Monday, July 1st, 2024: James cancelled today's concrete pour because of yesterday's rain, reschedules for Wednesday, Hailey Dean "The Will to Kill", I want to serve a mission, Charlie sends me a surprise, Patsy Tedder, Diana Rico, Taco Bell, Greg Hatch, Daryl Johnson

 

Arequipa, Peru

167th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2019

By: Ulisses Soares

Book of Mormon

Alma 17:20-39

Come Follow Me

Alma 17-22 

"I Will Make An Instrument of Thee" 

Alma 17:1-4

Simple, consistent acts of devotion

April General Conference

"Motions of A Hidden Fire" President Jeffrey R. Holland

Walk with Him

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

James cancelled his concrete pour at the Hipps's this morning because of yesterday's rain. All of the trenches were filled with water. He rescheduled for Wednesday morning. 

My episode of Hailey Dean was so good today. It was called "The Will to Kill". Hailey finds the murderer of her former fiance Will. 

I watched this morning and then this evening I watched again with James. He agreed that it was a good episode.

Today is Max's birthday. He is having the time of his life in Europe. 

Here is a picture.

Happy 21st Max!

I want to serve a mission so badly. Since reading about all that Amulek gave up to serve the Lord, I have thought again about serving full-time. I talked to James about it. He is concerned about our health and our finances. We agreed that we would pray about it.

I listened to Barbara and Elaine on "Walk with Him." We discussed Elder Stevenson's talk, "Bridging the Two Great Commandments". Here are some of my notes:

E: Never give up on people.

B: When you receive a prompting, act on it!

E: We love in a way that they can become all that God wants them to become.

B: Focus on how God loves. Barb's tribute to Elain and her ability to love others. 

I visited with Pat Tedder today. Janna gave me directions, we visited a few minutes about Judy's bread recipe,  and then she left. Her brother Rob and his wife Andi came to be with Patsy. Patsy and I visited while there was a cloud burst outside. I felt like I shouldn't stay long because Rob & Andi brought dinner and they were waiting to eat. I said I would leave when the rain stopped. We visited a few minutes and I am so impressed with Patsy's positive attitude. Her goal is to put no weight on her leg so she will not have to have surgery. As soon as the rain stopped, I said my goodbyes and left.

When I got home James asked me if I would go to town with him. I said yes, I would. I'm not even sure now what the occasion was. I know we stopped at Taco Bell and Jack -in-the-Box for some grub.

While we were driving we got some phone calls, Daryl Johnson and Greg Hatch for James and Charlie Facetiming me. Charlie said she had sent me a surprise. I told her I love surprises and I was so excited to get home and check the mailbox!

When we stopped at the post office there was an Amazon box addressed to me. I also got my Weem gummies that I ordered for my hair.

This is what was in the Amazon box from Charlie:

I love it!

Thank you so much Charlie & Kacey!

Vernon sunset

I wonder if Ben & Cayli have seen this and priced it out.

Sunday, June 30, 2024: Yappy coyote, J shoots his rifle, Amy & Cope Reynolds, Jace Stapley belongs to Thyrle & Roberta, lots of RAIN!, J ward council, ministering interview, presidency mtg, blessing for Pat Tedder,

 

Lisbon, Portugal

166th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Sep 2019

By: Neil L. Andersen

Book of Mormon

Alma 17

Come Follow Me

"Grounded" 

April General Conference

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

D&C 109:41-44

41 And whatsoever city thy servants shall enter, and the people of that city receive not the testimony of thy servants, and thy servants warn them to save themselves from this untoward generation, let it be upon that city according to that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of thy prophets.

42 But deliver thou, O Jehovah, we beseech thee, thy servants from their hands, and cleanse them from their blood.

43 O Lord, we delight not in the destruction of our fellow men; their souls are precious before thee;

44 But thy word must be fulfilled. Help thy servants to say, with thy grace assisting them: Thy will be don, O Lord, and not ours.

