OUR FAMILY

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Tuesday, December 17th, 2024: Ate poorly & acted badly today, Organ Stop - Gonzales family photo, Giraffe photos, Stacy's call, we stay there, they come up Christmas day, wrapping in our bedrm, Anthony Romyak,

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

141st operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Mar 2013

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

Moroni 10:3-7

Come Follow Me

I can know the truth of all things by the power of the Holy Ghost.

October General Conference

'In the Space of Not Many Years'

Elder David A. Bednar

"And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts. And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words." Perhaps the most stunning and sobering aspect of this decline into apostasy by the Nephites is the fact that 'all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years.'"

This was not a good day for me. It's as if I had an evil bug inside of me or a chemical imbalance. I ate poorly and I acted badly. I did manage to do my two blog posts today.

I got a call from Stacy. She was a little stressed. Jared, Kacey, Charlie are flying in to Arizona on December 31st. They will visit Lois and Dawn and then drive up to Vernon for the rest of their stay.

Here is the problem. Joshua says all he wants for Christmas is to come up on Christmas day and stay until the following Sunday which is the 29th. Stacy said they can't afford to come back but she really wants to see Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. Because Joshua said that going to the cabin was all he wanted for Christmas of course that's what they made plans for. Maybe Stacy can see Jared's family when he goes down on Saturday, January 4th to go to the Mesa temple. Sheri is babysitting Charlie so that's when she will see them.

Stacy said she would get Paul to clean the carpet in their spare bedroom when Jared Ammon stayed and we can stay in the there from the 22nd until Christmas day. She said it is twin beds and she doesn't have sheets for the beds so we will need to bring our own sheets. No problem.

I have my wrapping station all set up in my bedroom, now I just need to get busy and wrap some gifts.

I went to the post office this afternoon with James. We got a Christmas card from Pam Giles and one from Peter Ray's family with family photos. My favorite was the card we got from Autumn, Palmer, and Scarlett.

I also got the burrito blanket I ordered for Joshua, a new credit card to replace mine which was hacked, and a $4,700 check from the Glendale Airport.

Our friend, Anthony Romyak, called James this evening. He said he was frustrated because he was kicked out of the Vernon post office. He can no longer receive his mail in Vernon. He is so upset that he called his congressman. Anthony knows how to contact people to get things done. He is losing his eyesight so he contacted Social Security and Medicare part F (never heard of it), is helping him with his eye care.

I watched a movie with Tom while James did some walking.

Sunflowers from Anthony.

He also bought us a carrot cake when he

found out about James's hospital stay.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Monday, December 16th, 2024: A quiet house, slow-moving today, Need 10 more blankets, What to do with the Razr, Kathy Crane, Sammi the leg swiper, Ben's birthday, Love my tree, fireplace, and nativity

Calgary, Alberta

140th operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Oct 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 20, Moroni 10:2-3, Moroni 10:32

Come Follow Me

Dec 16-22

"Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him"

Moroni 10

Introduction to the lesson

October General Conference

'The Man Who Communed with Jehovah'

Elder Kyle S. McKay

"Joseph's life of regular repentance gives me confidence to 'come boldly unto the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy.' I have learned that Jesus Christ truly is 'of a forgiving disposition.' It is neither His mission nor HIs nature to condemn. He came to save."

'Embrace the Lord's Gift of Repentance'

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

" Joseph's sincere desire to repent and seek the salvation of his soul helped him come to Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness of his sins. This continuous effort opened the door to the continuing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Tom is grateful for a quiet house but he is still cautious before leaving the bedroom. I was slow moving today, especially this morning.

I have all of the Christmas blankets on our bedroom floor, picking out which ones I want to give to who and putting names on them. I still need to buy 10 more.

What are we going to do with the Razr. James is thinking seriously about taking it to Epic Motorsports where we bought it. They have the diagnostic equipment to determine what is wrong with it.

James worked inside on paperwork most of the morning. This afternoon he went outside and used the log splitter. Kathy Crane happened to be here as I ran off her family Christmas photo for her. She was very worried about James overdoing it.

