Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Alma 2:1-18.  Amlici seeks to be king nd is rejected by the voice of the people - His followers make him king - The Amlicites make war on the Nephites and are defeated - Alma salys Amlici.

 Notes:

4 - Amlici's intent was to destroy the Church of God.

5 - For or against Amlici division causes 'wonderful' contentions.  I think 'wonderful' contentions could mean, an opportunity to share and defend your beliefs.

16 - Alma goes at the head of the army to battle.  (To me this shows what kind of a leader he was.)

18 - The Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites.  (Remember the promise, keep the commandments and prosper in the land.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Listened to President Eyring's conference address, "Eternal Families."

Study Primary lesson about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. 

James has a new 'concoction' with lemon, cinnamon, vinegar, etc.

It tastes nasty but it helps the laryngitis.

I saw eight bunnies outside this morning.  When they saw me they ran and hid.

Jared texted me this morning and said Enbrel was not working for his arthritis anymore.  His doctor is putting him on Remicade.  I told him it worked for me a few months and then I was miserable.  I am now on Actemra.

Adam is trying to paint the trim on the shed before it starts to rain.  He is concerned because it is supposed to be brown but it look purple.  James told him not to worry because purple was my favorite color.  Yeah, but I'm not sure how it will look on a brown shed.

 My view of Adam painting.

I was too lazy to go outside.

While Adam was outside working, James was inside working.

Now I know why he wanted Adam to come.

The rain finally did come, at least for a little while.  I couldn't even see my mountain.

 Mount Mentosa disappears

Here is the birdhouse James built and hung.

Right outside our bedroom porch.

 Here is a strange bird we saw today.  Maybe he will live in our birdhouse!

For lunch today I made calico beans and rolls.  James and Adam both love the beans.  

After lunch I read two chapters of "A Lady's Favor" to James.  This is his kind of book and mine too!

My project this afternoon was to plan my menus and shopping list for next week.  

Around six o'clock we left for the temple.  Just before we left we both saw a young bull elk in our backyard.  Actually I should say I saw him and told James.  It was funny to see one elk all by himself.

On the way to the temple we stopped at Maverick to get some water and Icebreakers.  

Brother and Sister West meet us at the temple and show us where to get our scrubs, and then we go to work.  We are being trained as the temple cleaning co-ordinators for the Vernon ward.

Tonight is the Snowflake sixth wards turn to clean.  I was so surprised and happy to see our friend from Chandler, Ruth Gale.  We visited for awhile and then I saw another friend, Jani Huso Johnson.  They are both members of the Snowflake sixth ward.

Sister Raylene DeSpain Perry and her husband were the co-ordinators.  They live in Heber but had traded with the Snowflake sixth ward co-ordinators.  Raylene went to school with Dennis and Randy, and of course Vickie knew her. (I called and asked Vickie later).

We didn't get home until after 10.  We were both tired but we visited with Adam who seemed lonely and we both had a snack before going to bed.

 

 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

A beautiful sunrise this morning.

James left for the valley around 6 a.m.  The Oregon/San Tan

job is finally starting.  Oregon, because the guy who is doing the job is from Oregon, and San Tan because that's where the job is located.  It's a tenant improvement on a dentist office.  

James had a meeting with Allen, the guy who is doing the job.  Gail will be working on this job too.  He will be coming down on Thursday with Seth.

Sandra Wilhelm posted this picture on Facebook today:

Talon with the cowboy hat, Jackson with the Cubs hat, and 

Tyler Tedder, the boy who died last year.  So sad.

I miss seeing him pass the sacrament.

Today's scripture study included Alma 1:15-33.  Here are some verses I felt were significant:

22 - ... there were many among them who began to be proud (members of the Church), and began to contend warmly with this adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.

24 - For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God.  And also many withdrew themselves from among them.

25 - Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of god, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.

27 - And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

29 - And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need - an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth

30 - And thus in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked or that were hungry , or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

I read about the Church's view regarding capital punishment in the Book of Mormon Student Manual.  This is in regard to verse 18 of Alma 1 where it says: . . . he that murdered was punished unto death.

