Monday, December 30th, 2024: Michael & Namira leave, Ben & Cayli still here, Darrel, Trina, Ruby & Lola arrive, Lola's markers, They bring fireworks & paper plates

 

Star Valley, Wyoming

154th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct 2016

By: David A. Bednar

Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith's testimony - first half

Come Follow Me

Dec 30-Jan 5

"The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" - Introduction

October General Conference

'The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again'

President Russell M. Nelson

"Regular worship in the temple will prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord's strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world."

Michael and Namira left for home around noon. We are grateful for Michael's help and always enjoy his company.

I told Tom the doggies were all gone and he could go out and sleep on his chair but he was still a little wary. He could hear Ben & Cayli walking around upstairs and that scared him.

When James and I left for the valley on the 22nd, Kathy Crane had pneumonia. Now she is feeling better but Chuck has an even worse case than Kathy did. James offered to go to the dump for him today and Chuck was most grateful.

Trina texted me this morning and asked if I wanted them to bring anything up when they came. I responded with, "Are you coming up today?" Trina: "Oh, Darrel told me he asked you. I'm sorry, we don't have to." Me: "Please don't feel bad, you guys are the best! Please come! I just remember Darrel saying you might come up. I am pleasantly surprised that you are!" Trina: "It's just 4 of us, Addy and Ro are staying home. Can we bring you anything?" Me: "Could you bring fireworks and paper plates? Did I mention that Ben & Cayli are here? They will be your neighbors. Your room is ready and so is my office. Waiting for sheets to dry for James's office." Trina: "Oh shoot. Are they okay with us coming? I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you washed all the sheets, so much work for you." Me: "Ben and Cayli were happy that you were coming!" Trina: "Thank you, that's very sweet."

When I was working upstairs in James's office I heard Ben in the bathroom on that end of the house, which means the water in his and Cayli's bathroom is not hot. I told James and he lit the water heater we are having trouble with, that four bathrooms are connected to. The other hot water heater has the one bathroom upstairs, the laundry room and the kitchen.

When Darrel & Trina arrived I told them about the problem with the hot water heater. They didn't seem too concerned as long as the other water heater was working.

It was 7:30 when Darrel, Trina, Ruby, and Lola got here. It was a fun evening just relaxing with them. They had dinner at Sonic in Show Low so they weren't hungry.

Darrel and I were talking about the ASU vs. Texas game on New Year's Day at the Peach Bowl. I asked him what channel it was on and he said ESPN. I told him I didn't have ESPN so we tried to figure out what we needed to do to watch the game. Darrel said he has Hulu Live and he could "sling" it on to our TV from his phone. It's amazing what you can do now days. I told him we needed to try it tomorrow to make sure it works. He agreed.

Lola showed us her container of alcohol blending markers that she got for Christmas. There are 168 of them. Are there that many different colors? I showed her and Ruby my nail drying machine and all of the nail stuff I got from great grandmother for Christmas. They seemed to really like everything so I told them they could have everything since I don't ever do my nails. They seemed excited.

Darrel & Trina spent $35 on fireworks and a pretty big chunk of chain for the big stack of paper plates they bought. I tried to pay them, but they wouldn't let me. 

Darrel, Trina, Ruby, and Lola were playing a game when James and I went to bed.

I think this was a video but I can't remember

what Charlie was saying. I want to say to her:

"We are so excited to see you Charlie and

can't wait until you get here!"

 

Dan Marjele & KJ Johnson,

my two all-time favorite Sun's players.

1992

Trina asked how the off-grid family was doing on

building their house so we watched their YouTube

channel. I couldn't help snapping this picture.

Look at their cat...he looks just like Tom!

