Saturday, April 27, 2024: Snow on the ground & in the trees, James feeds horses & leaves for valley, Home again by 3 with green mixed burros, Pres. Nelson's Big 10

 

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 3:21-27

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 3:5-21

The Lord Omnipotent ... shall come down from heaven.

April General Conference

"Opposition in All Things" by Elder Mathias Held

 There was snow on the ground and in the trees this morning when we got up. I thought for sure that spring was here but today proved me wrong.  James fed the horses and then left for the valley. He left them in their stalls. He was worried they might get out and I wouldn't be able to get them back in. His meeting is at 9 a.m. at the Landings on Dobson and Baseline in Mesa.

James was home again before 3 this afternoon and even got green mixed burros at Burger House for dinner and lunch tomorrow. 

He took a nap and then went out to let the horses out and feed them. 

Luna was so excited she started bucking and almost kicked James in the head. Harry Apollo was excited to but didn't buck, he just ran around.

Tom stayed close to home today because of the snow. The snow was all melted by the end of the day. 

I had half of a green mixed burro for dinner and then went back to working on my lesson again. Which should I do first, discuss the restoration of Priesthood keys, or temple blessings. I'm still working on that. 

We got a text from Brian this evening telling us he took Kim to the hospital. She has been suffering from a serious sinus infection and a swollen optic nerve. She is taking steroids and the dosage was too large and she had a bad reaction. She is in the Chandler hospital. We are praying for her. Now it will be hard for me to focus on my lesson.

They are doing tests on Kim and will do a CT scan and an MRI.

Scarlett's Dance Recital

Downstairs finished floor

Childhood memories

Charlie roller skating

Friday, April 26, 2024: A Tom morning, Harry Apollo & Luna up on the hill, my lesson, James's wears off his fingerprints because of lime in grout, Wedding reception venues, Can James marry Ben & Cayli?

 

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 3:1-20

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 3:1-20

I can become a saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

"The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality" by Elder David A. Bednar

April General Conference

"Bridging the Two Great Commandments" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Relief Society Lesson

"Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys" by President Russell M. Nelson

Not only did Tom spend the entire night inside, he didn't go back out until after 7 this morning. He usually goes out between 3-4. After I let him out at 7 he was back inside after two hours. When I sit at my desk he sleeps on the rocking chair where he can see me. He is not always like this but when he is I love it. I brushed him with his new brush. He loves it and rolls over so I can get his tummy and his other side. He also sits and stares at the bottom drawer in my desk where I keep his treats, until I give him some, and then some more. 

James let Harry Apollo out of the corral and he wandered off with Luna. James drives the perimeter of our property on the Razr and doesn't find them. He walked up the wooded hill beside our house and found them up there.

Amidst all of the distractions with a new horse and laying tile, I am trying to work on my lesson for Sunday on President Nelson's talk, "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys."

James has worn the finger prints off several of his fingers because of the lime in the grout mixture. I wish he would wear gloves. He made a big mess outside on the deck where he is cutting the tile. I will be so glad when he is finished for various reasons.

Ben and Cayli are planning on getting married and they are looking for a reception venue. Sheri and I both Googled places in Maricopa county and found some good ones. They are going to visit the Knotty Barn in Queen Creek. Sheri said the Ashley Castle in Chandler was expensive but I told her to look at it anyway because it would be fun.

They want James to marry them but he isn't sure he can. He is going to check with our bishop. I am going to write a letter to them to encourage them in the gospel.

James is waiting for the tile to set downstairs so he can do some more grouting. He is going to the valley tomorrow. He has a meeting at the Landings at 9 a.m. regarding the concrete pour scheduled for next Tuesday. 

This evening we walked and listened to "Trespassers."

I want to make this for my next Bunco game night.

Why do I love him so much?

Love!

It started out looking so great!

Thursday, April 25, 2024: Our new horse is here, Harry Apollo, Apollo Harry, or whatever, Luna is excited, They escape, Brownies for Bunco, Lynda's stuffed mushrooms are divine!

 

Boston, Massachusetts

100th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Oct 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:27-41

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 2:38-41

Happiness comes from keeping the commandments of God.

April General Conference

"Call, Don't Fall" by Elder Taylor G. Godoy

Listened to "Follow Him" where Jennifer Platt was the guest. She was so good!

 Harry Apollo, or Apollo Harry, whichever you prefer, is here! Brother Peralta delivered him this morning. Harry was put into the corral until he gets used to this being his home. Luna was right there getting to know him. As soon as James took Harry Apollo out, he and Luna ran off. Yes, Luna opened the gate and off they went. James went after them and brought them back with a bucket of grain.

Back in the corral Harry went.

Tonight our Bunco group met at Cheryl Sedig's. My Sensual Amber body cream hasn't arrived yet so I had to come up with another gift. I put some Bath & Body liquid soap in a gift bag along with a bag of Cadbury mini-eggs and that was my gift. Now, for my snack. I am making Kim's Cadbury mini-egg brownies which are the best brownies I have ever eaten. I should have used the candle I bought this week but I forgot and I already used it in my candle warmer.

