Monday, December 18, 2023: Wrap and ready to go to the valley, leave at 12:30, Snow, Snow, Sun, Sun, Wendy's Biggie Bag, Globe way, D&T's, Sheri's, Organ Stop pizza

 

Meridian, Idaho

158th operating temple

Dedicated: 19 Nov 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon Reading

Ether 12:22-41

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

#100 - Moroni 10:3-5

Behold, I would exhort you that when you shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of te Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. 

Come Follow Me

Dec 18-24 Christmas "Good Tidings of Great Joy" Introduction

October General Conference

"Praise to the Man" by President M. Russell Ballard

 

I was up at 6:30 this morning. I still have several gifts to wrap and Janna Grombach is coming over at 9:30. 

It snowed and it was beautiful for a short time before the sun came out. As much as I love the snow, I was worried about traveling if it was snowing so I was a little relieved when it quit. 

Janna arrived at 9:30 as planned and Kathy Crane came over too. Janna was going to bring us cinnamon rolls but she said she would need to bring them over later. She brought gifts instead. So very nice. Kathy thanked me for my gift but said she missed the calendar I normally give them. I guess I will go back to calendars for friends next year.

James and I left for the valley around 12:30. We went to Walmart first to pick up his prescription for his eye from Jared and to pick up three prescriptions for me. We went through Wendy's and ordered a Biggie Bag for lunch. We went the Globe way and stopped in Globe for gas. James also got a tuna sub. I guess the chicken nuggets from the Biggie Bag weren't enough for him. 

We stopped at Darrel and Trina's first and dropped off their Christmas presents. We visited with Addy, Rowan, and Ruby, the only ones who were home. Darrel was at work and Trina and Lola were at an escape game. 

After saying our goodbyes we headed for Sheri's house. Sheri was at home and so were Evan and Ben. James gave both Evan and Ben blessings. Ben for health issues and Evan for other issues. James forgot his oil so he borrowed some from Terry. James gave sweet blessings to both boys.

We said dropped off gifts, said our goodbyes and headed for Organ Stop pizza. We were a little early so instead of having pizza we went to a nearby Whataburger and each got a Whataburger Jr. 

Sheri, Max, and Evan were the first ones to arrive at Organ stop.  They saved a spot upstairs for everyone else. Ben didn't come because he still has a headache. Dallin and Sami arrived at the same time we did so we got to finally meet her. Michael came a little later. This use to be Michael's birthday celebration but he said he doesn't want it to be that anymore. He will be 26 tomorrow. 

Visiting with Joe and Michael

at Organ Stop.

Kim, Brian and Joe came and Kim had baked Michael a strawberry lemonade cake:

Yummy and pretty too!

Paul, Adam, Joshua, and Alayna also came. I asked where Stacy was

and Paul said her shoulder was really bothering her so she stayed at home. She had shoulder surgery last Friday. 

I had James request "Phantom of the Opera" and someone else requested "Star Wars." The organ is awesome sounding but a little too loud for my ears.

We went back to Darrel and Trina's where Addy was having a party. Darrel was home so we visited with him, Ruby, and Lola. Rowan was also gone to a party. Lola gave her report on the Wampanoag Indian tribe in early America. It was a power point presentation and she did a great job!

James and I walked around the center green belt of Darrel & Trina's neighborhood and then we walked to Safeway to get some Tums. 

I ordered the Thanksgiving Feast today from Mimi's for our Christmas dinner at Dawn and Lois's. It includes a turkey and ham and all of the sides except rolls.

Newest store in the Chandler mall

Gigantic deer spotted in D's neighborhood.

Lola's outing

Sunday, December 17, 2023: Full sacrament mtg even Pres. Beeler, Ty's mission report, Sis Golly sings, Teach Council Mtg, Visit Peeler's and Tamara Applegate, Joy D. Jones

 

Tucson, Arizona

157th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Aug 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon Reading

Ether 12:1-21

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

#99 - 3 Nephi 18:20

And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

Come Follow Me

Review Revelation 5-14

October General Conference

"Brothers and Sisters in Christ" by Elder Ulisses Soares

Inklings

"Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heave" by Elder Neil L. Andersen

and Doctrine and Covenants 25.

drbarbaramorgangardner

"How Great Will Be Your Joy" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Our sacrament meeting was extra full today, including our stake president, President Beeler, who was on the stand.

Ty Applegate, our return missionary, took the entire meeting. President Beeler told him that was all right. Brother Gardener was going to speak but didn't have to. Jennifer Golly sang the closing song and it was amazing!! I'm not sure of the name, maybe, "The King of Love and Light." The chorus was "Oh come let us adore Him." I love anything that Jennifer sings!

A high councilman, Brother Gardener, was supposed to speak also but Ty took the entire time. President Beeler told him he could. 