Lola's markers

Sunday, December 29th, 2024: Warm shower, Re-lite water heater, Paul, Joshua, Stacy attend sacrament mtg, Michael brought clothes but didn't come, S,P, J, A, S,S,V leave, so do Rowan & friends,

 

Ft. Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

3 witnesses & 8 witnesses

Come Follow Me

The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ, part 2

October General Conference

'Focus on Jesus Christ and His Gospel'

Elder I. Raymond Egbo

"For parents with children who have strayed, take heart! Instead of wondering why an angel does not come to help your child repent, know that the Lord has placed a mortal angel in hir or her path: the bishop, another Church leader, or a ministering brother or sister. If you keep fasting and praying, if you do not set a timetable or a deadline for God, and if you trust that He is stretching forth His hand to help, then - sooner or later - you find God touching the heart of your child when your child chooses to listen. This is so because Christ is joy - Christ is hope; He is the promise 'of good things to come.' So trust Jesus Christ with you child, for He is the strength of every parent and every child."

I took a warm shower this morning before church. I told James the water wasn't hot. He had to go downstairs again to light the pilot so anyone else on this side of the house could take a shower. Rowan, Grahm, Tannen, and Michael are at the other end of the house and their bathroom is on the other hot water heater.

Stacy, Paul, and Joshua joined us for sacrament meeting. We sat in the back behind Brother Hipps and in front of T-Bo.

Todd & Jessica Crane along with their sons Stefan and Nathan spoke in sacrament meeting. Although they have been in the ward a couple of years this is the first time I have heard them speak in sacrament meeting.

Stacy, Paul, and Joshua left after sacrament meeting. For the next hour we moved up front behind the Wilhelm's. I saw Trenda for a minute before she took her baby out. She said she would be back, but she never did make it. Talon and his baby and wife are here visiting from Washington. It was nice to see them.

Collin DeWitt, the ward mission leader, was the presenter today for our second hour, 5th week discussion. His presentation about how to Love-Share-Invite in doing missionary work was very good. I shared what I said to Dr. Gerber in the Show Low ER when he was apologizing to me for giving me bad news about James. I basically shared my testimony of our faith in the Lord and accepting His will.

James said he had to meet with a couple of people about ministering after the meeting so I went out to the car. On the way out Amy Reynolds and Cheryl Sedig were talking about the nice weather and their concern if we didn't get some moisture soon. Our fire hazard this summer will be high if the rain and snow doesn't come.

Rowan and his friends were the first to leave today. 

When we got home Stacy, Paul, Joshua, and Alayna were preparing to leave. Stacy washed the sheets on the bed downstairs and put them back on the bed, which I very much appreciate. She also washed their towels, and Paul cleaned the basement bathroom and the hall bathroom. Stacy ran the sweeper throughout the house.

Stacy is still working on the puzzle Alayna's mother gave her. She wanted to finish it before she left but she ran out of time. She didn't want to put it away so she left it out for Kim to finish.

We said our goodbye's early this afternoon.

Michael and Namira didn't go home until tomorrow

Alayna looks a little sad because she didn't get a dog to hold.

Michael stayed and Ben and Cayli are still here too.

James and I went for a ride this afternoon to find the address of a guy James is going to bid some work for. The address is 40 N8172. The 800 numbers are off of Stanford road but we couldn't find 8172 as the numbers skip around. I told James he needed to call the guy and get specific directions. Even though we weren't successful, it made for a nice Sunday afternoon ride.

Ben, Cayli, and Michael were watching something on the television when we went to bed.

Antelope are my favorite

My two sleepy boys

Saturday, December 28th, 2024: A chorus of barking dogs is maddening to my ears, Paul's breakfast, Waffles for Cayli & Ben, Cayli sleeps, my ham dinner, Michael's roast dinner, Rowan's pancake dinner, Michael chops wood, Town for gas, card games into the night

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

152nd operating temple

Dedicated: 18 Sep 2016

By: Henry B. Eyring

Book of Mormon

Title Page & Introduction

Come Follow Me

The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ, part 2

Talk: "A Living Witness of the Living Christ' 

Bishop Causse, AGC 2020

October General Conference

'Sons & Daughters of God'

Elder Ruben V. Alliaud

Woke up to a chorus of barking dogs this morning. I forgot when I told Michael that he could bring Namira that the Gonzo's three dogs would be here. Shipley and Vader do not like Namira, they feel threatened by her. Who knows what Sophie thinks, she just likes to bark.

