Tuesday, August 6th, 2024: Apollo gets shoes, Chase takes off interest fee, Zemira's goes thru the temple, made stew, cleaned kitchen & dnstrs, Soleil, Mason, Weather report, Tom Otto, Jared's kids memory

Idaho Falls, Idaho

8th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-25 Sep 1945

By: George Albert Smith

Book of Mormon

Alma 40:1-14

Come Follow Me

Alma 39

I can avoid sexual sin.

April General Conference

"All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants" President Henry B. Eyring

D&C 109:61

61 But thou knowest that thou hast a great love for the children of Jacob, who have been scattered upon the mountains for a long time, in a cloudy and dark day.

There was a mixup with Chase on when our Chase Freedom credit card payment was due. Normally it's due on the first but when I went online to pay it, it said, "no payment due right now." The last time I checked was on Friday Aug. 2nd. It still said, no payment due, but did not tell when the payment was due. I guess the due date was the 4th because on Monday when I opened up my Chase app they had charged me 165.59 in interest. The balance was over $15,000. I immediately paid it in full and determined I would call the bank tomorrow and complain. I called and explained the situation to someone named Lester. I said the payment had always been due on the first and then suddenly it changed but did not say when the new due date was. He went to talk with someone and then came back and said because I was such a good customer and always paid on time they were going to waive the interest fee. Yay! This just made my day and it's still early in the morning.

I was not feeling well this morning so Tom and I laid down on the recliner and watched a movie called, "Meet Me in New York." It was a cute movie and it cheered me up. In the meantime, outside Wayne Todd Mayfield was shoeing Apollo. Now both of our horses have shoes and fly masks.

Zemira Wilhelm is going the temple this afternoon, the five o'clock session. Z's mom, Sandra, invited us to be in the session. I made appointments for both James and I. James came home from Hipps's saying he felt like he had the flu. I had taken some Tramadol and was laying down hoping I would feel better so I could go. I ask James if we were going to the temple and he said, no. I was disappointed but also a little relieved. I had tried earlier to get up and make a stew for dinner but I just wasn't feeling up to it. That's when James came home and found me on the recliner. I cancelled our temple appointments for the second time in a week. How said is that. Later, after resting a couple of hours was able to get up and make the stew for dinner. James loved it.

This evening I cleaned the kitchen and mopped the floor and then James and I went downstairs to put the sheets on the bed. Kim and Brian are scheduled to come tomorrow and we will be in the valley.

Notes & Quotes

"Kathy, whatever the outcome, all will be well because of the temple. We have made covenants with God and have been sealed as an eternal family. At that moment, it was as if the Spirit of the Lord confirmed in our hearts and minds what we both already knew to be true; the sealing ordinances, found only in the house of the Lord and administered by proper priesthood authority, had bound us together as husband and wife, and our children had been sealed to us. There truly was no need to fear, and we were grateful later to learn that our boys were safe."

I love how he curls his back toes

Praying paws

Mason Griffin Templeton,

Tanner & Kate's baby

 

Monday, August 5th, 2024: Called AARA & made an appt. to see Rana on Wed, Also going to go to lunch w/ Sheri, went to get my right shoulder x-rayed, Taco Bell, leave Tom in the house, I get 10,000 steps, Ken Johnson passed away today, huge wind & rainstorm this evening, Joshua calls scripture study, credit card due

 

Mesa, Arizona

7th operating temple

Dedicated: 23-26 Oct 1927

By: Heber J. Grant

Book of Mormon

Alma 39:11-19

Come Follow Me

Aug 5-11: "The Great Plan of Happiness

Alma 39-42 Introduction

April General Conference

"Integrity: A Christlike Attribute" Elder Jack N. Gerard

Walk with Him

"All Things for Our Good" Elder Gerrit W. Gong

I called Arizona Arthritis this morning and told them that I felt lousy and I needed to come in. Someone called me back and asked if I could come in on Wednesday at 11:00. I said yes, I could. I also spoke with Sheri who texted and said she misses me. I told her I was planning on coming down on Wednesday and she said she wanted to take me to lunch for my birthday. 

