Friday, February 23, 2024

Wednesday, February 14, 2024: Cookies for breakfast, Elder Rasband's talk, Vernon blood drive at the church bldg, Flyer for women's night @ stk cnfrnce, foot rub for V-day

 

Manila, Philippines
29th operating temple
Dedicated: 25 Sep 1984
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 4:10-19
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 4:15-35
"O Lord, I have trusted in Thee."
"The Things of My Soul" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband
October General Conference
"Humble to Accept and Follow" by Elder Joni L. Koch
Book
"Unlocking the Powers of Faith" by Garth Allred, p. 36
Relief Society
"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

If you know me, you know how much I love strawberry anything. Today I found a recipe for strawberry bread that I am anxious to try.
Did I mention that I had cookies for breakfast and I think James did too. It's Valentine's Day so we had to live it up a little.

James and I had scriptures and prayer early this morning before we did anything else. That is the best way to do it!

We listened to Elder Rasband's talk, "Things of My Soul" as a part of our Come Follow Me study. He makes these seven suggestions in his talk:
1. Love the Father and the Son
2. Love thy neighbor
3. Love yourself
4. Keep the commandments
5. Be temple worthy
6. Be joyful and cheerful
7. Follow God's living prophet.

I made tacos for lunch. They were yummy! 

There is a blood drive at the church today. James was assigned to go help this afternoon. He thought he would be gone a couple of hours but ended up only staying for about 30 minutes. They had more than enough people there to help. 

I got a flyer today announcing the March 8th Women's Devotional with an Apostle and his wife. Several stakes will be involved but I think the apostle will be live in our building.



I tell Kim I'm not sure were the Apostle and his wife will be because several stakes are involved but she wants to come anyway.

It's a sunny day with a little wind. Hopefully the mud is drying out. 

James is so kind. Tonight as we were going to bed he gave me a foot rub that felt so good!


Happy Birthday beautiful Arizona!

I'm now a fan of Brock Purdy


This was made a few years back.
We didn't eat it today.

Another picture honoring 
Arizona's diversity and birthday

Mikki Gilbert in the dark dress

Trina in the wild






Thursday, February 22, 2024

Tuesday, February 13, 2024: Baked sugar cookies for the sisters I minister to & Kathy Crane, Visit Catherine & Kerri and then Janna, Trina's text, Brock Purdy

 

Sydney, Australia
28th operating temple
Dedicated: 20 Sep 1984
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 4:1-9
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 3:6-24
Joseph Smith was chosen by God to restore the Gospel.
October General Conference
"Hallmarks of Happiness" by Elder Gary B. Sabin
Article
"Cutting Covenants" by Jared T. Parker
Book
"Who Shall Be Able to Stand? Finding Personal Meaning in the Book of Revelation" by S. Michael Wilcox p. 8

This morning I baked sugar cookies for the sisters I minister to, Janna Grombach and Catherine Halcomb, my partner, Kathy Crane, the Tignor's, and James and I. James loves them without frosting. 
I still had a big batch of dough left. I decided I'll make cookies again on Friday for the Wallace funeral on Saturday, as I signed up to bring a dessert.



Cute Valentines:

James went in to town this morning to make a return on the electrodes he bought for his neuropathy. Hopefully he will get all of his $350 back. He also bought us a new welcome mat for our front porch. Michelle Tesarek said we needed a bigger one because our porch is so big. He also bought me a vanilla waffle cone at Culver's.

I love it and I think Michelle will approve. 

Kathy picked me up in her very muddy Suburban a little late, around 12:15. Catherine called us on the way because we were late. I'm glad Kathy's Suburban is muddy because my car is muddy and if hers wasn't I would have felt bad. (My insecuritites).

Kathy and I had a nice visit with Catherine and Kerri. Kerri got a new display case for all of her Lego creations. She had several temples from the Brick'em Young sets.  One she had was the Provo City Center temple. I told her I had that temple and it was halfway put together and then the instructions were lost. Kerri went and got the instructions and gave them to me. I was so excited! I set them on the counter while I was looking at something Catherine was showing me and I left them there. Yikes! I'm as forgetful as James.

I was anxious to go because it was getting close to 1:00 and Janna was coming to my house to meet with Kathy and I at 1:00. Before we left Catherine said she is lonely much of the time without her husband and Kerri being gone teaching school most days. She had prayed someone would come and visit her and she said we were an answer to her prayer. How sweet. She gave each of us a hug before we left.

I texted Janna we would be a little late and sure enough when we got back to my house she was waiting for us. She had made chocolate covered strawberries for each of us. How thoughtful. One of my favorite treats!