I went into the kitchen and Paul was frying bacon and cooking eggs. The dogs were barking loudly, and I said: "This can't go on all day. Stop barking." Paul sent Vader and Shipley downstairs and things settled down a bit. James and I have finished reading the Book of Mormon and all of the "Come Follow Me" lessons. In an effort to continue reading from the Book of Mormon everyday, we started over with the title page and the introduction, which we read today.

When Paul was making his breakfast I asked Ben if I could make him and Cayli some ham and eggs or some waffles. He said that waffles sounded good. I had no mixes so I made the waffles from scratch. They turned out really good. Michael had one and so did I, along with Ben & Cayli. I offered some to Rowan and friends but they turned me down.

Cayli spent most of the day sleeping. She got motion sickness going through Sal River Canyon last night. They went that way because Ben wanted to stop at Burger House and get green chili mixed burros. He also wanted to try their onion rings because he had heard they were really good. He said they were delicious. Cayli did come out and have some dinner with James, Ben, and I. I cooked some of the ham I bought, baked potatoes, green beans, corn, and rolls. 

Michael made dinner for his family, a pot roast with all of the fixings. I had a little bit and it was very good. Stacy said he made it for us, but I knew he was feeding his family and Alayna and that there wouldn't be enough for us too. 

Rowan, Grahm, and Tannen went into town and got a pancake mix and came home and made pancakes for themselves. There wasn't really any place for them to sit because the Paul, Michael, Alayna, and Joshua were playing a game at the dining room table and Stacy had the high table covered. 

I guess Rowan and friends are staying another night. James said he saw the three of them, Michael, Joshua, and Alayna all outside after dark playing a game.

Michael chopped up the rest of the wood from the tree they chopped down that last time they were here. The one whose branches broke off during our snow storm on November 4th. Michael worked about three hours. Thank you Michael!

James saddled the horses for Stacy, Alayna, and Joshua. I love this picture of Joshua on Apollo.

And this one, even though 

Joshua looks so serious.

James returned Pierce's auger with the Bobcat and ran out of gas in the Bobcat. I went and picked him up and then we went to town to get Diesel, which is what the Bobcat uses.

Tomorrow is Sunday so we went to bed early while some people stayed up and played cards. There was a card game going the night before too.

A series of photos taken by Rowan

and his friends, Grahm and Tannen

I love this!

Ruby got her learners permit!

Charlie putting on a show for her parents.

Friday, December 27th, 2024: Cold & windy, Owens Energy, Town, PO, HD, Wlmrt, Cayli, Ben, Michael & Namira, Joshua & Alayna's dinner, Rowan & friends

 

Sapporo, Japan

151st operating temple

Dedicated: 21 Aug 2016

By: Russell M. Nelson

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 6:4; 19:18; 2 Nephi 25:23, 26; 33:4, 10

Come Follow Me

The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ, Part 1

October General Conference

'Sacred Scriptures - The Foundation of Faith'

Elder Quentin L. Cook

"We are grateful for the noticeable increase in those who respond to sacred invitations, change their lives, and accept the opportunity to follow Jesus Christ. They enter the covenant path through faith, repentance, baptism, and confirmation as taught in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon."

It was windy today, making it seem a lot colder than it was. Tom thought about going outside but decided to wait a little longer when he realized how cold it was.

Owens Energy came today and filled our propane tank. The only reason I know they came is that they left the bill on our front door. $1,862.93. Yikes! We also have our timeshare maintenance fees due on January 3rd, $1494.23. Oh yes, and the Razr, which James took in before 9 this morning, is going to cost over $2,000. No wonder we can't seem to save any money.

