Thursday, December 15, 2016

My service today was a Primary class Christmas party.

Ether 10:17-34

How can we keep our lives pure?

* Prayer, sacrament meeting, scriptures, conference talks, temple, and good deeds!

GC:   There is Power in the Book by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr.

"The Church has transformed my life....

I thank the Almighty God for leading me into this gospel."

I spent most of the day preparing for my Primary party which was scheduled for 4 p.m. today after the kids get home from school.

I am sad to say that I did not take any pictures.  I had three of my kids attend.  One could not come and the other three have never been.  I did make stockings for all of them.  Here is what they had in them and what they looked like after they were filled.

The Primary lesson cards.  There is one for each lesson.

The Stripling Warrior says on the back:

"The 2,000 Stripling Warriors "...were exceedingly 

valiant for courage...Yea, they were men of truth and soberness,

for they had been taught (in their youth by their mothers) to

keep the commandments of God."  

The Book of Mormon tells us how after battle, Helaman

fearfully counted his stripling sons.

Although all were wounded, to his astonishment there was "not one soul of them who did perish..."

The doggie notebook has all of the Articles of Faith typed in it with a challenge to learn them before they graduate from Primary.  The rest was candy, a hot chocolate mug and some hot chocolate.

Braylin's mom came and brought her two girls along with Braylin.  She helped me alot as I did not have all the games ready to play.  James went and picked up pizza at Dominoes.  It seems like I can't do anything without his help and I am so appreciative of his willingness to help.  First we made paper Christmas trees.

We waited for Curtis and Zemira to arrive and then we ate pizza.

Our first game was through the jingle bells in the cup.

Although Braylin is handicapped he was awesome at this game.

He has a good eye!

We played three or four games of Christmas Bingo and

Curtis won every time!

Talk about lucky!

I had hidden 24 candy canes throughout the house and the kids has

a blast finding them.  They played several rounds with each kid

taking turns hiding. Braylin's sister Taylor joined in the fun.

Our last, slow down game, was Roll a Reindeer.

After the last game I had the kids sit on the couch and I handed out their Christmas stockings.

  I told each child what I appreciated about them and how much I loved them.  I bore my testimony about how the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and then I took Zemira and Curtis home.  While I was gone James did the dishes and put things away.  I do appreciate him.

While we were watching our Hallmark movie, "Looks Like Christmas," starring Anne Heche, Joshua and his family were waiting to see the new Star Wars movie, "Rogue One."

Michael and Paul both said the last 15 minutes was the best ever of any Star Wars movie.  Darth Vade is the villian of villians!

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Does giving your grandkids blankets for Christmas count?

For our service today we cleaned the Snowflake temple.

Ether 10:1-16

Ether 10:5-7 describes the reign of King Riplakish.  His wicked reign and his fall were very similar to the reign and fall of wicked King Noah (see Mosiah 11). Both kings were: very immoral, taxed the people heavily, built spacious and elaborate buildings, glutted themselves on the work of others, and both were killed by their own pleople.  Isaiah warned, "For the leaders of this people cause them to err" (Isaiah 9:16; 2 Nephi 19:16).  The righteous King Mosiah later commanded his people not to have kings because "the sins of many people have been caused by the iniquities of the kings" (Mosiah 29:31).

GC:   Emmassaries to the Church by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We would hope that you will establish an era of genuine, gospel-oriented concern for the members, watching over and caring for each other, addressing spiritual and temporal needs in any way that helps."

James spent most of the morning trying to contact people who had signed up to help us clean the temple this evening.  Some are cancelling because of sickness.  He contacted over 40 people.  We had the smallest group show up that we have ever had.  We only had 17 people.  It is frustrating when people sign-up and then don't show up.  Those who did show up were real troupers.  Many of them did double assignments.  I was most impressed with my friend Virginia C.  She actually spends most of her week in Grants, New Mexico.  She comes over every Friday to work in the temple and this week she came on Wednesday so she could help clean.  I appreciate her dedication so much!  There are some people who come every time, such as, the Klugs, the Peelers, the Prices, and Brother Curtis, and Sister Thompson and the Skousens, and the Smiths.  John and Sandra W. came by assignment from the bishop because he had to be at mutual even though they did not sign up.  Our bishop is there most every time too. It really is a privilege to clean the temple and I am grateful for this calling.  I visited with an old high school friend who is now a temple worker.  This temple really does feel like home. 