This afternoon James went with me to get my x-ray for my right shoulder. The order from Dr. Moffat is over a month old and I was afraid it expired so I called his office. His assistant, Carri, told me they are good for six months. That is good to know. I'm glad I got there when I did because after I came in about six people came after me.

Afterwards we stopped at Home Depot and Walmart. James is out of his pomegranate juice and I'm out of my DPZ.

We got something to eat at Taco Bell. I had a soft taco supreme and James had a chicken quesadilla.

This was only the second day that Kenny Johnson has been home from the hospital and re-hab and he passed away. Our fund raiser for his bills is August 17th. Now Ann has funeral costs on top of her other expenses. It was sad to lose him but a bit of a blessing because he was in such bad shape and was never going to get completely well. 

Tom was in the house when we got home from town. He stayed in and laid down with me on the recliner.

I got my 10,000 steps while listening to "The Lady Glass." James got some more steps on my phone while he was listening to "For Elise." 

There was a huge wind and rainstorm this evening that was a little bit scary. Tom would not go out. He slept inside. James and I loved the storm but not Tom. He was bored. He followed James while he was walking and then I played Pinky the Caterpillar with him. 

Stacy said when Joshua came in tonight she suggested they just have prayer but he said he wanted to have scriptures too. The lesson was on Alma talking to his son Corianton and the subject of pornography came in. Joshua explained to them why he does not view pornography. So proud of him right now.

Notes & Quotes

" The Savior reminds us, 'In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' President Russell M. Nelson counseled: 'Overcoming the world means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men.' Likewise, we must resist the temptation to walk 'in our own way, and after the image of our own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world.'"

-Elder Jack N. Gerard

'Integrity: A Christlike Attribute'

Whispering "sheep" nothings

Blueberries is one of the 5 fruits cats can have.

Tom played with it and then stared at me like,

"What do you want me to do with this?"

I am grateful for Charlie too!

John & Lynda Finnell

who are in our ward

She's in our Bunco group

Sunday, August 4th, 2024: Missed church today, DeWitts are there, F&T mtg, pics of Scarlett, Elder Soares's talk & "God Will Prevail", chicken soup & cinnamon bread, No rain but in the 70;s

 

Cardston, Alberta

6th operating temple

Dedicated: 26-29 Aug 1923

By: Heber J. Grant

Book of Mormon

Alma 39:1-10

Come Follow Me

"Unshaken Saints" with Jared Halverson

"Book of Mormon Central" Tyler Griffin & Shane Reese

April General Conference

"Covenant Confidence Through Jesus Christ" Elder Ulisses Soares

D&C 109:61-64

61 But thou knowest that thou hast a great love for the children of Jacob, who have been scattered upon the mountains for a long time, in a cloudy and dark day.

62 We therefore ask thee to have mercy upon the children of Jacob, that Jerusalem from this hour, may begin to be redeemed;

63 And the yoke of bondage may begin to be broken off from the house of David;

64 And the children of Judah may begin to return to the lands which thou didst give to Abraham, their father.

I prayed this morning that I would feel like going to church today but I just wasn't up to it. James went by himself. It was the first week the DeWitt's were there since Collin's accident. 

James took notes for me at fast & testimony meeting. I copied them in my Sunday journal. Here they are:

Bishop Hunsaker - the power of prayer and scripture study.

Johnny Wilhelm  - I know the Church is true. I love my family.

Lorraine Vaught - Reject the adversaries influence. Choose to look forward. Jesus Christ is my Savior.

Chimi Tesarek - I try to keep the commandments and draw closer to Jesus Christ.

Lynn Wallace - I have a testimony of God and Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. I love working in Primary.

Barbara Tignor - The gospel is true. It changes lives when you have it in your heart. A testimony of gratitude.

Jeanie Jameson - I believe in God and in His plan. I love the hymn, "Dearest Children, God Is Near You."

Alicia Hunsaker - Help to gather Israel. Colter baptized her and bishop in the temple.

