OUR FAMILY

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Sunday, April 23, 2023:3-4 hrs working on my lesson, J goes to ward council, Setup classroom, sacrament meeting the Flake family, RS, J fixes lunch, Tim & Becca's twin girls, Nutella fudge

Houston, Texas

97th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Ether 12:6

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 14:1-15:9

Come Follow Me

John 7-10 "I am the Good Shepherd" & "Don't Miss This"

Jesus' Name

The Good Shepherd

Word

Protector

Phrase

My Sheep hear my voice

AprGenCon

Teaching of Jesus Christ

President Dallin H. Oaks

"We are given the scriptures to direct our lives. My message today consists of a selection of the words of our Savior - what He said."

I got up before 4 a.m. to finish preparing my lesson on ministering. Because of the topic I feel that there will be a lot of discussion today, which is what I want.

James went to ward council this morning which meets at 7:30. I left around 8:30 and I feel ready to lead a discussion on ministering.

The Flake family were the speakers in sacrament meeting today. Cole and Lily were the youth speakers and Crystal and Preston were the adult speakers. By the time it was Preston's turn to speak there was no time left so he just bore his testimony. He had worked a 12 hour shift at the hospital last night and was extremely tired. James and I had been watching him during the meeting trying to stay awake. I think he was relieved he didn't have to give a 15 minute talk.

Relief Society went well except for the fact that Millie Scott was crying after the meeting. She had made a comment during the lesson about visiting a ward in Mesa with her daughter and they had assigned people to take in pizza to people who needed a meal. I made the comment that I had done that this week (not ministering but to the missionaries) and she thought she had offended me. It took me about 15 minutes or so to convince her that I was not offended. I ended up telling her the entire story and then she felt better.

James was already preparing lunch when I returned home. We had stew and corn and salad. It all tasted good. After lunch James mixed up a batch of Nutella fudge and we both took naps while the fudge set up.

We got a text from Dawn today. Becca and Tim's twin girls were born today. They are naming them Kathryn and Elizabeth. We assume that Kathryn is named after James's mom as that is how she spells her name.

Kathryn and Elizabeth

20" long, 5 lbs 15 oz each

This makes 7 kids for Tim and Becca. This week Gail is taking care of the 5 other kids and making sure they get to all the places they need to be.

This evening James shared his cancer miracle with the kids and I shared my findings regarding 1 Nephi 4.

Addy & friends

Emily & Dave in Israel

Saturday, April 22, 2023: Chocolate ganach frosting, RS activity, Rosa's tortillas, lunch and dessert, three-four hours working on my lesson, walk w/ James

Caracas, Venequela

96th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Aug 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Ether 4:11

But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 13:5-35

Come Follow Me

Review Matthew 18; Luke 10 "What Shall I Do To Inherit Eternal Life?

Jesus' Name

The Good Shepherd

Word

Compassion

Phrase

Humble yourself as a little child to become great in the kingdom of heaven.

AprGenCon

Peacemakers Needed

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always."

I got up this morning and decided to put some chocolate drips on my cake. I made some ganache using chocolate chips and cream. I tried to let it drip down the sides of the cake but it was too thick to make nice drips. They were big blobs. James thought they looked fine, but they didn't. He was shocked when I covered the entire cake in chocolate.

James could hardly wait until I was finished so he could cover slices of banana in the chocolate. The cake turned out to be quite delicious.

Like a big chocolate covered strawberry

The Relief Society activity began at 11:00. I left the house about 10:40 with my cake in a cake carrier. When I arrived at the building Lily (YW) ran to her adopted grandma, Mary Gilbert, and said, "she brought another cake." At the last ward event Lily had more than one piece of my lemon cake. Mary said, "Last time you brought lemon and now you are bringing chocolate strawberry." One of the priesthood holders, I can't remember who, maybe Tebo, said, "You can put that in my car."