The three of us had a fun visit. Janna talked about her mom and getting someone to clean her house. We also talked about how there aren't any good dress shops in the Show Low area and Janna says she would like to open one. We talked about the possibility of getting a new stake president at stake conference and who would be the apostle that is coming. The strawberries were delicious!

Oh yes, Kathy told us that Ruth Wallace will be living in the valley with her daughter Lianne. One of her other daughters and her husband will be running their ranch, The Diamond W Ranch.

Kathy also told me after Janna left that the hospice ladies called Owen and they will be coming in five days a week to help take care of Donna. This is such good news!

I was exhausted this afternoon and so was Tom. We took a nap together.

James and I watched an episode of "All Creatures Great and Small" as recommended by Stacy. We both liked it.


New addition to our centerpiece

Painted rock art








 




Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Monday, February 12, 2024:Trina's 41st Birthday, Lunch @ Darbi's with the Tignor's, J & I make sugar cookie dough, Tom sleeps most of the day in the house, Walk & listen to our book

 

Boise, Idaho
27th operating temple
Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 3:12-25
12 - Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their father in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
Come Follow Me
2 Nephi 3-5 
"We Lived After the Manner of Happiness"
October General Conference
"How Great Will Be Your Joy" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband
 "Walk with Him"
"The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Book
"Increase in Learning" by Elder David A. Bednar
Gather together all things in Christ.

James and I laid in bed and talked this morning and just enjoyed being together. Soon it was time to let Thomas in and for James to go feed Luna.

It was a sunny, clear day with the high in the 40's. 

James called the Tignor's this morning and made an appointment to take them to lunch, today. We are picking them up at noon. I reminded him that I needed to make sugar cookies today as I am going ministering tomorrow. He promised me he would help me so I agreed to go to lunch. 

We picked up Barbara and T-Bo at noon. The reason for this lunch date is to thank T-Bo for feeding Luna and Tom when we were gone to California. T-Bo wanted to go to the Show Low Cafe (yes, the one my grandparents owned). We drove passed and there was a sign out that said temporarily closed. T-Bo said he knew they were remodeling the kitchen but thought they would be finished by now.

James suggested Darbi's. Neither T-Bo nor Barbara has ever been to Darbi's but T-Bo had heard it was good, so off we went to Pinetop. 

Darbi serves breakfast until noon and then lunch. We were too late for the breakfast menu, which is quite delicious too.

Barbara ordered an albacore tuna croissant sandwich. T-Bo ordered a chicken fried steak sandwich with green chili and bacon. James ordered a chicken croissant sandwich with bacon and cheese. I ordered two fish tacos.  

I ate a good portion of the fries that came with James's sandwich but only ate one of my tacos. James had it and the refried beans that came with it for dinner this evening. 

T-Bo and Barbara both loved their food and said they would definitely be coming back. James said to me after we took them home, "I knew that would be right up T-Bo's alley!"

We stopped at the post office to pick up our mail. While T-Bo was out getting his mail he had a nice chat with our neighbor Chuck Crane. 

We so enjoy doing things with the Tignor's. They are so much fun!

We left Tom in the house while we were gone to lunch. He was still asleep when we got home. James and I took our naps and when my nap was over I went in and started making sugar cookies. James did pitch right in and help me, which I so much appreciated!

This evening we walked and listened to our book, "Tutored in Love."
I am so grateful for my life and all of the blessings that I enjoy!

Charlie and Scarlett

Happy 41st Birthday Trina!




Darrel 
Guess what they did for Trina's birthday?


Ruby with a stack of IHOP's chocolate chip pancakes


Our sleeping ball of fur

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Sunday, February 11, 2024: J goes to ward council for Chuck, 4WD all the way to the church, Kerri & Catherine not at church, Everyone talking abt how much they love George Wallace, Visit Peelers & Tignors, Sheri's story abt Braddock's, Ben's seminary class

 

Mexico City, Mexico
26th operating temple
Dedicated: 2-4 Dec 1983
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 3:1-11
Come Follow Me
Review
October General Conference
"God Knows & Loves You" by Elder Alan T. Phillips
Relief Society
"In the Path of Their Duty" Elder David A. Bednar
"The Sealing Power" Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Book
"Rescuing Wayward Children" by Larry Barkdull
The Fall and It's Affects

James left for ward council this morning around 7:15. Chuck usually goes but today he asked James to go for him. James took the truck which means I came in the car by myself. I used all-wheel drive the entire way.

I noticed that neither of the Halcomb's was here today so I texted to see why. I guess Catherine is fine but Kerri had a cough and a head cold. I also noticed my friend Janna Grombach and her husband Willy weren't here either. I texted her and she said they had been snowed in most of the week. She said someone was working on her road right now and that two Jeeps had been stuck. I told her that Kathy and I would like to visit her on Tuesday and she said she hoped the road would be all right by then.