Mel Wilhelm - Loves teaching Primary. Sister Wallace sings and teaches the children how to feel the Spirit. 

Brother Brayman (new) - From Gilbert. Has been coming since Bishop Hunsaker was the Branch President. Testimony of the Savior's Atonement. The Savior did not revile against His tormentors. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.

Cope Reynolds - Doesn't know if he can verbalize his testimony of the goodness of the Savior. Has been to 38 states and many wards and has never seen a ward like ours. Testimony of the gospel, the Savior, Joseph Smith, and President Nelson.

Sister Gilbert (James's favorite testimony) - I am a child of God. He has a plan for me to bring me home and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to help us come home. He established His gospel to bring us home. He raised up a prophet, Joseph Smith. He prepared Joseph to come to Him and ask Him which Church he should join. Story of the children of Israel.

Autumn texted me two pictures of Scarlett today. 

Such a cutie and a sweetie!

We didn't get any Happy Sabbath pictures of Charlie. I hope everyone is okay.

I studied Elder Soares conference talk and read from "Let God Prevail" during church. When James got home we rested.

Kathy Crane brought us some of her homemade chicken noodle soup and some cinnamon bread. Thank you Kathy, you are so kind.

Tom slept on the recliner with me this afternoon. James tried to get him to go outside, but he would not go until I went with him. 

James and I listened to Neal A. Maxwell "Why Not Now" from the October 1974 General Conference. It's a classic. James made me make a copy for him. 

James started reading my leather bound copy of "The Brothers Karamazov". He said Michael Wilcox mentioned it when he was on "Follow Him" and it peaked his interest. I started reading it years ago when Laura Bush said it was her favorite book, but I just couldn't get in to it.

No rain today, but it was in the 70's.

Notes & Quotes

"Dear brothers and sisters, those who gain genuine confidence in the covenants made in the house of the Lord through Jesus Christ possess one of the most powerful forces that we can access in this life."

- Elder Ulisses Soares

'Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ'

Same as mine. These two are on a

mission in Houston, Texas

right now.

2013

Grampa & Joshua watching the hummingbirds.

Inverary Castle

Scotland

So true

The watch cat on the deck

So glad Autumn Reeser is making

Hallmark movies again.

A sleeping Tom Otto

Saturday, August 3rd, 2024: 93 in Sholo 76 in Vernon, Cows are here for water, feeling a little better, made J whole wheat pancakes for breakfast but forgot walnuts, J finished Highcliffe House, started For Elise, "Junebug" starring Autumn Reeser

 

Laie, Hawaii

5th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-30 Nov

By: Heber J. Grant

Book of Mormon

Alma 38

Come Follow Me

Alma 38

Sharing my testimony of Jesus Christ can strengthen people I love.

April General Conference

"Pillars and Rays" by Elder Alexander Dushku

D&C 109:60

Now these words, O Lord, we have spoken before thee, concerning the revelations and commandments which thou hast given unto us, who are identified with the Gentiles.

The cows were here again this morning drinking all of the horses water. 

I was feeling a little better this morning and fixed James some whole wheat pancakes. I made the same mistake I made last time, I forgot to put in the walnuts! They were still delicious.

This afternoon we went to town to mail Molly's birthday card. I can't believe that she and Ruby are both 15!

Darrel called his dad and asked him to arrange for him to buy a beef from one of the ranchers up here. James made arrangements with Dave Westbrook.

James also needed to get some diesel gas and nails for Monday. When we left the house I was sure Tom was outside.

It was hot in Show Low, 93 degrees, as I waited outside of Home Depot. As James walked towards the entrance of the store there was a woman loading large pieces of plywood in the back of her truck. James went over to help her because it was obvious she was struggling. As James went to help so did 3 other people. It made me smile.

When we got back to Vernon it was overcast and 76 degrees. That's more like it! 

When I walked in the house Tom was sitting in the entryway.  I was so surprised to see him in the house. He must have been asleep upstairs when we left. 

James had to chase the black cows and their babies off yet again as they drank all of the horses water.

James finished the book, "Highcliffe House". Now he is reading "For Elise." He did some walking while I struggled to catch up on my blog. 