*The law of God is "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Genesis 9:6).

Alma 1:26-31. The Affairs of the Church Estabished

*President James E. Faust explained that establishing the Lord's Church requires more than performing baptisms:

"We recognize that the process of establishing the Lord's church encompasses much more than baptizing people.  In the first chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon we find an instructive sequence of events outlining the way by which the Lord's church is established. 

"Let us take note of this process:

"First, the doctrines are taught (see Alma 1:26).

"Second, members esteem each other as themselves (see v. 26).

"Third, they all labor; they work and earn that which they receive (see v. 26).

"Fourth, they impart of their substance to the less fortunate; they serve one another (see v. 27).

"Fifth, they discipline their own appetites while at the same time caring appropriately for their own needs (see v. 27).

"This mighty change happened, not because the people were given things, but rather because they were taught and began to help themselves and to care for those who were less fortunate.  It was when they gave of themselves in the Lord's way that their circumstances began to improve.

"This process of establishing the Church can apply anywhere" (Ensign, Nov. 1979, 91).

Texted James Hayden asking him to release Delphia, Laura and Isabella Strickland's temple cards.

Finished watching DWTS.  Took a nap and then cleaned and polished the wood floor upstairs.  It rained a little this afternoon.  

I had a really yummy lunch today.  A tomato, cucumber, avocado salad with lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.  Delicious!

I love the talk I listened to today.  It was President Uchtdorf's priesthood session talk entitled "In Praise of Those Who Save."  

Today is Monte and Tasha's 21st anniversary.  I wished them a Happy Anniversary!  

James arrived home this evening with Adam.  He brought me a green chili mixed burro from Burger House.  He said Adam ate his so he didn't get one.  I guess Adam saw three in the bag and though two were for him and one was for James.  

Adam also fried some potstickers and ate them after arriving here.  I could smell them all night while I was trying to sleep.  

James made me a fire and I read to him from "A Lady's Favor."  Afterwards we watched Karen Kingsbury's "A Time to Dance."

Jenny Garth.

We were in bed by 10.

 

Monday, May 16, 2016

Padre Island

Today our scripture reading was Alma 1:1-14.  Here are some notes I took:

People care for the poor and the Church prospers.  Alma becomes the Chief Judge and the High Priest over the Church.  Nehor teaches that all men will have eternal life.  Gideon withstood him and Nehor kills Gideon.  Priestcraft is introduced and is enforced by the sword.  1:16 - priestcraft is "preaching false doctrines ... for the sake of riches and honor."  1:7-9 - Gideon "was an instrument in the hands of God."  1: 13-15 - Nehor suffers an ignomonious death which is a shameful death.  

"The Greatest Leaders are the Greatest Followers."  Brother Owen, the Young Men's President.  

"There will be times when the path ahead seems dark, but keep following the Savior.

He knows t he way, in fact, He is the way."

James and I had lunch with our friends Blain and Diana Curtis.  When we went to get in the truck, I noticed it had a flat tire.  

James put air in the tire and we were on our way.  We parked the truck at the Curtis's and drove with them to Show Low. We followed Dennis and Denise's recommendation and tried The House Restaurant.

It was very casual and the menu is very small, featuring appetizers, salads, and sandwiches.  

Blain and Diana both ordered The Show Low sandwich which is described as: 8oz. bacon laced ground pork, crisp bacon, carved ham, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle aioli.

James ordered the Founder: slow cooked pork shoulder, spinach, tomato, green chili aioli.

I ordered the Chicken of Clubs: grilled chicken breast, bacon, pepper jack, avocado, spinach, tomato, and red pepper aioli.

James was the only one who didn't like his sandwich.  

Our sandwiches came with chips and were served in a box.  I did not like the fact that I had to eat out of the box but the food was good enough that I would come back again.  

Diana and I shared a piece of decadent cherry cheesecake with shortbread crust.  It was delicious!

