This blog entry is without pictures which I will add later.
Church today was a broadcast for our Southeast Region instead of our regular meetings. President Marcom conducted locally from the stake center.
Before the meeting I spoke to Elder Rumsey about us giving Peggy Espersen a priesthood blessing. Jay Hanks gave me back my manila envelope with all of our and Bonnie Helton's family file cards done by the youth yesterday.
Opening hymn was #5, "High on the Mountain Top" text by Joel H. Johnson (1802-1882) and music by Ebenezer Beesley (1840-1906).
The stake choir sang #166, "Abide with Me!"
President Nicholls spoke to us as the session in the stake center was streamed over the Internet to all the buildings in the stake. He spoke of his great love for our Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ. And they love all of their children regardless of whether they are Church members or not. God loves all His children. He has given prophets to all the world. Thanks to the young boy Joseph Smith the heavens were opened and continuous revelation was again taking place. Amos 3:7 and D&C 21:5. The brethren are "teaching to the test." Are we listening? He spoke on Sabbath day observance and heeding the words of the prophets. Why is this important? Quoted Elder Ballard about strengthening our testimonies. Elevating our Sabbath day observance would increase our faith in Jesus Christ. Prophets and apostles are not politically correct. President Heber J. Grant (1918-1945) emphasized the Word of Wisdom even though that was Hollywood at the time. Living prophets are ahead of their time. President McKay emphasized the family. Living prophets are coaching us to the test. Are we listening? The Sabbath day was given as a perpetual covenant. "Hallow my sabbaths." (Ezekiel). Are we going to be God's people? Do we rationalize our Sabbath activities? We need to elevate our Sabbath day activities. We renew all of our covenants as we partake of the sacrament.
Our meeting then switched over to the satellite broadcast with Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy from the conference center in Salt Lake City. 105 stakes in 14 states in the Southeast region. 230,000 members in that area. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presides accompanied by Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Linda S. Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency.
Elder Clayton thanked us for teaching our families and children, for our prayers for the Church leaders, for our tithes and offerings, for continuing to do what is right, and making a positive difference. 2 Nephi 31:20. "This is the way," said Nephi. Unambiguous, undivided, and unfeigned. Matthew 22:37. Love Him holding nothing back. Renew our commitments to press forward. Contrast between funeral for faithful member and funerals that awaited those in attendance who were not faithful. Spoke of experience along the river between Argentina and Uruguay. Race along the river. Need to stay exactly on course watching the compass to reach the port. Any variance would lead us astray. We choose our actions but cannot choose the consequences. Repentance can help us get on course. Little decisions act incrementally and accumulate either for good or bad. "Enter ye in at the strait gate." Don't be a "tape measure " Mormon, walking as close to the edge of the path as they can without falling off the path. Walk in the center of the path. We cannot love God with all our heart if we love something else even more.
Sister Reeves spoke of the love and caring by the opposing team's fans for the team of youth who were from a prison environment. She quoted from Elder Holland's story about the prodigal son and the reaction of the older son. How much does Lucifer whisper in our ears? We need to count our many blessings and applaud the accomplishments of others. God cheers on all of us in the race against sin, not against each other. True charity is love in action. "Pray unto the father with all the energy of heart." See each other through the Lord's eyes. Quoted from Elder Renlund from general conference. She spoke of 4 Nephi 1:5-16.
Intermediate hymn #6, "Redeemer of Israel," text by William W. Phelps (1792-1872) and Freeman Lewis (1780-1859). This was included in the first LDS hymnbook.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband spoke of ties to the Southeast. He is thankful for our prayers. "Perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy). "Stand ye in holy places." (D&C). Establish a home where the Spirit is present. "Refuge from the storm." (D&C). President Benson spoke of the needs for hundreds of temples when there were only 19. Quoted President George Q. Cannon in 1877 about the laying of foundation stones of temples. Quoted President Uchtdorf about holding a temple recommend. Temple and family history work is pertinent to our salvation. Elijah to the Kirtland Temple. Sealing authority of God. "Seek after our dead." (Prophet Joseph Smith). We set the example for our families in temple worship. Son and daughter with Rasband's on assignment in England. Baptismal ordinances in the Preston Temple. Meaningful spiritual experiences with their children. Experience of granddaughter at the Orlando Temple. Blessings from attending the temple. Quoted President Gordon B. Hinckley, Elder Robert D. Hales, President James E. Faust, and President Thomas S. Monson about temple worship. Encourage us to be worthy to attend the temple. Carry out the work to redeem the dead. Alma 26:6. Righteous temple worship. Safety and spiritual protection in our homes, wards and stakes, and holy temples.
Elder Robert D. Hales spoke of when he was a branch president in Albany, Georgia. His little flock grew to 120 on the Sabbath. Years later he returned in 1996 to organize the Albany Georgia Stake. Strong stakes and multiple temples in the Southeast. What can we do to build the faith of our children? Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Teach about the sacrament. 3 Nephi "this do in remembrance of My body." Teach about the Prophet Joseph Smith. Build faith in ourselves and in our families. Be spiritually and temporally self-sufficient. "Ascend together eternally." Daily prayer and scripture study, personal, companion, and family. Pattern for our children. He and his wife were sealed by Elder Harold B. Lee. "Never raise your voice to your spouse." Discuss differences without being disagreeable. Fast for special blessings. Teach about patriarchal blessings, being endowed, and serving missions. Hold family councils and meet with children individually. Teach and tell children you love them. Be living examples of the love of the Savior. Bore his testimony and witness of the gospel.