Small temples are homey.

While James was making phone calls I was paying bills.  I got all of them paid except our income taxes for 2016.  We will have to take money out of our line of credit to pay our taxes.  Hopefully James will get some more jobs pretty quick.

I forgot to mention that we had a gorgeous sunrise this morning.

This picture was taken in Vernon.  I am not exactly sure when or where but I just had to post it for all those wildlife enthusiasts out there:

There are more elk in Vernon than there are people.

That is why we love it here!

Meeting of the Patriarchs!

In family news I am very proud of my niece Jenifer.  In spite of being legally blind she has graduated with a degree in social work.  I know Jenifer is going to make a difference in this world!

Overcoming trials and adversity to accomplish something good!

This picture was taken last January on James's birthday.  We were at Evan's pinewood derby in Chandler.  Our friend Brooklyn was there and when she found out it was Brother Lambson's birthday she made him a card.  We were Brooklyn's Primary teachers from January to June of the previous year.

This is Addy and Kayla after dancing at a Suns game this

past January.  My how she has changed.

What an exciting day!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Happy Birthday to James's sister Carmen!

Dawn, Carmen, Rebecca

Carmen is one of the most ambitious and

talented people I know!

Ether 9:23-35

Why must we first be humble before the Lord hears our cries?

GC:  Be Ambitious for Christ by Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

" Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions .....

"...Keep the commandments of God ..."

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct thee for good."

GC:   Sharing the Restored Gospel by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

President Thomas S. Monson has said:

"Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together...

and labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.

He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will

act in faith to fulfill His work."

James had to go to town to make a trip to Desert Title for Adam to straighten out the insurance issue on the Scion.  I went to Walmart.  We read from "He Is Coming".  The weather was gorgeous, the high around 55 degrees.

James hung the grandkids stockings for me today.

I need to add three more for Kacey's kids.

Pretty

I got a call from Charlotte today  She fell and knocked her two top front teeth out.  I am so sad for her.  None of her kids will speak to her and now this.

I love this picture!

This afternoon I made snickerdoodle cookies for a cookie exchange at Relief Society this evening.  

My neighbor Kathy and I went to Relief Society together.  It was a nice program, a reading about the women in Christ's life and then a cookie exchange.  The Primary staff sang "Picture a Little One in a Stable."  That is why I went, to support my friend Becky who is the Primary president.

This is Becky with her grandchildren.

She is awesome!

I found this picture in an old file and thought I would post it.  I have been seeing alot of these little critters as we have visitors come to our home like Huntleigh and Emsley from our ward.

Huntleigh is 1 1/2 and Emsley is 3.

This is another picture I found in my January 2016 file.

I love this father and son moment.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Ether 9:1-22

Cycles of Great Prosperity and Tragic Wickedness.

 Notice in Ether 9:5-12 that the rise of secret combinations again led to the destruction of many people.  Verses 15-35 show a pattern that is repeated many times throughout the Book of Mormon.

1.  The people prospered exceedingly during the righteous reigns of Emer and Coriantum (see vv. 15-25).

2.  The people began to join together in secret combinations and turn to wickedness under the reign of Heth (see vv. 26-27).

3.  The Lord sent prophets to warn the people of their great wickedness (see v. 28).

4.  The people of Heth rejected the prophets (see v. 29).

5.  The judgments of God fell upon the people (see vv. 30-33).

6.  The people humbled themselves and repented and the Lord again blessed them (see vv. 34-35).

In the midst of these cycles of prosperity and wickedness, the Jaredites demonstrated that a people can be wealthy and remain righteous.  It seems that the Jaredites were able to remain in a condition of righteousness and prosperity for over 100 years ( see vv 15-25).  King Emer was even rightoues enough to see the Lord (see v. 22).  

