Fri, Dec 17th, 2021: Helsinki Finland, Pres. Hinckley's last temple dedication, Drywall dust, Christmas movies, wrap gifts, blueberry pancakes

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

Helaman 5:11

And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.

Book of Mormon

Ether 12:1-21

"Come Follow Me" 

"Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection" by D. Todd Christofferson

"Can I receive the promised blessings if my family situation is less than ideal?"

OctGenCon

"Is There No Balm In Gilead?"

Elder Brent H. Nielson

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

The Old Testament teaches of an aromatic spice or ointment used for healing wounds that was made from a bush grown in Gilead. In Old Testament times, the ointment came to be known as the "balm of Gilead." The prophet Jeremiah lamented over the calamities that he observed among his people and hoped for healing. Jeremiah questioned, "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Through literature, music, and art, the Savior Jesus Christ has often been referred to as the Balm of Gilead because of His remarkable healing power. Like Jeremiah, I was wondering, "Is there no balm in Gilead for the Nielson family?"

I am reading about the law of consecration in "The Holy Covenants". It is so powerful! The law of consecration is "a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken"(D&C 42:30). "It is a celestial law. It may be the celestial law. Indeed, consecration is the very essence of complete dedication that defines those who will be exalted in the kingdom of God."

I listened to Ben Wilcox talk about the family proclamation on "Teaching with Power," Also, Brad Wilcox was the guest on "Follow Him" this week. The Wilcox's are out in full force. I'm not sure if Brad and Ben are related but they are both great teachers!

I made blueberry pancakes for breakfast this morning. James had to admit that they were very good.

Yum!

Little chunks of blueberry goodness

Wrapped our gag gifts for tomorrow night's white elephant game. A cat neck massager and sloth feet massagers. I also wrapped Darrel's families gifts and even put bows on them. The bows always get squashed on the way down to the valley in the car.

 

James is working on a bid and finishing up in the bathroom. It's quite a mess in there and there is a track of drywall dust down the hall and going outside. Luckily it cleans up quite easily.

At the post office I had packages. The "Lead Kindly Light" calendars I ordered and Brother Grapp's book are here. 

Here are the movies I watched while wrapping gifts and walking:

"A Very Merry Bridesmaid" starring Emily Osment

"My Favorite Christmas Melody"

"Sugar Plam Fairy Twist"

I liked all of them. I guess you could say the first one was my favorite.

I asked Darrel about the cakes we left at their house the last time we were down. I needed to know if I should buy something for the party tomorrow night or if we could use the cakes. Darrel said that Rowan and his friends devoured the cakes and they would replace them. I told them they did not have to because I had said they could eat them. He said okay but Trina bought another tuxedo cake at Costco and she said she couldn't find the other cake. That's because I got it at Sam's Club. One cake will be fine for the party. Thanks Trina.

James was very patient with me going to bed late.

 

Thur, Dec 16th, 2021: Sacramento, California Temple, Max still in hospital, Sabbath with Charlie, wrap calendars, Christmas movies, Boone MacArthur is born

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

 

Jesus Christ, relationships with the Father

1 John 2:1

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Book of Mormon

Ether 11:1-23

"Come Follow Me"

Restoration Proclamation

"I will be held accountable before God for the way I treat my family"

OctGenCon

"I Pray He'll Use Us"

Sharon Eubank

First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

The Church of Jesus Christ is under divine mandate to care for the poor. It is one of the pillars of the work of salvation and exaltation. What was true during the days of Alma is certainly true for us: "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."

Inklings

Anthony discussing "The Holy Covenants", Emily and Fatti

As I listened to Brother Anthony Sweat this morning discussing his book I especially liked this quote:

"Covenants protect us against our own instability."

This quote is from Emily's friend Fatima, or Fatti as she prefers to be called:

"My blessings are so much more than my stresses yet I seem to dwell on my stresses." 

President Nelson issued a Christmas message this morning via social media. It was short and concise. He talked about lighting the world with service, caring for those who may be lonely or in need. 

Sister Cress Miller in our ward seemed in need of some attention and comfort on Facebook today. I asked her what I could do to help and she said some soup would be nice. I told her I was going to be gone but I could bring her some on Tuesday. That's the same day I am taking dinner to the MacArthur's. Chelsea had a baby boy today, on Ben's birthday. They named him Boone.

