Tuesday, August 27, 2024: Happy 6th birthday Charlie! My face is beginning to swell, cancel temple w/ Ruth, James in Chandler, Horses out, 10,000 steps

 

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Helaman 3

Come Follow Me

Video: Nephi & Lehi bear testimony of Jesus Christ

April General Conference

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

D&C 109:73

That thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners;

Happy 6th Birthday Charlie! I am so excited for you and hope you have a wonderful day!

I woke up with my face swollen around my lips and jaws. Why did I take that aspirin last night. 

James left before five this morning for the valley. I said family prayer and gave him a kiss. It was dark and he didn't see my face. I'm hoping the swelling will go down before James returns. 

I had to text my friend Ruth Gale and tell her I wouldn't be at the temple today. I am so sad. It's been over a month since I have been to the temple. 

James made an appointment with Daryl Johnson in Chandler at the barbershop at noon. I warned him that Daryl wouldn't be there before 4. He waited all afternoon. Daryl finally showed up at 3:45. I was fifteen minutes off. He says he will have our money on Friday. (I highly doubt it. I can't count the number of times he has told us that before).

The horses got out while James was gone. They were there to great him when he got home at 7:30. Some people have dogs for pets, we have horses, and yes, a cat. 

Burger House was closed so James stopped at Subway. I took a couple of bites of my sandwich and then put it in the frig for tomorrow.

I walked over 10,000 steps today all by myself. I'm reading the book, "The Valet's Secret." 

Tom was very playful tonight.

Notes & Quotes

'Call, Don't Fall'

Elder Taylor G. Godoy

"Prayer is the communication with our Heavenly Father that allows us to 'call and don't fall.' However, there are circumstances in which we might think that the call has not bee heard because we do not receive an immediate response or one according to our expectations."

Charlie is six today

Kacey sent us a video of Charlie opening her

gift from us. We got here the third set of

"The Never Girls"

She said she was "so happy"

Monday, August 26th, 2024: Tom, my cat, spends most of the night w/ me, abandoned pigeon eggs, feeling good, 5 loads of laundry, oil change in car, starting Greg Hatch job, Patsy Tedder, Tina Allen, "Magic of Lemon Drops"

 

Sydney, Australia

28th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Sept 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Helaman 2

Come Follow Me

Aug 26-Sep 1: "The Rock of Our Redeemer" 

Helaman 1-6 Introduction to lesson

April General Conference

" The Testimony of Jesus" Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Walk with Him

"A Record of What I Have Both Seen and Heard" Elder Brent H. Nielson

"Jesus Christ at the Center of Our Lives" Elder Jose L. Alonso

Tom spent most of the night with me. He is such a little sweetie.

Recently we have had two pigeons who built a next under our eaves. James has not seen the birds around for awhile so he checked inside the nest. There were a couple of eggs there. They will never hatch because they have not been kept warm. We think one of the cats around here caught the birds. Sometimes the circle of life is harsh.

I felt pretty good today.  I did five loads of laundry, folded them, and put them away. That's quite an accomplishment for me. I also worked on catching up my daily journal entries in my monthly notebook.

James made two trips to town today. We had a 7:00 appointment at Walmart to get the oil changed in my car. He took it in for me as I don't do well in the early morning. Later this morning he took the Razr in to be fixed. 

This afternoon James cut steel for the Greg Hatch job. He is taking it down tomorrow. 

No rain today. I'm worried about the sunflowers if we don't get more rain.

I texted Patsy Tedder and Tina Allen today and told them I was glad to see them at church yesterday. Patsy has been homebound for quite awhile and Tina just had shoulder replacement surgery. I had a nice visit with both of them. Tina's doctor is the same doctor who did the surgery on James's hand. His name is Curtis Ellsworth and he is quite young. Tina says he is 34.

I watched the newest Hallmark movie, "The Magic of Lemon Drops." It was cute. I didn't think I was going to like it, but I did.

James and I are doing a ice cream sandwich comparison. The first brand is Nestle which we both love. The second is Walmart's Great Value. No comparison. Nestle's comes out on top in all categories!