The broadcast returned to our stake center with President Marcom. He acknowledged the hand of the Lord in our behalf.
Closing hymn #157, "Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls" text by Frank I. Kooyman (1880-1963) and music by Alexander Schreiner (1901-1987).
After the meeting I enjoyed visiting with Claude Miller, whose eyesight in his left eye is somewhat better, Mark Usry, who had gotten his family file cards to Jay Hanks for the youth baptismal trip, and Gordon Huston. I thanked Richard Callahan for helping Brother Miller. Eileen and I visited with Teri Grace, whose family file cards Jay Hanks did have, and Carol Messina, who had gall bladder surgery recently and whose husband Phil will have open-heart surgery on the 28th.
At home before an early dinner I began working on some of Eileen's Uncle Hans Nielsen's ancestors. After that I worked on some Bauernfeind's in Sullivan County, New York.
Eileen made a delicious lemony cream cheese dessert that Holly Hughes had made, pretty much sugar-free.
I emailed lots of Kids Ferst newsletter stuff to Galen Forbes, who will be taking over the newsletter.
On Monday 18 January we set a record since getting our Jawbone bracelets a year ago. Mine said I slept 9 hours 42 minutes and Eileen's said she slept 10 hours 26 minutes. I guess we needed the sleep!
I called Canton Toyota to bring the car in tomorrow afternoon as there is some vibration in the front end we don't like. Then I called Peggy Espersen about coming by to give her a blessing followed by a call to Elder Rumsey to meet us there about 5 pm.
We went by the dump and the dry cleaners, then visited Sabrina Bayless as her home and visiting teachers. Afterwards we shopped at Ingles and chatted with Michelle Bayless.
I got four gallons of gas at Walmart at $1.749.
We drove to Jasper and Eileen visited the quilt store, then we visited the Dorsey's to help them with their family history. We returned to Ellijay and met with the Rumsey's to give Peggy Espersen a priesthood blessing. We gave the Rumsey's a large bag of various foods from our kitchen cabinets that we won't be eating on our diet.
Unfortunately Eileen forgot her purse at Peggy's, so after supper we returned to retrieve her purse :(
In the evening I worked on my pictures on my laptop from our visit to the White's this past July, getting them ready to insert in my blog.
On Tuesday 19 January we got up early and headed to Canton Toyota as the front end tires seem to be vibrating a lot more than they should. Interestingly the check engine light and the VSC/TRAC/TRC indicator came on between Jasper and Canton! It also happened last January in Florida and the end of June in California. Hmmm! Every six months. Those two times I disconnected the battery and after reconnecting it the lights had gone off. It was good that they came on now so Toyota can see why.
Then we drove south to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta to renew Eileen's military ID card. You are warned that the wait could be over two hours but we were done in less than 30 minutes!
As we entered Jasper we saw our next palindrome 124421 on our odometer. Eileen went to the quilt shop in hopes that Karen was there today and could help her. She was and did.
I wished Eileen a happy anniversary as our family was sealed 42 years ago today in the Mesa Arizona Temple! I texted that to the kids.
Back in Ellijay we got a couple of items at Walmart and one at Tractor Supply.
I corresponded with William by texts about what was and wasn't done at Toyota. My initial text stated, "As we were driving to Canton Toyota because the front end tires seem to be vibrating a lot more than they should, the check engine light and the VSC/TRAC/TRC indicator came on. How handy! They said the oil control valve was sticking. It would take 3.5 hours and cost $725, so I will probably do it in Arizona. The tires vibrating were pretty much fixed by balancing and some work on the rotors."
Lots of texts flew back and forth. The $725 was for the intake OCV and the exhaust OCV.
Geoff called to let me know that he was sending money toward his CareFirst payment for February. He had a problem with his truck that he fixed himself.
After supper I began planning our trip to Arizona and Eileen enjoyed "Fixer Uppers" on HGTV. We got an email from Judy Farmer that, due to the weather forecast, the food pantry would be closed tomorrow. I forwarded the email to all those whose email addresses I had that Judy didn't have at her home.
On Wednesday 20 January I woke about 8:30 and it was fine outside, 30 degrees and clear. The weather app on my iPhone said the wintry mix would continue but the hourly listing said nothing until 1 pm when it would begin.
Well, it did start snowing around noon and when we tried to drive out of the driveway it was too slippery. We changed my dermatology appointment to tomorrow although that means driving to Marietta. Eileen didn't want me to wait until we got back from Arizona. We emailed the branch members that we wouldn't be at church tonight.
Eileen worked on her quilt square and I worked on information for our wills. I also worked more on our photos from our vacation this summer.
Later she watched Giada de Laurentiis and Ina Garten.
After supper she watched "Property Brothers."
