Wednesday, November 6th, 2024: Happy 18th Evan! Breakfast bagels, more snow, Raincheck w/ Pam, James's wait...for nothing, Trip to town, Circle K, Wlmrt, "The Gentelman's Confession" Sammy

 

Boston, Massachusetts

100th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 Oct 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:28-41

Come Follow Me

Mormon 7:8-10; 8:12-16; 9:31-37

The Book of Mormon is of great worth.

"The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?"

Russell M. Nelson, OGC 2017

October General Conference

'Following Christ' President Dallin H. Oaks

"Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice. It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places. His teachings and His example define the path for every disciple of Jesus Christ. And all are invited to this path, for He invites all to come unto Him, 'black and white, bond and free, male and female; ... and all are alike unto God.'"

Sammy stays on the deck just outside our bedroom door. When I let Tom out in the morning Sammy tries to rub noses with him. Tom doesn't want anything to do with him. I should call Sammy Chessie, because he reminds me of the Cheshire cat.

We are grateful that Trump won the election. Our faith in the American people is restored a bit. The Navajo Nation is asking for an extended period of time to count their votes. It makes Arizona look lazy because we are always the last one to give a full report of our votes.

I made breakfast bagels this morning. They really are delicious. We got a little more snow this morning but not enough to make any difference. 

I had a lunch date with Pam Giles today at 11am at the Asian Bistro in Lakeside. I texted her and we decided because of the snow and the weather today that we would take a rain check. As much as I was looking forward to seeing Pam, I was relieved not to have to make the drive. Today is probably a sad day for Pam anyway. I am sure that she voted for Kamala Harris. I told Pam I was going to sit in front of the fire and read a book, but I never actually got a chance to do this. 

James spent most of the morning waiting to hear that Daryl Johnson's dad was ready to transfer money into our business account. It never happened. Daryl lied again. I felt so bad for James. I wonder if Daryl's dad is tired of bailing him out. Armando thinks his dad gave him the money to pay us and that Daryl gambled it away. Daryl did show James a few weeks ago the balance in his bank account, which was over $25,000. Daryl owes us $20,000.

After prayer and scriptures this morning James did some paperwork, I think he is making final preparations to file a lien against Daryl Johnson. I worked on my computer until we left for town. 

We wanted to pick up the Razr today but the trailer is parked up on the hill and because of the snow James wasn't sure he could get the trailer out without getting stuck. Two reasons for going to town; to pick up a prescription and to mail a check to the Registrar of Contractors. James sent a check to renew his license but he forgot to sign it. This check is to replace that one. 

Before we got to the Y I asked James if he had the check ready to mail. He looked at me and said, yes, but I left it at home. We turned around and went back, James belittling himself for being so forgetful as we did. I tried to encourage him and said that things like this happen to everyone, He said yes, but not as many times as they do to me.

When we got to town we mailed the check at the Show Low post office. We stopped and checked on the Razr. The guy who has been working on it said it needed a new fuel pump, which he has ordered, and it should be here tomorrow and we can pick up the machine in the afternoon. The cost for the work done is $400. The cost will be worth it if the Razr is actually fixed.

At Circle K was got gas, a drink, and cleaned our windshield. Our car is dirty but our windshield is clean. At Walmart we picked up our prescription and I asked James to get us some toothpaste. He got two tubes of kids toothpaste. Oh well, it will work. 

We saw Kathy Crane when we checked out. I told her about Sammy and she talked about her cats. 

When we got home James went to work outside. He hates office work and loves to work outside. I work inside. I took all of the blankets I have bought and put them in my office on the bed. 

Jared texted and said he got his birthday card. Someday I will get it there on time. 

Started a new book, "The Gentleman's Confession."

Happy 18th Birthday Evan!

Love!

The many faces of Evan!

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024: Election day, Trump wins! Luna staring in the window, Joshua voted, Valley, Evan's card to Sheri, my charger, Evan's biopsy, Kim's for movies & treats, Bob annoyed, Red Lobster, Sammy the cat

 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

99th operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:14-27

Come Follow Me

Mormon 7

"Believe in Jesus Christ" and 'lay hold upon His gospel."

