Friday, April 18, 2014

The view outside my window this morning

Mosiah 11:1-15

What can we do when people all around us are living unrighteously?  Would we be like Abinadi and stand for

truth and righteousness? "When the wicked rule, the people mourn.

-D&C 98:9-10

"Through my own experiences and trials, I have learned that life's challenges are meant to change us and turn us to the Lord in faith."

-Amy Schauers,

April 2014 Ensign, p. 49

We made a trip to town today to return a hair product I ordered called Keranique that is supposed to restore hair loss.  I ordered the free 30 day trial only to find out if I keep it it will cost me $80 a month.  I couldn't wait to get that package sent off.  I was surprised to find that I still had not received my thyroid from Foothills Pharmacy.  I called and they said it should be here if not today, then tomorrow.  I have been out of thyroid since Monday.

After making a deposit at the bank we stopped at LaCasita for lunch.  I brought an Easter card with a pass along card inside for our favorite waitress, Charlotte.  As we were leaving she came up and thanked me for the card.  Inside I wrote a message which went something like this: "Charlotte, thank you so much for your friendliness when we come in to eat.  You are like a ray of sunshine and a bright spot in our day."  My goal is to work up the courage to invite Charlotte to take the missionary discussions.

Walmart was a mad house, I guess because it's the Friday before Easter.  I said hi to Mary Swift and Jordyn and Tamara Applegate.  James went to Home Depot and found a replacement bulb for our wax warmer, night light.  They do not have 15w ones at Walmart.  On the way home I read from The Book Thief.

 This is a picture of my brother

Dennis's grandson Sammy.

He reminds me of Dennis's son Tyler, and Dennis at that age.

James read my talk for stake conference this afternoon.  Although he said it was good he thinks that my intensive gospel study may discourage people and maybe I shouldn't share quite so much.  I will make some adjustments because I respect his opinion and advice.

James went for a Razr ride this afternoon while I was revising my talk.  He saw elk, deer, and turkey.  We also saw turkey on the way home from town today.

For dinner we had broccoli, cauliflower, and strawberries.  Afterwards we sat by the fire as I read some more from The Book Thief.

Paula Johnson sent out a fire restrictions letter from the fire department which goes into effect April 22, 2014.  It applies to more of northeast Arizona.  I quote from that letter: 

"Fire conditions in many regions are at historic maximums, meaning the vegetation that feed wildfires is or will soon be dry or drier than any in recorded history for this region."  James is going to call in the morning to see if he can burn a few piles of brush.  

It looked like rain this evening, but never quite made it.  

Evan taking a nap before his

flag football game.

 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

I love this quote about Charity by Marvin J. Ashton,

an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nathan Tibbetts, James's nephew, left on a plane for the MTC.  Rebecca, Nathan's mother and James's sister says her baby is all grown up and is on his way to save France.  We are very proud of him.

 Rebecca and her grandchildren,

Daniel and Eden.

I wrote my talk for Stake Conference.  It's 11 minutes long, and needs to be 10.  I will find a way to shorten it.  I would rather have it too short than too long.  My topic is: How I Come unto Christ and how I help my children and grandchildren Come unto Christ.

I watched a Hallmark movie today that they are making into a series.  It's called "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered."  Very cute.  I love Hallmark movies.  

Well, I had a visiting teaching appointment this afternoon and James did not make it home in time to change my tire so I took my buggy.

It was a gorgeous day for a ride in this sweet buggy.

I only went to Rosa Westbrook's in the middle of Vernon and then to the post office to pickup my thyroid pills which still weren't there.  This is the longest time I have been without my thyroid since I can remember.

James did get home later this evening and of course he brought me a green chili burro.  I love that man.  We watched another Hallmark movie together called "Operation Cupcake."  

I got a call from Stacy this evening.  There are bees in our chimney.

 James told them to build a fire but I think they taped a sheet in front of the opening instead.

 

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Happy Birthday Alex!

Sweet 16!

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

I was up at 3:30 so I got an early start on my gospel study time.  

I downloaded four new songs I am phone.  They are: "Happy", "Some Nights", "Let It Go", and "Let Her Go." 