Here are some notes that I took:

I had some personal experiences with Christ that are too personal to share. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Choices - don't eat from the tree but multiply and replenish the earth. Seems contrary but essential. Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy. 2 Nephi 9:51 Do not spend money for that which has no worth ... magic cards ... transfer... became district leader. Repent and come with full purpose of heart unto God. Made a sacrifice by throwing away over $100's worth of magic cards. How can I train when I am new?

God is in control and all powerful. Began reading the Book of Mormon. The Deliverer is all powerful. Carl: "I want to get baptized." Smoked for over 50 years. One year later still had smoking problem but was going to keep trying. Got cancer and passed away. "As in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Carl will have another chance to accept the gospel and I will have the privilege of seeing him again. 

The greatest gift I have been given is a relationship with Jesus Christ. I was the sheep on His shoulders. Gethsemane, Calvary, and the Garden tomb. Isaiah 53:4.

(I wonder how Ty and Addy would get along?)

Second hour James attended gospel doctrine and I attended the teachers council meeting. Others attending the class led by John Wilhelm: Sandra Wilhelm, Mel Wilhelm, Jeff McCamy, Brother Pronger, Christine Brady, Kate Hahn, Bishop Hunsaker and Alicia, Rebecca Skousen, Aubrey Harris, Michelle Tesarek, Cheryl Sedig, Natalie Robles, Rosie Lauritzen.

Genuine interest, get to know individuals, 343 members of our ward and only half are active. Primary made a list of inactives over 8 and gave them to the sister missionaries. Invite others to activities, challenge class members and checkup the next month like Wendy DeWitt. What can we do to help someone else. Reverence in meetings, pray for them by name, ponder about each person, are we seeing what God sees? He knows our hearts, build others up, positive reinforcement. Why am I here" Focus on inactives, issue challenges, don't be too timid.

We had stew for lunch and then it was nap time. After taking a nap I read from my book by Dr. Richard Draper, "Opening the Seven Seals." 

I made some pretzel turtles for the Peeler's, put them in a cardboard gingerbread house along with a pair of fuzzy socks for each of them, and we went over for a visit.

Donna did not look well. Her cancer has now gone in to her bones. She is not eating very much but she still has her cute personality. I put her fuzzy socks on her feet for her. As we were leaving I thanked Owen for taking such good care of her.

We also dropped a Christmas gift off at the Applegate's. It's a Christmas postage stamp puzzle and a pair of fuzzy socks for Tamara and Shelly. Tamara said one time she wanted a Christmas postage stamp puzzle so that's why this particular puzzle. 

James made ham sandwiches for dinner. They were yummy. I listened to Joy D. Jones on "Follow Him" while working on my blog. She is one of my favorites and her message was sooo good!!

Sweet Scarlett

Revolving bookshelf, I want one!

Christmas caroling at Grandmother's

Saturday, December 16, 2023: T-Bo works with James, beautiful day, J works 8 hours, eye prescription, tired, blogged, made rolls, wrapped, paid bills, ward party we miss, "7 Seals"

 

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Book of Mormon Reading

Ether 11:1-23

Book of Mormon 100 Favorites

#98 - Alma 5:26

And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

Come Follow Me

Revelation 14:6-7 "I saw another angel ... having the everlasting gospel."

October General Conference

"Seeing God's Family through the Overview Lens" by Sister Tamara W. Runia

 T-Bo came over to work this morning. He only stayed a couple of hours because the log James was going to cut up for firewood turned out to be rotten. 

It was a beautiful day to work outside. James stayed out and worked for 8 hours. Underneath his eye is red and swollen. He says he got a piece of metal in it but was able to get some of it out. He's not sure if there is anymore metal in there. He texted Jared and Jared called him in a prescription. Thank you Jared. 

I was tired all day long. I started some rolls rising early this morning. They are for our ward's Night at Bethlehem Christmas party tonight. 

Once they rose  I baked them and they looked beautiful. I let them completely cool down and then broke them apart and prepared them for the Crane's to take to the party. They don't look as pretty once they are torn apart, but, they still taste good. The Relief Society president asked me if I could bring 2 dozen rolls so I couldn't even sample one roll! (I use Rhodes Texas-sized frozen rolls).

When I asked Kathy Crane to take my rolls she asked if I felt sick. I said, no, I am just tired and James has a red, swollen eye. 

After the party when Kathy returned a container I had sent the rolls in, I asked her how the party was. She said it was really good.

I made ham sandwiches and baked potatoes for dinner. After dinner James and I walked while listening to our new book, "Skye Fall" and watching a Hallmark Christmas movie, "Sealed with a List", which we both liked. 

I love this quote from the book I am reading, "Opening the Seven Seals" by Richard D. Draper:

..."their lives had been given in sacrifice because of their loyalty to God, ... not in dying for their faith, but in living for it." (p. 69)

Luna's Lounge is coming right along

The sky was mesmerizing this evening

Christmas memory from Chandler

Gotta be the oldest restaurant in Arizona.

Paul & Stacy's favorite steak house

Ben's run in Washington state

Sister Tracy Browning

Ty Applegate, home from his mission