October General Conference

'Trusting Our Father' Elder David P. Homer

"As we seek to understand and accept God's will, it is helpful to remember that the boundaries between right and wrong are not for us to define. God has established these boundaries Himself, based on eternal truths for our benefit and blessing."

'God Loves All His Children' Elder Gregorio E. Casillas

" The Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, and He knows His flock, and the flock knows its Shepherd because 'he calleth his own sheep by name.' He is always calling upon us, and He uses us, His ordinary servants, to help bring His children to Him."

We left for the valley around 6:21, in time to make it through Superior blasting. We stopped at the Circle K in Superior for gas and a tuna sandwich to split. On to Chandler Eyecare where I got my charger cord from Sheri and gave her Evan's birthday card. I also visited with Nancy. 

Sheri said Evan had to have a biopsy for something on his neck today. I told her I would pray for him and to let me know the results. 

James took me to Kim's next where I am going to spend the day while he does his business stops. Bob, Kim's cat seems annoyed with me. Instead of laying by Kim on the couch, which he normally does this time of day, he gives me a good star and then goes in to the bedroom. 

Kim and I watched a new Hallmark movie, "A Mismatched Christmas" I fell asleep at the end. Kim let me sit in her most comfortable chair. Next Kim put on an old Christmas movie so if I fell asleep it wouldn't matter because I had seen the movie before. After awhile I told her I was ready for a new one. We started watching "Our Holiday Story" starring Nikki DeLoach and Warren Christy. We had only watched a little bit of it when James came back from his meeting with Greg Hatch. On the way to Kim's he had deposited a $9,600 check he got from Greg. 

Nothing from Daryl Johnson yet. He says his dad is on his way to his home in Alabama and when he gets there he will transfer the money Daryl owes us in to our account. James told him we wouldn't be available after 3 because we would be on our way home. Who knows if Daryl is telling the truth. He makes up lies all of the time.

Before we left Kim's she made us some churro bites left over from the reception on Saturday night. She cooked them in the air fryer and we had caramel sauce to dip them in. They were delicious!

Goodbye and hugs for Kim until Black Friday or what I like to call Christmas tree Friday. It's the day after Thanksgiving when Kim and Brian will come up to our house and put up our tree. 

James and I were hungry. James said he wanted to eat at Red Lobster's so we headed for the one on Gilbert Rd. just south of the 202 and north of Germann.

It was nice and quiet and the food was yummy. James ordered his favorite dish, the stuff flounder with broccoli and mashed potatoes. I had Walt's shrimp and some coconut shrimp, broccoli and a baked potato. Everything was delicious, including the cheddar bay biscuits.

We went to Costco to see if they had the Oricle hearing aids which they did not. Since we were close to the 101 we went home through Payson. It's funny because coming home, Vernon is the only place with snow, including the rim where there was a small amount. 

We got home around 6 p.m. I blogged and watched a movie while James walked. I watched the election results until it was obvious that Trump was going to win. Tom is always happy when we come home although he always plays it cool. We have another cat we are feeding outside our bedroom door. I have named him/her Sammy because we aren't sure if he's/she's a boy or a girl.

Tom gets comfortable when he sleeps

Sammy

The Cheshire cat

Luna starring at me through the blinds

waiting to be fed.

Monday, November 4th, 2024: A foot of snow, Happy Birthday Jared! No electricity for 15 hours, Denny's, Wlmrt, Trac Sply, Blog, Walk, Christmas movie, National Prayer for our country

Birmingham, Alabama

98th operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:1-13

Come Follow Me

Nov 4-10 "I Speak Unto You As If Ye Were Present" 

Mormon 7-9 Introduction

October General Conference

'This Is My Gospel" -

"This Is My Church"

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The combination of the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides powerful and transformative benefits for us. The gospel is perfect, but a divinely commissioned church is required to preach it, maintain its purity, and administer its sacred ordinances with the Savior's power and authority."

Happy 48th birthday Jared. I hope it was a good one!