This morning there was a coyote outside our bedroom door, next to the fence, yapping. James told him to shut up and he walked  a few steps away and began yapping again. James went and got his rifle out of the closet and shot it in the air outside. He said the coyote turned and ran as fast as a greyhound. No more yapping and now Tom will go outside.

Cope and Amy Reynolds were the speakers in sacrament meeting. 

Amy spoke about a talk given by President Monson way back in 2012, "Believe, Obey, Endure." Believe that remaining strong and faithful to the truths of the gospel is of utmost importance. I testify that it is! Terrific teens, not terrible teens. Our decisions determine our destiny. Am I a keeper of the flame of my testimony? Seek daily guidance. Life by the yard is hard, but the inch it's a cinch. Take one day at a time.

Sister Rosen played a piano solo a medley of songs, including, "Come, Come Ye Saints." 

Cope Reynolds - April 2022 "The Power of Spiritual Momentum" by President Russell M. Nelson. Five specific actions: 1.) Get on the covenant path and stay there 2.) Discover the joy of daily repentance. 3.) Learn about God and how He works. 4.) Seek and expect miracles. 5.) End conflict in your personal life. 

As you act on these actions, I PROMISE you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. I PROMISE you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families. These are Prophetic Promises.

At Amy & Cope's sealing a year ago Amy's daughter saw Amy's Mom's spirit sitting by her. Cope says this is a result of her spiritual momentum.

Pierce and Susan Goodman were called as ward missionaries and as teachers of the new parenting class. 

America the Beautiful

Benediction - Devin Jameson

5th Sunday, Second Hour

This is the 5th Sunday so this hour is under the direction of the bishopric. Bishop Hunsaker asked a life coach from Snowflake to come and speak about the harm of too much social media and online gaming, etc. This man's name is Jace Stapley. I made the comment to James, I wonder if he knows Thryle & Bobbi Stapley. They are a couple who were in our ward many years ago in Chandler. The more brother Stapley spoke, the more I thought he might be their son.  Brother Stapley, Jace, said his mother was a counselor too. Bobbi, who now goes by Roberta is a counselor/life coach in Gilbert. He said he had three brothers. The Stapley's had four boys. Here are some notes I took during the presentation:

Harm and Addiction of Media Overuse/Abuse

Are you in charge of your electronics or do your electronics have charge over you?

(Brother Stapley's twin boys who are 12 were the microphone runners). He and his wife have 7 children and they are all here today.

Elder Bednar, 2009 devotional at BYU-Idaho. "Things As They Really Are." May 9, 2009.

Teens who use social media more than five hours a day have a greater risk of suicide and mental health issues.

Interactive media increases dopomine production which cause addictive behavior. Pornography is the most addictive.

32% of people spend more time with their phones than with the people they love.

Elder Bednar: "I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls." 

Does what I am doing invite or impede the Holy Ghost?

Does it invite or impede my ability to love and serve others?

Jacob 4:13 ... things as they really are.

Closing Prayer - James Lambson.

James went to ward council this morning at 7 a.m. with Chuck. After church he had a ministering interview and then he and Chuck went to Collin's for a presidency meeting. After this meeting he came home, at lunch and took a nap. When he got up from his nap he put his suit back on and went over to Patsy Tedder's to give her a blessing. I wanted to go with him but I had just woken up from my nap and wasn't ready. Later I called Janna, Patsy's daughter, and arranged to come and see them on Tuesday afternoon. 

Willy assisted James in giving Patsy a blessing. Janna told me later that it was a beautiful blessing and they were so grateful. I should have been there.

Tomorrow morning, and Tuesday morning Janna is helping Judy Hunter make bread, rolls, and cinnamon rolls for sale. I think she wants to learn from the best. 

Some notes and quotes I took today:

"Increase your faith, it takes effort. It increases our access to godly power." - President Nelson

" Consecration is the very essence of complete dedication that defines those who will be exalted in the kingdom of God." p. 93, "The Holy Covenants" by Anthony Sweat

Such a beautiful day with lots of rain which cooled the temperatures down to the low 70's. I love sitting on the deck or at my desk inside with the back door open so I can "smell" the rain.

