Thursday, February 23, 2023: Still snowing & blowing, J shovels walks & driveway, Trip to town, Detour 3148 roll over, diesel & car off the road, Arbys, PO, Wlmrt, Vernon PO

 

Lima, Peru

38th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Jan 1986

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Mosiah 3:7

And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 15:1-30

Come Follow Me

Matthew 7:1-5 I can judge righteously

Jesus's Name

Deliverer

Lesson Phrase

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God & His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Lesson Words

Prayer, Treasure, Master, Ask, Fruits

Favorite Scriptures

Matthew 6:19-21, 33; 7:7.

OctGenCon

Put On Thy Strength, O Zion

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The invitation to the wedding feast and the choice to partake in the feast are related but different. The invitation is to all men and women. An individual may even accept the invitation and sit down at the feast - yet not be chosen to partake because he or she does not have the appropriate wedding garment of converting faith in the Lord Jesus and His divine grace. Thus, we have both God's call and our individual response to that call, and many may be called but few chosen.

100 Favorite Verses - "The Second Coming"

D&C 45:52

Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

It is still snowing and blowing this morning. When James went out to feed Luna he stayed and shoveled off the patio and sidewalk up to the barn. He also shoveled the driveway so we could possibly get the car out. 

We left a little before 11 to town and indeed did make it out of our driveway. The drive went smoothly until we got to the Crossroads at 3148, we were directed to take an alternate route. We turned right on 3148 and continued on until it reaches Highway 61 where we turned right. Just past the turn there was a red SUV rolled over on the side of the road. I couldn't help but hope that no one was hurt too badly.

As we continued on 61 merges with the 60 just past Dollar General at the Y. A few miles later a car was off the road and then a semi-truck and another car with people still in it was stopped by the side of the road with a wrecked front fender. 

Semi-truck stuck in the snow

As we approached Show Low I told James I was hungry and could we please get something to eat before doing anything else. He asked me where I wanted to go and I said it was his turn to choose. He said, "I choose Arby's." Arby's it is. I ordered a roast beef gyro. At first it wasn't to my liking but I put some Arby sauce on it and it was better. I ate about half of it and left the rest for later. 

Our next stop was at Southwest Transmission where James's truck was towed. He got most of his tools, including a ladder but left the toolbox because there was no way to get it in the car since we also had to get groceries.

When we arrived at Walmart we actually parked and went in together. A novel idea. There are no baskets in the door we go in so I ask James to go get one at the other entrance and meet me in produce. I gathered all of this items I needed in produce and was wondering where James was. He was pushing the basket walking slowing and talking on the phone. I should have known. The phone calls are never ending with all of the jobs he has going. 

I send James off to find some items while I continue down each aisle. My meals this week are: cashew chicken, tacos, and veggie soup. 

After checking out I use my debit card to pay so I can get $40 out to give $20 to Adam and $20 to Joe. I brought the cards with me and we had already signed them. We decided to go to the Show Low post office because the mail will get to the valley quicker. We ate our treats, ice cream bar for me and sorbet chocolate bar for James. 

On the way home we stopped at the Vernon post office and picked up my packages, four birthday cards and a Stanley thermal water container I ordered back in January.

The sun is beginning to shine and the snow is melting. I picked out the card I wanted to give to Kathy Crane for her birthday, blue and lavender Nantucket hydrangeas. I signed it and asked James if he would take it to her. He said that he would be glad to. I was so grateful!

Kathy loved the card and told me that when she lived in California she had blue hydrangea's in her front yard. I am glad she liked the flowers and apologized that it was two days late.

James figured out how much money is owed to him and has a big smile on his face. It is more than he thought. He has finished two of the Jared Bowen's project the Scottsdale medical center and the Hampton medical center. We are so grateful that Jared Bowen called him and he has had this work.

I talked to my friend Tamara Applegate who just returned from upstate New York where they visited Jimmie's family. I sent her a picture of Michael Vaal's book and asked if she had this book in the library. I told her that Joe Vaal, Michael's older brother, lived in Vernon. She said that she knew Joe's wife, Julia, and she knew that she had died after Joe retired to stay home with her. I told her about how he couldn't sleep because he was thinking of her and that James and Greg Anderson gave him a blessing and that the missionaries were teaching him. She said she would look at getting the book in the library and hoped that Joe joined the Church. 