I did two blog posts today, November 20th and 21st. Will I ever catch up?

Sammi, our outside cat, is what I call a leg hugger or more accurately, a leg swiper. When I go out to feed him he goes back in forth in front of me rubbing up against my legs in gratitude. It makes it rather difficult to walk.

I watched a couple of Christmas movies today as I was working on the computer and read from President Nelson's book, "Heart of the Matter." I don't think I am going to finish it before the end of the year.

Vickie texted today to see how James is doing. She checks on him from time to time.

I wore my new hearing aid for about 30 minutes today and so did James. Tomorrow I am supposed to add 30 minutes to that time and everyday after in an effort to get use to it.

I am trying to fill out paperwork for James's appointment at Barrow Brain & Spine on Thursday. Some of it is impossible and I guess we are going to have to go in early to do it before his appointment at 9:00.

I love the meaning of Christmas and I love my nativity, tree, and grandkids stockings hung on the mantle.

What do you want for Christmas?

Happy Birthday Ben!

Is this the apple biscoff cake?

Sunday, December 15th, 2024: None of our company come to church, Rowan leaves, people happy to see James, visit Tignor's, Finish BofM,

Brigham City, Utah

139th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Sept 2012

By: Boyd K. Packer

Book of Mormon

Moroni 10

Come Follow Me

Sunday School class

October General Conference

'The Joy of Our Redemption'

Sister Kristin Yee

"Just as the depth of my gratitude for the Savior grew as He mercifully helped me to repair the 'unrepairable' painting, so has my personal love and gratitude for my Savior intensified as I've sought to work with Him on my weaknesses and to be forgiven of my mistakes. I will forever be grateful to my Savior that I can change and be cleansed. He has my heart, and I hope to do whatever He would have me do and become."

Not one of our guests came to church with us. Rowan left for home and Paul said he didn't bring his church clothes. Everyone else had the same excuse. Michael promised that next time he would bring his Sunday clothes.

We sat on the back row in the chapel and James kept looking back into the overflow to see if they were here.

A soloist, a young man from the Lakeside ward, sang the prelude. I'm not sure the name of the song he sung but it was about Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ and it was magnificent. The congregation was totally silent, no jabbering before sacrament meeting like there normally is. Here is how our program went:

Easton Crane was the youth speaker. He talked about getting a phone and how he uses the gospel library app on his phone plus it helps him to keep in contact with his parents. He said that phones can be used for good or evil, it is up to us. Fill you life with positive, uplifting experiences and read from the Book of Mormon daily.

Joshua Harris - He thanked the soloist for his song and said he had not heard anything that beautiful for a very long time. He talked about missionary work which is appropriate since he is one of our ward missionaries. Gathering Israel is like gathering family. He said he needs to be a better missionary. He told about being raised in the Church but being inactive during his teenage years and how one of his return missionary acquaintances became a good friend to him. He stayed with this friend one summer and this friend got him to go to church. His friendship lead Joshua to become active in the Church. Joshua then said that the people in the Vernon ward, many of them, will drop anything to serve others. That is how it all starts.

Crystal Flake - sang a solo, what shall I give. It was very nice.

Travis Hamblin - a high councilman was the last speaker. As part of his introduction, he said he lives in a small house with his wife and 12 kids. Conversion is changing. We got to school to know and we live the gospel to become. We need to make quality, quiet time with the Savior. Brother Hamblin told a story of rounding up cattle with his dad when he was 7 years old. He was by himself when he lost a cow. He stopped and prayed. Soon he heard his Dad. It surely is in quiet times that we will "hear Him." Daily maintenance. The world says: 'Be your authentic self.' The gospel says, 'Follow Jesus Christ.' Mary, the mother of Jesus, is an example of letting God prevail in our lives. we need to be waiting on the Lord.

Many people in the ward were happy to see James and came up and told him so. Today I was supposed to go to the teacher training class taught by John Wilhelm, the Sunday School president. I totally forgot and went instead to Brother Applegate's gospel doctrine class.

