Friday, October 18th, 2024: Wind, rain, snow, landscaping continues, vacuumed & dusted, cleaned wd floors, ministering sisters: Susan & Stefani, James's potato patties, Armando here, trip to town, home in a blizzard, Addy & friends

 

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 25

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 24:7-12

Paying tithing opens the windows of heaven

David A. Bednar "The Windows of Heaven" OGC 2013

Video: "The Widow's Mite"

October General Conference

'In the Space of Not Many Years'

Elder David A. Bednar

" If we are not faithful and obedient, we can transform the God-given blessing of prosperity into a prideful curve that diverts and distracts us."

Wind and rain today and even some snow. The project out in the front yard continues today until it starts raining this afternoon. 

I cleaned the entry, family, living are, dusting and vacuuming, etc. I also cleaned the wood floors and cleaned the two door windows in these rooms. I am ready for my ministering sisters to come and visit me. I planned on going grocery shopping after they leave so I worked on my grocery list while I was waiting for them. I am making chili for tomorrow's ward chili cookoff. I am also going to make some chicken stirfry. 

Before my ministering sisters got here James made some potato patties with corn, onion, and egg.  It made the house smell delicious when Stefani and Susan got here. 

This is the first time Susan Goodman has been to our home and she commented on how beautiful it is which always makes James feel good. 

Both Susan and Stefani have new grandbabies. Stefani's is a girl named Saylor and Susan's is a boy named Kimball. Susan is on her way to Japan on Monday to see her new grandbaby. Her son and his family live in Okinawa. Kimball was born with a cleft lip and palate and will have to have surgeries when he gets a little older.

Before Stefani and Susan left Armando showed up and he and James had a little pow wow over by the fireplace. He is here hunting and staying at Owen Taylor's. James and Armando talked about Hatch's job and the turf that Armando is bringing up for our grass patch.

When we left for Walmart, it was raining here in Vernon, all of the way in to town and at Walmart. James dropped me off as close to the door as he could get. He went and parked the car and then went in to help me shop. I sent him to get cough drops and hand soap. He came back with two kinds of cough drops, the kind I like and the kind he lies, mine are lemon and his are menthol, and exfoliant bodywash instead of hand soap. I told him his mistake and he said he didn't care, it would work. It's going to be his private stash.

We stopped at Wendy's to get a pineapple mango Frosty. I have been dying to try one since they started advertising them. It was meh and I didn't even want to finish it. Such a disappointment.

Monster tacos at Jack-in-the-Box were meh too. I also got a kids meal cheeseburger and it was decent and James got a Junior Jumbo Jack. Funny name. As we were leaving Show Low the rain had stopped.

Just before the Y we got in to some snow and pretty soon it was a blizzard. Almost a total whiteout all of the way home. 

I got a text from Addy after getting home. She and some friends are camping at Fools Hollow and their tent leaked and two of their sleeping bags are soaked. Can they come and spend the night? Of course. James and I went upstairs to do a clean. I cleaned everything but the hall bathroom and when I went up after they left I was so embarrassed at how disgusting it was. I have got to check out the upstairs after company leaves to make sure it passes inspection. 

Addy says it was okay because they didn't even go in there. I hope not. I'm a little miffed because James put toilet paper in there and didn't notice how dirty the toilet was. Gross.

We were in bed when Addy and friends arrived so I guess we will have to meet them in the morning. 

I got a call from Pierce this evening. He says my teeth are back from the lab if I want to come in in the morning. This is so exciting because we thought they would come in after he and Susan left for Okinawa. I'm going in at 9 a.m.

 

Our friend from Chandler, Naomi Ellsworth, passed away today. James built a home for her and her husband Bill. It was one of the first homes he built in Chandler.

Scarlett's birthday present

I cut off the caption. Charlie 

sets things up like this around the house.

First snowstorm of the season

Mason

James's handsoap

 

Thursday, October 17th, 2024: New temple garment design for hot & humid areas, Inklings, Clean entry closet, 4 blogposts, Chase fraud alert, Call treat, Tom comes,

 

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 24

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 20:10-12; 23; 26:1-12

The Savior wants me to search the scriptures.

October General Conference

'Embrace the Lord's Gift of Repentance'

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

"Let us not wait for things to get hard before turning to god. Let us not wait until the end of our mortal lives to truly repent."

