Saturday, March 16, 2024: Slept in until 8, Donna Peeler's viewing & funeral, Sue Hubble, Snowing after funeral - grave dedication, Cheesecake, Nap with Tom, "In the Shadow of a Queen"

 

Columbus, Ohio

60th operating temple

Dedicated: 4 Sep 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 30

Come Follow Me

"Unshaken Saints"

October General Conference

"Brothers and Sisters in Christ" by Elder Ulisses Soares

I slept in until 8 this morning and so did James. We both took sleeping pills during the night and we were zonked. We still have time to be at Donna Peeler's viewing by 10:30. 

When we arrived at the church the viewing was almost over. We had time to look at Donna lying in her beautiful white casket and to give Owen a hug before it was time to go so the family could have family prayer before coming in the chapel. In the last row of family members I saw a familiar face, although she is not a member of the family, Sue Hubble. I asked her if she wanted to stay or come with us into the chapel. She said "come with you." We went and sat in the front of the chapel where we always sat with Sue when she was a member of our ward. 

There were lots of family members. The only one I knew was their son Paul. They also have a daughter Serena who has two boys. So two children and two grandchildren. James knows Serena and pointed her out to me. Donna passed away from the effects of cancer and her daughter Serena has cancer too. 

Here are some notes that I took at the funeral:

Stefani Hunsaker gave her life story:

- Donna preached to the chickens as a little girl

- Donna loved music

- Donna collected fabric - she had an entire room full

- She loved to swim and water ski in her younger years

- She was a car buff ( I remember her driving around a pale yellow Mustang with a white top. When I asked her about it she said she was helping her grandson buy it and he was behind on the payments so she was driving it for awhile).

- She had a green thumb and could grow things that others couldn't

- The gospel made her what she is.

Brandt McNeil (grandson):

- If someone asked grandma her name she might say, "Mary Poppins"

- She loved to thrift shop and sometimes was seen exchanging price tags as she was shopping. She was so cute, no one could get mad at her.

- She had a woman's intuition or "super powers"

- She had a way of "letting go and letting God"

- Brandt found a song on Donna's phone after she pass away. "Remember Me" He played it on the piano

Jarren McNeil (grandson)

- The most loving woman I have ever known.

- I could describe my grandma with the word save, she saved others and she saved things

Rick Lufelt (relative)

- Do we attend our own funeral? According to Neil A. Maxwell, Yes, we do.

- D&C 42:43-46

- Donna lived by her own standards

- Proverbs 4:18

- She was a light to those who knew her

- Proverbs 17:17

- "Keep Your Fork" the best is yet to come

Owen Peeler (husband)

- I always apologize to you but you never apologize to me. Why?

Donna - "Because I'm never wrong"

- In their early years they played Gin Rummy to see who had to do the dishes. Owens says he never won.

- We must become as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven.

- This life is the time to prepare to meet God.

- Commit to do good, seek the peaceable things of the kingdom.

- Wherever she was, there was Eden.

Bishop Kip Hunsaker

- If Donna could come back for 5 minutes, I wonder what she would share

- She would have more of an eternal perspective

- She would tell us to help one another

- Those who knew her loved her

James was asked to dedicate the grave. We said our goodbye's to Sue as she was going home to get her granddaughters for the day. 

It was snowing as I drove James to the cemetery. Very few people came, possibly because of the weather. I waited in the car. I did not bring my boots and the cemetery was very muddy.

James was only gone about 10 minutes before he was back to the car. I was driving. We went home where I stayed while he went back to the church where they were having the luncheon. I was just too tired to go.

James was back within the hour. He brought me a huge piece of cheesecake and he remembered to bring my pan that had the rolls I made on it. I was worried it might get left at the church.

I had a long nap with Tom. While we walked this evening we listened to our new book, "In the Shadow of a Queen" which is about Queen Victoria's daughter Louise.

Neither of these pictures looks like the Donna we knew.

She was very thin and frail and grew more so over the 

12 years we knew her.

My dream pantry

 

- 

Friday, March 15, 2024: "Visions of Glory", Cold, snowy day, bad road conditions so D&T don't end up coming, Applegate mtg, Joe Vaal passes away and Barbara Sayer

 

Spokane, Washington

59th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 29

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 28:27-31; 29

God continues to give revelation to guide His children.