Brother Applegate had three people tell of their conversion stories, including himself, Cyndi Pronger, and T-Bo Tignor. He also asked us a series of questions about the Book of Mormon: 1) What do you think about it? 2) What will you do differently since reading it? 3) What will be your behavior? 4) What did you feel?

At the end of class Bishop Hunsaker and Brother Allen came in with goodies left over from the party last night and gave them to anyone over 65, which is a good share of the class.

Wendy DeWitt came over to speak to me, something that very rarely happens. She had gone in to the teacher training class and was complaining that she isn't learning anything and it isn't helpful and she would rather be in Brother Applegate's class. She doesn't see the point of the teacher training class and wanted to see if I agreed with her. I told her I felt bad for missing the class. I didn't really agree with her but I listened and was nice about it. When I got home I texted Brother Wilhelm and apologized for missing his class. It is only once a quarter and I can attend a class that is only once a quarter.

We spoke with Brother Peralta as we were leaving. It was nice to see him. When we got home James had beans for lunch and I had shrimp linguine. Afterwards we took naps. When we woke up we took the last loaf of pumpkin bread and headed for the Tignor's. We had a nice visit. They are leaving this Thursday for Farmington, New Mexico to visit family and friends. T-Bo has a daughter and granddaughter who lives there.

When we got home we finished the Book of Mormon while sitting in front of the fireplace. We also listened to President Nelson's talk from the October 2016 General Conference, "Joy & Spiritual Survival." James stayed in front of the fire while I went in to work on my blog. I also tried to watch a Christmas movie, "Bring Him Home for Christmas", but the movie kept skipping back to the beginning and then the end was cut off.

Tom slept on the recliner tonight.

Gingerbread Houses

Goodbye guys, thanks for coming!

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Saturday, December 14th, 2024: Brkfst for the guys, Everyone goes to work, 3 dozen rolls, 3 loaves of pumpkin bread, James's CT scan, shrimp linguine, sausage and noodles with marinara,

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

Moroni 9:11-26

Come Follow Me

Moroni 9:25-26

I can have hope in Christ regardless of my circumstances.

Russell M. Nelson: "Joy and Spiritual Survival" Oct 2016 GC

October General Conference

'Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life'

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"Growing evidence highlights this striking fact: religious believers are on average happier, healthier, and more fulfilled than those without spiritual commitment or connection. Happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships, even financial and material stability - on each measure, religious practitioners flourish."

I made breakfast for the guys this morning, a dozen eggs, and a pound of bacon and toast. James said the blessing on the food and offered a family prayer.

After breakfast, everyone went to work. Paul, Max, Joshua went out to chop and split wood. James, Joe, and Michael went to work on the fence. James sent Rowan into town to get some more cement. I kept wondering where he was.

I made rolls today, two dozen for the ward party tonight and another dozen for home. Michael, Joe, and Max love them. I also made three loaves of pumpkin bread which everyone loved! Paul gave Max and Joshua a lunch break but James, Joe, and Michael seemed to work right through lunch. Max comes in and plays his guitar and sings Avett Brothers songs.

James and I left for town at 2:36. We dropped the two dozen Christmas party rolls off at the Crane's for them to take to the ward party and went on to Summit Hospital in Show Low for James's CT scan. The hospital was so very quiet the Saturday afternoon. Everyone is so nice to us. James and I were both invited to look at his scan. They made two disks and we took them with us to take to his appointment on the 19th with Dr. Wilson at Barrow Brain & Spine.

Paul and some of the boys chopped up the branches that fell from the tree in the backyard. James wanted them to cut down the tree but they misunderstood.

I helped Michael make shrimp linguine for James and I. He put a little too much pepper flakes for James's taste. I love it. Michael also made marinara sauce with sausage over noodles and bread for the other guys.

James and I went in to the bedroom after our dinner. He walked and I watched a movie. The guys stay up late playing some kind of a card game. James goes out and visits with them for a few minutes before we go to bed. Tom slept inside tonight.

I forgot to mention that Kim made everyone a treat plate and Michael brought ours to us. My favorite are Denise's peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispy treats.