Boone MacArthur

James went to town today to have bloodwork done and to pick up some lightbulbs. He also worked on his sales taxes.

Darrel texted me today and asked if Ruby could come up while Molly is here. I said all of his kids could come if they wanted to. Darrel and Trina have to work.  

Update from Sheri regarding Max:

Max's numbers are not great although he does feel better. Yesterday he kept asking for more morphine.

They are trying to move him to trauma. I guess he has a tiny something on his lungs from throwing up which caused air leakage. It should heal on its own but they need to monitor that. I am waiting to talk to the doctor. The nurse wants to take him off of the sugar water (which helps his potassium) because his blood sugars keep rising.

Comments by family members.

As hard as this is it has been a blessing. It has been nice to sit here with Max and listen to him. I feel like we have connected more and I understand him better. It is something I have been praying for - how to understand him so I can be there for him. I am thankful for a God who understands all things and answers prayers. Thank you to all of you for your prayers and sacrifices on our behalf. I feel really blessed.

I called the hospital and here is the update on Max:

He is downgraded to regular floor (no longer ICU)

He is able to eat and drink

I asked about his lungs and Dr is going to call me.  

I also got a text from Kim. She is preparing the "Come Follow Me" lesson for her ward and would like me to bring my framed copy of the family proclamation and "The Living Christ." I told her I would. James and I have decided we are going to attend Kim's ward so we can hear her lesson.

My Christmas movies for the day:

188 - "Christmas in the Rockies"

188 - "Christmas in Santa Fe" starring Mario Lopez

185 - "Dickens of a Holiday" with Brooke D'Orsay & Kristoffer Polaha

The last one was my favorite of these three.

We got our Christmas gift from Kacey and Jared today:

It's a book with all of the weekly photos

of Charlie that Kacey sent to us throughout 2021

We love it!!

Happy 22nd Birthday Ben!

This is last year's birthday photo 

Is that Ollie?

2020

Wed, Dec 15th, 2021: Newport Beach California Temple, Max in the hospital, Mail Ben's card, Dominoes pizza, parents quote,

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:17-34

"Come Follow Me" 

R. J. Maynes & bonnie L. Oscarson

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ

OctGenCon

"Lovest Thou Me More Than These?"

President M. Russell Ballard

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Do the things of this world bring us the joy, happiness, and peace that the Savior offered to His disciples and that He offers to us? Only He can bring us true joy, happiness, and peace through our loving Him and following His teachings.

How would we answer the question "Lovest thou me more than these?"

Inklings

"The Holy Covenants" by Anthony Sweat

I love this quote from "The Holy Covenants":

"One of the reasons God asks us to sacrifice is to make manifest what we truly love."

-Anthony Sweat

This morning on our family texting thread we were discussing the time for our family Christmas party on Saturday. We had originally said 6 p.m. but Kim thought that was too early for Brian who had to work. Sheri also said she didn't think Trina wanted it that early as it is at her house. We talked about 6 and then 7. Trina commented and said let's do 6:30 and we all agreed.

A couple of hours later, at 1:04 p.m., I got a text from Sheri:

I am at the hospital with Max. He cannot stop throwing up. Extremely high blood sugars, at 700. Chills, shallow breathing and back pain. Please pray for him. 

"Oh Sheri, I am so sorry. I wish I was there to be with you. Lots of prayers."

I wish you were here too. I feel so alone. They had to give him morphine for his pain.

I am so sad right now. Which hospital are you at?

Banner by my house. He is finally sleeping but his breathing is not good. They took him for CT scans and are going to start an insulin drip.

Do you need anything?

I don't know. It is so hard to see him this way. He told me he feels so disconnected and alone. And he is so worried about everything. I don't think he has been taking care of himself.

Probably not. What can we do for him? I told dad that Max has a lot of anxiety. I wish he could know how much the Savior loves him.

I just don't think I can do this anymore. I just want to die honestly.

I understand that feeling because I have felt that way. If you die everything would just be worse.

He will be in the hospital a few days.

He needs someone to let him know how serious this is and he won't listen to you. Hopefully they can help him.