October General Conference

"Seeing God's Family through the Overview Lens" by Sister

Tamara W. Runia

Relief Society

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

Book

"Your Endowment"

Chapter 21 The Commandment of Consecration in Genesis 22

* When the Lord Has Thoroughly Proved Him

* A Lesson on Being Like God

* The Sacrifice of All Things

* The Abrahamic Covenant, the Temple and the Atonement

* The Holy Spirit of Promise

* Summary

The Lord doesn't ask much of us; He asks everything.

-Your Endowment, p. 216

 "A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient enough to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things.

When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth's sake, not even withholding is life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life."

I ordered the book "Visions of Glory" today. Michelle Tesarek talked about it when she was here for the youth devotional a few weeks ago and she said she was going to get the book for me. I just thought she probably forgot so I ordered it myself. 

This turned out to be a cold, snowy day. Trina was going to bring the girls up and Rowan and Darrel were going to come up later tonight. We checked road conditions and it said some closures. Trina also checked the webcam and it showed white out conditions. She decided not to come and I don't blame her. I must say that I am disappointed though.

James had a meeting with the Jimmy Applegate today. He needs either an architect or an engineer to redo his plans. James asked Vance Goodman, Pierce's son and he figured the cost would be $15,000. Jimmy said that was too much money so now James has to find someone else.

We made a trip to town today. We did our shopping at Walmart and picked up my thyroid prescription. I also paid tithing, two credit cards, and my Apple card. 

James put the sheets on the bed downstairs and upstairs making sure everything was ready for company. This is before we found out that no one was coming. Oh well, at least we are ready for next time.

We received new that both Joe Vaal and Barbara Sayer passed away. Joe's family will take care of his funeral. It will not be in our ward. Barbara Sayer's will be in the valley.

Former RS Presidency in Vernon

Debbie Miller - counselor, Kailee Nichol - President

Amy Reynolds - counselor, Tamara Applegate - secretary

Prophets of this Dispensation

Rebecca's recipe

Thursday, March 14, 2023: Still using walker, after 2nd nap knee felt better, did some cleaning, Inklings about the Holy Ghost, Ordered Rio's book, James get damaged apt. permits, Tom's snacks & my yoyo, " Swimming in a Sea of Stars"

 

Guayquil, Ecuador

58th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Aug 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 28

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 28

Satan seeks to deceive

"Deceive Me Not" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

October General Conference

"Humble to Accept and Follow" by Elder Joni L. Koch

Relief Society

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

Book

"Your Endowment" Chapter 20

Genesis 17, Part Two

*And This Shall Be a Token of the Covenant Betwixt Me and You

* Chastity and the Marriage Covenant

* Summary

Inklings

"Our Constant Companion" by President Henry B. Eyring

    I'm still using the walker because of my knee. It is especially difficult when I first get up from sitting. Once I've been up for awhile I don't need it anymore. 

After my second nap this afternoon, my knee felt better. I got up and did some cleaning, including vacuuming in the family room and our bedroom.

I listened to Inklings this morning. It was Rio and Emily Snyder discussing Elder Eyring's talk, "Our Constant Companion." Obviously the discussion was about the Holy Ghost. Rio was talking about a children's book called "What Do You Do with a Problem"? I ordered it. I am such a sucker for kids books. Here is a quote from the session today:

Doctrines are truths regarding the nature of God.

James finally got the permits for restoring the fire damaged apartment in Phoenix for a Mr. Chacon. Armando had gone to the city of Phoenix and was turned down for permits because he had pictures instead of drawings. James did the drawings, had it stamped by an engineer, which cost him $150, and turned them in. They now have the permits.

Tom likes my yoyo and the snacks I bought him this week. He likes hanging around my desk because both the treats and the yoyo are in one of my desk drawers.

James walked for me this evening. We are listening to a contemporary book about a group of teenagers, one of which recently tried to commit suicide. All of these kids have issues to resolve and the book is about how they go about doing this. It's okay but definitely not my favorite. 

I texted Karen Schneider today. I told her I was sorry I missed her birthday but that I wanted to wish her a "Happy PI" day. She said pi day was good. 

I got one of my Kirtland books I ordered and all of Tom's cat toys except for the little bird that flaps it's wings. It's running late.

Cat & Mouse

Tired after all that cat & mouse stuff

Wednesday, March 13, 2024: Didn't sleep well, left knee still dsn't bend when I walk, Wrote on my blog my big accomplishment, contract & Zelled money for James, Snow, EQ mtg, lost phone - found in snow, DTC quote!