When I got up this morning I opened the curtain on our bedroom door to look outside and was shocked with what I saw... A winter wonderland!

Amazing and Beautiful!

I walked outside on to the front porch. It felt like I was in a padded room. So quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. There is nothing else like it.

The down side of this snow storm is that our electricity was off from 10:38 p.m. until 1:22 p.m. this afternoon, almost 15 hours. I have to admit, my toes were getting a little cold. 

I did manage to get a few things done today. I cleaned the wood floors in the family/living room area, and cleaned off my desk and dresser. After the electricity came back on I did a load of laundry. 

James and I made a trip to town after the electricity came back on. We too the truck. Although there is 12" of snow in Vernon, there is not nearly that much anywhere else around us. It's like Heavenly Father was rewarding us for our good living or something. The surrounding towns, Springerville-Eagar, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, all got 3-4 inches. 

We stopped and got our mail at the post office, went to Sonic to get cherry limeades, to the bank to deposit $1,000 into the business account from our Chacon cash stash. I asked James if we could eat at Denny's and he said yes. He had salmon and I had a chicken stir fry. Just as I remembered, their breakfasts are pretty good but the rest of their food is meh. Jessica Crane was working there. We also saw her son Brandon who just finished his shift. Devin works there too.

We also stopped at Walmart and did some shopping. I got some Abreva for James's cold sores. I also bought a head of cauliflower as I have a recipe for cooking an entire head in the crockpot. James always says he wants more veggies. Our last stop was at Tractor Supply where we got some horse feed. 

When we arrived home Tom "hurried in the door" with us. He had been playing in the snow and I guess he needed to come inside and get warm. 

This afternoon I watched "Scouting Christmas" and figured out how much money I spent today and subtracted it from this week's budget. I blogged while James walked with my phone, listening to our latest story. He walks for about an hour and a half. This is why I don't post my steps anymore, many of them aren't actually mine.

Catherine Halcomb called me to see if we were "snowed in." I laughed and said, almost. She said when she lived in northern California they would use their dog sleds to bring their groceries in. They parked their cars up the road and then dog sledded the rest of the way home. Sounds like fun.

Daryl Johnson is supposed to have money for us tomorrow. We are going to the valley to check on jobs. I am going to stay at Kim's and watch Christmas movies with her while James makes his rounds. Even though she was here most of the previous week, we were both so busy we never got to watch any movies together.

6 p.m. this evening has been designated National Prayer time. We are all supposed to pray for the future of our country. Tomorrow is election day. Will it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as our next president?

Emily Belle Freeman is in Scotland, Ireland, and Norway visiting different wards and stakes as part of her calling. The Osborn side of her family is from Scotland and raised sheep. She said she has always loved sheep. So do I, especially since I became a Lambson.

Happy Birthday!

 

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024: Snow, Fast & Testimony meeting, Fasted for Sis. Gassaway, more snow, blog,

 

Houston, Texas

97th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 7

Come Follow Me

Sunday School

October General Conference

'God's Favorite'

Elder Karl D. Hirst

"Our Savior's love is the 'highest, noblest, strongest kind of love," and He provides until we are 'filled,' Divine love never runs dry, and we are each a cherished favorite. God's love is where, as circles on a Venn diagram, we all overlap. Whichever parts of us seem different, His love is where we find togetherness."

It was snowing this morning when I looked out the window. Snow which was not sticking to the ground.

Today was our fast & testimony meeting. Are numbers were few. The Wilhelm's are all gone to Show Low to Trenda's baby's blessing. The Allen's are gone too. There are very few Aaronic priesthood holders here to pass the sacrament. Willy Grombach and John Finnell help pass along with Logan Robles, Easton Crane and Brandon Crane. Easton and Brandon are not related. Here are the people who bore their testimonies:

Bishop Hunsaker - In remembrance of Him. It is about Him. It is our intimate time with Him. This is the time to be sober and to prepare for His 2nd Coming. Do our best to live what He has for us right now.

