everyone wanted to get together at their house for a potluck and some games. We decided on Friday night. Thanks Stacy.

I made James a ham and cheese sandwich and a bowl of chili before he had to go to his presidency meeting. 

Did I mention that it snowed again today. Tom was in the house this evening and he followed me from room to room. As I was working at my computer he jumped up on the desk. He just wants to be close. 

When James got home he put Tom out. He is afraid about the whole potty thing. We have a cat box but I don't think it's big enough for Tom.

Today's quotes:

"Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better."

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"If our children and grandchildren are taught and heed these same truths, will they fall away? We best instruct them in the Book of Mormon at our dinner table, by our firesides, at their bedsides, and in our letters and phone calls - in all of our comings and goings."

The swelling in my face went down a little. 

I had Stacy on Sandy's birthday.

She had Teresa 2 days after mine.

Kim made sugar cookies for Stacy's birthday.

It's what she asked for when Kim offered to

make her a cake.

One of the things I love about snow is how it

sparkles when sun shines on it.

You can't really see it here though.

He doesn't mind that I'm changing sheets and

there is no bedding on the bed.

My little companion
 

Wednesday, February 7, 2024: My low blood pressure and blood sugar is a tender mercy, Winter wonderland, Sheri's biopsy for cancer, James shovels snow, Stacy's call, Paul didn't get the WhatNot job,

 

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:26-32

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 2

Because of Jesus Christ, I am "free to choose liberty and eternal life."

October General Conference

"Preserving the Voice of the Covenant People in the Rising Generation" by Jan E. Newman

Relief Society

"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Book

"Grace Where You Are" by Emily Belle Freeman

Radical Generosity and Two Trees

 My tender mercies for today were my blood pressure which was 120/79 and my blood sugar which was 101.

I got up around 4:15. Along with my prayers and scripture study I read from Emily's book, "Grace Where You Are." When I looked outside I was surprised to see a winter wonderland. 

Photos courtesy of James:

I love how the snow looks right after it falls, especially in the trees.

In a few days, when it starts to melt, we will have a muddy mess. That is the one thing I don't like about the snow, the mud afterwards.

James spent a good part of the day shoveling snow off the driveway and walkways.

Sheri had a procedure done today. She had a histroscopy and a DNC. Kim and Sheri both misunderstood her and thought she had the hysterectomy. The doctor thought he found something suspicious looking so he did a biopsy. Now there is a chance Sheri might have cancer. She said the report wouldn't be back for at least 10 days. 

We will be praying for her.

Tom was asleep on my lap with my electric blanket for a couple of hours today. I didn't have the heart to wake him up if I moved. 

I got a text from Jared Ammon today asking me if he and a couple of friends could come up and stay from February 25-27. I told him yes and then he asked if the Razr was working. Yes it is.

Stacy called and was a little stressed. Paul had his interview with the What Not company today and he didn't get the job. I guess he was over qualified. I'm not sure if that's why he didn't get the job or not but they are in a scary situation right now. They really need our prayers. 

James made potstickers for lunch and I made whole wheat pancakes for dinner for him. He has been asking for them. They are quite delicious! James did the dishes. 

We listened to Sister Lili Anderson on "Follow Him" today. She is pretty incredible.

Quote of the Day:

Our Church meetings are choice opportunities for us to testify of Christ and signal to God that we rejoice in taking His Son's name upon us.

More Snow Pictures:

Ice Flowers in Norway

Four Peaks in Arizona

Tuesday, February 6, 2024: Goodbye to Kim & Brian, flood warning watch in California, we get rain, but no snow today, Tenzi machine works for James, finished paying bills, "Pride & Prejudice" BBC series w/ Colin Firth

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 1:20-25

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 1:13-29 

I can "awake! and arise from the dust."

October General Conference

"Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven" by Elder Neil L. Andersen

Relief Society

"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Book

"Who Shall Be Able to Stand" Finding Personal Meaning in the Book of Revelation" by S. Michael Wilcox

Introduction - The Key

Kim and Brian left around 7 a.m. Brian has a signing at 11. We will miss them but they are going to try and come back in 3 weeks. 

There is another atmospheric river in California this week. 37 million people are under flood warning watch. There is 7 foot of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains. There is also 10 inches of rain in some areas of California. The storm is supposed to hit us some time today. We get some rain as does the Phoenix area, but not snow. 

James uses my Tenzi machine on his thumbs and feet. He says it really helps. Tom came in this morning and stayed for awhile. 

We had chili for lunch and pot pies for dinner. For some reason zucchini chicken enchilada skillet just didn't sound god. I put the chicken I bought in the freezer. 

This afternoon I updated the checkbooks and finished paying bills, including tithing for January. I am also watching the BBC series "Pride and Prejudice." This is the one where Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy.

James and I walked around the high table near the fireplace. We don't have a fire tonight because it is too warm. After walking I take a shower and it's time for bed.

Kacey

The bear curled up in a ball and rolled down a hill

Cabbage kids