Thursday, May 23, 2024: Tom sleeps in until 5:30, Inklings, first case of vertigo, Luna gets shoes, allergic reaction in my left hand, Razr, sliders for dinner, upstrs cleaning tomorrow

  

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug, 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 22

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 18:17-30

God commands His people to gather, organize, and be united.

Dallin H. Oaks, "The Need for a Church"

April General Conference

"Swallowed Up in the Joy of Christ" by Elder Brian K. Taylor

Inklings

"Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ" by Elder Soares

Hebrews 10:16-39

D&C 109:17-20

Confidence

"We embark on a sacred journey of learning to become higher and holier disciples of Christ"

Affirmation: "In am confident in my capability to do the Lord's work through the covenants I have made in the temple. I am "temple bound" - secured to my Savior by my covenants and the relationship I am developing with Him."

Tom slept in until 5:30 this morning. We were pleased. It's like having a baby all over again.

The high today was 74, which sounds just about perfect, except for the wind. 

I listened to Inklings this morning with Emily and Rio. The talk was by Elder Soares, "Covenant Confidence in Jesus Christ." Here are some of my takeaways:

* Keep track of instances of God's love in our lives. Prove Him to build confidence in Him.

* Confidence is the pinnacle of our divine connection with God and can help us increase our devotion to and gratitude for Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. It fortifies, strengthens, and empowers us

* Sanctified - to be made clean or pure through holy ritual.

* What are the practices or 'holy rhythms' of my life that I go to when I'm not feeling confident? - Emily says music is hers. Other people said the scriptures, words of the prophets, and gratitude journal.

I was having dizzy spells this morning so I laid back down in bed after listening to Inklings. I stayed there for several hours. I guess it was my first case of vertigo. Now I understand what Kim goes through. Jared Ammon says his mom has it too. 

I had planned on cleaning upstairs but it didn't happen. I guess I will have to do it tomorrow. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

Wayne Todd Mayfield came out this morning to shoe both horses but he ended up only shoeing Luna. He said that Apollo has a club foot. He clipped his hoof and said that would help the tendon to stretch out. He said he would be back in two weeks to shoe him.

James and Jared Ammon spent most of the day trying to fix the Razr. They know what is wrong with it but they can't get to the part. James is going to have Willy look at it. 

James's check for the Landings didn't come today so Armando went to their office in Mesa and picked another one up. He took it to Sheri and Sheri deposited it for us. It's nice to have money again!

This evening the palm of my left hand began to itch and swell. This has happened once before since my new medicine. I'm not sure what's causing it, it's some kind of allergic reaction. James thinks it's because of the medicine but I'm not sure.

Because I got such a late start on breakfast I nixed the plan to make chicken enchiladas. I made sliders and sweet potato fries instead. It made for a nice meal. 

My breakfast

Wednesday, May 22, 2024: JA fence repairs, bacon & eggs, menu plans & grocery list, flat tire, guys fix, a couple hours late, Walmrt, shrimp for dinner, walk & listen, Tom

 

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 21

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 18:1-21

When I am baptized, I make a covenant with God.

April General Conference

"God's Intent is to Bring You Home" by Elder Patrick Kearon

'Our loving Father oversaw the Creation of this very earth for the express purpose of providing an opportunity for you and for me to have the stretching and refining experiences of mortality, the chance to use our God-given moral agency to choose Him, to learn and grow, to make mistakes, to repent, to love God and our neighbor, and to one day return home to Him.'

D&C 109:18

That all their outgoings from this house may be in the name of the Lord;

Tom didn't go out until 4:45 this morning. He's making progress!

Jared Ammon was out early making repairs on the fence to keep Apollo from getting out. I made bacon, eggs, and toast for breakfast. James had some although he had already eaten Malt-O-Meal. Just like the Hobbits, he needs a second breakfast. 