Inklings

'The Lord Will Come Again'

President Russell M. Nelson

D&C 88:73-126

Called, Chosen, Faithful

"Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ."

Affirmation: 'I am a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. I set aside time to learn of His Atonement and strengthen my covenant relationship with Him. As I learn of Him and work to gather Israel, I am prepared for the day when He returns."  

There is a new style of temple garment coming out for women who live in hot and humid climates that are sleeveless. I was a little surprised but I guess they have gotten lots of complaints.

This morning in Inklings Emily and Tanna discussed President Nelson's conference address, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again." It was really good and I took lots of notes some of which I will use for my Relief Society lesson on the 27th.

I cleaned the entry closet this morning. It was amazing how good I felt and how much I accomplished. I wish I felt this good all of the time like this. 

Because I felt so good I was also able to walk over 8,000 steps. I could have done more if I had started earlier. I also did four blog posts. 

James is working outside spreading gravel and sand and his back is killing him. I feel so bad for him and wish he would take it easy.

I'm feeling better than I've felt in a long time. My major accomplishment for the day was cleaning the closet. 

I got another fraud alert on my Amazon Prime credit card. This one was $55 at 'Raising Cane' a fast food chicken restaurant. This is the second time in just a couple of months on this card. My Citicard had a fraud alert in September. This Amazon Prime card is the one I use all the time for personal expenses. When I report it takes about 7 business days to get a new one. 

At bedtime James went out on the deck to call Tom. He did it several time but no Tom. I went out and called: "Tom, Treat." A few seconds later he came running. 

Question from President Nelson's talk:

"To whom or what will I give my life?"

Sunrise Ski Run

Landscaping project

Charlie

English cottage

  

Wednesday, October 16, 2024: I love Prednisone, Construction on 260, AARA new medication, Hatch job, Olive Garden, home the Globe way, home @6, GAF Christmas movie, Ruby & the Well, I feel great!

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2001

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 23

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 23:5-13

October General Conference

'The Man Who Communed with Jehovah' 

Elder Kyle S. McKay

"Joseph Smith was 'blessed to open the last dispensation,' and we are blessed that he did."

After I finally got to sleep I was able to sleep through most of the night. Thank goodness for Prednisone. 

We left for the valley at 7:25 after prayer. We listened to scriptures, "Come Follow Me, and "Follow Him" on the way to the valley.

We had several construction stops between Heber and the Rim and afterwards the traffic was backed up and slow. 

We still arrived early at AARA, around 11pm. My appointment is at 11:30. Wyatt, the new boy I met last time I was here, called me back before 11:30. We chatted like old friends. The best part was Rana came in on time! She has never done that before. I told her how miserable I had been until after I took my first dose of Prednisone. I was grateful that it worked so fast. Much faster than the last time I took it. 

Rana said in order for me to feel better she was going to up my dosage of Leflunomide. I said I didn't like the medicine and I definitely don't want to take more of it. She said okay and we discussed new medications.  We came up with Orencia, a once a month infusion. Rana will try to get it approved by my insurance before my next appointment on October 28th.

We drove over to the Hatch job in Tempe to meet Armando. He and James went inside and looked at the job and talked to Armando about what needed to be done and hoped he could meet with Greg Hatch so we didn't have to stay around waiting for him to get back from Scottsdale where he took his wife, Florence, to the doctor. 

Armando collected $4000 from David Chacon and gave it to James. Well, that was worth the trip down here. 

We were both hungry and I didn't want to get fast food. I told James my choices were Olive Garden or Cheesecake Factory. He drove to Olive Garden. The entire time we were there, James was on the phone with a windshield replacement company the entire tie we were in Olive garden. He is trying to set up an appointment for the 28th when we are down here again. The problem is James set up payment by our old insurance company, National General, way back at the beginning o f September. Since it has been so long it seems as if all of our information has been lost in the system. The person on the phone was from the windshield company. They are tenacious.

James ordered chicken marsala fettucine and I ordered soup, salad and breadsticks. I don't know how James could enjoy is meal with that distracting phone call. My first soup was Zuppa Toscana. It had a good flavor but was a little watery. Next I ordered Chicken Gnocchi. It was better but I didn't eat it all. I guess I was full from the salad and two breadsticks I ate. I tasted James's dish. It was delicious. 