 Our friends the Curtis's

They are awesome.

I got a call from Sister West who is  the cleaning co-ordinator for the temple.  She wants to meet with us Wednesday night and train us.  Our first assignment is on Thursday, May 26th, at the beginning of Memorial Day weekend.  We are responsible to get 20 people there.  Yikes!

I took a little nap this afternoon while James put a plug in the tire.  He is going to the valley tomorrow and doesn't want to wake up to a flat tire.  

After my nap I worked on my Primary lesson and Article of Faith notebooks for my class, and my blog.  I like to watch "Chopped" while I am working at my computer.  

James came in a little late so before he was ready for FHE I watched part of DWTS.  I will watch the rest tomorrow.  I heard the news that Antonio and Wanya went home.  Wanya was my second favorite after Paige.  I am sad.  Nyle, Ginger and Paige are in the finale.  I hope Paige wins. 

For FHE we listened to Brother Owen's talk and then read from our ebook, "A Lady's Favor." 

I love this memory from my photo collection:

Max wears the 'stache well.

 

 

Sunday, May 15, 2016

I got up at 4:30 this morning to finish studying and preparing my Primary lesson.  I love the story of the conversion of King Lamoni's father.  Maybe someday we will know his name.

Ty Applegate was the youth speaker today in sacrament meeting.  He spoke on Brother Owen's conference address, "Great Leaders are Great Followers."  

His mother, Tamara, was the next speaker.  She spoke about what she learned from stake and general conference.  Here is a list that she created: 1.) Attend all sessions 2.) Look for answers to problems 3.) Pray and invite the Spirit 4.) Don't disbute or criticize like Laman and Lemuel, and don't harden your heart. 5.) "The Lord blesses those who want to improve." - Elder Jeffrey Rl. Holland.  

She then discussed what her "conference plan" was going to be.  Here is mine: Attend the temple more frequently, read the scriptures with greater intent, be sincere in prayer, open up to promptings, listen to the Holy Ghost, have the desire to improve, find my ancestors, and forgive others.

Sadie Westbrook was the last speaker.  She spoke about her participation in the Pathway Program.  The Pathway program prepares you to go to BYU-Idaho or BYU-Online.  It is three semesters long.  Sadie is finishing up her third semester and wants to attend BYU-Idaho in September.  

Zemira, Curtis, Braylin, and Kacey attended Primary today.  The lesson went really well and at the end we played tic-tac-toe, answering questions from the lesson.  The game was a tie.

After church, as we were leaving to go home James says to me: "I have some bad news.  The bishop wants to see us in his office at 2:45.  I had told him earlier that I thought they were calling a camp director today.  At first I was a little nervous, but I said a prayer, and I felt fine.  It turns out the bishop wants us to be the temple cleaning co-ordinators.  The only part of the calling I am a little nervous about is getting 18 other people to clean with us when we go every other month.  

Today I finished reading Mosiah 29 and listened to President Nelson's talk on the priesthood.  I also worked on my Primary lesson for next week which is about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.

James went with Rick Lauritzen to give George Wallace a blessing this afternoon.  George had hernia surgery this week and he is retaining fluids.  He has gained 25 lbs. in four days and refuses to go back to the doctor.  

James and I both wore our jammies most of the afternoon after our meeting with the bishop. 

James wanted to watch TV this evening, so we watched "The Good Witch."

  Cheryl Horne posted these flowers on Facebook.  They are in her backyard.  I love them, especially the purple ones.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

It started out to be a beautiful morning.

 It got even better when we went to the Snowflake

temple.

James and I attended the 8 am endowment session.  Our friend from our ward, Blain Curtis was the officiator of our session.  I was proud of James for going even though he could only whisper and could not hear very well.  

After the session James left to go home.  I stayed and waited for our ward youth to come for baptisms.  I had to wait almost an hour so I sat in the chapel and read from the hymn book.  