I took two aspirin before going to bed. I started in my bed and ended up on the recliner. I let Tom in at 11. He slept at James's feet. 

My next Relief Society lesson is President Holland's talk, "Motions of a Hidden Fire."

Notes & Quotes

"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 again 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 al,' 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

'The Testimony of Jesus'

Tomorrow she will be 6

Ziggie & Sheri

Curious as a cat

Sunday, August 25, 2024: Up @4, Handouts & lesson outline finished, Aspirin, J helps me setup, left arm throbbing during sacrament mtg., "A Higher Joy", Lesson went well, handouts well accepted, 55 did for YW & Primary, mtg w/ bishop, I sleep most of the day,

 

Boise, Idaho

27th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-30 May 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Helaman 1

Come Follow Me

Review

April General Conference

"Covenants and Responsibilities" President Dallin H. Oaks

D&C 109:73-76

73 That thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners;

74 And be adorned as a bride for that day wen thou shalt unveil the heavens, and cause the mountains to flow down at thy presence, and the valleys to be exalted, the rough places made smooth; that thy glory may fill the earth;

75 That when the trump shall sound for the dead, we shall be caught up in the cloud to meet thee, that we may ever be with the Lord;

76 That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings.

I was up at 4am after going to bed at 1:30. I'm going to need a long nap today. I finished my handouts and my lesson outline and I've gathered all of my materials. I'm ready to go!

The sisters were supposed to list things that bring them

joy and try to do them on a regular basis. 

I ask them to include things in the three categories that Elder Uchtdorf mentioned: 

1. Drawing nearing to God

2. Things that bring them joy

3. How they can bring joy to those around them.

We left the house at 8:35. I took two aspirin to keep the pain down. 

James helped me setup the room. Such a sweetie. I gave handouts to Sister Sedig to give to the Young Women's and Primary leaders. 

My lesson went well and several sisters thanked me for the handout. I made 55 of them and there was only one left. 

Catherine Halcomb came up to me afterwards and said: " I am so grateful you are my friend. I feel like I can tell you anything!" She then gave me a hug. 

Barbara Tignor came over to talk to me. She is so sweet. She always compliments me on my lessons. Millie Scott was next. She was in tears saying she has never had a very good self-esteem and she has never felt like the Lord accepted and loved her. I tried to help her feel better about herself. She really is an amazing person. I hope I was able to help.

When I got home my left arm hurt so much James had to help me get undressed and re-dressed. I ate a little something, took some aspirin and Benadryl and laid down on the recliner while James went to our appointment with the Bishop. Here are some of our Bishop's ideas regarding Ben & Cayli's wedding.  

He will ask President Beeler if he can marry Ben & Cayli and James can give them wedding advice. He also gave us permission to use the building on November 1st and told us to contact Kathy Crane.

I slept most of the day, waking up periodically to get something to eat. Kathy Crane brought us over some corn, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes. Her corn is delicious!

I slept on the recliner in the family room. James stayed with me for awhile.

Notes & Quotes

"Persons who have been endowed in a temple are responsible to wear a temple garment. It reminds endowed members of the sacred covenants they have made and the blessings they have been promised in the holy temple. To achieve those holy purposes, we are instructed to wear temple garments continuously, with the only exceptions being those obviously necessary. Because covenants do not 'take a day off,' to remove one's garments can be understood as a disclaimer of the covenant responsibilities and blessings to which they relate. In contrast, persons who wear their garments faithfully and keep their temple covenants continually affirm their role as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ."

- President Dallin H. Oaks

'Covenants and Responsibilities'

Boxing in his sleep

Rowan and friends

Beautiful kitchen

Saturday, August 24th, 2024: Up @ 6, slept in my bed all night, better except for my upper right arm, overcast, rainy morning, handouts for my lesson, James has a pinched nerve & goes to ER, Panda, two trips to town, give J a haircut, up until about 1:30

 

Mexico City, Mexico

26th operating temple

Dedicated: 2-4 Dec. 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Alma 63

Come Follow Me

"Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives" President Russell M. Nelson

"Wounded" Elder Neil L. Andersen

April General Conference

"Swallowed Up in the Joy of Christ" Elder Brian K. Taylor

D&C 109:72

Remember all thy church, O Lord, with all their families, and all their immediate connections, with all their sick and afflicted ones, with all the poor and meek of the earth; that the kingdom, which thou hast set up without hands, may become a great mountain and fill the whole earth.

