Friday, May 17, 2024: 9:30 Vernon RS temple session w/ Sue Hubble, Eva's for lunch w/ Sue, Millie Scott & Judy Hunter, develop a sore throat, "Reluctant Baron", "Jim & Katherine", Tom Two Toes, Bed on recliner

 

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 16

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 14-15

Jesus Christ suffered for me.

April General Conference

"Fruit that Remains" by Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

'The Holy Ghost, in His divine role as the Holy Spirit of Promise, will seal each ordinance upon those who are faithful to their covenants so that it will be valid after mortality. Having the Holy Ghost seal our ordinances is essential if we want to have the promised blessings for all eternity, becoming fruit that remains.'

D&C 109:15

And that they may grow up in Thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to thy laws, and be prepared to receive every needful thing;

I attended the 9:30 temple session with my friend Sue Hubble who now lives in Snowflake, and sisters from the Vernon ward. I was a little confused, thinking I needed to leave at 8:30 when really I should have left at 8. It was actually 8:20 when I hurried out the door. 

It was almost 9:15 when I rushed in to the temple. Stefani and Alicia Hunsaker were walking in to do initiatories. They said they had a busy day helping their husbands get ready for the Priesthood Commemoration Campout which is tonight a Carnero Lake near Greens Peak.

As I walked upstairs towards the dressing room the sister greeter at the door to the session room asked me if I was going to this session. When I said yes, she said, "Please hurry." I did hurry. 

I changed my clothes in locker #7. I always use #7 or #8 if they are available. Today Emily's husband Greg is having surgery and since Emily's favorite number is 7, I chose locker #7. Crazy, I know.

I made it in the session in plenty of time and sat by two of my friends, Sue Hubble, and Lynn Wallace. Sue turned to me and said, "Did you speed." I just looked at her. She laughed and said, "I didn't have to speed, I could drive like an old lady because I only live six minutes away. She recently moved to Snowflake.

The Vernon sisters took up two rows. Row #1: Mary Gilbert, Teresa Smith, Cheryl Sedig, and Kristine Hipps. Row #3: Natalie Robles, Sue Hubble, myself, and Lynn Wallace. I am still counting Sue as a Vernon sister. We also had the Hunsaker sisters doing initiatory so that makes 10. 

Natalie went home after the session. Mary, Teresa, Cheryl, Kristine, and Lynn all went to Streets on Main for lunch. Sue and I went to Eva's because we wanted chili rellenos. 

As we walked in to the door of Eva's we saw two more sisters from Vernon, Judy Hunter, and Millie Scott. They wanted us to come and sit at their table, so we did. They were almost finished eating but they stayed and visited with us. 

Sue and I both ordered chili relleno's ala carte. This time Sue paid the bill. We enjoyed our meal and the company too. I think it was meant to be for us to come here instead of going to Streets.

I got home around 1 p.m. I took a nap and realized that I am developing a sore throat. I guess Jared Ammon has had one for a couple of weeks now. 

James and Jared Ammon went out to ride Luna and Apollo. James was trying to get on Apollo with his foot in the stirrup when Apollo turned and ran. James lost his balance and went flying towards the ground. He came in with a bump and scab on the left side of his forehead and could hardly move his left arm. 

We were out of propane and got a delivery today. The guy filled our tank and left a bill on James's truck for $1,913.04. It never ends.

Listened to "Jim & Katherine" while we walked.

Emily's post

Emily's post

I love this photo!

Dream Home

James fishing on the Black River

May 16, 2024: "Walk with Him", "Inklings", Sister Spannaus, Tom's bird is alive and flies away!, "We have no water", new pump, Ribeye steaks, Vacuum doesn't work,

 

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 15

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 13:11-26 

God's commandments should be written in my heart.

April General Conference

"Faithful to the End" by Andrea Munoz Spannaus

'While David used only one stone to kill Goliath, he was prepared with five. This makes me think about how I can prepare myself to face the world. What if each of David's stones represented a strength we need to be triumphant in our lives?

