Monday, October 14th, 2024: Columbus Day, miserable day, "Ruby and the Well" distracts me, RS lesson schedule, call to AARA - prednisone, front yard project, call from Catherine, Sheri's new 2nd job,

 

Palmyra, New York

77th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 21

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 20-22

In the latter days, God will perform a marvelous work.

"The Gathering of Israel" by Russell M. Nelson, OGC 2006

October General Conference

'Aligning Our Will with His' 

Elder Ulisses Soares

"Following the Lord's will in our life will enable us to find the most precious pearl in the world - the kingdom of heaven."

'Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Holiness to the Lord makes daily living sacred. It draws us closer and happier to the Lord each other."

The beginning of a painful and miserable day. Watching "Ruby and the Well" on my phone is a good distraction. 

Rosie Lauritzen sent me the new Relief Society lesson schedule. Here are the lessons I will be teaching:

10/27 - 'The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again' - RMN

11/24 - 'Behold I Am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up' - RAR

1/26 - 'Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion' - TDC

2/23 - 'Following Christ' - DHO

3/23 - 'Seek Him with All Your Heart' - Bishop L. Todd Budge

I made a call to Arizona Arthritis today to complain about how badly I have been feeling. Rana renewed my Prednisone prescription and I took the first dose this evening. Because I want to get on new medication I have to go in for an appointment. My appointment is Wednesday at 11:30. 

My ministering sisters, Stefani Hunsaker and Susan Goodman, wanted to come for a visit tomorrow but I put them off until Thursday. 

James made a trip to town and then he and Paul worked on the landscaping project in the front of the house. 

Sheri and I talked today. She is worried about running out of food at the family wedding dinner. She is under a lot of stress right now and to add to it she started a second job. She now works from 6-10 at FedEx after working 8 hours at Chandler Eyecare. This is to pay for the $11,000 air conditioning unit for downstairs. 

I got a call from my friend Catherine Halcomb today. She is concerned about me because I missed church on Sunday. I told her what was going on and she told me to put my name on the temple prayer roll. I told her that was a great idea and did so after I got off the phone. I remembered what we were told when we worked in the temple. We were told to always keep our name on the temple prayer roll.

I have so much to do to get this place ready for company. I pray that I will feel better soon.

Columbus Day or Indigenous People Day

Look at that mother owl's face.

Little Mason is so cute.

My clean cat Tom rolled in the dirt.

Should I give him a shower?

Pink cloud sunset

Sunday, October 13th, 2024: Temple dedication: San Pedro Sulas, Honduras, double knee hurt so I stay home, Michael & Numira leave, Facetime w/ Jared, Kacey, Charlie

 

Louisville, Kentucky

76th operating temple

Dedication: 19 Mar 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 20

Come Follow Me

October 14-20 "Ye Are the Children of the Covenant"

3 Nephi 20-26 Introduction & Video

October General Conference

 'Be Thou Clean'

Elder D. Martin Goury

"Daily repentance allows us to discern the guidance of the Lord through the Holy Ghost."

'The Wind Did Never Cease to Blow'

Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante

"We can help others progress in their journey to receive God's blessings."

Both of my knees hurt so much this morning that I don't think I am going anywhere. James went to church alone. While James is gone Michael and Numira leave for home. Michael comes in to say goodbye to me. I hug him and ask him to please take a selfie before he leaves. He did and here are the results.

Michael has such a big heart and is so caring.

He is going to make someone a great

husband someday.

 I rest. When James gets home he says it was the best sacrament meeting he has ever been to. He has said this before but when he told me that the Jensen's spoke I began to believe him. He gave me his notes. I guess I should share some of them here. 

Kate Jensen, 17 year old daughter - Bonnie Cordon's talk, "Never Give Up an Opportunity to Testify of Christ." 

Our habits can be a testimony of Christ. Consistent acts to testify of Christ. I sing and play the piano. I can't be good at unless I'm consistent in practice. 

Look forward to opportunities to testify of Christ. 

Challenged us to set a weekly pattern of some effort to testify of Christ.

Debra Jensen, has 7 children. Their daughter is working on a Masters degree at a university in the south? (I wonder if it's Southern Virginia University where Bonnie H. Cordon is President). Another daughter is in acting school in Paris. A son is back east in a medical study program.

Why are we here? (Gave many possibilities)

Are we here to get to know Jesus? Are you here because you want to live in your covenant relationship with God?

It's God's will that you don't come here in vain but that we will listen and are willing to submit to the whisperings of the Spirit. 

Relationship to Christ. Walk with Christ until we are perfected. Covenants are about confirmation. (I wish I could record her talk. Wow!)

Faith, repentance, and sacrifice. 

Scott Jensen - Talk on tithing. Opening the windows of Heaven. Elder Andersen's talk about tithing. 

Jacob's ladder - an extension of the Abrahamic covenant. Jacob committed to pay one tenth to the Lord after he woke from his dream. To have a heart to help the poor. 

Jacob 2:17

Elder Dale G. Renlund dedicated the San Pedro Sulas, Honduras temple today. This is number 198.

We had tamales for lunch and then I had the rest of the linguini noodles for dinner. I'm not sure what James had. 

I got a text from Wendy DeWitt today telling me that she missed me at church. I told her that I was struggling with my health and she said she was sorry to hear that. I told her I was sad to miss her lesson. It was nice to hear from her.

We Face Timed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie this evening. They told us about Brad Wilcox coming to their stake to speak with the youth. The woman who was Brother Wilcox's PHD advisor was one of Jared's patients when he worked in Tyler. He mentioned to her that Brad was coming to speak to the youth at church and she told Jared she wanted to come. Her name is Louise Jackson. 