I finished up my menu plans and grocery list this morning. I was ready to go shopping around 12:30. I got in the car and backed out of the garage when I noticed a tire warning on my screen. 0 air in my front passenger tire. I stopped, went out and checked, and sure enough, the tire is totally flat. A brand new tire! 

I tried calling James, but of course he didn't answer. I saw him walking on the sidewalk out in the back so I opened the back door to talk to him. He seemed a bit overwhelmed but said he would take care of it although it may take an hour or so. He was concerned that I could find something to do so I didn't get "fidgety." I told him I could find something to do.

An hour or so later a knock at the bedroom door. Jared Ammon holds up this screw:

This was in my new tire!

A few minutes later I was good to go. I am thankful for a husband who can fix most things. It is a worthy skill to have when you live in the country.

They were out of Dave's bread at Walmart. We like it because it's whole grain and the smaller loaves are only 70 calories per slice. I got a larger whole grain loaf of the Walmart bread they make in the bakery instead. More calories and not my favorite, but still good.

They were almost out of celery too. The last time I was here they were out so I didn't have it for the stew I made. I found a couple of stalks in the bottom of a black basket. One stalk will do, thank you.

My basket was full when I went to check out. I brought cash, but I was afraid I wouldn't have enough so I didn't do self-checkout. I waited for a cashier. I got in one line and the cashier said, "I'm sorry, but I am closing. She didn't tell me another cashier was coming to take her place so I went to another line only to see the line open again before I could get back over there. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. The guy in front of me was a jokester. He saw what happened to me so he turned to me a few minutes later and said, "Sorry, they are closing this line." He scared me for a minute then I realized he was joking, when I saw him laughing. He made this comment: "We need to laugh and smile more. Sometimes this world just gets too serious."

I was right about spending more than I brought. I had to put over $100 on my card. I'm feeding two men now and it adds up.

Back at home the guys brought in the groceries and I put them away. I also warmed up some frozen shrimp and fixed a bag of salad and called it dinner. 

I spent most of the rest of the evening in my bedroom working on my computer and walking. I am listening to "The Reluctant Baron" and James and I together finished listening to "Jim and Katherine."

We started a new book called, "By Any Other Name."

Tom came in, I fed him and James played with him using his favorite toy before we went to bed.

This couple is Mike & Carrie Tomlinson. They were in our ward and he was the Young Men's president. Ask Paul how much he was loved by the boys and the other leaders. He always had a smile and something positive to say and was full of love for the boys. Amazing guy. Carrie his wife, is just as nice. She raised five boys and is still alive at 53 to tell about it.

They will always be some of our favorite people!

Sheri and Stacy can vouch for their greatness!

I just thought of this, they have a son who does marathons in his flip flops. He is quite fast. All of their boys are athletic. 

They are an Incredible couple and family.

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2024: Up @ 5:08, Scriptures & prayer w/James, J & JA go to Sholo, J takes the car to get new tires, JA drives the truck to get fence wire, Dish guys arrive late & stay late, Radio mtg w/ Cope Reynolds

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 20

Come Follow Me

Video: "The Lord Deliver the Covenant Peoples of Alma & Limhi"

April General Conference

"Trust in the Lord" by Elder Paul B. Pieper

D&C 109:17

That all the incomings of thy people, into this house, may be in the name of the Lord;

I got up at 5:08 this morning. It seems easier to get up now that I am feeling better and because it gets light earlier. James and I had scriptures and prayer before he left to go to town. He has an appointment at 9:00 at Walmart to get four new tires for my car. 

Jared Ammon went in to town too. He drove the truck because James wanted to get some fencing supplies and didn't want to put them in my car. 

When James got to Walmart there was only one guy working. He said he was sorry but he couldn't start on the car until another worker came in. James said he would help but of course that was against store policy. He said there was someone coming in to take the place of the guy who didn't show up for work today but he was coming from Concho so it would take awhile. James hates standing around doing nothing so he was a little upset. He and Jared went to Tractor Supply to get the fencing supplies and some horse feed. 

