Monday, June 20, 2016

The First Day of Summer and
it's 97 degrees in the White Mountains.
Unless you are too close to the Cedar Fire.

This guy is heading to the valley to get away from the heat.
It's only 120 degrees there.
The fire has grown to 24, 000 acres and only about
30% containment.

Gospel Study: 

Alma 19:12-21 - Why might have Abish waited to make her conversion known to the Lamanites?

Comments made on bofm365 by marinawolfe:

Today my thoughts turn toward Abish.  She is a Christian woman living amongst a totally non-Christian society.  She was "converted unto the Lord for many years" (v16), but she "never ...made it known" to others (v17).  No, I think it had to do with perceived negative consequences of speaking out.  I don't think she felt safe to do so.  I'm wondering about her circumstances and how difficult it must have been to not speak of her deeply-rooted testimony of her Savior, to never speak Christ's name, never share her feelings, or never have an open conversation to express thoughts or gratitude about her Savior, Jesus Christ.  To be a muted believer, must've been really hard.  I'm personally considering this aspect of her life more deeply, because I will be living in her shoes soon.  In about three months, I will be a Christian woman living in a non-Christian society as well, not being able to speak my beliefs, where the law prohibits any such conversation (actually punishable by death).

So when I see Abish's courage to run from house to house as she notices an "opportunity ...that would cause them to believe in the power of God" (v17), I'm amazed at her strength and bravery to stand up and let her thoughts be known ...although I'm sure she was ecstatic to do so, because she had waited so long. 

Abish is a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

It makes me consider how slack I've been here in America where it's much easier to have gospel conversations.

Abish had a 100% seized opportunity statistic.  

One opportunity, one seized moment. 

What is our statistic?

How can we be more courageous in bringing others to Christ?

How can we be an opportunity seeker/seizer?

How can we be better disciples?

I know this is long but I love what this sister had to say.  Abish is on of the only women mentioned by name in the Book of Mormon.  I have often wondered why but never really thought about the significance of what she did.  I have changed my attitude about her and believe that what Abish did was truly significant in the conversion of so many Lamanites.

Walter Rane's portrayal of Abish

(For more information about Abish go to ldsmag.com, article

"Why Was Abish Mentioned by Name?" June 21, 2016)

Here are some other thoughts about this scripture story:

Sometimes we need to keep holy things to ourselves until moved upon by the Spirit.

I love King Lamoni's words in Alma 19:13 - For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name.

I have been doing some research about the Melchizedek priesthood at Michael's request.  Today I read D&C 84:18-25, The greater priesthood holds the key of the knowledge of God.

Also in studying this week's Sunday School lesson which covers Alma 13-16 I found this quote by Joseph Smith:

"Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was."

James got a flat tire on the Cat while working on the waterline for the fruit trees, hence a trip to town.  It was a good day for me to go since I needed to finish the grocery shopping I started on Saturday.  I am feeding the missionaries this week and I want to prepare them a nice meal.  

James was hungry so the first place we went to was Darbi's in Pinetop.  The smoke was not bad when we went in, but when we came out it was terrible.  Here is what it looked like when we got home.

I can barely see my mountain.

James has lots of work to do outside but the air

quality is so poor that he is staying inside and

doing office and church work.

We dropped off James's tire at Center Tire on the way in to town.  I did my shopping at Walmart while James went to his favorite store, Home Depot.  Walmart is crazy busy and I can't find things because they are changing their store around.  I wish they would leave things alone for those of us who don't like change and don't like trying to "guess" where things are.

Neither James nor I are feeling well today.  He has shingles on his head and I am having stomach problems.  Too help us forget our physical aches and pains I read from our book "Juliana" on the way home.

This first book in this series was

"Alexandra."  Juliana is her younger sister.  There is

one more sister so I assume there will be one more book.

The worst language in this book is the word turd.  This is supposed to be the sweet and clean version so hopefully that remains true.

I have not been able to post on my blog today.  Whenever I try it says I need to enable cookies.  I am not sure what that means, but I finally figure out that I need to download Google Chrome and use it for my server.  Everything is fine now!  

Trina texted me and said there was a tornado warning for Snowflake, Taylor and Shumway and she was checking to make sure that we were okay.

Interesting.

A beautiful orange moon tonight.  My camera can't do it justice.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Darrel took his kids hiking at the Natural Bridge

last Saturday and I forgot to post pictures.

I am a little nervous about Ruby standing so close 

to the edge.

Happy Father's Day to
my sweet hubby!

I love this picture!

Making chocolate covered bananas for our

Father's Day treat.

Gospel Study: Alma 18:24-19:11

How do common beliefs help us share the gospel?

"God wants all of His children to 'be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true.' We will have help preaching the gospel when we seek it.  As we bring God's glorious message to others, we give them the opportunity to have 'the dark veil of unbelief to be cast away from their mind, and the light of the glory of God, which is a marvelous light of His goodness."