We had soup and leftover pizza for dinner and then went into the bedroom to walk. I got over 17,000 steps but didn't finish my blog.

Nashville, Tennessee

Two Sweetie's

Talon & Abbey

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2023: Talon gets married, Talen has a baby, James leaves in a blizzard, rock wrecks his truck, I drive in a blizzard to rescue him

 

Seoul, Korea

37th operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Dec 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Hebrews 5:8

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 13:6-14:6

Come Follow Me

Matthew 6:7 What does it mean to use "vain repetitions" in prayer?

Jesus's Name

Gift/Deliverer

Phrase

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Words

Prayer, Treasure, Master, Fruits, Ask

Favorite Scriptures

Matthew 6:19-21, 33; 7:7

OctGenCon

Patterns Of Discipleship

Elder Joseph W. Sitati

Emeritus Member of the Seventy

Our opportunity to nurture in our souls a lasting love of God and of our neighbor starts at home with the holy habits of connecting with the Father daily in personal and family prayer in the name of His Only Begotten Son, learning together of Them through individual and family scripture study, observing the Sabbath day together, and individually holding a current temple recommend, using it together as often as we are able.

Lasting Discipleship

President Steven J. Lund

Young Men General President

The stalwart youth of Zion are voyaging through stunning times. Finding joy in this world of prophesied disruption without becoming part of that world, with its blind spot toward holiness, is their particular charge. About a hundred years ago, G. K. Chesterton spoke almost as though he saw this quest as being home centered and Church supported when he said, "We have to feel the universe at once as an ogre's castle, to be stormed, and yet as our own cottage, to which we can return at evening."

100 Favorite Verses - "Believing on the Name of Christ"

Helaman 14:13

And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.

Little Talena Singleton, who is only 16, had a baby. I don't believe she is married. Also, in other Vernon news, Talon Wilhelm just got married in a big white barn. 

James left this morning around 5:30 in a blizzard. About an hour and a half after he left he called me. I was surprised because I knew he couldn't be even at Globe yet. He said: "Can you meet me at the Y in about 20-30 minutes"? I asked him what happened? He said that as he was going through Carrizo Canyon a bunch of boulders fell across the road in front of him. He couldn't stop and one of them, about the size of a basketball, rolled under the truck and knocked out the drive shaft. He was stuck there. A guy in a tow truck from Globe stopped and asked if he needed help. The guy was going to Concho to pick up a car from a guy who hasn't made his payments. This guy dropped James off at Dollar General. James didn't know it was closed. He was left outside in the wind and the snow.

When I opened the garage door I wasn't even sure I could get out of the driveway in my little car, but I did. I was driving in a blizzard because the wind was whipping the snow all around and it was almost like a whiteout. Although the roads had been plowed there was still a lot of snowy slush left on them.

 I got to Dollar General around 8 o'clock. It took me longer than usual because I was driving in a blizzard and got stuck behind three cars and a snow plow. We were going about 30-35 mph. The store was opening as I arrived when didn't do James any good. He jumped into the car and I insisted that he drive so we traded places. We stopped at the post office around 8:15. John was putting up mail but he wouldn't give James our packages because he said the window doesn't open until 9. Well I hope he doesn't mind having our packages around for awhile because I'm not sure we will be back anytime soon.

We only had one mishap on the way home. On the turn before you get to MacArthur's we got stuck. I thought he was going a little fast and complained. I thought we were going to have to walk the rest of the way home. He managed to get us unstuck so I told him I was sorry that I complained that he was going too fast. 

Home never looked so good! I went about my normal routine with lots of breaks because I feel like I may be catching a cold. I am worried that James is going to get sick from waiting outside in the freezing cold for so long. I made him take some Emergen-C. 

I really think we are snowed in. The drifts are 2-3 foot high. Tomorrow James's truck will be towed in to Show Low and he wants to get his tools. I also need to go shopping at Walmart and mail Adam and Joe's birthday cards. Hopefully we will be able to get out.