Lorraine Vaught - I am thankful for the priesthood. The Primary program last week was wonderful. I had a prompting...haven't seen my son in 10 years. He came to visit last week, traveling 11 hours to get here. I apologize and we spend 12 hours visiting before he and his wife go back home. The Lord had his hand in this.

Harris girl

Jimmy Applegate - Moroni 10:3-5. What is my testimony? "Christ lives." We will all stand before the pleasing judgment bar of Christ. 

Greg Anderson

Lord, please carry me through this has been my prayer many times. We need the Holy Ghost to get through these difficult times. The Lord has given me so much mercy and I am very grateful.

Owen Peeler - The gospel of Jesus Christ is a joyous thing. The testimony you live is the testimony you bear. I am a son of God. Am I keeping my second estate?

Sister Barrera (sister missionary) - This is my final testimony here in Vernon. I have felt the Holy Ghost and grown spiritually while I have been here in Vernon.

Mike Brady - Trip to North Carolina during the hurricane. Our airplane could see the hurricane approaching. Grateful for so many blessings. There was a great outpouring of love as service was given to those in need. I am grateful for the fulness of the gospel in my life. 

James and I attended Jimmy Applegate's Sunday School class where we discussed Mormon 1-6. I did not take notes. Catherine Halcomb went home before Sunday School because the batteries in her hearing aid were not working. Wendy DeWitt sat by me and asked me how I was feeling. I told her I was tired because we had just had a wedding at our house. 

We came home and rested. When we broke out fast we had soup for dinner. We are getting more snow. 

I worked on my blog this evening. I had to delete a ton of photos in order to import from my phone to my computer. When we went to bed there was very little snow on the ground.

Happy Sabbath!

Scarlett and Mason

Saturday, November 2, 2024: Goodbye to Kim & Brian, Michael's delicious bagel breakfast & then goodby's, tons of laundry, Chairs back to Hunsaker's & Ruth, Dinner @ Eva's - Halls, Sue & the girls

Caracas, Venequela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mormon 6

Come Follow Me

Mormon 5:8-24; 6:16-22

Jesus Christ stands with open arms to receive me.

October General Conference

'Live Up to Your Privileges' 

President Emily Belle Freeman

"I pondered the gift of God's power available to me through the sacred ordinance itself and the covenant promise I was making as I took that piece of bread and that cup of water."

Goodbye to Kim and Brian. They are headed back to the valley early so Kim can make brownies and cookies for Ben & Cayli's Chandler reception, which is tonight.

Michael, Joe, and Max are still here, Max played his guitar and sang songs while Michael and Joe fixed breakfast. Michael made scrambled eggs and bacon and put them on "everything" bagels, you know, the ones with the seeds. They were delicious! Michael asked Max to do the dishes, which he did. He put them in the dishwasher. They all came out clean except the pan that Michael made the scrambled eggs in. I had to scrub that pan by hand after the guys left.

James and the guys stacked up the chairs that belong to the Hunsaker's and returned them this morning. 

After Michael, Joe, and Max left James and I both laid down to take a nap. I have tons of laundry to do, sheets and towels, so I kept the washer and dryer busy all day long.

I called Ruth Gale and asked if we could bring her chairs back this afternoon. We made an appointment at 2 p.m. We delivered the chairs into her living room, all set up for her piano recital on Monday. Ruth has a cute little house, perfect for one or two people. 

After leaving Ruth's, James asked if I wanted to get something to eat, I said sure. I thought he would stop at Taco Bell or Burger King but instead he went to Eva's, because he knows I like it. 

We sat at our table and first Ron Hall came in and then Sue Hubble with her two granddaughters, Kaitlin and Sky. Sue and I both love this place. We gave each other a hug and talked for awhile. I told her that starting in January we should get back on our temple schedule and she agreed. 

James still had time to go to the dump when we got home, which he did. He took the Crane's trash too. 

Ruby's state cross country meet was today. Out of 175 participants Ruby placed in the top 20. She was #19. Way to go Ruby!

We are fasting for Sister Gassaway today. They asked us to in Relief Society last week. She has cancer. 