What could those five stones be? I thought of these possibilities:

1. The stone of my love for God.

2. The stone of my faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

3. The stone of the knowledge of my true identity.

4. The stone of my daily repentance.

5. The stone of my access to God's power -

Inklings

"Motions of a Hidden Fire" by President Jeffrey R. Holland

Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Alma 34:17-27

Urgent

"Thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant keeping."

Affirmation

"I pray always following the Savior's example in pouring out my heart to my Heavenly Father every day as I seek to become closer to Him. Even when I'm not sure what to say, I trust that the Spirit will guide me and help me connect and commune with the Lord."

Sheri called me and asked me to pray for Alex. I told her I would offer a prayer every 30 minutes or so throughout the day.

The first words James spoke to me this morning were: "We have no water." Those are not words that I wanted to hear. I'm sure James didn't want to say them either. He is the one that as to do all of the work trying to fix the problem. I am just a little inconvenienced.

James took the pump out and found what the problem was after speaking with Ralph Sedig. The only place he could find the part was on Amazon and it won't be here until a week from Friday. He went into town to buy another pump to use until we get the part. The cost almost $400. It took him several hours to put it in, but before dark we had water. My husband is the best! You don't realize how much you use water in a given day until you don't have it. I am very grateful for running water in my home.

When Tom woke up from his nap I gave him a treat and a back rub. I opened the door going out to our deck in the bedroom and then I stepped into the bathroom. When I came out Tom was plucking a cute little bluebird right there in my bedroom all over the floor. The bird kept flying away and Tom kept grabbing him. I ran to get James. By the time James got there all that was left on the floor was feathers. I wasn't sure what happened to the bird. Tom had left too.

I tried to use the vacuum to clean up the mess but it wouldn't start. We are starting to be like the Island of Broken Down Things. I got a broom and was sweeping up blue feathers. When I got to my desk I looked down and saw a little face looking up at me. It was the bird. I wasn't sure if he could fly or how badly he was wounded. Again, I went to get James and when we returned the bird was not there. Since Tom was outside I assumed he had hoped someplace else. We looked under the bed and all around the bedroom. James went into the bathroom and he was on the floor between the sink cabinet and the standing heater. He picked him up. The bird seemed fine. He took him outside and let him go and the bird flew into a pine tree. Thank goodness! Later when Tom came in for the night the first place he looked was under my desk. He knew that's where he left the bird. I'm so glad we rescued the poor little critter from his sharp claws and teeth. I guess I can't leave my door open anymore unless we get a screen door.

The little bluebird is alive!

Today during Inklings Emily announced that Greg was going to be having cancer surgery to remove his esophagus tomorrow. She asked us all to pray for her. I added his name to my prayer list. 

I got to listen to Elaine Dalton two times today. She was on "Walk with Him" this morning as she normally is with Barbara Morgan Gardner and then she was on Inklings with Emily. Both programs discussed President Holland's talk, "The Motions of a Hidden Fire." 

I love Sister Dalton so much. She is so full of love and the Spirit and I believe she has a calming influence. She said she was going to fast and pray for Greg, Emily's husband.

Walked and listened to "Jim and Katherine." 

Sunset as seen from our front porch

Trina's grapes

Addy and Kayla having a little fun

Wednesday, May 15, 2024: Bacon & eggs for brkfst, all mrng fxng the prnter, Trip to town, some rain mostly in Sholo, Tom afraid of Jared, Filibertos, BM Abinadi video, Teach by the Spirit

 

San Antonio, Texas

120th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 14

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 12:19-37

I need to apply my heart to understanding God's word.

April General Conference

"Foreordained to Serve" by Elder Steven R. Bangerter

'Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. You young men have been reserved for this time when the promised gathering of Israel is taking place . . . '

D&C 109:14

And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said;

As part of our gospel study this morning we watched the Book of Mormon video on Abinadi. I wonder if I would have been as brave as he was. He stood alone and he stood as a witness of Jesus Christ.

I fixed bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning for everyone. Of course I only had bacon. I made a grilled cheese sandwich for Jared Ammon for lunch and for dinner I bought him a carne asada burro at Filiberto's for dinner.

I walked outside this morning for a little while. The weather was perfect. 