I swept outside today and cleaned off the deck.  The weather was so nice.  I listened to a session of General Conference while cleaning in the kitchen and kitchen-dining room floor.  I do love a clean house.  I also worked at the computer and made a Book of Mormon chart for the Young Women's room. 

Just before leaving for Mutual I noticed six deer outside my dining room window.  I tried to get a picture.  I should have used James's camera.  

Find Waldo, the deer.

I noticed on my way to Mutual that my car was driving funny so I stopped and got out to check the tires.  Sure enough the driver's front tire was flat.  Grrr.  I turned around and went back home, probably ruining the tire.  Luckily James is coming home sometime tomorrow.  I called and told Diana.  Since it was a combined activity with the boys in charge I wasn't missed too much.  

I watched American Idol.  James sent me these pictures he took at Red Lobster with Alex and Michael for Alex's birthday dinner.

 

Sheri posted this Earth Day poem that Evan wrote:

 I love this boy!

 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

I sent this handout along with a box

of gummy Lifesavers to the grandkids

in the valley.  James took them when

he left this morning.

"We increase in spiritual power with each covenant we make with God." - April 2014 Ensign, p. 33

"Making and keeping our covenants is an expression of our commitment to become like the Savior."

Tax day.  We are late again.  James left this morning for the valley after our family prayer.  

I love bofm365 on Instagram.  As I was listening to a BYU Devotional today I was prompted to add study the hymns to my morning devotional time.  

I carried five boxes from the basement to upstairs today.  All boxes need to come upstairs in order to make more room downstairs for years supply items.  It was a nice little workout for me.  

I polished the wood floor in the family/living room using the Shark Duo Sonic.  It looks so nice.  It's supposed to last two months.  Let's hope so.  I listened to the General Women's Meeting while I was working.  I read from my two books for the month, Suit Up and Blackmoore.  One is spiritual and one if just for fun.  

This afternoon I visited Linda Diewald in the capacity of her visiting teacher and as her friend.  I gave her this handout.

It says: 

Somebunny loves you!

Happy Easter

Your visiting teachers

"Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love"

-D&C 6:20

 

Linda and her husband Jim are getting ready to go to the valley to participate in the endowment of their grandson who is soon to leave on a mission.  I told them how blessed they were to have a grandson going on a mission.  

 

James had a bit of a frustrating day at the Yoshimine's but I am confident in his ability to get the job done.

I paid bills today and then watched a little TV.  I watched The Voice, Granite Flats, and DWTS.  

 

I talked on the phone today to my friend Charlotte Mattice. The other day she fell and couldn't get up.  She called her daughter but she didn't call back for six hours.  Charlotte lie on the floor by herself for six hours!  

 

Trina texted me that she loved the Easter beans and thanked me for feeding and taking care of her family on Saturday.  It made me feel good.

Love this!

 

Monday, April 14, 2014

And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.

-Alma 46:36

It's nice to have James here on a Monday.  I downloaded the song "Happy" on my phone, and we did the "Happy" dance.  We made a trip to town.  One of the first thing we did was go to check on the flowers at my Mom's grave.  We watered them, but basically they are dead.  I plan on coming back on Easter Sunday at which time I will leave a live, blooming lily plant.

I tried to call the hospital to see if I could go see Denice Hall but when I called her room there way no answer.  Hopefully she got to go home today.  

I went shopping at Walmart for ingredients for the dinner I am taking the Wilhelm family this evening.  I made a double bath of Kempton goulash, green beans, rolls, wedge salad and poke cake was the complete menu.  When James and I went to deliver the dinner Curtis was playing outside with his brothers Andy and Johnny.  Zemira was lying on the couch watching TV.  Along with dinner I took a basket full of Disney babies, eggs with candy, and various other items.  The Wilhelm's are such an awesome family!

I came home and cleaned the kitchen and then James and I watched The Mentalist.  I watched part of DWTS.  This is Disney week and Donny Osmond is the guest judge.

We also read from our book, The Book Thief.  We are anxious to finish it and move on to another book.