I spent a good part of the afternoon making brownies. James and I both had a sample brownie and they are mighty delicious!

I left a little before 5:30 to pick up the Hunsaker twins, Alicia, our bishop's wife, and her sister Stefani. We arrived at Cheryl's right at 6:00. We had a little to eat before starting the game. 

Lynda Finnell brought huge stuffed mushrooms and they were a big hit. She actually called John, her husband, to bring us some more, which he did. 

This was my most fun Bunco night so far. There was less stress about going fast and the atmosphere was more relaxed. I was at the losers table with Becky Skousen and Stefani Hunsaker and Tina Allen.

Stefani has a unique way of rolling and she got several good rolls in a row. Becky was determined she was going to copy her and she did it with a flair. It made us all laugh so loud. 

I missed my friend Pat Tedder tonight. She wasn't feeling well so she didn't come. Michelle Beckham took her place. The gift I got was homemade strawberry jam made by Pat and a cute succulent plant.

Back at home I walked with James as we listened to "Trespassers."

Tom stayed in tonight, which made me happy.

"Today I would like to begin by testifying of the complete certainty within my heart that God hears our prayers and answers them in a personalized way."

- Elder Taylor G. Godoy

My entertainment

Harry Apollo meets Luna

He is a beautiful quarter horse

I remember stopping at this station and my Uncle Clair

delivered gas here for Shell.

Love!

 

 

Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Temple w/ Sue Hubble, Ava's chili relleno is divine, January & Blaine, Turkey Reuben for James, Dead bird in the bedroom, "The Way Home"

Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

17 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:10-26

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 2:38-41 Happiness comes from keeping the commandments of God.

April General Conference

"The Testimony of Jesus Christ" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Relief Society Lesson

"Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys" by President Russell M. Nelson

I slept in until 8 because I didn't go to bed until 2. I had scriptures and prayer with James and then it was time to get ready to go to the temple with my friend Sue Hubble. I met her in the hallway just before going in to the dressing room. I had told her we would meet in the endowment room and she was asking a worker where the endowment room was. 

After Sue and I got dressed and as we were sitting in the room waiting for our session to start Sue told me how grateful she was that I had texted about going to the temple. She said she has been depressed and lonely. Her house in Vernon hasn't sold and she is very tight on money. Lots of stress. She said she needed the temple. 

January Smith Stratton, a friend from high school, and her husband Blaine led the session. Blaine is a former mission president and stake president and he gave an amazing prayer in the prayer circle. 

Sue and I spoke with January after the session. I told her that Sue was having a difficult time making friends in Snowflake. January asked what ward she was in and when she said 11th January told her to look for Trudy Grimes. 

I told Sue I wanted to take her to lunch at Ava's. We each ordered the chili relleno ala carte. We each got one of the biggest green chili's I have ever seen. I cut a piece from mine and then realized I needed to take a picture:

We ordered the sauce on the side because we thought it might be hot, but it wasn't. It's what made this dish so delicious! We both ate everything except the stem.

Sue and I said our goodbyes and said we needed to do this again, soon. 

I headed for Show Low and James asked me to pick up his prescription at CVS so that was my first stop. Afterwards I felt a little guilty for having had such a great lunch without sharing with James. I thought about what he likes and headed for Arby's, not my favorite, but one of his. I ordered him a Turkey Reuben, which isn't even on their menu but they will fix one for you. Over $9, the same price as my delicious chili relleno.

Back at home James has been working on tile and there is again a white film on the wood floor in the family room. 

Tom was happy to see me. I opened the door in the bedroom so he could go in or out. The weather was so beautiful and I love having the door open to enjoy that weather. I left the bedroom for a few minutes and when I came back Tom was tearing up a bird all over the floor. It was so gross, I couldn't watch. James came in and made Tom go outside with the bird and then he vacuumed up the feathers with the wet vac. In the meantime I was in the entryway cleaning my vacuum and changing the bag filled with concrete dust. I cleaned the floor in the family as best I could knowing it probably wouldn't be the last time. I have to say that the joy of the temple left me and I was a little grouchy during all of this. I am not proud of this.

Tom stuck with me this evening, following me from the bedroom and into any other room I went to. I was a little upset with him but it didn't last long. James and I listened to "Trespassers" as we walked and I also listened to "The Danger with Diamonds."

 What is the testimony of Jesus?

It is the witness of the Holy Spirit that He is the divine Son of God, the Messiah and Redeemer. It is John's testimony that Jesus was in the beginning with God, that he is the Creator of heaven and earth, and that "in him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men," It is "the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, ... that He died, was buried, and rose gain the third day, and ascended into heaven." It is the knowledge that "there is no other name given whereby salvation cometh." It is the "testimony, last of all," given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, "that he lives! ... That he is the Only Begotten of the Father - that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Not me, but I wish it was

Dream house if I lived alone