Up at 6:00. I slept in my bed all night. I feel so much better, except for my upper right arm.

It was an overcast, rainy morning. Tom kept going in and out. He wants to be outside be he hates getting his feet wet. The last time he came in his back was wet too. 

I finally came up with a handout for my lesson and began working on them, as well as working on my lesson outline. 

James woke up miserable this morning. He seems to have a pinched nerve in his neck. I feel a little better. My knees don't hurt like they did but my right upper arm is hurting. I still have pain in my right elbow and my left hand.

At 4:00 this afternoon I asked James if he wanted to go in to town with me to get some food at Panda. At first he said no, he hurt too much. As I was leaving around 4:40 he said he was going with me because he didn't want to be left alone the way he was feeling. On the way he asked me to drop him off at the hospital ER, which I did. He went in and I went across the street and got in the drive-thru line at Panda. It was quite a long line so it took awhile. James ask me: "Don't leave until they check me in and I find out if they will give me a shot." I replied, "Ok." 

When I got my food I went over to the hospital parking lot and parked and ate, leaving most of it for tomorrow. I texted James: "I'm leaving, is that okay?" When I didn't hear back, I left. 

I was just going around the Hunsaker curb when James called. He said they gave him two shots and are making him stay to see if he has a reaction. I guess he had texted me earlier and ask me to wait 30 minutes but I didn't see it. He ask me if I could be there in 30 minutes. I told him I was going to go home, I was almost there, and then I would come back. I guess I should of waited. Oh well, two round trips to Show Low Walmart is only 120 miles. It was raining at home.

The two shots they gave James were a muscle relaxer and a anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal. James was hungry. I am glad I got him some dinner. Most of the time he doesn't order anything when we go to Panda.

I gave James a haircut this evening and worked on my lesson until midnight. I finally went to sleep around 1:30.

Notes & Quotes

"To avoid the darkness of discontent and instead find greater peace, hope, and even joy during life's difficult challenges, I share three divine principles as invitations.

One - stronger faith comes by putting Jesus Christ first. 

Two - brighter hope comes by envisioning our eternal destiny.

Three - greater power comes by focusing on joy. 'For the joy that was set before him (Christ) endured the cross,' His will 'being swallowed up in the will of the Father.'"

- Brian K. Taylor

'Swallowed Up In The Joy Of Christ'

Charlie with her cousins bearded dragon

Yeah, it's for real!

Cousins wedding:

Scarlett & Charlie

Best Friends Forever

Friday, August 23rd, 2024: Still miserable, James picks up Prednisone, Taco Bell, talked to Janna about Bunco, Stefani visits, Inklings & my lesson, infra-red blanket, HM

 

Papeete, Tahiti

25th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Alma 62

Come Follow Me

Alma 62:39-51

If I am humble, life's challenges can turn my heart to God.

April General Conference

"God's Intent Is to Bring You Home" by Elder Patrick Kearon

D&C 109:71

Remember, O Lord, the presidents, even all the presidents of thy church, that thy right hand may exalt them, with all their families, and their immediate connections, that their names may be perpetuated and had in everlasting remembrance from generation to generation.

I am still miserable this morning. James went to town to pick up my Prednisone prescription. He was gone a long time and spent lots of money. He went to Walmart, Home Depot, Tractor Supply and Taco Bell. He brought me back a crisply Taco Supreme. It was yummy.

James got a water filter for the fridge but he got the wrong one. There were two in the package and they cost $108. He has to take them back. James also made me an appointment for Monday morning to get the oil changed in my car, and an appointment with Pierce to have a dental exam on next Wednesday. 