We were tired this evening and went to bed around 9 p.m.

Happy Sabbath from Charlie

Sheri's post

Elder Shumway's birthday

One of Lois's quilts

Castle in Scotland

The Tomster

Saturday, June 29, 2024: Tom out @4, in @5, James works at Hipps's getting ready for concrete on Monday, Dump, Stacy's call, Steven Shumway article, Hailey Dean "Marriage for Murder", "The Best of Friends", Trip to town, NokBox, fraud on Freedom card,

 

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

165th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Sep 2019

By: David A. Bednar

Book of Mormon

Alma 16:10-21

Come Follow Me

Video: The Land of Sidom, Alma Heals Zeezrom

April General Conference

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

D&C 109:40

And until this be accomplished, let not thy judgments fall upon that city.

I got up at 5 and let Tom in. James had let him out at 4. 

James is working today at the Hipps's. He is getting ready to pour concrete on Monday. 

Stacy called me today to let me know she is speaking in sacrament meeting tomorrow on the topic of "A change of heart." She said that she realizes she needs to have a change of heart. That when she is out making food deliveries she gets so angry at other drivers. She said she realizes she needs to change this. I told her about an article I read on the Church News app about Steven Shumway, our former stake president who is now an Area Authority Seventy. 

Elder Shumway told a story of when he was on his mission in Pennsylvania in the mushroom capital of the world. He was teaching in Spanish and having very little, or no success. He had just stepped in a large puddle of water and in his discouraged state decided in his mind that he wasn't doing any good here and that he should go home. I quote from the article:

"Then this life-changing question came into his mind: 'What price would you pay to know Me?' Elder Shumway had never considered this question. He stopped and quietly whispered, "I will pay whatever price You require of me to know You." Elder Shumway described this as a spiritually pivotal experience in his life." (He had a mighty change of heart).

Elder Shumway goes on to say:

"Often, we cannot see the reasons why God asks us to do certain things. They may seem absurd to us. But we know that when we do what the Lord asks with a willing and obedient heart, we come to know the Savior and become more like Him. Ultimately that is why we were all sent to earth - to become like Christ." 

I watched an episode of Hailey Dean while working on my blog today. I also listened to "The Best of Friends" while walking.

We have a charge on our Freedom Visa card that we aren't sure what it is. It's for $51.99. I sent an email to the company and hopefully will hear back from them soon. 

James invited me to go to town with him this evening to get gas in his truck. He said he would buy me some dinner so of course I went. 

I got my Burrito Supreme at Taco Bell. I am in a rut right now and this is what I am choosing to eat when we get fast food. 

When we got home we finished walking and then watched an episode of Hailey Dean, "A Marriage for Murder."

I know I have posted this before, but here it is again

because I love it so much!

The bane of my existence when I am

at Walmart. 

"The beauty of Scotland never ceases to amaze me."

- Ben Trezise

Friday, June 28, 2024: James, Paul Peeler & T-Bo work @ the Hipps's, Dr. Moffat & Walmart, Taco Bell, nap & Hailey Dean w/ Tom, Dinner w/ Sister Johnson & Sister Ruggiere, goodbys

 

Fortaleza, Brazil

164th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 June 2019

By: Ulisses Soares

Book of Mormon

Alma 16:1-9

Come Follow Me

"Infuriating Unfairness" Elder Dale G. Renlund

Alma 15:16,18 Discipleship requires sacrifice.

April General Conference

"Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth" Elder Neil L. Andersen

D&C 109:39

And whatsoever city thy servants shall enter, and the people of that city receive their testimony, let thy peace and thy salvation be upon that city; that they may gather out of that city the righteous, that they may come forth to Zion, or to her stakes, the places of thine appointment, with songs of everlasting joy;

James left early again for the Hipps's this morning. Greg Anderson didn't show up so he hired Paul Peeler and T-Bo Tignor to help him work tomorrow. He told Greg he didn't need him tomorrow.