Georgia Jameson was the youth speaker today. Her talk was about how we should not compare ourselves to others.  See reality through Heavenly Father's eyes. You are loved. Nephi and Sam. We never here about Sam's righteousness but we know he was righteous. It is Satan's plan to have you compare yourself to others.

After sacrament meeting was over I told Georgia I enjoyed her talk. I asked her if she wrote it herself. She said yes she did. She said she wrote another talk first, but she didn't like it very well so she wrote this one instead. I told her she should file it away and keep it. She said she was going to.

Alicia Hunsaker, the bishop's wife was the next speaker. She spoke on patriarchal blessings. She started out by comparing a patriarchal blessing to the Liahona because they both give inspired direction from Heavenly Father. Any baptized member may receive their patriarchal blessing. A blessings lists your eternal possibilities. It is yours and yours alone. Elder Randall K. Bennett gave a conference address about patriarchal blessings. He said: "My patriarchal blessing helped me understand my true eternal identity, who I really was and who I could become." We need to study our own patriarchal blessing often to gain eternal perspective regarding our lives.

The sister missionaries assigned to our ward performed a special musical number. One of them played the piano and the other one sang. It was very nice but I did not recognize the song.

Brother Laren Ellsworth was the final speaker. Brother Ellsworth's remarks were based on a talk given by President Jeffrey R. Holland in the October 2018 General Conference. The name of the talk: "The Ministering of Reconciliation." Grant Morrell Bowen left the Church and eventually came back at the insistence of two of his children. 
We need to minister as the Savior ministered. We should plead for help and direction to reconcile with those we may have offended or who may have offended us.

Wendy DeWitt gave the lesson in Relief Society based on Elder Bednar's talk, "In the Path of Their Duty." She told pioneer stories and the sisters shared stories from some of their pioneer ancestors. She talked about people who have callings that aren't high profile. She even mentioned our nursery leaders, Sean and Heather Bowen. 

I sat by Paula Johnson during Relief Society. It was good for my soul. She told me how much she thought of me and what a good example I was. Paula is someone who does lots of community service. She runs the food bank and is president of the Vernon Park. I told her she was a great example of service to me. Sister Ulmer, who was sitting on the other side of Paula said she agreed with both of us. She is such a sweetie!

After lunch, I had a nap with Tom while James napped on the bed by himself. 

I got a call from Sheri today. She works in the nursery for her ward Primary. They are combined with another ward. Sheri was talking about wishing her boys were more active in the Church and that she had been a better example to them. One of the girls from the other ward made this comment: "I was in Ben's seminary class the year you texted him an inspirational quote every morning. The entire class looked forward to those quotes as Ben read them to us. We all thought you were so awesome and we wanted to meet you." 
Sheri said she started crying, but it was a good cry. This was just the boost she needed!

Sheri also said the Braddock's spoke in their sacrament meeting today and they announced that they are moving to Phoenix. Sheri loves the Braddock's and Brother Braddock has been their family's ministering brother for the last several years. Brother Braddock told a story about President/Elder Heyman. He said he was visiting with him recently and he told about being set apart as an Area Authority Seventy by Elder David A. Bednar. In the blessing Elder Bednar gave he blessed Elder Heyman with the gift of discernment. Elder Heyman thought to himself, I have been a bishop and a stake president and I think I have been given the gift of discernment. He questioned Elder Bednar as to what he meant by the gift of discernment. Elder Bednar said: The gift of discernment I am talking about is the ability to see others as the Savior sees them and to love them as He does." Wow! That brings a whole new meaning to discernment.

This afternoon we made some Sunday visits. First we went to see the Peeler's. Donna Peeler has been house-bound for several months now. She has cancer she can't seem to get rid of. She has a hurt back, diabetes, and now she has bedsores. She is quite miserable and Owen has to change her bandages for her bedsores three times a day. I think he needs some help and may be getting some soon. He shared this with us: Amy Reynolds has been coming in and helping with housework. She said that Hospice will come in and help even though Donna is still getting medical treatments. It used to be Hospice would only help when treatment was done and the patient was waiting to die. Sorry to put it so bluntly. Amy helped Owen sign up to get the help that he needs.

I gave Donna the cookie I got in Relief Society today from the RS Presidency. I doubt whether she will eat it as she doesn't eat much but when Owen acted like he was going to take it she protected it.

We love Donna and Owen, so very much. They are sweet, kind, and totally dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It makes me sad that Donna has to suffer so much but perhaps it is part of the sanctification process for both her and Owen. 