We watched a new Hallmark movie tonight starring Autumn Reeser (my favorite), and Aaron O'Connell. The movie was called "June Bug." Life would be more exciting if we could all get in touch with our inner child.

A real June bug outside on our deck

Mason & Tanner

I love this picture!

This looks so familiar

Addy & KIlee

Ben & Cayli's engagement

 

Friday, August 2nd, 2024: Feel like I've slammed into a brick wall, recliner most of the day, flu-like symptoms, James's invite, still waiting for money, "Jazz Ramsay:AK-9 Mystery,

Salt Lake City, Utah

4th operating temple

Dedicated: 6-24 Apr 1893

By: Wilford Woodruff

Book of Mormon

Alma 37:32-47

Come Follow Me

Alma 37:35-37

"Counsel with the Lord"

April General Conference

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

D&C 109:59

We ask thee to appoint unto Zion other stakes besides this one which thou hast appointed, that the gathering of thy people may roll on in great power and majesty, that thy work may be cut short in righteousness.

I feel like I've been slammed into a brick wall. I stayed on the recliner most of the day. I have flu-like achiness but it could just be my arthritis. My right arm still hurts with limited mobility and my left hand hurts. James was very sweet. He invited me to go to Taylor to pick up materials and them to go to Eva's for lunch. You know I wasn't feeling well when I turned down lunch. I stayed home with Tom and slept.

We are still waiting for money from Daryl Johnson and David Chacon. Thank goodness for the Hipps's. We are surviving because of them. 

We watched a movie together this evening. Tom refused to go outside because it was cold and wet, so he watched too. (jk)

When the move, "Jazz Ramsay: AK-9 Mystery", was over we couldn't find Tom. James even went upstairs. I went in to the great room and called him. I opened the door to the basement and he came running from the dining room. 

Kristine Hipps has pneumonia and has to be on a breathing machine. 

Notes & Quotes

"God sets the conditions and obligations of the covenants we make. When we choose to enter into that relationship, we witness to Him, through the symbolic actions of each covenant, that we are willing to abide by the conditions He has set. Through honoring our covenants, we enable God to pour out the multitude of promised blessings associated with those covenants, including increased power to change and become more like our Savior. Jesus Christ is at the center of all covenants we make, and covenant blessings are made possible because of His atoning sacrifice."

- Sister J. Annette Dennis

'Put Y On The Lord Jesus Christ'

 

 

Thursday, August 1st, 2024: JA goes home this evening, J will miss riding horses w/ him, rain, I was achy all over, Why the quilt and no bottom sheet? , Tomorrow will be better

 

Manti, Utah

3rd operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 May 1888

By: Lorenzo Snow

Book of Mormon

Alma 37:15-31

Come Follow Me

 Alma 37:1-14

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

"One Percent Better" GC Oct 2021 

"Small and Simple Things" DHO, April 2018 GC

April General Conference

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

Inklings

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

Matthew 22:36-40; D&C 109:57-60

LOVE

Love God. Love People.

Affirmation: "I am building a bridge of faith and devotion as I show love to the Lord by following His commandments and show love to my neighbors through service and kindness. My heart and mind are lifted upward to the Lord and outward to my neighbor."

Jared went home this evening. James has been riding horses with him. He's going to miss that. Jared Ammon was going to stay until Saturday but someone called in sick at work and Jared is going to cover for them. Today, just as they finished riding, it started to rain. Perfect timing.

I bought a rotisserie chicken because I wanted to make one of Jared Ammon's favorite dishes, chicken and stuffing casserole. I was going to make it today but I was just too achy and tired. I pretty much stayed in my bedroom most of the day resting. 

I heard Jared Ammon vacuuming downstairs and going in and out to his car. I got up to say goodbye. He left around 8 p.m. He said he was going to wash the sheets but there were clothes in the washer and dryer. True. I'm behind in everything. When I went in the laundry room to fold clothes and put his sheets in the washer I noticed one sheet, two pillow cases and the quilted bedspread. Where is the bottom sheet and why am I washing the bedspread. I guess I need to talk to Jared like I did to Adam and his friends. 