 

Bogota, Columbia

57th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Apr 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 27:16-35

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 26:23-33

Jesus Christ invites us all to come unto Him.

"The Doctrine of Belonging" Elder D. Todd Christofferson

October General Conference

"Hallmarks of Happiness" by Elder Gary B. Sabin

Book

"Your Endowment" 

 Chapter 19

Genesis 17, Part One

* Walk Before Me, And Be Thou Perfect

* Not One Solitary Law, But a Way of Life

* A Possible Parallel with the Ordinance of Baptism

* A Personal Observation on Walking

* Summary

I didn't sleep well last night. My left knee is still unbendable when I walk. I am using the walker. 

The only thing I really accomplished today was writing on my blog. James works upstairs and I spend most of my time in our bedroom. Once in awhile he comes to check on me. Today I typed a contract for him and Zelled some money to Bob Joye for some scaffolding James bought from him.

We ate lunch and dinner separately but listened to our book together. James walked and I blogged while we listened to our book, "Dual Devotions."

It snowed today. I mean a real "white out" snowstorm. It is a wet snow and I have never seen the trees so covered. We have about 6 inches. 

James went to an elders quorum meeting this evening and when he arrived he realized he didn't have his phone with him. He had stopped on the way to clean the snow off his windshield and it must have dropped out of his pocket. After their meeting Chuck and Collin went out to help James find his phone. Collin called him and James was outside and heard the phone and was able to find it. Thank goodness it was okay.

This is from Elder Christofferson's talk, "The Doctrine of Belonging":

"Belonging comes not as we wait for it, but as we reach out.

The doctrine of belonging comes down to this - each one of us can affirm: Jesus Christ died for me; He thought me worthy of His blood. He loves me and can make all the difference in my life. As I repent, His grace will transform me. I am one with Him in the gospel covenant; I belong in HIs Church and kingdom; and I belong in His cause to bring redemption to all of God's children. I testify, you do belong. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

This is from "Your Endowment" page 204:

It is important to understand that being "perfect" in a biblical sense means to keep one's covenants.

This isn't Tom but sure does look

like him!

One of Tom's new toys

Addy thinks we should get this for the cabin.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024: Up @ 6, left knee really hurts and I don't know why, Cancel temple w/ Ruth, "Grounded", "Your Endowment", "Hollis Woods" movie, Can't walk for steps, Ordered Tom some toys

 

Madrid, Spain

56th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Mar 1999

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 27:1-15

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 26-27; 29-30

God prepared the Book of Mormon for our day.

October General Conference

"How Great Will Be Your Joy" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Relief Society

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

Book

"Your Endowment" Chapter 18

* Take Me an Heifer of Three Years old; Sacrifice and Cutting Covenant

* The Law of Sacrifice

* The Principle of Repentance

* "Cutting" Covenant

* Because He Asked

* Summary

Up at 6:00. I got some good sleep last night but my left knee hurts and it is very stiff so I can't bend it. I had a hard time walking so I asked James if he would bring the walker up from downstairs.  

I'm not sure why it's my left knee. It is usually my right knee that swells up. I had planned on going to the temple today and meeting Ruth Gale there. When I told her I couldn't go she had forgotten that we were going today. After this week the temple will be closed for two weeks for deep cleaning. 

My knee seems to be getting worse as the day goes on. I listened to "Grounded" with Barbara Morgan Gardner and Carol Lawrence-Costly who is a former member of the General Young Women's Board. They talked about blacks receiving the priesthood and what a wonderful day that was. I also listened to "Follow Him" and read from "Your Endowment" which is so good! 

This evening James and I watched another Hallmark Drama/Family movie. This one was called Hollis Woods about a young girl who is in foster care and finally finds a family that will love her. Sissy Spacek is in the movie. I forgot what a good actress she is.

Listened to "Dual Devotions" while James walked and I worked on my blog. 

I ordered Tom some toys today. He seems a little bored when he's in the house.

Some notes from "Your Endowment", p. 195:

The word sacrifice meant to make holy or sacred.

Obedience leads to sacrifice in the same way that faith leads to repentance.

A broken or willing heart, a contrite or changed spirit.

Desert Flowers in Spring

Spring Snow in the Mountains

A few less flowers on top and I would

call this cake my favorite.

My "Nannie" had these suitcases