James was on the phone most of the afternoon either with the tow company or the insurance company. Our policy is $500 deductible and the insurance will only pay $30 a day for a rental. No matter how you look at it, this accident is going to cost us money!

Dawn's Valentine card

The Ellsworth's

Emery & Trenda

and their two little boys

Joe Vaal is the 3rd boy

in the middle

Tuesday, February 21, 2023: Up @ 4:30, J oil change and pomegranate juice, Forgot wallet, Butternut squash risotto, Temple initiatory, endowment w/ Ruth Gale, Ava's

 

Johannesburg, South Africa

36th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 12:1-13:5

Come Follow Me

Matt 6-7 Living the Savior's teachings can help me become like Him.

Jesus' Name

Gift/ Deliverer

Words/Phrases

...all these things shall be added unto you; prayer, treasure, seek ye first, two masters, fruits, ask.

Favorite Scriptures

Matt 6:19-21, 33, 7:7

OctGenCon

Happy and Forever

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Those who deliberately choose wickedness, who consciously procrastinate repentance, or who in any premeditated or knowing way break the commandments, planning for easy repentance, will be judged by God and a "bright recollection of all their guilt." We cannot knowingly sin on Saturday, then expect automatic forgiveness by partaking of the sacrament on Sunday. To missionaries or others who say following the Spirit means not having to obey mission standards or the commandments, please remember that obeying mission standards and the commandments invite the Spirit. We should none of us put off repentance. The blessings of repentance begin as we begin to repent.

100 Favorite Verses - Search the Scriptures

John 5:39

Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

I actually got up at 4:30 this morning! Yay! 

James has been texting Michael about giving Fernie a Book of Mormon. Michael says she needs one in Spanish. James says he thinks he has one in his truck, but I question the condition of it so I am going to order her one. 

James left for town quite early this morning to get the oil changed in my car and to get himself some pomegranate juice. About 30 or 40 minutes after he left I got a phone call from him. He said, "You are going to hate me." I said, "Why"? He said, and I already knew it in my heart, because I forgot my wallet. I told him I would bring it to him, and I did. I told him to meet me at the Y but he went passed the Y and I didn't see him but he saw me and told me to turn around because I just passed him. I gave him his wallet and sadly he turned around and went back to town. 

I was surprised that my oil change was $62.88, about ten dollars more expensive than last time. The entire bill with groceries and the oil change was $102.68. Then, on the way home, James stopped at Nature's Realm which is a health food store and bought some supplements which cost over $84.00. 

In other news, I just happened to see on Facebook that Talon Wilhelm and his girlfriend Abby got married. 

I told James I would make him some lunch before I left for the temple this afternoon. I have had a butternut squash since the last of December and It was starting to look wrinkled. It took me about 20 minutes to get the onions and squash cut up and get everything in the pot including arborio rice which is used to make risotto. I am making butternut squash risotto. I didn't have any vegetable brother so I used chicken broth and it was a little salty. It took about 40 minutes because the rice was creamy. It had a great taste but I agree with James, it was a little salty. I told him I would make mushroom risotto next time and would use vegetable broth. Because of his cancer James wants to eat mostly vegetables and whole grains.

I left for the temple at 1:20. I have an initiatory appointment at 2:30 and the session is at 3:30. It rained on my most of the way but it wasn't raining at the temple. I did five names in initiatory, including the one I am doing the endowment for who is one of Nannie's relatives, Margaret E. Walker. I gave Ruth the name I had of Ruth Wallace's, the last name being Vornkahl. I should have brought some cough drops because I had a scratchy throat that made me cough. One of the sisters in initiatory gave me a cough drop and Ruth gave me another. 

Kim Mattice was the officiator in our session. He was my grandparents accountant. His wife was the sister officiating in our session. After our session we agreed to meet at Ava's for dinner. It was cold outside as I walked back to my car.

Ruth ordered a taco salad and I had a chicken enchilada with rice and beans. Ruth thanked me for the flower card I had sent her for her birthday. She wondered how I knew it was her birthday. She told me that her son Val is a bishop in Chandler and is also the Fire Chief in Chandler. Valeen, who now lives in Texas, is excited because they think they have a buyer for their house in San Tan. 

After saying goodbye to Ruth I drove home in the rain and then the snow. 