Back at Walmart they are working on the car. James went inside the store and bought a co-axel cable for the guys when they come to install the Dish receiver for downstairs. 

I put some stew meat on this morning for dinner. It made the house smell so good. Later I added vegetables and then made some corn muffins. 

At first I got a message that the Dish technician would be here at 2:30, then 4:30. Finally they got here around 5. They had a hard time finding out address. I don't think it's own Google Maps. There were two guys, Kevin the technician, and his boss. He told me his name but I forgot. 

They ran in to some problems. First of all, the Vizio TV didn't work, so James told Jared Ammon to go upstairs and get that TV. Next, they figured out that the cable in the wall didn't work. Because of this, they put in a wireless device upstairs on the main receiver, and one downstairs. 

James went to a CB radio training meeting this evening with Cope Reynolds. When he returned, a little before 8, the Dish guys were just leaving. 

I created another HP online chat today to find out where my colored cartridge is. The agent I spoke to said he saw that I had asked for a new cartridge on May 2nd. He said the cartridge had been sent on the 5th and according to FedEx I had received it on May 7th. I asked if it was sent to my PO Box number or my physical address. He said the physical address. I said that isn't where they normally go. I told him I needed to have a cartridge by Sunday. He said he would send one to me at my PO Box number and instead of taking 10 days he would expedite it to arrive within 7 business days. I told him I needed it in 3 and he said he would expedite it and I should get it in 2-3 days. I told him he was awesome and thanked him. Now that is good customer service! Hopefully it will come on time.

Tom was gone about 14 hours today which is highly unusual. As James was leaving for his radio meeting at 6:30 he saw Tom coming down off the hill heading for the back porch. I let him in, fed him and rubbed his back. He was restless and didn't want to lay on the bed. I sat on the recliner with the blanket over me and he jumped up in to my lap. He fell asleep and we were happy until James came home after his meeting. Tom jumped up to say hello to James. 

This bush has yellow bell-shaped flowers so James and I call

it a yellow bell bush.

Lola having fun in the pool

Monday, May 20, 2024: 7 am appt @ BDP for yag laser procedure, James got gas & washed the car, Typed an invoice and explanation of charges for James for Chacon, paid bills, Disputed credit card charge, no Crocs, Cheesecake Factory gift card

 

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 19

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 18-24

"We Have Entered Into a Covenant with Him"

April General Conference

"The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ" Elder Dale G. Renlund

'Spiritual momentum is created "over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ." Doing so, President Russell M. Nelson taught, produces a "powerful virtuous cycle."'

Walk with Him

"A Higher Joy" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I had a 7 am appointment at Barnett-Delany-Perkins along with about 10 or 11 other people. We have all had cataract surgery but we still have vision problems. We are all sitting in chairs in a hallway with patches over the eye which needs the laser procedure. 

Dr. Knippers didn't arrive until 7:40 and we didn't even get started until around 7:50. The procedure takes less than three minutes and I was the third person. After the laser treatment we went back in to get our blood pressure taken before they dismissed us. 

James was waiting for me by the patient release door and I was around by the front entrance. I saw what I thought was our car and tried to get in but my key didn't work so I ended up calling him. He came around the building and off we went. 

I had given my Easy Pay card to James so he could get gas in the car. He handed me the receipt and said he wasn't sure it was right. The amount was $42.65 but the last four numbers did not match my Easy Pay card or any of the credit cards. When we got home James tried to call Circle K but no one answered so he left a message. I hope we can find out whose card we used so we can pay them back. I don't know what else to do.

I honestly feel like I can see better out of my right eye already. I'm grateful I had this laser procedure done.

I typed an invoice to Chacon for final payment for James this morning. As well as an explanation of additional charges. I emailed it to James and he emailed it to Chacon and Salvador. For some reason James can't email from his word processor, Libre.

We need a working printer. I think it may not be working because we don't have a colored cartridge. I spoke with an HP agent on May 2nd and we still have not received it. If it doesn't come today I am going to contact HP.