We had a small group today, only three young women: Shelly, Alice, and Hailey, and three young men: Ty, Jace, and Andy.  There were five priesthood leaders: Wes Smith, Bishop Miller, Kip Hunsaker, Jimmy Applegate, and Rick Lauritzen.  There are supposed to be seven so we were two short.  James had been ask to go but because he couldn't talk or hear, he declined.  There were three women leaders: Diana Curtis, Tamara Applegate, and myself.  I got to hand towels to the youth as they came out of the baptismal font.  I really do love these young women:

Alice, Hailey, and Shelly.

They are so cute and fun!

After the temple the entire group went to El Cupido's for lunch.  Even though it was lunch time, I had my breakfast burrito with bacon.  It was yummy!

Alice, Hailey, Diana Curtis and I rode home with the bishop.  It was so fun to get to visit with my friend Diana again.  We get along so well.

As we were coming in to Vernon I mentioned that I hadn't seen the antelope that usually graze in the field by the Vernon turn off for awhile.  Just as we came around the corner into Vernon, bishop pointed out a herd.  

 

 A quote from my first ebook,

"Amazed by Grace"

by Sheri Dew.

Before doing anything else I had to lay down and take a nap.  James joined me.  I also had to call Debbie Miller and have her ask Ed if he would teach Gospel Doctrine tomorrow because James has no voice.  

My intention was to spend the rest of the day working on my Primary lesson, which I did for awhile until James came in and ask when we were going to watch our movie.  I just can't turn him down.  We watched the new Hallmark movie, "Tulips in Spring."

Lots going on in our family this weekend.  Alex and Tre, who was the prom queen at Chandler High, and also happens to be in Alex's seminary class, went to Mormon Prom together.

 Such a cute couple!

Emmy was in a soccer tournament.  All the other teams were boys.  They got 2nd place and Emmy plays defender and did really well.

 Emmy's in the back row with the glasses on.

Jared and James went to their Fathers & Sons Outing.  Here are a few pictures that Jared sent me.

 I remember that apple head guy from years past.

 Love that smile!

 Is that smoke in the background?

Do they do prescribed burns?

 James sees something.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Happy Birthday to my nephew Monte!

(Seen here with his wife, Tasha)

My mom's birthday was on September 13th and she always said that 13 was her lucky number.  It is appropriate that her oldest grandchild would be born on the 13th.

Today's scripture study and question:
Mosiah 29:1-15
"What are the differences between the judgments of man and the judgments of God"?
God is perfect with a perfect eternal perspective.  He knows our hearts and our whole stories.  As "man" we have limited understanding of one another and one anothers situations.  Isn't it difficult to accurately judge someone when you don't truly know their story and what's on the inside?  
Good advice but hard to live by sometimes.

I made three dozen rolls today for the Father's and Son's Outing.  I used Rhodes frozen rolls but they are delicious and taste homemade.  Do you think anyone will notice?

I found an interesting situation in my family history today.  Could there be two brothers one with the name of Alexander A. Strickland born in 1862 and the other Alexander Strickland born in 1870?
I am not sure what to do because ordinance work has already been done.

This is a picture of my cousin Rita and her husband Bill.  Rita is a month younger than I am and we both have rheumatoid arthritis.
I guess it must run in the family.

 Rita and Bill are temple workers and Rita also worked at the family history center the last time I spoke with her.

Listened to Elder Bednar's conference talk about retaining a remission of our sins.  His talks are always so good!

I also listened to several articles in the New Era.  What a great magazine for our youth! 

I loved the smell of pine when I opened the window while ironing!
I also enjoyed the aroma of baking rolls!

James and I went to town again this afternoon.  James had to get roofing material and make a stop at Home Depot.  I had to go to Walmart and pick up a prescription.  I also picked up a few veggies and some other items.

I put some things away that I brought in from the garage, vacuumed downstairs and swept the upstairs.

Around 5:30 James and I took the Razr up the hill to Brady Springs to deliver rolls and water.  This was my first Razr ride of the season and it was great.  Did I mention that it was 82 degrees here today?