I spent several hours trying to fix our printer so it would print. First I spoke with Microsoft support. They were very helpful but after doing everything they knew how to do they said I needed to contact HP support because it had to be a printer problem. I never got to speak to anyone. I did use the HP Smart app and downloaded HP print and scan doctor. I think I got the printer to work but who knows if it would be consistent.

Jared Ammon slept downstairs but he is using the TV upstairs. As soon as James get the TV stand that we bought for downstairs put together I'm going to have Dish connect the TV downstairs. Oh yes, he saw a bat while he was upstairs. I hate bats. Thank goodness they hibernate all fall and winter.

Around three this afternoon we all went into town to do some shopping. There had been an accident at the 3144 intersection. A red Jeep was turned upside down in the middle of the road. There was another red car involved but I couldn't see how badly it was damaged.  I was a little worried because our friends, Gary & Maxine Thompson, who live near the 3144 turnoff own a red Jeep. I said a prayer that it would not be them and if it was them that they would be okay. 

It was overcast and rainy when we got into Show Low. Rain wasn't really in the forecast. James let Jared Ammon and I out at Walmart while he went over to Home Depot. We got a little wet in the rain. 

I bought quite a bit of meat. I guess because Jared is here: Sausage, bacon, stew meat, two lbs. of hamburger, and some pork chops.

On the way home from Walmart we went through the drive-thru of Filiberto's. I got a bean burro and Jared Ammon got a carne asada burro. James said nothing sounded good to him. He did admit that the beans in my bean burro were quite tasty.

Jared Ammon has a cough and a sour throat and didn't feel like doing much today. Tom is still afraid of him.

I started watching an old mystery series on Hallmark Movies Now called Carter starring Jerry Connolly. I liked it all right until I realized some of it was inappropriate as the two main characters had a conversation about who they had slept with,  so I quit watching it. Pretty racy for a Hallmark show.

Tom slept inside tonight. He loves his 'treat' and to have his back, head, and tummy rubbed. He still sleeps on James's blanket on the bed. It makes me happy.

Teach by the Spirit

"Powerful gospel teaching requires not just preparing a lesson but preparing yourself spiritually to hear and follow the guidance of the Spirit as you teach." (Teaching in the Savior's Way, p. 17)

When we were on the "Chunky Monkey" diet we drank

a lot of these spinach, pineapple, banana smoothies

Trudy Lamb's dad, 

Amy Lemmerman's grandpa

One of my favorite pictures of Stacy with her bodyguard

Sophie. Taken December 2023

I especially like the floor on this porch

Elder Patrick Kearon's mother

Tuesday, May 14, 2024: James leaves for his mom's before six, Chicken strips for brkfst, Shower, catchup on journal & blog, James called ... everything went downhill, checkout, forgot my Crocs , Lois & Dawn's, Costco, Kim's, Pickup JA @ Stacy's, home to Vernon

 

Manhattan, New York

119th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 June 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 13

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 11-13; 17 I can stand for Jesus Christ, even when I stand alone.

April General Conference

"Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power" Elder Shayne M. Bowen

' I testify that the ancient keys of the priesthood have been restored. Peter, James, and John and other ancient prophets appeared as resurrected beings, bestowing upon the Prophet Joseph Smith what the Lord described as "the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel."'

D&C 109:13

And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord's house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness.

James left to go work on his mom's roof before 6 this morning. He wants to get it done before it gets too hot. Armando and Henry are meeting him there to help. We both missed the hotels breakfast. James said they were cooking when he left and it smelled good.

I stayed in my room and ate the two chicken strips I had leftover from Chik-fila last night. I also finished the tostado I got at Cafe Rio. That way I didn't have to leave my room. 

I took a shower and washed my hair. I caught up on my journal notes and worked on my blog. 

James called around 11:00. He said he was on his way to pick me up and wanted to make sure I would be ready. I thought we would be going home but that is not the case. When we check out we will be going back to his mom's house. When we arrived Armando and Henry were working outside. James joined them and I went in the house to visit with Lois and Dawn. They offered me some lunch. At first I declined but they insisted, saying they had lots of leftovers from when Cathi & Terry, David & Laura, brought dinner over on Sunday. 