Hotdogs for lunch. Jared Ammon put together the TV stand for downstairs. He also filled the holes the horses made in the backyard. 

Here are some things I did today: 

Disputed the charge on my credit card for $36.98 and was given a credit. I then called SpringHill Marriott in Chandler to see if they found my Crocs. The girl at the desk, Stacy, looked in the lost and found and reported back to me that she could not find them. I thanked her, didn't say it, but thought, someone working at SpringHill has a new pair of Crocs. Afterwards I went on Amazon and ordered a new pair of Crocs.

I paid White Cap for the Landings job, wrote a check for the propane we had delivered, ordered a $146 gift card from Cheesecake Factory with points on my 5911 Visa. I also ordered Dish programming for downstairs. The installers will come tomorrow sometime between noon and 5pm. 

The first thing Jared Ammon asked me when I went into the kitchen to make dinner was, "did you talk to Dish?" Yes, Jared, I did.

I made parmesan crusted pork chops, fried potatoes, and green beans for dinner. I made the mistake of putting bacon in the green beans. Next time I won't do that because James likes them better without the bacon grease.

Tom was in and out today. He did come in at bedtime and slept at the end of our bed on his "new" blanket. 

I have a funny story to tell that actually happened yesterday.

James had just taken his shower, getting ready for church. He had a white top in his hand and said: "I don't think this garment top has any markings. I looked at it and I could not see any markings either. I told him to get another top to wear to church and we would deal with this later. We would return the top when we went to the valley the next time. How could this have happened? It seems like they would be more careful.

After church I looked at the top again and noticed the label, Sweet Salt. What? Is the Church contracting out the making of garments now? I looked again and realized this was not a garment top, but the small white T-shirt I wear under one of my tops. I laughed and told James. He said but look at this top, I can't see markings in it either. I held the top up to the light and there were definitely markings. We had a good laugh. I told him it was probably my fault, that I had probably put my top in his pile of garments when I folded laundry. I will be more careful from now on. I apologize to those wonderful people who sew the garments, for thinking you were neglectful.

This cat has no shame.

Sunday, May 19, 2024: James is pretty banged up but goes to Church, High Council Sunday, Wes Smith teaches SS, Isaiah 53, Pueblo, Mexico temple dedicated by GWG,

 

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 18

Come Follow Me

Review Mosiah 11-17

April General Conference

"Words Matter" by Elder Ronald L. Rasband

'And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just - yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them - therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.'

"Pray, He Is There" by Sister Susan H. Porter

'What gifts can you pray for? There are many, but today I want to share three:

1. Pray to know.

2. Pray to grow.

3. Pray to show.

Let's talk about each one.

D&C 109:17-20

17 That all the incomings of thy people, into this house, may be in the name of the Lord;

18 That all their outgoings from this house may be in the name of the Lord;

19 And that all their salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with holy hands, uplifted to the Most High;

20 And that no unclean thing shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it;

The last month or so has been very costly as far as upkeep of our material belongings. We put new tile in the basement, replaced the pump on our well, we need a new printer, we had to buy $1,900 worth of propane which hopefully will last until January. Now the Razr has something wrong and we probably need new tires on our car. It seems like it is never ending.

James is still having problems raising his left arm, plus he now has a big scab on the left side of his forehead. Somehow he managed to get ready and go to church.

Today is high council Sunday. Brother Paul Watson from the high council and Sister Cherilyn Halls, the Stake Young Women's president, were the speakers in our ward. Again, the theme was the temple.

Sister Halls said her assignment was to speak on intentional teaching of making and keeping sacred temple covenants. How do we prepare? Temple prep classes, read from Gospel Library app. Encourage others to come to the temple with you. Fortify yourselves in your covenants. 