I was up early to finish preparing for my Primary lesson about the scriptures and how important they are in leading us back to Heavenly Father.

The scriptures are like a treasure map

that lead us to eternal life.

Our sacrament meeting went something like this today: Talon Wilhelm was the youth speaker.  He spoke about the Find, Take, Teach program and taking family names to the temple with his family. He says he has not done the Teach part of the program but is looking forward to doing so.

Pete Stock came as the speaking companion to Mike Hall (Harry Lynn and Geraldine's son), who is on the stake high council,  and he spoke about fathers.  Pete is a natural born storyteller which makes him an excellent speaker.  He talked about working on his grandpa's ranch and getting paid with an old pair of spurs, and gathering flowers at the request of his grandpa for his grandma.  Joe and Ruby Stock were his grandparents.  I heard those names many times while growing up.  He also shared some memories of his dad and gave a couple of quotes from Elder Christofferson's talk on "Fathers."

Mike Hall was the final speaker.  He and Pete are first cousins.  He spoke about the temple and the Find, Take, Teach program.

Kacey, Braylin, Curtis, and Zemira attended Primary today.  We talked about the importance of scriptures and they loved the treasue hunt and going outside!

On the way home from Church I saw this smoke from the fire and thought it seemed closer to us than before.

The stake presidency has ask us to fast and pray one day this

week for the curtailment of the fire, the safety of the firefighters, and for needed moisture.

James went home teaching with Brother Lauritzen to the Scott's and Virgil Cooper.  Today in Primary Talena, Jace, and Jaden all made candy neckties to give to Virgil.  Their father passed away and Virgil is their uncle.

Our home teachers', Dave Westbrook and Colton Carroll came to visit and share a message with us.  Brother Westbrook spends the week at his ranch in New Mexico.  He told about rounding up calves and two wild ones that took him and his neighbor on a real chase.  He told about how he roped one and his neighbor the other.  It was something out of an old wild west adventure.  I love this kind of home teaching.  Colton did give the First Presidency message and we had a good discussion about that too.

After a nap and working on my blog, I made James one of his favorite dinners, meatloaf, baked potatoes, and green beans.

I have so many pictures of James eating.

I guess it's a hobby of mine.

Happy Father's Day gifts:

1 - The Book of Mormon in

America's Heartland

2 - Two books by Timothy Ballard volumes 1&2

The American Covenant

3 - Moroni's America

4 - DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon

North American Geography

This is a DVD.

5- Maps of possible sites in North America

After our father's day celebration we spent the rest of the evening until bed time working on our lessons for next Sunday.

Before I "sign off" I wanted to share some pictures I found on Facebook regarding fathers and good men.

This man traveled 1,200 miles to deliver 49 crosses to

Orlando, Florida in commemoration for those who lost

their lives last Sunday in the worse mass killing in our

nation's history.

His message says it all.

Gail holding his newest granddaughter,

Adalynn Milburn, Jasmine's baby.

Paul's dad Gilbert with four of Paul's boys and

his son.

Gilbert passed away a few years ago.

Mario Ray and his son Peter.

Peter is now a dentist with children of his own.

Mario on July 12, 1990

Saturday, June 18 2016

Happy Birthday Ruby!

One of the sweetest 7 year olds you will ever meet!

This year Ruby had her birthday party at Skateland.

Of course Kreed would be there and one of

Ruby's best friends.

Lola is going for the cake.  Don't you just

love Ruby's smile?

Gospel study: Alma 18:8-23.  Ammon proves his faithfulness to King Lamoni.

16 - Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, perceived the thoughts of the king.

18 - The king marvels because Ammon can discern his thoughts.  He thinks Ammon is the Great Spirit.  

23 - And the king answered Ammon, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words.

The service that Ammon gave to the king softened his heart and he wanted to be taught the gospel.

On the way to the temple this morning James and I listened to both talks that President Monson gave in conference.  The first was given in the priesthood session and was entitled, "A Sacred Trust."  The second was simply called "Choices."

There was smoke in Snowflake because of the fire.  

After our session we went to El Cupido's and saw Tina and Steve Allen.  They had done initiatories this morning.  Their son Rusty is coming home from his mission in 23 days.  They are so excited!

James eating his chicken quesadilla and

reading about the fire.

We did some shopping at the Walmart in Taylor before going home.  We also stopped at the post office.  My purple dice are here!

It was 91 degrees in Vernon.  It's going to be a warm day.

Max spent the week in San Diego at scout camp.  He got home today and Sheri posted pictures on Facebook.  I guess he had a blast.

They must have combined with Del Rio 2nd because I see

Jeff Chubbs and his son Nathan in the group.