GC:  For Our Spiritual Development and Learning by Elder W. Mark Bassett

"In order to understand the mysteries of God, or those things that can be understood only through revelation, we must follow the example of Nephi, who said, "Being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold He did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father." The Lord Himself further explained that Nephi had exercised faith, sought diligently with lowliness of heart, and kept His commandments." 

Cutest angel I have ever seen.

This morning I picked up Charlotte and we went shopping at Deseret Book.  Afterwards we went to lunch at Olive Garden.  I told her this was my Christmas present to her.  We both got the chicken and scampi and shared the little mini desserts.  I put in an order of stuffed mushrooms for James.  He told me he did not want me to buy him lunch so I figured an appetizer would do.

My dream "pretzel" house.

When I got back to Cathi and Terry's it was time to pack up and get ready to come home.  Cathi gave us an article to read called: "Heavenly Manifestations" about a stake president in Idaho who had a vision of the afterlife.  We read it for F.H.E.  

Joshua is singing a solo in his ward on Christmas day and Cathi and Terry said they would go to hear him since we couldn't be there.

My Christmas tree a couple of years ago.

On our way home we stopped in Payson for drinks and James ordered a New York dog.  I read to him from "He Is Coming."

Bill V. called and said a bunch more stuff was stolen from the construction yard last night.  He said because James has most of his stuffed moved that he didn't need to pay rent this month.  That is great news!

Joshua and Evan in 2011 when they were 5.

I love how Joshua is looking at Evan!

This evening we watched "Love You Like Christmas" and then read "Heavenly Manifestations" for FHE.  

Sunday, December 11, 2016

I ministered to children today by teaching Primary.

Ether 8:18-26

What warning did Moroni issue to the people of our day, and what are the consequences of heeding or ignoring that warning?  

* The Prophet Joseph Smith declared: "The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power" (BMSM, 372).

GC:    Abide in My Love by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

" From the Book of Mormon we learn that the intent of Christ's 

suffering - the ultimate manifestation of His love - was "to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice,

and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. (See Alma 34:15-16.)

Bishop Miller's parents were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. They did a great job.  Sister Miller talked about receiving comfort from our prayers and said we need to keep praying until we feel peace and comfort.

We had a visitor in our class today.  His name is Trace and he is Curtis's friend.  Curtis had a birthday this week.  He turned 9 on December 7th.  Our lesson was on Moroni's promise in Moroni 10:3-5.  

Sister Hall led the music in Primary today.  She brought soft, furry snowballs and the kids had a snowball fight.  She also played Sing or Dare.  The kids could either choose a song or a dare.  We did not sing very many songs today because most of the kids chose the dare.

I love my nativity set

For lunch James and I both had a green chili mix burro from Burger House.  We saved them for today.  We left for the valley around 2 p.m.  Our family Christmas party is at Sheri's and starts at 5:30.

Our new "Bufi" cups traveling together.

I talked James into going the Payson way.  It took us right around 3 hours.  I slept most of the way and did a little reading from our book, "He Is Coming."  We unloaded our suitcases at Cathi and Terry's and then went down to Sheri's for the party.  

These are the people who attended:  James and I, Paul, Stacy, Adam, Michael, and Joshua, Kim and Brian, Sheri, Ian, Ben, Max, and Evan, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola.  Also Amanda, Alexis, and Kaitlin.  Joe, Alex, Jared Ammon, and Dallin all had to work.  Here are some pictures:

First we all got our numbers.  Everyone got a number,

including Lola.

Of course Lola wanted to sit by Evan.

They are so cute together.

Alexis got the Taylor Lautner poster.

Amanda had carefully hidden it in a plate of cookies.

From the look on her face she seems pretty happy about it.

Not sure why Michael is smiling.

Stacy got the megaphone that Ruby brought.

Ruby made a Christmas tree for me.

Lola wanted to help.

Beautiful!

I brought five gifts and James and I each came home with one.  Ian got the best gift I brought, virtual reality viewers that you use with your smartphone.

It was so nice that Sheri had dinner ready for us.  We had pulled pork sandwiches and salad.  She also made two kinds of cookies.

Megan W. opened her mission call this evening.  She is going to Knoxville, Tennessee and reports on January 25th.