D&C 88:63 - Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

She talked about blessings and power that come with making and keeping covenants. She shared an experience she had in the temple where an answer to a prayer came to her. Elder Soares says we must prepare spiritually. Home centered, Church supported, Temple bound. President Beeler made this statement about attending the temple: "Go until it hurts. Make sacrifices."

Brother Watson read the words to "I Love to See the Temple." He talked about taking a group of youth from the Fort Apache branch to the temple. He said to do all you can to take your own family names. He bore his testimony that the temple is the house of the Lord.

I noticed during sacrament meeting that the Applegate's were not sitting in their normal spot on the second row. I mentioned it to James and wondered who would be teaching Jimmy's lesson. We didn't have to wait long to find out. As we walked into our classroom Brother Wes Smith was standing in the front behind the pulpit.

No visual aids, or power point. He did have Judy Hunter come up and write the following on the chalkboard:

A testimony is a statement of our experiences with the principles of the gospel.

Brother Smith asked the question why do you stay in the Church when so many are leaving? Here are some notes that I took:

* Why do I come to church? To partake of the sacrament. It is a reminder of what I covenanted to do. * Where would we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. *I feel the Holy Ghost and closer to the Lord when I come to church. * Learn to be reverent in spite of distractions. * Going to church supports my belief system. * Unity * Because of my blessings, it's one way that I show my gratitude. * Eternal perspective, Think Celestial. * Stand boldly and testify * Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings * We are here to be taught * I made a covenant, it's as simple as that * Priesthood keys * Obedience, sacrifice, I am here because of Him * Ordinances and covenants * The Sacrament * Strengthening my connection to the Lord * Mosiah 14:2-11 (Isaiah 53) * Repentance * Isaiah saw the Savior long before He lived on earth & testified of Him * He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows

I made burgers and beans for lunch and the three of us ate together while watching a video of a guy fishing in a kayak on Carnero Lake.

Tom joined us for nap time. When James got up from his nap he did what he normally does on Sunday, he went outside to water his fruit trees. I worked at my desk. I did two blog posts, wrote out my weekly plans, and worked on my RS lesson for next week. The only problem is I can't print anything.  James also did some indexing and reviews. 

Elder Gong dedicated the Pueblo, Mexico temple today. I believe this is the 191st temple.

Happy Sabbath from Charlie, Lovie,

and Scarlett!

I ask James to make a cherry cobbler,

so he did.

 

 

Saturday, May 18, 2024: Sausage & eggs breakfast, James's shoulder, Horses on the lawn, Finances, Nachos for dinner, Printer still not working, Verizon bill

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sep 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 17

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 15:1-12

How Is Jesus Christ both the Father and the Son.

April General Conference

"A Higher Joy" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

'The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the "good news of great joy"!

It is a message of matchless hope! A message of yoke-bearing

and burden-lifting. Of light-gathering. Of heavenly

favor, higher understanding, holier covenants, eternal security, and

everlasting glory."

D&C 109:16

And that this house may be a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory and of God, even thy house;

James's shoulder is really bothering him today. That fall off Apollo yesterday wasn't fun. 

James is working on a bid to build two porches onto the Hipps' home. He spoke to Brother Hipps this morning. He said the Priesthood Commemoration Outing at Carnera Lake was wonderful.

I made sausage and eggs for breakfast. As I turned towards the dining room window I noticed Apollo walking around in the yard. I told James and he went out to shoo him away. Luna was there too. I guess he or Jared Ammon forgot and left the gate open.

Kacey asked us to pray for Tanner yesterday so I put his name on the Snowflake temple prayer roll and I have been praying for him ever since.

I paid my credit card today and reconciled charges on my card with charges on the business card. It took awhile but it felt good when I was done. Lots of personal charges on James's business card. I want to pay for them out of personal. 

James slept a lot today because of the pain in his shoulder. One of us needs to fix the vacuum and put together the TV stand in the basement.

Tom is a source of happiness for me. He was in and out alot today. He's not afraid of Jared Ammon anymore. 