The moon looked like this when it came up this evening:

We missed it when it turned red at around 11:30pm.

There was a lunar eclipse tonight.

 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

The Case family a few years ago.

Happy Birthday Bob.

We love you Trina!

"Our use of righteous agency authorizes the

Holy Ghost to instruct us."

I was up early preparing for my Book of Mormon lesson.

The topic for the month of April

is The Apostasy and The Restoration.

I also prepared handouts (not shown) with these "carrots" attached to remind the girls that if they "Carrot" all they will do their Personal Progress.  Along with the handout was a quote by President Hinckley regarding the strength of young women.

 If you "carrot" all you will work on

Personal Progress.

We have three people in our ward in the hospital right now.  They are Denice Hall, the bishops wife.  She had surgery and had to return to the hospital because the surgeon accidentally cut a blood vessel.  Little Curtis Wilhelm who had to be airvaced to Phoenix Children's Hospital because of a high fever and chicken pox may be able to return home today.  His brother Zemira had an appendectomy here at the Show Low hospital.  Brother Wilhelm, Curtis and Zemira's father is a counselor in our bishopric.  Our prayers are with both of these families.

Jace Applegate was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  He spoke on physical and emotional health and living the Word of Wisdom.  Wes and Ann Miller were the main speakers.  Ann used Sister Oscarson's talk from the General Women's Meeting as the basis of her talk.  The title of that talk was: "O How We Need Each Other."  Wes spoke about judging righteously and the life and example of the Savior.  It was a good meeting.

In Sunday School we are still studying the life of Joseph in Egypt.  We learn that no matter what the circumstances he is in, Joseph's prospers because of his attitude and love of the Lord.  The lesson ended with Joseph and his brothers and his willingness to forgive them.  

My lesson in Young Women's went quite well because of my chart and because I can bear testimony of the Book of Mormon and it's importance in the Restoration of the gospel.  I forgot to bring my Preach My Gospel book.  I wanted to use it to emphasize certain points.  Oh well.  Those attending: YW = Shelly, Jordyn, Coty, Kelly, Hope, Heaven, Kilee, LeeAnn, Alice, Trenda, and Maddie.  Maddie had her baby sister with her which was a bit of a distraction. 

James and I came home and had a nice lunch.  Ham sandwiches, and leftover beans and potatoes from yesterday's potluck.  Afterwards we took a much needed nap.  

I woke up from my nap a little before 4.  When I asked James if he was going to the Book of Mormon class he said no.  I can't talk and I can't read because of my laringitis.  I went by myself.

We read and discussed 2 Nephi 1.  Verse 11 of this chapter says: 

"Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten."

Brother Virgil Cooper brought to our attention that China just bought 50,000 acres of land in Idaho and the Chase Manhattan Plaza in downtown New York.  Is this scripture being fulfilled right before our "sleeping" eyes?

Even though there is a stake fireside for the youth I was able to spend the evening at home with James.  When I asked Diana if we were driving she said: "No, we haven't been asked to.  We are asking the parents to do it this time."  I felt a little guilty when Elder Russel asked me if I could take Carmen (nonmember), Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker.  I told him to speak with Brother Sean Hunsaker.

This evening I read three conference talks and the sustaining of Church officers by Pres. Uchtdorf.  It was a wonderfully, windy Sabbath day.

Alex is better and Michael is basking in his triumph of yesterday. 

Joshua and Evan will attend this 

important event at their 

bishop's home this evening.

 

Saturday, April 12, 2014

"Christ loves us more 

than Satan wants us."

At 7am I went upstairs to start the scalloped potatoes for today's potluck dinner.  I also worked on filling the eggs with candy and money for the Easter egg hunt.  At 9am I stopped and took Evan to his flag football game.  Joshua didn't go because he lost his mouth piece and Rowan missed because of his ward's fathers and sons outing.  I am kicking myself for not getting a picture of Evan.  At one point during the game when he was out on the sideline he came running over to me and asked: "Are you watching me?"  So sweet, I  was glad I was there.  