I researched Conrad Kautz and Philip Gorr, neighbors of Frederick Henry Bauernfeind on the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses.
On Thursday 21 January I dropped Eileen off at Barbara's Hair Designers for a cut, went to the bank, put a hold on our mail starting Monday at the post office, filled up at Citgo on South Main for $1.729, and got a haircut myself.
When I returned to Barbara's, Eileen came out the door and we drove to the quilt shop in Jasper. Eileen showed the gal there the quilt square that she had made and she was very impressed. She couldn't believe that Eileen was a novice!
From there, as we had plenty of time, we shopped at Ingles and now have over 200 points toward our next gas purchase. We saw Nell Huston and visited with her.
Eileen got some sugar-free strawberry-banana soft serve ice cream at the RaceTrac gas station which was yummy. She also got me another diet Mountain Dew as I had neglected to refill the bottle in the car.
Tanner called and FaceTimed with us, thanking us for the Kung Fu Panda action figures we had sent him.
We arrived at Dr. Gardner's office in Marietta about 1:25. I was seen not long after my appointed time of 1:50 by Benjamin Rosen, who had treated me in Ellijay. He took off a little more of one mole and said I should be fine.
We drove straight back home, just stopping at R&A Orchards for the newspaper and more large apples. Our picture was in the paper from the Auto & Farm Museum in Branson, Missouri.
Eileen made delicious Weight Watcher soup as part of supper. She watched Ina Garten, Ree Drummond, and Valerie Bertinelli.
I made reservations with Choice Hotels for Monday and Tuesday but the web site messed up so I'll have to try to continue tomorrow.
Eileen watched "Flip or Flop" and "Barnwood Builders."
Later I worked on adding photos to my 28 June blog and Eileen finished the beautiful quilt square that she will use to cover a small pillow.
We watched the weather news on Channel 2 along with other news.
I finished the 15 November issue of the Church News. I enjoyed "Potential defines Asia" with President Russell M. Nelson, "Book of Mormon written 'to the convincing of Jew and Gentile'" from the Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, and "An influential teacher" about Truman G. Madsen. It was neat to read that the Miami Florida District became a stake.
On Friday 22 January we enjoyed sleeping late, Eileen especially as I read the news. I called Arrow Exterminators and spoke to Taylor as we have both heard noises either in the attic or on the roof. He said he will have a crew come out early next week to check all around the roof. I told him we were leaving on Monday for Arizona.
We called Tanner to sing happy birthday to him. He turned eight today.
We drove into Ellijay to get Eileen's short black winter coat from the dry cleaners. We stopped at Lowe's for a couple of items and then went to the county courthouse for a copy of our deed.
Judy Harvey called to let us know that we won't have to tend the Kids Ferst Playhouse tomorrow afternoon at the Chamber of Commerce due to the inclement weather.
I called Athene, Oppenheimer, Primerica, and Prudential as I worked on information for our wills.
Everyone in the East is preparing for the monster snowstorm, especially from North Carolina and north. 1-3 feet of snow and power outages ahead. It shouldn't be too bad here, 1-3 inches. It is snowing here at 5:30 pm. We're watching all about it on TV.
I finished reading "The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. 3" by William Milligan Sloane which I started on 27 June.
Eileen enjoyed watching "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC.
I finished adding photos to my 28 June blog and republished it.
We continued to watch the weather.
On Saturday 23 January we awoke to a couple of inches of snow. It is still snowing in Raleigh, Annapolis, Chesterfield, and Wantagh with blizzard conditions up there.
We had the Weather Channel on followed by Ree Drummond and Trisha Yearwood on the Food Network.
Eileen is baking some bread and texting back and forth with Joan Blemly, a fellow math resource teacher in Annapolis, Maryland.
Jay Hanks called to see how we're doing (he's our high priests group leader) and ask me to check on the families that we home teach. I am ashamed to admit that I didn't even think of it :( I have talked to all of them but one and they're all fine. Darlene said there was almost nothing in Blue Ridge!
Now she's enjoying "The Kitchen" on the Food Network.
Two loaves of bread are done and we each had a delicious slice with butter!
We're back to our Poor Law Union project for our CSM efforts. I did the 14 A’s in Derbyshire.
Eileen watched "America's Test Kitchen" and "Cook's Country" that I had recorded today. I printed out the recipe for chocolate hazelnut spread from the first show.
I indexed 10 records from the U. K. Principal Probate Registry.
Hallelujah! I finished reading "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo which I had begun sometime in 2013. I had neglected writing down when I had started it but I knew I was reading it at the start of 2014. It was so very long! After I had started reading it, on 21 November that year I began "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Toilers of the Sea" by Hugo which I have long since finished.
I texted Colleen in response to her question "So what are your thoughts on the great classic, Les Miserables?" I said, "Hurray! Done!! It was long, amazing, very deep in places, with frequent digressions, some of which made sense later, and it had a happy ending, even with Jean Valjean dying at the end. A monumental work!"
We watched the 2016 U. S. Figure Skating Championships won by the brother and sister team of Alex and Maia Shibutani.
After supper Eileen watched “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” with Guy Fieri on the Food Network. Later she watched the ladies free skate.
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