Tom is so happy that all of our company is gone and it's just the three of us. He watched a Christmas movie with us. 

Selfie in the car because they forgot 

before they left.

Michael, Joe, and Max

A Grampa and his cat

Ruby's Cross Country Season 

Out of 175 runners Ruby took 18th in state.

The top 20 runners got a medal.

 

November 1st, 2024: Resten here, flowers, people arriving, procession, wedding ceremony, ready for the dinner, Stefani, Alicia, Janna help at the dinner, we are exhausted

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

Mormon 5

Come Follow Me

Mormon 3:3, 9 

'They did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them.'

Henry B. Eyring "O Remember, Remember"

October General Conference

'The Triumph of Hope' 

Elder Neil A. Andersen

"Our hope of eternal life is assured through the grace of Christ and our own choices, allowing us the remarkable blessing of returning to our heavenly home and living forever in peace and happiness with our Heavenly Father, His Beloved So, our faithful family and precious friends, and the righteous men and women from every continent and every century."

Resten was here this morning at 9 to power wash the front porch and touch up the windows. Instead of the front porch, James asked him to do the driveway instead. 

I went outside quite early this morning and it was beautiful. Ben & Cayli came out and painted their welcome mirror. I did a little sweeping. Sheri went out on a run and let Tom in the house. He didn't stay long because he doesn't like all of the people in the house. 

My first order of business for the day was to hem James's black dress pants. After I finished I helped Sheri cut up tomatoes and lettuce for the dinner tonight. People are starting to arrive. The Tarbert's brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Thank you!

It's becoming a little crazy here, lots of people arriving and many of them I don't know. From Ben's side of the family the following are here: Alex, Shayna, Betty, Dallin, Sammy, Adam, Stacy, Paul, Josh, Alayna, Max, Ian, and Evan. There are lots of Cayli's relatives.

James lost his folder from American Marriage Ministries. He finally found it. He is very nervous about conducting the ceremony. He is working on what he wants to say. It is time to get ready. The wedding is at 2:30. 

Harold, Vickie, and Dennis are here. Denise didn't come because she is sick. Harold made me a small sleigh, very cute.

Michael, Max and Joe played the music as the wedding procession began.  Cayli looks beautiful and the guys look so handsome in their suits. Nancy and Kent Van Vleet came a little bit late. They missed the turn and went up the hill and had to turn around.

The procession came around the deck, on the patios and up the sidewalk. It took awhile which made up for the very short ceremony. Ben had told James to keep it short, and he did. It was difficult to here him so maybe it was a good thing it was short. 

The photographer had everyone come on the front porch for pictures. I didn't take very many pictures so I will be anxious to see these.

After the wedding was over it was time to think about the family dinner at the church. I invited Harold, Vickie, and Dennis but since the dinner doesn't start until 5 and that's two hours away, I doubt that they will stay. When I called them, they were already back in Show Low. 

Nancy helped us load up the food and crockpots to take to the church. After helping us unload at the church she and Nancy left for home. 

We set up the food in crockpots, but it's not getting warm. I called Janna and Stefani and asked if they could bring saucepans when they came to the church, which they did. The food began to warm up. They saved the day in more ways than one. They were like our guardian angels, serving the food and working in the kitchen so we could enjoy the meal. We had chicken with green chili, hamburger meat, rice, beans, and flour and corn tortillas, and Serrano's chips and bean dips. Everything was delicious and Sheri was able to relax and enjoy herself. We sat with Darrel & Trina, Addy, and Lola. Ruby and Rowan didn't come. Ruby has state tomorrow and Rowan had to work. Everyone at the dinner got a bookmark with their name on it.

Ben & Cayli finally arrived at the dinner. They cut the cake and then when they left we did a line up outside the door and blue bubble as they came through. 

The only people staying at our house tonight besides James & I, are Michael, Joe, and Max, and Kim and Brian.

After everything was cleaned up and put away we were exhausted. Cayli's family was like a well oiled machine when it came to cleaning up the room where we had dinner. They put everything away in record time.

A beautiful day

Handsome guys

Michael, Joe, and Max