On the way home from the game Evan and I stopped at CVS to get some candy and a treat because Evan didn't get one after his game.  He picked out a Dr.Pepper and twinkies and cupcakes.  The twinkies were for Max. 

Back at home it was time to get ready for the Boles' sealing.  Sheri picked us up at 11:50.  The sealing is at 12:45 but we were asked to be there at 12:15.  We gathered in a huge room on the third floor of the temple.  It was amazing and wonderful to be with so many former friends and members of the Del Rio 2nd ward.  Here is a list of those attending: Chris and Melissa Brogan, Bishop and Tammy Wilson, Jared and Diana Dowdle, Eric and Christy Wanlass, Dixie and Jeff Chubbs, Dave and Bunny Miner, Karen Schneider, Karin Gonda, Kyle and Nicole Tolman, Wes and Jill Lueck, Dave and Laura Lambson, Hilary Jiminez, Sheri, Adrienne Ellsworth, Curtis and Hilary Whalen, Jen Coffey, Chris and Val McCray, Robyn Rogers, Mike and Jen Baxter, Kerry and Robin Finlinson, Cory and Lynette Braddock, Jannie St. Onge Butler, and Drea's sister, Annie Critchfield, and of course, Drea and Jason.  It was such a wonderful blessing to see baby Benjamin sealed to this couple who have tried for ten years to have a baby.  It is a tender mercy and a miracle.  I am so glad we got to be there.

Also there: Bishop and Cindy Lewis, and the Price's. James served with Brother Price on the high council. Bishop Lewis is the bishop for the Boles' now. He's also Sheri and Stacy's bishop.

Jason, Drea's friend Chelsi

holding Benjamin, and

Drea.

As we came out of the elevator after the sealing I saw Brother Oakley, a missionary who serves in our ward in Vernon.  He was there for a sealing.  It was fun to see him.  

Back at home from 2-4pm it was a mad dash to get ready for the potluck/egg hunt.  Ben came down and helped James hide the eggs.  Since he wouldn't get to look for eggs now, I had Ian hide him an egg with $10.  

Ben with his $10 egg.

Max and Addy each found one of the $5 eggs.

Oops, that's not Addy's egg.

After the egg hunt the kids got to each chose a Disney baby

thanks to my friend Karen Schneider who gave me her collection.

Huey, Dewey, and Louie

Such a cutie!  Addy misses her

cousins Anna and Emmy.

Ruby needs some sunglasses.
Kimmy sent me these pictures that she took:

 Ready for the hunt.

Joshua's stash.

Love that intense smile.

Sweet Addy.

Max and his find.

Ruby stopping for a bite to eat.

Kimmy got a picture of Adam!

After the fun and games we settle down to eat.  Here was what was on the menu: Baked ham, Easter Calico beans, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole,chips,  Sheri's homemade rolls, and poke cake, lemon bites, and mini cupcakes, and of course candy and ice water.

 Delish!

We were sorry Stacy and Paul couldn't be here with us.  They were gone to see Michael run in the Sun Angel Classic where he beat his own record in the 800.  He got under a minute.  Alex and Joe were on a choir trip in California and were at Disneyland today.  Alex was very sick and they were concerned because he took them a long time to get his 102 temperature down.  Trina had to work, and of course, we always miss Jared's family.  It was nice to have Adam with us although I didn't actually get a picture of him.

Adam and Skittles

After everyone else was gone Sheri stayed and helped me clean up.  James helped too but then he left for home around 6:30.  Sheri loaded up my car and didn't leave until everything was done.  I so much appreciated her thoughtful help.  It meant so much to me.  I left for home around 7:15.  James told me to set my speedomoter so we could compare how long it was the Payson way and how long the Globe way.  His speedomoter registered 180 miles and mine registered 197.  Next time I'm in a hurry I guess I will have to go the Globe way.  

I got home around 10:30.  James was already in bed because he has a high council meeting in Show Low at 6am tomorrow morning.  I spent an hour unloading my car and then went to bed around midnight.

Next year's Easter idea:

  A shepherd in Scotland does this to his
sheep at Easter time for people
driving past his farm.