I talked to Janna about Bunco. She said Linda Price was a lot of fun. I knew she would be. Janna was also excited that she got my prize, the leather journal with a tree on it, and the book by Emily Belle Freeman.

Stefani Hunsaker came over this afternoon and brought back the leftover egg salad sandwiches. She said she would have eaten all of them because they were delicious! She also brought me some green grapes and some mini lemon and blueberry scones that she made. 

I worked on my RS lesson by listening to Inklings again and writing things down that I wanted to use. Afterwards I used the infra-red blanket. I could only stay in a few minutes because it was so hot, but it felt so good on my painful joints. I felt better except for my right arm was hurting from all the typing I did today. 

This evening I watched a new Hallmark Mystery movie with Kavan Smith and Pascale Hutton called, "Nelly Knows Mysteries."

Notes & Quotes

"Our loving Father oversaw the Creation of this very earth for the express purpose of providing an opportunity for you and for me to have the stretching and refining experiences of mortality, the chance to use our God-given moral agency to choose Him, to learn and grow, to make mistakes, to repent, to love God and our neighbor, and to one day return home to Him."

- Elder Patrick Kearon

'God's Intent Is To Bring You Home'

One of my favorites!

Another of my favorites!

We still get veggies from Kathy!

Does anyone's laundry room really

look like this?

I love watching Tom sleep!
 

Thursday, August 22, 2024: Up @ 7:24, breakfast & Inklings, Called Arizona Arthritis & complained about pain, prednisone prescription, egg salad sandwiches, gift for Bunco, face swollen, Lynda Price my sub

 

Santiago, Chile

24th operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Sept 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

 Alma 60 & 61

Come Follow Me

Alma 60:7-14

I have a responsibility to lift people around me.

April General Conference

"Trust in the Lord" Elder Paul B. Pieper

Inklings

"A Higher Joy" Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

2 Chronicles 30

JOY

Seven simple ways to find joy

Affirmation: " I am a happiness seeker, and I know true, lasting, incorruptible joy comes through following Jesus Christ. To find this joy, I am drawing near to my Savior, tirelessly searching for the moments of joy and peace in my life, and lifting and serving those around me.

 I got up at 7:24, fixed myself two frozen blueberry waffles with butter and a glass of milk. Took my Tramadol and started watching Inklings at 7:36. Here are some notes I took. The talk is "A Higher Joy" by Elder Uchtdorf, the same talk I am giving in Relief Society on Sunday. 

Holy Rhythms sanctify us. Prayer, Scripture study, the Sacrament, and the Temple are some of our Holy Rhythms. They are intentional, deliberate times when we turn to the Lord. We develop a deeper relationship with the Holy Ghost. We become sanctified as we yield our hearts to God. Shine in the trenches, look for Joy. Make a list of 31 things that bring you joy and do one every day of the month, or make a list of 10 things and choose one to do when you are having a bad day. Be intentional and deliberate about your happiness. Ask yourself, how can I find joy? Seek for a higher joy by drawing closer to the Lord.

I called Arizona Arthritis this morning and complained to them that I was still experiencing a lot of pain and swelling. They called in a 7 day oral prescription of prednisone for me. Hopefully it will help.

 I had planned on going to Bunco tonight. My prize was a green leather journal with a tree on the front, one of Emily's small books, "Endure to the Middle" and a pen for the journal. James helped me by boiling 18 eggs and peeling them. He also mixed in the mayo, mustard and pickles. I made 6-8 sandwiches and cut them into fourths. 

My face started swelling and I realized I wouldn't be going tonight. I called my friend Janna Grombach for a suggestion as to who I should get to take my place. She said, "Let me take care of that for you." 

She called my good friend, Linda Price, who is only here in the summer but was the perfect choice. She is social and fun-loving and loved being asked. I wish I could have been there to play with Linda.

James took my gift and the egg salad sandwiches over to Stefani Hunsaker's where Bunco is tonight. He also went in to town to get my prednisone prescription but was too late. The pharmacy was closed before he got there. He said he would go back in the morning. 

The Woman with an Issue of Blood

by: Yongsung Kim

(I used this picture in my RS lesson)

Two new audio books!