Dawn set out tamales, some dip that David made. I got the recipe. Some meatballs that she called Dorothy's meatballs. Lois said they got the recipe from me years ago. I don't remember but I only know one Dorothy and that is my Aunt Dorothy, my mom's older sister.

I had two meatballs, they were big, and a little bit of David's dip and some green grapes that had a cotton candy flavor. Dawn called them cotton candy grapes and the name certainly fits.

Dawn and I took some ice water out to James, Armando, and Henry. 

James says they won't finish today but Armando and Henry will come back tomorrow and finish up.

While they were still working I went to Costco and did our shopping there. I only bought what was on my list, two bags of pistachio's, two bottles of Pom drink and one bottle of acai juice. I went to the closest Costco I knew about, the one on Baseline and Country Club/Arizona Avenue.

Armando and Henry were gone when I returned and James was sweeping up the mess. I helped him and then we were on our way back to Chandler. Our first stop was Kim's to pick up my mother's day gift, a "Sheep in sweaters" puzzle.

Kim told us a sweet story about Joe one night when she was in the hospital and feeling especially low he was there with her. She said she couldn't feel the Spirit and it was really bothering her. Joe was trying to comfort her and he said all of a sudden a warm feeling came over him, all the way down and through him. It felt like a warm liquid. We always pray that our grandchildren will have conversion or spiritual experiences and it certainly seems like this was one for Joe. 

We picked up Jared Ammon at Stacy's. And of course we caused a ruckus with the dogs. We are in the truck and James put most of our things in the back bed so Jared would have room in the back seat.

We went the Payson way and got home around 8 p.m. Tom seemed happy to see us. We did some walking and then went to bed.

President Eyring with his mother.

It's graduation day for Charlie!

Congratulations!

Last year 54 days over 110. 

I don't miss it much in the summer.

 

Monday, May 13, 2024: Confusion on the time of my infusion appt, I am late, x-ray done, lunch w Sheri & Cayli, Springhill Marriott, "Escape from Germany" & Chikfila,James works @ his mom's,

Copenhagen, Denmark

118th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 12

Come Follow Me

May 13-19 "A Light . . . That Can Never Be Darkened"

Mosiah 11-17

April General Conference

"One with Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

Walk with Him

"Motions of a Hidden Fire" by President Jeffrey R. Holland

We left around 7:40 for the valley this morning. I have an infusion and an x-ray at AARA. I failed to look at my calendar for the time of my infusion. I received a message that said I had an appointment at 11:30 and I assumed it was my infusion. In reality it was my x-ray. My infusion was scheduled for 10:45. 

We went the Payson way and had to stop for road construction 2x between Heber and the rim. Still, we arrived at the office at 11:17 and I was pretty happy until I walked into the infusion room and Ang told me I was late. I told her I received a reminder and it said my appointment was at 11:30. She said, "yes, that was for your x-ray. Your infusion was at 10:45. If I had looked at my calendar I would have known. I apologized and said it would never happen again. Frances sets up the appointments and she is always careful to give me a card. I was so embarrassed!

In spite of my late start things went well. My infusion only lasted 30 minutes and then I went in to get my x-ray. It took about 15 minutes.

When I called James he said it would be about 15 minutes before he would get there. I told him I would be walking south on Arizona Avenue. I walked a mile and a half before he arrived. We headed for Sheri's office. Sheri is taking us to lunch.

You can see Michael's office from the Chandler Eyecare parking lot. I texted Michael to come out and give me a hug but I got no response. Later he texted and said he was in a meeting and was so sorry he missed me. 

Cayli came to lunch with us and Sheri paid for everyone, including James. We went to Cafe Rio. I just ordered what Sheri had. A chicken tostado with green chili sauce and a drink. It was good, but I wish I would have had sweet pork instead of chicken.

 I guess someone hacked into Cayli's bank account and pretty much wiped her out. Her dad is sending her some money but in the meantime she is broke. Ben probably would have come with us too but he was home sick today. He still has stomach issues.