Back at home James worked until quite late so we didn't have time to watch a movie.  We did the next best thing, we watched an episode of "Chopped" instead!

I don't know why, but I love this show!

 

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Scripture study: Mosiah 28:1-20

 why did the sons of Mosiah want to preach to the Lamanites?

What should be our attitude about missionary work? 

V3 - "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human should perish; yea, even the very thought that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."  

I love the compassion the sons of Mosiah have towards the people they considered their enemies.  But they didn't view them as that, they viewed them as children of God that were just like them, in need of help to "see" and the potential to change.  This really struck me today.  If only I could view all my "enemies" like that.  

Also, I believe the sons of Mosiah desired to preach to the Lamanites because they could relate to them.  

V4 - "And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners.  And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever."  They knew what it was like to be "lost" and then be "found" and to have the Spirit of the Lord work upon them.  They felt the amazing difference between the two and knew they could help others feel that too.   

I hope my attitude about missionary work would be similar to that of the sons of Mosiah.

Some thoughts from the Book of Mormon Student Manual:

"The desire to share the gospel is a natural result of personal conversion." - Howard W. Hunter

"The key to successful member missionary work is the exercise of faith.  Exercise faith by setting a date to have someone ready to hear the missionaries." - M. Russell Ballard

For my General Conference talk I read Elder Jairo Mazzagardi's talk, "The Sacred Place of Restoration."

'Palmyra was the stage of the Restoration, where the Father's voice would be heard after nearly two millennia.'

I read some amazing articles about General Conference in the New Era.  I love the New Era almost as much as the Ensign.

I usually read the Ensign first, then the Friend because I am in Primary, and then the New Era.

I'm just going to share a little bit from an article called, "My Conference Plan."  Here are the things we should do as a result of listening to General Conference:

Attend the temple

Read the scriptures

Be sincere in prayer

Open up to promptings

Listen to the Holy Ghost

Have the Desire

Find ancestors

Forgive others

I saw James looking out the window this morning.  He made the comment: "I wonder what that squirrel is eating."  I was curious so I came over and looked out the window too.  I wanted to say, an acorn, but there were no oak tree close by.  It looked like he was picking up something off the ground and holding it in his front paws and eating.  No sure what it was.

James loves the little critters we have around here.  He is always taking lettuce and carrots to the rabbits.  The other day he was holding a baby bunny and looking in the frig for something for him to eat.  

Here he is putting up the hummingbird feeder.

 He wouldn't let me take a picture of his face

because of his "owie's."

James is making great progress on the shed.  He's working on the roof right now.  He is so discouraged because he can't talk or hear right now, and his face has a big owie.

 

I changed sheets on three beds today and vacuumed our bedroom, the living room and the family room.  I also dusted those areas.  There was a ton of sawdust on one of the couch cushions so I had to vacuum that up too.  I think James must have sat there.

Jared has convinced me that ebooks are a nice thing to have on your phone.  Today I downloaded a book he said was really good called, "Amazed by Grace" by Sheri Dew.  It didn't cost me anything because of my platinum points.  I was a little disappointed it wasn't in audio.  The audio books cost alot more.

I also read from the book Jared gave me for mother's day, "To Mothers, Carrying the Torch of Faith and Family."  I think I am going to really enjoy it.

I worked out in the garage for an hour sweeping and organizing.  I was filthy, which called for a soak in the tub.

James Hayden had a ballroom dance recital tonight.  I wish I could be there to see him!  He is going to send me some pictures.  He danced to Phantom of the Opera and was dressed as the phantom.  Does it get any better?

Michael ran in the Meet of Champions tonight.  He got third.  Paul posted this picture.

 In two years I hope.

TBT on Facebook:

 He has grown so much!

Max totally looks like Harry Potter!

Tonight James and I watched a movie made in 2008 starring Jane Seymour.  It was a murder mystery with quite a bit of comedy thrown in.

James saw Jane Seymour on a plane one time.

For some reason he is not a big fan.

I like her.