I made nacho's for dinner but they weren't particularly good. Next time I'm using Velveeta cheese. 

The printer still isn't working. There is some kind of a connection problem. I think we may have to get a new printer. 

Walked and listened to "Jim and Katherine." It is starting to get really good!

Monument Valley

Janna and her son

The Umphress girls and their prom dates

Gracie

Bailey and one of the Westbrook boys

 

Friday, May 17, 2024: 9:30 Vernon RS temple session w/ Sue Hubble, Eva's for lunch w/ Sue, Millie Scott & Judy Hunter, develop a sore throat, "Reluctant Baron", "Jim & Katherine", Tom Two Toes, Bed on recliner

 

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 16

Come Follow Me

Mosiah 14-15

Jesus Christ suffered for me.

April General Conference

"Fruit that Remains" by Elder Matthew L. Carpenter

'The Holy Ghost, in His divine role as the Holy Spirit of Promise, will seal each ordinance upon those who are faithful to their covenants so that it will be valid after mortality. Having the Holy Ghost seal our ordinances is essential if we want to have the promised blessings for all eternity, becoming fruit that remains.'

D&C 109:15

And that they may grow up in Thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to thy laws, and be prepared to receive every needful thing;

I attended the 9:30 temple session with my friend Sue Hubble who now lives in Snowflake, and sisters from the Vernon ward. I was a little confused, thinking I needed to leave at 8:30 when really I should have left at 8. It was actually 8:20 when I hurried out the door. 

It was almost 9:15 when I rushed in to the temple. Stefani and Alicia Hunsaker were walking in to do initiatories. They said they had a busy day helping their husbands get ready for the Priesthood Commemoration Campout which is tonight a Carnero Lake near Greens Peak.

As I walked upstairs towards the dressing room the sister greeter at the door to the session room asked me if I was going to this session. When I said yes, she said, "Please hurry." I did hurry. 

I changed my clothes in locker #7. I always use #7 or #8 if they are available. Today Emily's husband Greg is having surgery and since Emily's favorite number is 7, I chose locker #7. Crazy, I know.

I made it in the session in plenty of time and sat by two of my friends, Sue Hubble, and Lynn Wallace. Sue turned to me and said, "Did you speed." I just looked at her. She laughed and said, "I didn't have to speed, I could drive like an old lady because I only live six minutes away. She recently moved to Snowflake.

The Vernon sisters took up two rows. Row #1: Mary Gilbert, Teresa Smith, Cheryl Sedig, and Kristine Hipps. Row #3: Natalie Robles, Sue Hubble, myself, and Lynn Wallace. I am still counting Sue as a Vernon sister. We also had the Hunsaker sisters doing initiatory so that makes 10. 

Natalie went home after the session. Mary, Teresa, Cheryl, Kristine, and Lynn all went to Streets on Main for lunch. Sue and I went to Eva's because we wanted chili rellenos. 

As we walked in to the door of Eva's we saw two more sisters from Vernon, Judy Hunter, and Millie Scott. They wanted us to come and sit at their table, so we did. They were almost finished eating but they stayed and visited with us. 

Sue and I both ordered chili relleno's ala carte. This time Sue paid the bill. We enjoyed our meal and the company too. I think it was meant to be for us to come here instead of going to Streets.

I got home around 1 p.m. I took a nap and realized that I am developing a sore throat. I guess Jared Ammon has had one for a couple of weeks now. 

James and Jared Ammon went out to ride Luna and Apollo. James was trying to get on Apollo with his foot in the stirrup when Apollo turned and ran. James lost his balance and went flying towards the ground. He came in with a bump and scab on the left side of his forehead and could hardly move his left arm. 

We were out of propane and got a delivery today. The guy filled our tank and left a bill on James's truck for $1,913.04. It never ends.

Listened to "Jim & Katherine" while we walked.

Emily's post

Emily's post

I love this photo!

Dream Home

James fishing on the Black River