Since Cayli and Ben are getting married on November 1st, I asked Cayli if she had picked out her wedding dress yet. She said she had and showed me some pictures. Her mom is going to come down and look at it before they actually buy it. 

Sheri and Cayli needed to get back to work. We thanked Sheri for lunch and they were on their way. 

We are staying at the Springhill Marriott which is right across a side street from Cafe Rio. It was 2:00 and check-in isn't until 3:00 but James asked if we could check in early and they said yes. We are on the ground floor in room 111.

Although I like the layout of the room it is in bad need of re-decorating. Oh well, it's convenient, right across from the mall if I want to do some walking, and the price was right.

James tried to take a quick nap before going over to his mom's to work on the roof but he just couldn't rest so he left. I took a nap and woke up a little before 5.

I got ready to go for a walk at the Chandler mall when James came home to go out. He had promised me a steak dinner and a movie tonight. I told him instead of eating I wanted to go over to Scheel's just to check it out. He got ready and we drove over. We did that instead of going to dinner. Afterwards I wished we had gone to dinner at Cheesecake Factory and gotten some crab cakes. 

I had purchased tickets online for the 7:30 showing of the T.C. Christensen movie, "Escape from Germany."  It's the story of getting LDS missionaries out of Germany before World War II started. We have heard good things about it and both of us wanted to see it. 

The movie was clear over on Power Rd. It was playing at the Harkins near Chandler mall only the last showing was at 3:45. We were a little early so we walked around the theater until about 7 or so. I had picked the first two seats in the upper level so we could rest or feet on the bar. James took my phone and walked around the theater several times before anyone else came in. 

The movie was done very well and we really liked it. I especially like the actor who played Elder Siebold who was given the task by the mission president of finding 20-30 missionaries who were still missing. He was great! Since this is a movie based on a true story, it was especially interesting.

On the way home we found a Chik-fila drive-thru and walla, dinner!

James got a chicken sandwich and I got four chicken tenders with the Chik-fila sauce. I ate two and saved the other two for tomorrow. 

Back to Chandler and the Springhill Marriott room 111. I walked until I got 10,000 while James goes to bed. He is getting up early to work at his mom's in the morning.

 

Our lilac bush today

 

Sunday, May 12, 2024: Happy Mother's Day, Our talks went well, Bishop provides fruit salad & granola for RS snack, Sisters tell about their Mothers, My Mother's Day

 

Accra, Ghana

117th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Jan 2004

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 11

Come Follow Me

Review

April General Conference

"In Support of the Rising Generation" by Michael T. Nelson

'To effectively serve others we must see them . . . through Heavenly Father's eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all . . . His children." - Elder Dale G. Renlund

I got up at 5:30 this morning to finish up my talk. I finished it and then realized it was too long so I had to cut some things out. 

I got Mother's Day greetings from all of my kids today, including Kacey who was first, Brian, and Trina. James wrote me a sweet letter. It was a nice day. I also got a text from Addy and phone calls from Adam and Michael. 

There were two youth speakers before we spoke today, but no musical number which was kind of a surprise. Ruthy Wilhelm was the first speaker. Her talk was short and sweet. Tyler Finnegan was next and his talk was short too. I cut mine down to fifteen minutes so James would have fifteen minutes for his. All of our material came out of the book, "Mothers of Prophets." We were both so glad when it was over. 

The bishop presided over Relief Society today. We had fruit salad and granola and then several sisters got up and talked about their mothers. Millie Scott talked about her mother and then she talked about bishop's mother, Analee Hunsaker. Our nonmember sister, Debbie talked about her mom and showed some of her artwork. It was a good meeting.

Since we forgot to get steaks yesterday when we were at Walmart, James fixed us tacos for dinner and then we had ice cream sandwiches for dinner. Afterwards we took naps and had quiet time.

James some time this afternoon watering trees in our yard. I sat on the deck and watched the horses as I took a break from working on my blog. 

Tom came in tonight but instead of sleeping on our bed, he slept on one of the high chairs at our high table. 

My view this evening from the deck outside

of our bedroom.