They are trying to do another IV and can't. He is so dehydrated. His vains are flat.

They are putting him in ICU. This is very serious.

Should we come down?

Yes. In case he doesn't make it. The nurse said his organs are shutting down.

We are getting ready to come down.

It was at this point that I texted Tamara and told her what was going on. We were schedule to have a Christmas card signing party at our house tonight and I was going to go pick up pizza. Tamara understood and asked me to drop the cards off that I had, at the church. She said it would be just her and Maxine because Kerri is still in the valley after her kidney transplant. They will be meeting at the church and will forge my name and Kerri's. We are sending Christmas cards to all of the sisters in the ward. There are 130 of them.

After telling Tamara we were going to the valley, things turned around. I got this text from Sheri:

Trina seems to think it will be ok, but I don't know. Pray about it. I don't want you to come down for nothing. 

Stacy thinks it will be ok too. I am going to get ready but will wait to leave to see how he is doing. If his organs are shutting down that sounds serious. Keep in touch and let me know if you want us to come.

The nurse said his blood work was a disaster. His kidneys are in bad shape. He is in a lot of back pain. Trina did say that ICU is good because he will have a nurse appointed just to him. You don't have to come down. He doesn't want anyone but me here anyway.

Okay, but keep us posted.

To complicate things the CT scan showed a hole in his esophagus from throwing up so hard and so much. They have to transfer us to a hospital with a cardio-thorasic surgeon.

Oh no! This is terrible. Do they know why he was throwing up so much?

A bug or the start of keto acidosis. He hasn't checked his sugars in days.

They ended up putting Max in Banner University Hospital on McDowell and 12th Street in Phoenix. Close to Good Samaritan hospital where both James and I have been a patient.  

Here are the texts that Sheri sent on the family thread:

Hey everyone. Max is very sick. We are in the hospital, they are admitting him to ICU. His blood sugar is over 700. He is in a lot of pain and his body is in ketoacidosis. Prayers would be appreciated.

Adam asked what hospital he was in and what happened.

Sheri: Banner by my house. He is perplexed how it happened. He woke up sick this morning, he couldn't stop throwing up. Then he thought he was having a panic attach because he couldn't breathe. He has severe back pain. His blood sugar just read "hi." I called the fire department and they sent us to ER. His bloodwork is a disaster. He is in a lot of pain.

To complicate things the CT scan showed a hole in his esophagus from throwing up so hard and so much. They have to transfer us to a hospital with a cardio-thorasic surgeon.

He will be at Banner University. I guess it's the top Banner trauma hospital in the state. It is on 12th street and the 1-10 in Phoenix.

Good news - Dr says no surgery. He says there was gas where there shouldn't have been but no hole Hoping he will get better with rest and antibiotics plus treatment for Diabetic Keto Acidosis.

He can't go home today. His heart rate is very high still as well as blood pressure. They will need to do more blood work. He will be here at least one more night.

James and I went to town this afternoon as we had planned. We mailed Ben's birthday card and then went to get gas and light bulbs at Home Depot. We also picked up a pizza at Dominoes. Our favorite is the California veggie with thin crust. It was all gone by the time we got home. 

This evening while walking I watched two Christmas movies, "The Ghosts of Christmas's Past", and "The Enchanted Christmas Cake."

James didn't watch with me because he was working on fixing drywall.

 

 

Tue, Dec 14th, 2021: Aba Nigeria Temple, Wlmrt, Clvrs, 3 Christmas movies, Family Proclamation, cold, windy, and some rain, Charlie and Remmy

 

Aba, Nigeria

121st operating temple

Dedicated: 7 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

Colossians 2:9

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Book of Mormon

Ether 10:1-16

"Come Follow Me"

"The family is central to the Creator's plan"

Conference talk

"Establishing a Christ-Centered Home" by Richard J. Maynes

OctGenCon

"Simply Beautiful, Beautifully Simple"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

To receive eternal life, we must "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." As we come unto Christ and help others do the same, we participate in God's work of salvation and exaltation, which focuses on divinely appointed responsibilities.

Inklings

The Holy Covenants

I downloaded OS 15.2 on my phone this morning. As I was meditating on what to pray for my mind was on the family proclamation and marriage in our society today. It seems as if we live in a "throw away" society, which includes our marriages.