When Brother Wilcox saw Louise at the meeting he was elated. Jared said he even talked about her during the meeting. At one point he said loudly, "I love you Louise." Back from the audience, "I love you too Brad."

Brother Wilcox gave Jared his phone number before he left and told him to call him from time to time with a report about Louise. Jared said he would. WOW.

Charlie still loves penguins, gardening, and reading. She has a little garden she is growing. Charlie is such an interesting little girl. She watched all 5 sessions of General Conference. Her favorite talk was Elder Christensen's on putting away our weapons of rebellion.

Sweet Charlie

Best Friends

 

Saturday, October 12, 2024: My face is swollen, brkfst by MIchael, MIchael & Numira go to Greer, T-Bo's haircut, MIchael's shrimp linguini, blueberry peach cobbler, plant & candle, HIpps grandkids ride horses

 

Tuxtla, Gutierrez

75th operating temple

Dedicated: 12 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 19:19-36

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 18:22-25

I can "holdup" the light of Jesus Christ.

"That They May See" Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, AGC 2020

October General Conference

'Ye Are My Friends' Elder David L. Buckner

"The Savior's declaration 'ye are my friends' is a clarion call to build higher and holier relationships among all of God's children."

I could feel the swelling coming on this morning above my upper lip.  Pretty soon it looked like I had Botox gone bad. Before it got too bad Michael invited me in for scrambled eggs and bacon. I joined him and James in the kitchen. I actually had a small can of biscuits which I made to go with our eggs and bacon. 

Michael has an interesting way of making scrambled eggs. He says it's the Gordon Ramsey way. He uses a small sauce pan and continually stirs with a spoon and then he rests for a minute or two. 

His eggs were good but I hated cleaning all of that stuck on eggs on the pan. I soaked it about three times.

While I was doing the dishes my leg was hurting so badly. I was glad when I was finished and able to go back to the bedroom.

I had planned on going to Greer with Michael when he too Numira but in my condition it just wasn't something I wanted to do. 

Before Michael left I asked him if he could fix his shrimp linguini for dinner if I paid for the ingredients. He said he would be happy to. 

James worked outside today preparing for our little patch of turf he is going to put in at the front of the house. He also went to the Tignor's to give T-Bo a haircut. I guess he and Barbara and going to visit Barbara's sister in either Wyoming or Wisconsin. I never can remember which!

One other thing. Three of the Hipps's grandkids came over to day to ride the horses. The oldest is 10 and so they came with their parents.

I'm a little miffed he didn't take pictures but I guess the kids had a great time on the horses. Of course James led them around rather than allowing them to use the reins.

Michael's shrimp linguini was delicious. It was a little hot because he put a tad too many red pepper flakes but the flavors are so good that I ate an entire bowl. I asked Michael for the recipe and he said he got it from his mom who got it from Ina Garten. Ina's recipe is called, "Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp." Michael sent me the recipe.

 Not only did Michael shop for dinner and fix dinner, he brought me a cute violet plant because he knows I like purple, and a candle. He is so sweet and thoughtful.

I asked James to go in and help Michael with dinner which he willingly did. I guess Michael got ingredients for a blueberry and peach cobbler and James's assignment was to make the cobbler. It was delicious, especially eaten nice and warm.

Tanner and his family have moved to Waco.

Jared & Kacey went for a visit.

Slides from the Doctrine of the Body Devotional

 Scarlett's Birthday Party was Today

She turned 7 on October 6th

Dennis with baby Evie 7 years ago. I love the look

on Dennis's face.

 

Friday, October 11th, 2024: Apollo gets stuck in the fence, Michael helps James, my upper lip and left cheek swollen, J goes to town, Michael Numira to Greens Peak & then shopping, "Curious Caterer"

 

Oaxaca, Mexico

74th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Mar 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 19:1-18

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 18:1-12

I can be filled with the Spirit as I take the sacrament.

"Always Remember Him" Ensign, Feb 2018, 4-6, Henry B. Eyring

"Behold the Lamb of God" Jeffrey R. Holland, AGC 2019

October General Conference

"Welcome to the Church of Joy" Elder Patrick Kearon

"Because of the redeeming life and mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can, and should, be the most joyful people on earth!"

Apollo got stuck in the fence this morning trying to get into the yard. James helped him to get out. I told him he should have taken a picture. Michael helped James fix the backyard fence so Apollo can no longer get in. 

My upper lip and left cheek swelled up today. I looked terrible. 

James went to town to get fence supplies, grass seed, a few groceries, and a prescription. Michael wanted to take Numira up to Green's Peak and then he was going to go in to town to do a little shopping. I stayed in my room with my swollen upper lip and left cheek. I got a visit from Tom and he stemmed some of my loneliness. He kept wanting me to pet him. He slept under the bed for awhile and then he came and slept beside me on the recliner. 

I ran off all 186 pages of the Inklings study today. I am anxious to do an in-depth study of President Nelson's talk. 

For dinner tonight Michael made his famous past with Italian sausage and marinara sauce with a side of mixed veggies. I actually mixed my veggies in with my pasta and it was delicious.

Michael prepared the food and James delivered it.  I feel special. I feel bad that I didn't spend time with Michael today. I really wanted to go with him to town, etc. but I couldn't go out with my botox gone bad look. 

I watched the new Curious Caterer episode called, "Forbidden Fruit." It was okay, but not my favorite. I really like Andrew Walker and Niki Deloach but this wasn't their best.

James walked and started our new book, "Secrets of Stonebridge." We both realize that we have read it before.

I love calligraphy

Rowan went to Reservation Lake and caught a fish.

Northern Lights above Sedona