I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow.

Notes & Quotes

"My beloved friends, our prayers are our sweetest hour, our most 'sincere desire,' our simplest, purest form of worship. We should pray individually, in our families, and in congregations of all sizes. We are to employ prayer as a shield against temptation, and if there be any time we feel not to pray, we can be sure that hesitancy does not come from God, who yearns to communicate with His children at any and all times. Indeed, some efforts to keep us from praying come directly from the adversary. When we don't know how or exactly for what to pray, we should begin, and continue, until the Holy Spirit guides us into the prayer we should be offering. This approach may be the one we have to invoke when praying for our enemies and those who despitefully us us."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

'Motions of a Hidden Fire'

This is the casserole JA loves

Grandma & Grandpa Maxwell

Watched the Gidget movies and absolutely 

loved James Darren and his singing!

Memory

 

Wednesday, July 31st, 2024: Up @ 4, I wonder if my right arm will ever stop hurting, cancelled our temple trip because of James's hand, Armando's dad's surgery is 12 hrs long, Tom's lizard and bee, Chipped my front tooth, "The Lady Glass"

Logan, Utah

2nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17-19 May 1884

By: John Taylor

Book of Mormon

Alma 37:1-14

Come Follow Me

Alma 37

The scriptures have been preserved "for a wise purpose."

"The Blessings of Scripture" Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Video: "Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman"

April General Conference

"Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Key's" President Russell M. Nelson

D&C 109:58

58 That from among all these, thy servants, the sons of Jacob, may gather out the righteous to build a holy city to thy name, as thou hast commanded them.

I was up at 4 am. I wonder if my right arm is ever going to stop hurting? It's mostly my elbow that bothers me and limits my range of motion.

We cancelled our temple appointments for today. James cannot use his right hand. I guess we forgot that little fact when we made the appointments. Neither one of us is feeling very well but we still would have gone because we had invited Virgil. James is his ministering brother and the one thing Virgil asked of him was that he would take him to the temple. We were sorry to disappoint him but he seemed to understand. 

Kristine Hipps has been sick for awhile and now James says she has pneumonia and has to be on a breathing machine. I hope she gets well soon. She is one of my favorite people in the ward. 

Armando's dad had surgery today to put skin grafts on his burns. The surgery lasted 12 hours. Now we are praying that the skin grafts will "take." 

We got no payment from Daryl Johnson after he promised. It's been two weeks since we lent him the money and he promised to pay it all back in two days. 

James said Tom was playing with an alligator lizard today having a fun time tossing him in the air. I'm not sure what he did with him when he was finished. He also had a bee dive bomb him on the back. As soon as the bee made contact, Tom jumped several feet into the air and swirled around. He is so quick on his feet! I wish James would have taken a picture.

I was reading online that if a cat sticks his rear end in your face that means he likes me. Tom does this to me every morning when he comes in from outside. I guess that means he really likes me!

I am pretty miserable today and on top of everything else, I chipped my front tooth. It goes right along with the big gap between my two front teeth. Just call me Ma Kettle.

I need to get an x-ray on my right shoulder, see a dentist, and call Arizona Arthritis and tell them I am having flare-ups.

I finished "For Elise" today and started "The Lady Glass."

Notes and Quotes

 "I hope you will repeatedly study the messages of this conference throughout the coming months."

"Joseph Smith's dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple is a tutorial about how the temple spiritually empowers you and me to meet the challenges of life in these last days. I encourage you to study that prayer, recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 109. That dedicatory prayer, which was received by revelation, teaches that the temple is 'a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.'"

- President Russell M. Nelson

'Rejoice In The Gift Of Priesthood Keys'

Yum!

James, Rowan, Ruby, Molly, Anna, Emmy, Addy

That looks like Aunt Gene's yellow Cadillac in the parking lot!

I went here almost everyday after school and got a baked ham sandwich, and a fresh limeade all for seventy-five cents.

Loved this car so much when I was

a teenager.