Monday, June 3, 2024: James needs surgery on his thumb, Paul's RA triggered by Covid vaccine, chicken enchiladas, B-D-P new prescription, finish "By Any Other Name", Tom goes out for the night, "Be One with Christ"

 

Brigham City, Utah

139th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Sept 2012

By: Boyd K. Packer

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 29:28-47

What do we learn about the importance of righteous leaders?

Come Follow Me

June 3-9 Mosiah 29-Alma 4

"They Were Steadfast and Immovable"

April General Conference

"Pillars and Rays" by Elder Alexander Dushku

Walk with Him

"Be One with Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

I got up at 5:06 and really tried to stay on my schedule, especially for the first few hours. 

James's appointment with Dr. Moffat last week was to see if he would write him a referral for an orthopedic surgeon. He needs surgery on his thumb which bothers him constantly.

 Today was Paul's first day on his new job. Stacy called and said he was in a great deal of pain because of a big knot on the back of his head. I told her that when I first got RA I woke up in the middle of the night not able to turn my neck because of the pain. I told her to give him some Naproxen to help with inflammation. Stacy continued to tell me that Dr. Allison told Paul when he got RA it was because of the Covid vaccine. Paul was pressured to get the vaccine when he worked for Amazon. 

As I was going about my chores today I listened to "Follow Him." The discussion was about Mosiah 29 and Mosiah's suggestion that the Nephites do away with kings and go to a judges form of government. The guest said that Mosiah had just translated the Jaredite record where there was wicked kings, one after another. Perhaps this is why he suggested judges. Also, Alma had lived under the reign of wicked King Noah and was a friend of Mosiah's. 

I made chicken enchiladas with the leftover chicken in the frig. They turned out quite delicious. I used cream instead of cream cheese.

The three of us, James, Jared Ammon, and myself went to town this afternoon. I have an appointment with Barnett-Delaney-Perkins as a follow up to the laser procedure I had done in May. 

Silly me, I thought the appointment would be Dr. Palmer coming in, checking my eye, and I would be on my way. I went back immediately but the girl who took me back proceeded to do an eye exam. She explained to me that before the scar tissues was removed that glasses could do nothing to help my vision but now that it was removed, they could. She said my prescription had changed and Dr. Palmer would write me a new prescription. When Dr. Palmer came in he checked my eyes and then asked if I wanted him to write out the prescription. I said yes until he said it would cost $52 and I declined. 

James and Jared Ammon had been waiting outside for quite awhile and James was anxious to go. I wanted to go to  Safeway to get a piece of that New York cheesecake I saw there on Saturday. The turtle cheesecake is just not doing it for me. It is not one bit creamy like I like my cheesecake. I also wanted to get some fresh strawberries. 

Jared Ammon had some shopping to do and James wanted to check out the vitamins so we went our three separate ways.  I got my piece of cheesecake, some fresh strawberries, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. It was half price today. James didn't find any vitamins he wanted. We checked out and were on our way. Jared Ammon had already checked out and was waiting for us.

I called Sheri when I got home and she said she would make me an appointment next week while we are done at the time share. She also told me about getting Evan and Joshua off to Joshua's ward super activity to go canoeing down the Colorado River. 

Her most exciting news was that Sheri got a $2.50 an hour raise, which equates to an additional $500 a month. Yay!

Tom was antsy this evening and wanted outside so James finally let him out. I was a little sad but maybe this will prepare him for when we are gone next week.

This morning I listened to Barbara and Elaine discuss Elder Cook's conference address, "Be One with Christ." It was a really good discussion. Here are some notes:

President Nelson's 100 day until his birthday wish is for each of us to reach out to someone who may be lonely and become their friend, focusing on the one.

Doctrine is connected to principles, eternal truths. 

Beware of Satan's deceptions.

Our spiritual gifts unite us in the body of Christ.

We do have more agency, it is a doctrine of our faith.

Different answers from God for different people. 

Pattern for judging in the scriptures to judge righteous judgments.

D&C 20 sacred spiritual concepts.

Read "Preach My Gospel"

Become spiritually self-reliant

Joshua, his guitar and his dog

Our Smores fire, thanks JA

We did this at the Roller Dome next to our school

on Friday nights.

I love this spruce tree in the church yard.

Charlie and Mason

Sunday, June 2, 2024: Fast & Testimony meeting, Teacher council, Kristy Ellsworth, R&R, Tom catches a baby hare/jackrabbit, Beautiful evenings,

 

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 29:1-27

Come Follow Me

Review

April General Conference

"Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ" Sister J. Annette Dennis

'We have the privilege and blessing of being invited into a covenant relationship with God, in which our own lives can become a symbol of that covenant.'