I like this quote by Dallin H. Oaks that is found in this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson:

"I believe our attitude toward and use of the family proclamation is a test for this generation. I pray for all Latter-day Saints to stand firm in that test." ("The Plan and the Proclamation").

I love Brother Sweat's new book, "The Holy Covenants". I read from it today and felt like I was underlining everything!

James and I went to down today. We went to Walmart, Culvers, Tractor Supply, and the gas station. Gas is still $3.65 in Show Low and Chandler. In Payson you can get it for $3.45. 

I got a chocolate strawberry mixer at Culver's and it was delicious. I also got an avocado southwestern salad which was okay. James got a fish sandwich and our order was over $20. We keep saying we aren't going to go to Culver's anymore because it is so expensive. 

Of course we got horse feed at Tractor Supply. I bought croissants and Cello's chocolate covered cherries at Walmart and some calendars to give as Christmas gifts. We said hello to our friends Dean & Donna Lundgren. 

James continued working on the bathroom leak. He discovered the problem and fixed it. Now he has to finish fixing the drywall downstairs. 

I watched these movies today: 

"Blending Christmas" starring Haylie Duff and Aaron O'Connell.

"Sister Swap: Christmas in the City" starring Kimberly Williams Paisley and Ashley Williams.

"A Royal Queens Christmas" starring Megan Park and Julian Morris. They we all entertaining but none of them made my top 10 list.

I wrapped four calendars today while watching movies. Whoop de do! It was cold, windy and we had a little rain today.

It's a Small World

Fixing the drywall. Calendars on chair

without bow.

Charlie and Remmy

Mon, Dec 13th, 2021: San Antonio, Texas Temple, "The Holy Invitation", my struggles, Happy Bday Carmen, mtn lion, Charlie & Nanny Lu, drywall mess

San Antonio, Texas

120th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 May 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

Colossians 1:19

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Book of Mormon

Ether 9:23-35

"Come Follow Me"

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

"The family is central to the Creator's plan

GC365

OctGenCon

"Favored of the Lord in All My Days"

Elder Moises Villanueva

Of the Seventy

Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, want us to have joy. President Russell M. Nelson has taught: "The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God's plan of salvation, . . . we can feel joy regardless of what is happening, or not happening, in our lives."

Inklings

I have prepared thee for a greater work

Ensign

"How We Gather Israel Today"

Listened to Follow Him this morning. I also read from "The Holy Invitation." This is a quote by Joseph Smith from that book:

"I want you all to know God, to be familiar with Him, . . . When we know how to come to Him, God begins to unfold the heavens to us and tell us all about it."  

I am struggling right now. Barbara Goodman was such a dear friend and I am so sad over her loss. We still needed her here. My heart aches for Pierce. 

The Grapp's have not been back to our ward since Thomas was released. It was the day of the Primar program, November 14th. Rumors are circulating about why they aren't coming and that they are attending another ward. James has tried to talk to Thomas but Thomas just says that everything is fine. Cammy acts that way too. 

Sheri is struggling with her boys, except for Evan. Lots of heartache with our older grandchildren and the decisions they are making. We have hope in the younger kids.

My health and James's health is not what it should be. With both struggle with pain. I quit taking methotrexate because my hair is falling out and so I am not feeling as well as I should. 

We spoke to Collin at the post office today and also Sandra Wilhelm. The post office is where it's at in Vernon. I got the book I've been waiting for, "The Holy Covenants", a sequel to "The Holy Invitation." I also got my Christmas present to myself, a car vacuum. I hope I can keep my car a little cleaner with it. That's one of my goals for the new year, keep my car clean!

I watched two good Christmas movies today, "Christmas Star", and "Fixing Christmas." I got a little cranky with James when he said that Cafe Kathy's chicken was full of sugar. I actually looked the recipe up online to show him it did not have any ingredients that contained sugar. 

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

-Proverbs 29:18

Happy Birthday Carmen!

Reminds me of when we had our tree

in Chandler and the pit was filled with presents

James fixed the drywall in the dining room

and then went right into the bathroom to

fix the leak up above in the tub.

Snow in the Cotswold

Nanny Lu and Charlie

My "Barbara" crackers