Rise and shine boys!  It looks like Max

slept in his clothes.

Max showing off his skills.

Not your typical place for a Scout camp.

I love seeing the boys in their white shirts and ties!

This one if my favorite.

I love the San Diego temple.

James and I both worked on our lessons for tomorrow.  We had a light dinner.  James cut up the sugar baby watermelon he got today and that was it.  It was delicious and all we needed.  Again, we were in bed before ten.  

James stopped his preparations for awhile to make some paper airplanes for my class.

This is one of the reasons I love him so much!

He always has time to help me.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Thank you firefighters for all that you do.

Alma 17:32-18:87 Study Notes

How was Ammon's reaction to adversity an act of faith?

He saw the adversity and went to work.  He had complete trust that the Lord would deliver him from his trail - whatever the deliverance might look like.  

Ammon is such an awesome example of faith in the Lord.  He goes fearlessly to preach the gospel to the Lamanites.  When Almmon is faced with adversity, such as the Lamanites trying to kill him, he fearlessly fights them off.  Ammon had confidence in the Lord and His work.  Faith and fear cannot exist at the same time.  When we have faith and confidence in the Lord and His work we can be great missionaries like Ammon.

General Conference: "Eternal Families" by President Henry B. Eyring.

There is smoke everywhere outside.  The fire may be under control, but the smoke certainlly isn't.  I am concerned about James coming home because of his allergies.  

This picture was taken by my friend Tina Allen.

For lunch today I had a salad and five crackers with ham and cheese.  

I started to go out and work in the garage but I had seen a mouse the other day and I was afraid to move anything.  I talked myself into waiting until James was here to help.

I cleaned our bedroom and bathroom instead.  I dusted, vacuumed, and washed all of the towels and the rugs.  

James called and said he was on his way home but it was going slow because traffic was bumper to bumper going through Payson.  The 60 is still closed because of the fire.  

Jared posted some pictures of Anna at girls camp this week.  He was one of the priesthood chaperones.  He really enjoyed going and I love these pictures of Anna!

It's the loom hats.  Nice look Anna.

Horseback riding

Rock wall climbing

Volleyball

Looking a little shy.  I think that's Amanda with Anna.

I do believe that Jared said they also had a zipline.  What a great girls camp!  So sad that the girls in the Show Low stake didn't 

get to experience girls camp this year because of the fire.

It looks like Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola got to go see the new Dory movie with their cousins today.

I'm sure Trina's mom had something to do with this.

This picture was taken a couple of years ago at the beach.

This is Sheri's picture.  I can't believe how much

Alex has changed!

James brought me a Sonic cheeseburger for dinner.  Sheri sent me lemon cream almonds and picked up my thyroid prescription at Dr. Allen's.  

This is what the sunset looked like tonight courtesy of the fire.

After we ate our burgers we sat down and watched the latest episode of The Good Witch and then went to bed early because we are going to the temple in the morning.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Girls camp was cancelled this week because of the fire although it was not a direct threat to the camp itself.  It was a stake camp and since many of the leaders are from Show Low and Show Low is on pre-evacuation orders they cancelled.  I am sure the girls and the leaders were quite disappointed.

Ready to go!

Trina and the kids went on a Razr ride this morning.  I would have gone too but then Ruby wouldn't have had a seatbelt so I stayed home.  This is what they looked like when they returned.

Trina got a nice tan.

Alma 17:18-31 Study Notes

When has service enabled you to share the gospel with others?

"Service softens the soil so seeds don't fall by the wayside."

When we are disciples of Christ we have opportunities everyday to love and bless someone else.

Ammon's desire was to serve and teach the people the gospel.

General Conference: "In Praise of Those Who Save" - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  

The guy from Wi-Power came out and looked around and decided it wouldn't be worth it for us to have their service because it would be very slow.  He said they are building a tower on a hill in Vernon and then the service would be much better.  He said to call every so often because the more calls they get the sooner they will get the tower built.

Rowan finally talked Addy in to playing chess with him.  They played two games and he won them both.

Note the excitement on Addy's face.

Because Addy played chess with Rowan we talked him in to playing Apples to Apples with us because we needed four players.

I think he really enjoyed it, although I won.

After Apples to Apples we went outside on the deck and played Candyland with Ruby.  Addy won.

Ruby ready to go home.

Trina wasn't in a big hurry to get home because it is so hot in the valley.  She left in the middle of the afternoon.  Before she left she washed the sheets on her beds and put them back on and washed all the towels they used.  I am very grateful.

I had to post these pictures of Rowan and Lola.  

Great balance Rowan!

Such a poser!

Before they left we finished off Dallin's birthday cake.

I was sad to see everyone go.  I sat down and watched an episode of "Chopped."

This evening I watched a Hallmark movie called, Ms. Matchmaker starring Alexa Penavega.