James and I went to town today. We stopped at the post office in Vernon on the way to pick up the mail. I had a package from Amazon and I thought it would be the monthly notebooks I ordered for the new year. When I opened the package I did not recognize the items inside. They looked like a row of rolled up cloths, nothing that I ordered. After investigating with the post office, we determined this was an Amazon error. They sent me the wrong item. No new notebooks. I need one to start January.

In town James went to Home Depot while I shopped at Walmart. I bought a ham, tortillas for chicken tacos, flour tortillas for cheese crisps, lots of cheese, rolls, green beans, and potatoes.

We have more people coming up tonight. Cayli & Ben, Michael and Namira, his dog, and Rowan and two of his friends who snowboarded today. Rowan said he and his friends just needed a place to sleep.

Joshua and Alayna made our dinner, parmesan chicken, roasted broccoli, mashed potatoes, and rolls. At the same time Rowan and his friends made a big pot of macaroni and cheese and ate it. The kitchen was busy and crowded. 

James and I were in bed before Michael, Namira, and Ben & Cayli got here.

Getting a Mason "fix" before

coming to Arizona.

Loved this car as a teenager

My little dumpling

 

Thursday, December 26th, 2024: Lazy day, unwrap gifts from Lois & Dawn, Loading the Razr, Dog, Sleeping Tom, Christmas movie w/ Tom

 

Provo City Center, Utah

150th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Mar 2016

By: Dallin H. Oaks

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 6; Alma 7:7-13; 11:40; Helaman 5:9; 14:16-17

Come Follow Me

Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world.

October General Conference

'Behold I am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up'

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Our love is evident when we sustain one another in His work. We sustain our living prophet at general conference, and the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authorities, and Officers of the Church. To sustain means to hold up another person, to give them our attention, to be faithful to their trust, to act upon their words. They speak by inspiration of the Lord; they understand the current issues, the moral decline of society, and the adversary's increasing efforts to thwart the Father's plan. In holding up our hands, we are committing our support, not just for that moment but in our daily lives."

I was wondering this morning how Stacy, Paul, Joshua, Alayna, Shipley, Sophie, and Vader all ride together in their small car. I did see a photo of Paul driving and Vader sitting on his lap. I guess everyone could hold a dog with one person to spare.

Today was a lazy day for me. I worked on my blog, and unwrapped Christmas gifts from Lois and Dawn. They gave both James and I a $50 Amazon gift card, just like we gave them. Each of us also got a $50 Amazon card from Sheri and Ian, and a $40 one from Kim and Brian. Lois and Dawn gave me a box of purple towels, like the ones last year, two blouses, and a nail drying device and a cute bag of nail supplies. 

From Sheri we got a framed picture of both of us with Cayli and Ben at the wedding. Everyone else looks great and I look frumpy.

James got a plaid shirt from his Mom and Dawn and he also got a new wallet. He gets a new wallet every year.

James loaded up the Razr on the trailer so he can take it in tomorrow morning. Joshua and Alayna helped him. Alayna was steering the Razr and Joshua was trying to clear rocks out of the way. James appreciated their help because he couldn't have done it by himself.

Stacy is working on a puzzle at the high table, the nativity set is pushed to front of the table to make room. Paul has to work and he has his computer set up at the dining room table next to where James works. I keep my bedroom door closed so that the dogs can't come in and bother Tom who did a lot of sleeping today.

Instead of making the chicken they were going to make yesterday, the Gonzo's and Alayna went in to town to eat at Pizza Factory. James and I ate leftovers. Afterwards the Gonzo's went shopping at Safeway. Stacy says that out of the 8 items she wanted, Safeway only had 4, they didn't even have eggs, so they had to go to Walmart too. While they were gone, the dogs were very well behaved, lying on blankets, looking bored.

Tom and I watched a Christmas movie this evening while James walked and listened to his book. He is two books a head of me now. We went to bed and Tom, instead of sleeping at the end of our bed, slept on the recliner.

Trina's extended family,

The Cases

Shawn & Anna

Charlie:

Soleil Hoose

7 months old

Lego Christmas Tree