From the Peeler's we went over to the Tignor's who live in the same neighborhood. Barbara Tignor had called me yesterday to ask if we could come over this afternoon and if I could help her get on Amazon to place an order. The Tignor's don't have a working computer so everything is done on their phones. 

Barbara wanted to order some bee venom which she uses for pain relief. We went on Amazon but couldn't find the particular brand Barbara wanted to refill. Amazon's choices were quite a bit more expensive. I looked at the bottle and in very small letters I found a website. We went on the website and found the bee venom which is about $20 a bottle. Barbara wanted 3 or 4 bottles. I had her do everything on her phone and soon we had her order completed. She was happy. 

Next T-Bo took us out to see his radio shop. He has a radio tower and talks with people all over the world, like Anthony does. He also repairs radio. Some of his equipment is quite sophisticated and he seems quite proud of it. I told him we needed him to help us know how to use our radios and he said he would be happy to do that.

We had been gone almost 3 hours and when we got home Tom was still asleep. Kim says cats sleep 18 hours a day and that seems to be true with ours.

While working on my blog this evening I listened to Barbara Morgan Gardner and Tracy Browning discussing 2 Nephi 3-5. It was great to get Sister Browning's view on 2 Nephi 5:20-21.

We were in the bedroom getting ready for bed when Tom disappeared. We called him, James looked upstairs, I looked all over the family and living room and kitchen. No Tom. I looked in James's closet where he said he already looked. Nothing as I called Tom. A few minutes later James opened the closet again and Tom was standing there looking up at him. He was probably responding to my call. Tom goes outside when we go to bed.

We were in bed by 9, which means I should get up by 5.


Memory: Lola's blessing day
Don't you just love Rowan's intense smile


If it seems as if I am fixated on our cat Tom,
You are right, I am!
Never had an animal I loved so much!

The Whalen family
friends from Chandler who now live in Gilbert

Sweet Charlie on the Sabbath!
Look forward to these pictures 
every week!












Saturday, February 17, 2024

Saturday, February 10, 2024: Another very cold lower 30's day, Sholo to mail Trina's birthday card, Safeway for walnuts, meatball subs for lunch, goals after taxes, Tom's 5 hr nap, ham & cheese sliders, "Love & Jane" walking w James

Papeete, Tahiti
25th operating temple
Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1983
By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 2:20-30 
Come Follow Me
"The Great Plan of Happiness" by President Dallin H. Oaks
October General Conference
"Do You Want to Be Happy?" by Elder Yoon Whan Choi
Relief Society
"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Book
"Your Endowment" Chapter 15 - The Blessings Promised in Genesis 22.
Liahona
"Making Weak Things Strong"
Book
"Teaching with Power" - Doctrine Saves and Protects Us - p. 58-61. 
"Great teachers are passionate about teaching the doctrine with the Spirit."
Article
"Cutting a Covenant"

I got up before 5. The first thing I do when I get up is take my thyroid pill and then wait 30 minutes before I can eat anything. 

This was another very cold day with the highs in the lower 30's. It's a day for me to stay in the house and for James to build a fire.

I forgot to mail Trina's birthday card yesterday and James and I forgot to get him some walnuts at Walmart. We hopped in the car this morning and took a drive to town. Before we left I put the rest of the bag of meatballs in the crockpot with some marinara sauce. 

We dropped Trina's card off in the drive-thru of the Show Low post office and headed for Safeway. I stayed in the car while James went in to get his walnuts. Not only did he get walnuts but crackers and a cantaloupe. $17 instead of $11. I am money conscious because I am running low on discretionary funds for February.

We came home to warm meatballs in marinara sauce and put them in whole wheat sub rolls and covered them with mozzarella cheese. 

After lunch James works on taxes. We don't know how much we are going to have to pay so we can't make any plans with our money until we do know.

We want to clean out our garage and put all of the stuff in the garage in a storage unit. The Tignor's have several connex's. We want one but they cost $8,000 for a 40 foot one. They aren't pretty but you can store lots of things in them. They look like a train car. 

Thomas takes a five hour nap on the recliner and my electric blanket.

This evening I made ham and Swiss sliders using the leftover whole wheat sub rolls for the bread. Oh my, they were delicious! We have some leftover for tomorrow which is always a plus.

I watched "Love & Jane" this evening on the Hallmark channel. Two of my favorites, Allison Sweeney and Benjamin Ayres were the main characters. I like Benjamin Ayres but he has a new hairdo with lots of curls on top of his head. To me it looks silly.

I walked with James and we listened to our book, "Protecting Her Heart."




Neil Diamond turns 83

Joshua out on a date with Sophie


James givin' some lovin' to Tom

The other side of Four Peaks




 

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