After we finished walking we went to bed around 9 o'clock. James is getting up early to go to the valley tomorrow.

Charlie's hair

Sheri's flowers

Monday, February 20, 2023: Yag laser procedure, James's Zoom call w/Dr. Patel, Barbara Bartels water, Sheri's 48th bday,

 

Chicago, Illinois

35th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Aug 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Hebrews 2:18

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, bvut to them that believed not?

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 10:18-11:8

Come Follow Me

Matthew 6-6 "He Taught Them As One Having Authority"

Jesus's Name

Deliverer/Gift

Phrase

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Words

Prayer, Treasure, Master, Ask, Seek, Knock, Fruits

Favorite Scriptures

Matt 6:19-21, Matt 6:33, Matt 7:7, Matt 7:20

OctGenCon

His Yoke Is Easy And His Burden Is Light

Sister J. Annette Dennis

First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

As we follow His example, we can be yoked with Him and help foster a feeling of love and belonging in the hearts of all our Father's children.

"We love hi, because he first loved us." As we are filled with the Savior's love, His yoke truly can be easy, and His burden can feel light.

100 Favorite Verses - "Love One Another"

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love on another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love on to another.

James and I left at 6:23 this morning for Show Low. I am having a laser procedure on my left eye to remove scar tissue left from my cataract surgery. It's called a Yag laser procedure. I was scheduled to be there at 7 a.m. The surgery center waiting room was full. I was called backed immediately and sat in a hallway with 9 or 10 other people who are also having the same procedure done. The nurse says

30% of patients who have cataract surgery develop scar tissue which requires them to have the additional Yag procedure. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. 

We each were called to get our vitals taken and to have drops put in our eyes to dilate them. Around 7:30 they started the laser procedure. A person was called into a room that had a Danger sign on it because of the laser beam. The person sat in a chair in front of a laser machine with Dr. Knippers on the other side. He did a few zaps, you saw red flashes and dots and then he said, we are done and you were excused to go back into the hall until they called you in to get your blood pressure taken again and have some more drops put in your eyes. They were done with all of us by 8:00. 

I am glad James came with me to drive me home because my eyes were pretty blurry because of the drops. We went through Sonic and got Slingers and mozzarella sticks for the ride home. We listened to our book. I guess you could call this our second breakfast. The first was a piece of toast. When I got home I rested until my eye felt better. 

At 11 a.m. James had a Zoom call with Dr. Patel, the head oncologist at St. Joseph's hospital. We learned some things we didn't know by speaking with Dr. Patel. He was very thorough but what it boils down to is that James has a stage one cancer. There are two options we are considering:  One is having a focused radiation procedure done which is aimed directly at the cancerous cell. The other is to do nothing, just wait, and check again in 3 months to see if the cancer has grown. Right now there is no cancer in the lymph nodes which is a good thing. 

When we got off the Zoom call James seemed visibly relieved. I think the fact that the cancer is in stage one was the biggest relief. Dr. Patel said he would talk to the doctor doing the surgery and get back with us regarding a recommendation. 

James got a call from Barbara Bartels this morning. She still has no water. She said her neighbors, Vance and Joshua are helping her but she still wants James to come over. There really wasn't anything for James to do so he came home. The valve was broken and Vance and Joshua were replacing it. Barbara just thinks James knows everything about construction.

It was nice and warm and sunny today especially for this time of year. James spoke with Dawn and Trina today regarding the meeting with Dr. Patel and I spoke with Sheri. They were the three people who asked about how the meeting went. 

We got a Valentine from Dawn today. It was beautiful!

"Without love of God and love of neighbor there is little else to commend the gospel to us as a way of life." 

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Happy Birthday Sheri!