I set the cake on the dessert table and left my purse in a chair close to the table. Rosa was ready to start her flour tortilla demo. I sat on the front row and took notes. Here is a picture of cute little Rosa:

Rosa uses lard, hot water, 3 cups of white flour

and one cup of wheat flour for her tortillas.

I think they needed some salt and would definitely

add salt if I made them.

That's Lynda Finnell and Marci Butler in the background. Lynda

is in charge of the activity and Marci is Rosa's daughter-in-law and

is cooking the tortillas for Rosa.

Lunch was a taco bar with corn tortillas, flour tortillas, beans, hamburger and all of the fixings. Lynda Finnell made mango salsa and told us all to try it. By the time I went through the line, most of it was gone. My table, except for Catherine had my cake for dessert. Catherine brought cherry cobble and that's what she had. Others at my table: Tamara, Kerri, Julie, Tamara's sister who is here visiting, and Crystal Flake. I'm not sure what Crystal had for dessert so I correct myself.

The cake disappeared and people said they really liked it. I liked it and Tamara who does inter-mitten fasting said the cake was well worth breaking her fast. Tamara and Kerri are such good friends!

Cope Reynolds helped me carry my stuff to the car. I asked him where Amy was and he said she was in Washington at a baby shower for one of her daughters. It's funny because I just saw her other daughter, Claire, when we delivered pizza to the missionaries last Thursday.

James was sad when I didn't bring him home a piece of cake. I promised him I would make another one for him. He said it couldn't be better than the cherry chip cake I made and I told him I liked it better.

James worked on taxes, made some phone calls, and stayed busy all day. That's according to him as I wasn't here to see him for a good part of the day.

I got home, rested and then spent most of the rest of the day working on my lesson and, of course, walking. James and I finished one book and started another, "The Topaz" by Jennie Hansen.

Buckelew springs, the falls are running

Yay! Benjamin!

Cougar on the Superstition

This is me

What did you say, I couldn't hear you

Watson Lake near Payson, Az

Such a handsome guy

Trina's dad

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Friday, April 21, 2023:Lime juice for James's voice, J 3 trips to town for waterline at Barbara's, Stew, Strawberry cake for RS activity, Walk, Study, Pray

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

95th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 July 2000

By: James E. Faust

Jesus Christ, Testimony of

Mormon 9:25

And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 12:17-13:4

Come Follow Me

Luke 10:38-42 We choose "that good part" by making daily choices that lead to eternal life.

Jesus' Name

Good Samaritan

Words

Seven/Compassion

Phrase

Humble yourself as a little child to become great in the kingdom of heaven.

AprGenCon

A Voice of Gladness

Elder Kevin R. Duncan

Of the Seventy

"The building of temples has been one of the highest priorities of all prophets since the Prophet Joseph Smith.

I need more and better sleep. I am a slug in the mornings. It used to be my peppy time. Must do better...I must feel better to do better. I guess I need to make a new schedule. Maybe 4 is too early for me in my old age.

James could hardly speak this morning. He tried some vinegar which did not help. I made him some hot lime juice with honey. He let it cool a little and then drank it down and magically he could speak again. I guess I need to always have limes or lemons on hand.

I spent most of the day in the kitchen and James spent the day working at Barbara's. Something about waterlines and three trips to town. He is not happy. He said he wasted a lot of time. I said solving problems is not a waste of time. I encouraged him and said he was a great problem solver. He said I was his greatest cheerleader. I am glad I could help.

Here are some of my accomplishments in the kitchen today.

I made a stew. James said it was delicious but that I made too much. I may have but I bet we eat it all.

I baked a strawberry cake, three layers. The layers did not rise very well so I made some strawberry filling and then frosted the cake with Courtney's strawberry buttercream frosting.

I worked all afternoon and well into the evening and the kitchen was a mess. James helped me to clean it. I was so grateful. Here is a picture of my cake today. Tomorrow it will look different.

James longing looking at the cake.