D&C 109:25-28

25 That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;

26 That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house;

27 And if any people shall rise against this people, that thine anger be kindled against them;

28 And if they shall smite this people thou wilt smite them; thou wilt fight for thy people as thou didst in the day of battle, that they may be delivered from the hands of all their enemies.

 Believe big. Ask big. We believe in the King of Kings. 

The degree of our relationship with Jesus Christ will increase His power and privilege in our lives. I love this!

An Affirmation: I am moving forward on the covenant path as I make sacred promises and receive sacred ordinances. I have faith that the miracles I need in my life, will come according to God's will, timing, and plan for me. 

We had a wonderful fast and testimony meeting today beginning with Brother Steve Allen who was conducting the meeting. He told of a time when he was a young boy and visiting at his grandfather's house. He did something wrong and his grandfather took him by the and and led him into the house and sat him on the piano bench, then his grandfather sat down beside him and began playing and singing the hymn, "I Stand All Amazed." Steve looked up and saw tears rolling down his grandfather's cheeks. This simple event has affected Steve's life since then, until now. Nothing else his grandfather could have done would have had a more profound affect upon Steve's life. This is the reason that "I Stand All Amazed" is his favorite hymn. 

James bore his testimony. It was sweet and touching. He mentioned that we had just celebrated our 56th wedding anniversary. He said that he was grateful for two events in his life. The first was the fact that Warren Peterson listened to the Spirit and ran into that burning house, picked him up and ran with him, holding him like a football until he jumped through the window and was safely outside. James was about 18 months old. Brother Peterson saved his life.

The second was being sealed for time and all eternity in the temple 56 years ago. He mentioned that both of our families were inactive but that I insisted that we be worthy to be married in the temple. 

I too am grateful that we made that choice to be married in the temple and to raise our children in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

LeeAnn Hunsaker Snyder bore her testimony and said she was grateful for her Savior and for her trials because her trials brought her to Him. She talked about a picture of the Savior that her sister gave her and how she would sleep on her sisters couch holding that picture and sobbing. LeeAnn is one of my former young women. She married a non-member who got baptized and they have been to the temple. They have not been able to have children. They moved to the valley a couple of years ago and are now separated with LeeAnn living here part of the week. I don't know all of the details but I know how sweet LeeAnn is and that she has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. She is the daughter of our sweet bishop. I pray for her and that she will find joy and happiness in this life.

Others who bore their testimonies: Brother Peralta, Theresa Smith, Tina Allen, Mel Wilhelm, Greg Anderson, and both sister missionaries, Sister Johnson and Sister Ruggiere. 

James and I both attended the teacher council meeting taught by John Wilhelm the second hour. Others who attended:

Jarod Golly, Marci Westbrook, Becky Skousen, Natalie Robles, myself, James, Rosie Lauritzen, Wendy & Collin DeWitt, Jerry Scott, and the sister missionaries, Sister Johnson and Sister Ruggiere.

 At the end of our discussion we decided that our next discussion would be on personal evaluation as teachers.

James had a ministering interview with Brother Ellsworth today. As he result he came home and said he was going to finish his fast for Sister Kristy Ellsworth. Brother Ellsworth is very concerned about his wife because she feels like she has no friends in our ward.

We took our naps with Tom and then James got up and went outside to water trees. Tom went out too. We've been talking about our trip to the time share next week and how we hate to leave Tom. I'm almost tempted to come back early.

James and I were sitting out on the front porch watching the sunset this evening when Tom came up with a baby jack rabbit in his mouth. He dropped it at James's feet. James picked him up and said the bunny's heart was beating 90 miles an hour. He asked me tot ake Tom into the house. I called him but he ignored me, so I picked him up and carried him inside. As soon as we got into the entry he jumped out of my arms. The door was shut so he couldn't go back outside. He went into the bedroom and laid down.

I think Tom thought we would be proud of him, but instead

James pushed him away. 

I think his feelings are hurt.

Trying to circle around to the other side.

Poor little guy. He wasn't hurt, just scared

out of his mind.

James took him out in the field and set him under a tree. He went and checked on him a little later, and he was gone, which means he is okay.

Jared Ammon is staying upstairs in Sheri & Ian's room. He got an extension cord and setup his video camera outside during the night to record the movement of the stars. This is the second time he has done this and it looks so awesome to see the stars with trails behind them as they move across the star around the North star.

I read from my book, "Teaching with Power" today. I read Chapter 9, Focus on Doctrinal Principles, Not Rules. Here are some notes:

A principle is a general or basic law. 

Why principles are more productive than rules: Principles have a broader application. 

"Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances." - Elder Richard G. Scott

Law of Moses - Rule driven

Law of Christ - Principle driven

Nice picture of Joshua

Soo much white. Maybe in the next life.

Charlie and Mason

Edinburgh, Scotland

Elder Gong dedicated the Taylorsville, Utah

temple today.

Saturday, June 1, 2024: Happy Anniversary to Us! Brkfst, Horsebackriding, Chores, LaCasita, Cheesecake & Haagan Daz, Walks, "For Love and Honey"

 

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 28

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 27:8-24

God hears my prayers and will answer them according to His will and timing.

April General Conference

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

' I testify that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection.'

D&C 109:24

We ask Thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity;

Happy 56th Anniversary to us! James wrote me a letter and then he fixed me breakfast. 

He and Jared Ammon went out to ride the horses and do some outside chores. He started cleaning out the garage and said he would continue to work on it. 

Later this afternoon we went to a late lunch at his favorite restaurant, La Casita. James ordered a green chili chicken enchilada and I ordered a chili relleno. I kept remembering the chili rellenos I had at Eva's with the green chili sauce. Yum! When the waitress brought my plate and sat it down before me, saying I was disappointed was an understatement. First of all it was about the third the size of the one at Eva's. Second, there was no sauce. It is the sauce that makes the chili relleno! James kept saying he would trade me but of course I wasn't going to allow that. He was eating one of his most favorite meals. Well, at least I will have room for the cheesecake I planned on buying for dessert. For some reason I think I have to have cheesecake on our anniversary.  

We were going to go to Walmart but decided on Safeway instead. James thought they would have better cheesecake. 

Safeway had large pieces of New York cheesecake and they also had a turtle cheesecake. The turtle cheesecake was $12.99 and the pieces were $4.99. James thought I wanted the turtle cheesecake and was hesitating because of the cost so he encouraged me to get the turtle cheesecake. I thought he wanted me to get it because he wanted that one, even though I wanted the New York piece because I thought it would be creamier, I chose the turtle. I bought some plastic forks so we could do a taste test before getting home. We also bought a pint of Hagen Daz butter pecan ice cream. When we scanned it checking out James wanted to put it back when he realized it cost over $7. We kept it.

I was disappointed in the turtle cheesecake but loved the ice cream. Go figure. The cheesecake wasn't creamy enough. Now we have a cheesecake that will be taunting me for several days. I should have gotten the one large piece. James felt bad but I told him it wasn't his fault. I made the choice.

James was very sweet the entire day, wanting to do things to please me. He pulled weeds from the flowers in the planter and washed off the car so it won't be dusty tomorrow when we go to church. 

When we returned home I was going to make chicken enchiladas for Jared Ammon for dinner. James said he could have the other steak in the frig and I could make the enchiladas on Monday. It didn't take much for him to convince me. 

One of my favorite places to be this time of the year is out on the deck outside our bedroom. It is cool, in the shade, and the scenery is beautiful and peaceful. I also like to go out there and walk. James had told me he would watch a movie with me tonight so I walked so I could get my steps before we started. Before the movie James wanted to listen to some chapters from our book. We didn't end up starting the movie until 9:00 p.m. 

The movie is a new Andrew Walker Hallmark movie, "For Love and Honey." I love Andrew Walker but this wasn't one of my favorites. It was filmed in Malta and was about bees and ancient archeological finds. A little boring. James said it was relaxing so I suppose it was worthwhile.

Caroling at Grandmothers

Looks like Jared is missing the excitement on

Space Mountain

Morning ride

Joshua singing to Apollo

Joshua in the creek at Greer

A group of fence sitters in Greer

Part of my walking trail

James pulling weeds

 

 

Friday, May 31, 2024: Sciatic pain gone, Quiet morning, J & JA ride horses, Stacy's puzzle, Ready to go home, J @ Dr. Moffat's, Talk w/ Kim, Walk & listen & watch

 

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 27:18-37

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 27:8-37; 28:1-4

Through Jesus Christ I can change for the better.

April General Conference

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

D&C 109:23

And from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is thy work, and that thou hast put forth thy hand, to fulfil that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of the prophets, concerning the last days.

My sciatica was bothering me so much last night I finally went to bed on the recliner and it helped a great deal. It was gone by morning.

Tom got in my face around 4 a.m. When I tried to rub his back he bit my hand very lightly letting me know that's not what he wanted. He wanted out. 

It was a quiet morning around here. James and Jared Ammon were out riding horses, Joshua and Stacy still asleep, and Paul sitting on the couch and me in my room as usual working on my blog. 

It was after ten when Stacy got up and as she was working on the puzzle she was doing she checked her watch to see that she had gotten over 8 hours of good sleep. She was so happy. 