One of my favorite of Sheri's birthdays

Laura, looking a little tired after

physical therapy

Sunday, February 19, 2023: Left side of my face swollen, I forge ahead, Sacrament mtg, SS, lunch, nap, blog, read, DMT, BM,

 

Stockholm, Sweden

34th operating temple

Dedicated: 2 July 1985

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Temptations of

Luke 22:28

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 9:50-10:17

Come Follow Me

Review & Sunday School Lesson

Jesus's Name

Lawgiver

Lesson Words

Blessed, Salt, Light, Love, Perfect

Favorite Scriptures

Matthew 5:3-10, 16, 44, 48

OctGenCon

Lifted Up Upon The Cross

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As we take up our crosses and follow Him, it would be tragic indeed if the weight of our challenges did not make us more empathetic for and more attentive to the burdens being carried by others. It is one of the most powerful paradoxes of the Crucifixion that the arms of the Savior were stretched wide open and then nailed there, unwittingly but accurately portraying that every man, woman, and child in the entire human family is not only welcome but invited into His redeeming, exalting embrace.

100 Favorite Verses - The Publisher of Peace

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith uno Zion, Thy God reigneth.

Up at 5:16, an hour later than I wanted, but still enough time to go over the lesson a couple of times. My face is swollen on the right side. I realized it earlier when I was up to go to the bathroom and took a Naproxen, but it's still swollen. I got a "headache" bag from the freezer and pressed it against my cheek. James insisted that I use the sauna bag for at least 15-20 minutes. I said I could only afford 15. I climbed inside and warmth surrounded me. It was wonderful and so relaxing. When I was finished I ate half a cheese crisp and swallowed two Tramadols. On the way to church I took two Benadryl at James's suggestion. I was all drugged up. My face still has some slight swelling but after my prayer I turned things over to the Lord and didn't worry about it.

James and I arrived at church at 8:15 for our 9 o'clock sacrament meeting so we could set up the room for Sunday School. Kerri came in to set up the microphones just as we were leaving.

My name was presented in sacrament meeting as being called to be a teacher in Relief Society. I received a sustaining vote and was not asked to stand, thank goodness! 

Today was high council Sunday and Curtis Patterson is the high councilman who was assigned to our ward. Elder Piper, one of the full-time missionaries was his speaking companion. 

Elder Piper, as one my expect, spoke on missionary work. Here are some notes that I took:

Be friendly. Ask yourself, what would Christ have me to do? A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you. Everything starts from a place of love. 1.) Be interested in others. 2.) Share the gospel - the Savior can help everyone - improve people's lives through sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ really does love them. 3.) Be friend others by inviting them to come unto Christ. Love, share, and invite. This is the most important work in the world. 

Brother Curtis Patterson - Vernon is his favorite ward. The first thing he did was read a quote from President Nelson regarding the importance of women in the gospel. That's a good way to start. He then said: Bring people closer to Christ. Belonging. "Much of the joy in life has little to do with the circumstances of our lives but the focus of our lives." Focus on Christ. Born and grew up in Jackson county, Missouri. He was persecuted and abused on a daily basis in high school. One of the boys he cut him with a knife in high school called him recently and apologized and said he had joined the Church. A girl did the same. The Savior needs to be the center of our lives. Focus on Him and learn to love as He loves and forgive as He forgives. Brother Patterson is a great example of this. He also helps youth who are being bullied on social media and in real life.

I felt like the lesson on Matthew 5 went well. There was good participation and I felt like the Spirit was there, especially when James shared the story about the Berlin Wall and the garbage. I am glad I was able to teach the class without looking too scary. Now I can focus on teaching Relief Society next week.

We came home and had some lunch and then I took a long nap on the recliner in the family room. It was almost 4 o'clock in the afternoon when I woke up. Kim texted me and said her class went well and asked me how mine was. I was happy to report that I thought it was a success. 

This evening I read a little from Michael Vaal's book, blogged, caught up on my Book of Mormon studies, listened to Elder Holland's conference talk, and listened to Dave & Emily on "Don't Miss This" for next week's lesson, Matthew 6 & 7.

It was a good Sabbath day. I am so grateful for the Sabbath although we were sorry to hear that Kacey and Jared have Covid and were not able to attend their meetings. Kacey sent us a couple of pictures of Charlie reading from her scriptures. If only the other grandkids would follow her example.

Charlie loves to read her scriptures!

Today's Handouts

Tara & Jeff (a Brit) prepare an

English feast

Janie is three years older than I am. She talks about Eb & Gerri

Lewis who were in my ward. Eb was my bishop and his daugher

Kim Seaman is the temple matron at the Snowflake temple today.