James called and spoke with Greg Hatch. He was fine with meeting with Armando instead of James, so we headed home. We went the Globe way because that is James's favorite way and he says it is 20 minutes shorter. I'm not sure about that. We got home around 6 pm. Tom was very happy to see us. We had left him outside with his food and water and he was ready to come in. 

James walks and listens to 'The Secrets of Stonebridge.' I worked on my blog and watched a Casey Elliott Christmas movie on GAF. Casey is an LDS singer in the group called Gentry. He also plays Satan in one of the temple films. I also watched an episode of 'Ruby and the Well.' 

Tom followed James while he walked and then slept on our bed.

BTW, I feel great, like in my 30's great. It's been a long time since I have felt this good!

I got a text from Rosie Lauritzen this morning. She missed me on Sunday. It is nice to be missed!

Charlie reading to Lovie

Olive Garden

Chicken Marsala Fettucini

My Zuppa Tuscana soup

Full over Vernon

  

 

Tuesday, October 15th, 2024: My knees are better! J & P our concrete curb, blog, pay bills, look @ yards, DWTS w/ Tom, Tom's antics w/ James,

 

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 22

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 22; 24

God is merciful to people who return to Him.

Video: "The Refiner's Fire"

October General Conference

'The Joy of Our Redemption'

Sister Kristin M. Yee

"Jesus Christ's love and power can save each of us from our mistakes, weaknesses, and sins and help us to become something more."

My knees are better this morning. The left still hurts a little but nothing like it did. I am grateful the Prednisone is working so quickly. 

James and Paul poured a concrete curb around where they are putting in the turf. This project is a lot more involved than I thought it would be. 

I had orange chicken and noodles for lunch and then laid down to take a break and watch an episode of "Ruby and the Well." 

This afternoon I paid bills. Verizon, three credit cards, Hatch Concrete, Empire Cat, and Precisions Concrete Pumping. I also worked on my blog and read scriptures. 

James wanted to go look around at yards to get some ideas as to what to do in the backyard before the wedding. I wanted him to put in a border and then fill in the spots where there is no grass with cinders. He's not really keen on the idea but I can't bear to leave it like it is. 

There aren't many nice yards out in this area. We should have gone in to Show Low. There is one nice yard with an orchard and grass everywhere. We don't have time to put grass everywhere right now though. 

Tonight's DWTS was the Dedication episode. Each contestant dedicates their dance to someone who has inspired them in their life. Chandler and Phaedra dedicated their performances to their mom's. 

Stephen dedicated his to men's gymnastics and Ilona to her women's rugby team. I can't remember everyone's. The dedications make for an emotional evening. The most emotional part of the evening was a special dance number by Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert.

Last year on December 2nd Hayley and Derek were performing in Derek's traveling dance show. They were in Washington D.C.

During the finale Derek was on the stage and Hayley was supposed to come out and join him. One of the back stage workers came out and told Derek Hayley would not be coming out. She was having seizures.

An ambulance was called and Hayley was taken to the nearest hospital. The doctors said she has a brain bleed. One of the doctors said to Derek that this was life threatening. He also said, "If she makes it, she will never be the same."

Surgery was imminent. One quarter of Hayley's skull was cut open. Of course her beautiful black hair was shaved off. Derek slept on the floor in her hospital room. When she woke up she said:  "Where are we? I thought we were dancing." That one sentence helped Derek to now that this was still his Hayley. It's been almost a year and Hayley made her return debut on "Dancing with the Stars" this evening. She was on the show when Derek was a pro and I think that is where they met. Their dance was beautiful and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. You can watch the dance on YouTube.

They did a show for the doctors and nurses from the hospital where Hayley was a patient. Afterwards one of the doctors said: "Derek I don't think you realize what a miracle this is." I think he does.

Tom got in trouble today. I was in the bedroom and James came carrying him in with a disgusted look on his face. He said something like this: "You need to keep this cat in here. He stepped on the keyboard of my computer and erased the message I was sending and it was four paragraphs long." Uh oh. Bad kitty!

I slept in my bed last night but found it difficult to go to sleep. We have a trip to the valley tomorrow so I need to sleep.

Derek & Hayley

I'm sorry, I just can't help it I have to 

post their pictures. 

Should we get a dog for Tom?

  

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