I left for the doctors around 7:40 for my 8:30 appointment with Dr. Moffat. The doctor checked out my right arm and then wrote me a prescription for an x-ray at a new imaging place that is much faster than the hospital. It has been 2 years since I've been in to see Dr. Moffat and in that time I have lost 15 lbs. It's not a lot, but hey, it's something. 

I told the doctor about the swelling in my face and he seemed very concerned. He told me it could be the hydrochlorothiazide pills I'm on since I am allergic to sulfa. These pills don't have sulfa in them but they do have sulfa-like properties. Hmmm, I'm wondering why he put me on these in the first place. He suggested I go off of them and see what happens. I asked if I needed to take anything else to replace them and he said no. Okay, we will see what happens.

I told him what Stacy said about getting an epi pen and he thought that was a good idea and wrote me a prescription. I found out later it costs $240 so I don't think I will be picking it up.

After shopping at Walmart for the things I need for tonight's dinner with the missionaries, I stopped at Taco Bell for a burrito supreme. It was so good. I got one for James too.

When I got home I called the sister missionaries to make sure they were coming tonight. I spoke with Sister Ruggiere. She said yes, they were planning on around 5:30. I told her that would be fine. That was all that was said.

I took a nap and then spent the afternoon getting ready for the missionaries. They arrived around 5:40 in their little blue Toyota truck. Sister Johnson is the driver. 

The first thing Sister Ruggiere asked me was if anyone told me about her food allergies. I told her no, they had not. She said she was allergic to dairy and she had brought her own food, just in case. We are having chicken strips with parmesan rice, corn, and salad. For dessert ice cream and sherbet. Even the sherbet had milk in it. The only thing she could eat was the chicken strips with some Chikfila sauce, which she did. I felt really bad. It seems like when I spoke with her on the phone she would have mentioned it to me. 

We had a nice visit with both sisters. Their last day in Vernon will be at church on Sunday. After church they will drive to the mission home in Flagstaff and then they will both fly home on Tuesday. Sister Johnson to Oregon and Sister Ruggiere to Illinois. 

Sister Ruggiere is going on a Church History tour when she gets home and then will go to the community college near her home when school starts up again.

Sister Johnson is getting married to one of the elders she met here on her mission. He is going to visit her when she gets home. His name is...Elder Johnson! Sister Johnson is also going to Germany with some of her family members in August.

I asked the sisters who their mission president was. Sister Ruggiere said Scott Stratton. I said we knew some Stratton's in Snowflake. She said, "Do you know Blaine & January Stratton?" I said yes, we went to high school with January. Well, Blaine is President Scott Stratton's uncle. President Stratton was born in Snowflake but now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I told the sisters that Blaine Stratton was a mission president in South America back in the 90's. They said they could believe it that both Blaine & January are so kind and supportive of the missionaries.

The sisters shared a spiritual message with us before leaving. Sister Johnson said that one of her anchor scriptures is Mosiah 18:18-20. It talks about having authority from God to preach the word of God and how important that is. Sister Johnson bore her testimony and they both encouraged us to pick out some anchor scriptures for our lives. 

Sister Ruggiere & Sister Johnson

Selfies with the Sisters

We said out goodbyes and I told Sister Johnson to be sure and let us know about her wedding. She said she would. We enjoyed our time with these sisters and love and appreciate them so much.

James was stressed about work and getting ready for a concrete pour at Hipps's on Monday so I excused him from helping me clean the kitchen. I did it all by myself. Once in awhile I would take a break and do some walking or go outside on the porch with Tom. He doesn't mind going out if I go with him.

James wasn't liking the Sarah Eden book we were reading, "The Best of Friends", so we started reading the book I just finished, "The Provincial Peer." He likes it much better.

The skies of Vernon

Prague, Czech Republic