Joshua wanted to ride the horses but James wasn't here when he got up because he had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Moffat at noon. 

I think Joshua might have plans this evening because he was ready to go home. 

Before they left Stacy washed and put the sheets back on the bed downstairs before leaving. She also vacuumed the room and came upstairs and vacuumed both rugs in the family room area. Thanks Stacy. I can use all the help I can get. 

Stacy started a puzzle. She left me out to finish it. I told her I wasn't going to do it row by row. She challenged me and said it was be good for my brain. Sorry Stacy, not doing it row by row.

Paul starts his new job on Monday. He says he may have to get an entire new wardrobe. At Amazon he wore T-shirts and shorts to work but on this new job that isn't going to work. He has to wear pants and collared shirts.

Here is the picture I took before they left. I'm glad they came, I enjoyed the company and going to Greer. 

Each person is holding the dog that loves

them the most. 

Paul has Vader, Joshua has Shipley, and Stacy has Sophie.

Stacy let me know that they made it home safely which is always appreciated. I enjoyed the visit and I am very impressed with Stacy's self-discipline. She only eats in a four hour window each day from 4-8 in the afternoon, evening. I guess it has become a habit but it must have been very difficult starting out. I don't think I could do it. James is proud of her too. She looks great and she feels so much better!

I got my 12,000 steps today. James always gets his. I was a little grouchy today and I think I made him feel bad. I must do better.

He heard a noise, but he's so tired.

Thursday, May 30, 2024: Trip to Sonic in Eagar, Greer with Stacy, Paul, JA, Joshua and the dogs, nap, meatballs and blanket to Bunco @ Stefani's, lottery tickets a prize,

 

San Salvador, El Salvador

135th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2011

By: Henry B. Eyring

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 27:1-17

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 26:15-31

God freely forgives me as I repent and forgive others.

April General Conference

"It Is Wisdom in the Lord That We Should Have the Book of Mormon" by Brother Mark L. Pace

Inklings

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

I listened to Inklings today. It was just Emily and the talk was Elder Bowen's "Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power." 

Early this afternoon we all took a drive to Greer. Paul, Stacy, Joshua, Jared Ammon, and the three dogs were all in their little car, and James and I were in our car. They left a few minutes before we did and made a stop at Western Drug in Springerville. They went on to Greer and we were just approaching Springerville. 

We stopped at Sonic. I got a junior cheeseburger and James a footlong chili dog. I had to help him eat it. 

The dogs loved running around next to the creek in Greer. Joshua got in the water and we all enjoyed the cool breeze and the sound of the water running over the rocks. We stayed less than an hour. Paul & Stacy and the boys stopped in Greer so the boys and Paul could eat. 

We went home through Pinetop and stopped at Safeway where I bought some steaks for the guys this evening. I put a bag of meatballs in the crockpot before we left for Greer. I added a bottle of BBQ sauce, a jar of grape jelly, and almost a half a cup of siracha sauce. I am taking them to Bunco tonight. I also wrapped the melon, cream soft blanket I bought at Costco a few months ago as my prize to give away. 

As soon as we got home both James and I went into the bedroom for a nap. We were both very tired. 

Bunco was at Stefani Hunsaker's instead of Cheryl Sedigs, which is much closer. 

Janna helped me carry my meatballs in and plug them in in the kitchen. My prize was the only one not in a gift bag. I didn't have one big enough so I had to wrap it. 

Because we are in a new house it took awhile to figure out which table was number 1, 2, and 3. I started out at table #2 with three of my favorites; Janna, Becky, and Stefani. The only thing that could have made it better was if Amy was at our table too. 

Janna's mom Patsy wasn't here because her arm is still in a sling from getting a pacemaker put in. Our sub was Lynn Wallace's daughter Desi. 

It was a fun evening but we were all a little tired for some reason and I, for one, was happy when we were finished. I chose a small gift bag that had an insulated drinking cup in it. Tina Allen brought it and wanted to make sure that I liked it. Of course I like it. Thank you.

It's funny because Tina picked my package and she loved the soft blanket. She walked around rubbing the blanket against her cheek.

The funniest prize was several lottery tickets which Desi got. Cheryl wanted to know who brought them. When Janna admitted it was her, Cheryl didn't say anything.

Again, Janna carried my meatballs to the car. They were a big hit. Tina said she had eight.

Back at home dinner was over and the kitchen clean. Stacy washed one of the crockpots for me and I washed the other. Paul and James and Joshua were watching a movie. My sciatic nerve was bothering me so I went in to get ready for bed. It's going to be a miserable night.

Alicia or "CiCi" got the right prize for her.

She loves hats!

Ian, his Mom and the boys

Where is Joshua?

A family and their dogs