Day 5: Arizona

               Kevin had asked Richard if he would consider visiting him at his house in Arizona.  Kevin’s plane wasn’t scheduled to leave until after 5:00 pm.  But Richard and I left the hotel at 5:30 a.m.  Kevin said his good-byes and returned to bed.  Reagan did not even know we were going.

       It took us maybe five or six hours before we made it to Kevin’s house.  We had made a detour to fix a chip that was made in our windshield.  It hadn’t occurred to me that it was Saturday and most auto-glass places seem to be closed. Thankfully the chip didn’t spread to cracks.

We were able to visit with Tara and the two older boys.  Tara had to go grocery shopping and took Richard and the baby.  I stayed with the boys.  We colored.  They showed me their room and their toys.  

It was Conner’s birthday that day but as Kevin and Reagan weren’t home the opening of gifts and birthday cake would not take place until the following day.

After dinner Tara asked if Richard and I would put the oldest two to bed while she nursed the baby.  Richard read them a story and then we acted out a Piggy and Gerald for them.  That was fun.

The missionaries dropped by around 8:00 or 8:30 and we were still talking when Kevin and Reagan finally got home. 

  The next day:      Kevin and Tara's ward doesn't start until 1:30.  That gave Kevin and Richard time to fix the chips in each of their windshields as though they were never there.

Day 4: Friday

 

Friday was my favorite day that we spent in Vegas. I don’t know whose idea it was to go to IHOP but Kevin found one that we could walk to.  We left the hotel and walked to the corner of Sahara and Las Vegas Blvd. and headed north. 

Reagan was the only one who had a sweatshirt but the rest of us could have dressed warmer as the wind was blowing cold.  In Las Vegas.  Who would have thunk?

The gift shop was closed on our way to eating, but we managed to hit it on the way back – well – three of us did.  Kevin returned to the hotel to meet with his “buddies” and a group of followers.  Reagan chose to hang with her grandparents that she hardly ever sees (maybe four times in nine years?  That’s pretty sad)

souvenirs for Jaime

I don’t know how long we were there.  We purchased socks and cards for Jaime.  I got a hat as my ears were cold and Richard purchased a sweatshirt.  I also got a tee shirt and a pair of matching high heel key chains.  Reagan has one and I have the other.

 

In the afternoon we met my brother at a Cheesecake Factory.  Soooo good to see him!

Omega Mart

 Though Richard and I had been there before, Kevin and Reagan had not.  Thank you to my brother, Steven for getting us tickets.

Ahrens, Las Vegas

        My son, Kevin, has a youtube channel called “The Racing Game” (see here) and his purpose for being in Vegas was for the die cast convention held at the Ahrens.  As we arrived a day before he did we had experienced two different rooms.  Our first one was nicer overall.  The bed was larger but the refrigerator was only half the size as the second room.

        I did not get a huge amount of pictures of or at the hotel.

 

We picked Kevin and Reagan up from the airport. Before we went out to eat we went to the Omega Mart where Steven works. I did take quite a few pictures at the Omega Mart and Area 15.

Day 3: Area 15

 Before entering into the Omega mart, one must pass through Area 15.  Here are some pics taken both inside and outside Area 15

Nevada day 2

 

We left Myrtle Creek on the 18^th, which was a Tuesday.  On Wednesday we I took pictures of some of the towns we had gone through including Tanopah and Beatty.

 

Walker Lake (I think)

Hawthorn Military Base

Beatty

       We made it to Las Vegas before dark.

Another Long and Tiring Trip

 Remember early January posts indicated our quick trip to Utah and back made at the end of December.  I had indicated never again.  And yet it happened again – longer drive and almost a week with more than one destination.

 I don’t remember when Kevin called Richard to invite him to a convention to take place in Las Vegas.  Catch was he would have to drive four hours north to Portland airport.  I joked that he might as well just drive to Las Vegas.  I should have just kept my mouth shut and allowed him the four hour drive to Portland instead of the mileage we put on the car not to mention the drainage to ourselves.  We are not young anymore.

 

I thought Richard was capable of the long distance drive so long as he has a book on tape to listen to – but also would need assistance of someone to change the discs in order to continue the story.  I didn’t want to go.  Jaime and I both reminded him of what happens.  I even had a bruise on my leg not to mention other excuses.  I was planning on staying home until the very last minute.  I saw him drifting off and thought I should go with him just to make certain he stayed hydrated and didn’t push himself but would stop when appropriate.

 It was a long trip.  Two destinations: Las Vegas, Nevada and Gilbert, Arizona.  Richard’s plans were to leave on the 18^th although Kevin wouldn’t be showing up until the 20^th.  I didn’t realize Richard had wanted to have a date night by taking me to a show.  Only that never happened.  I had been stubborn about going and he was just as stubborn about waiting for me.  We didn’t leave until after 2:00 p.m.  We found lodging in (or near) Sparks Nevada.

This Year's Come Follow Me

 

Before “Come Follow Me” was introduced the Doctrine & Covenants was part of a Church history study – taught in order of time frame when the revelation was given. 

Today we are taught chronologically – but it still helps to know one’s church history to know why the revelation was given.  Our goal is to find Jesus within the scriptures – not to dwell on church history.  We are also taught to teach by the Spirit – which I don’t think was the case today.

I have a hard time resonating with the current gospel doctrine instructor – though I’m not alone.  I wanted to share a discovery on my part but did not get the opportunity as my comments seemed to be brushed aside.  The instructor – who normally thrives on class participation – wanted to back up to the lost manuscripts and introduce Oliver Cowdrey.  Okay, I admit that my comment was a wee bit ahead of where he wanted to start – but I didn’t like the direction of conversation as comments seemed to focus more on the trivial matters than the message.  Also an entire class could be dedicated to any one section (6 – 11) but trying to cram all six into just one class is a bit much.

My comment was on (or would have been) on section 7 given between those dedicated to Oliver who had been serving as scribe but thought it would be great if he could also translate as Joseph.  A scribe is a gift.  It took Joseph and Oliver less time (about three months) to translate the entire Book of Mormon than did the first (lost) 116 pages.  Translating is a gifts.  One is not necessarily better than the other.  Same with John and Peter’s gifts mentioned in section 7.  Peter’s desire was to be guaranteed a place with the Savior on the other side – whereas John’s was to continue service until the time when the Savior made (or will make) his return.  BOTH are great gifts, talents, what have you.  One is not greater than the other.

My youngest son takes like a duck to water in almost everything he tries.  We don’t all have that in us.  Some are great at playing piano (or any instrument) , some are great at delegating or recognizing the talents of others (see this post), some are great at listening or cooking or crafts or computers . . . . we don’t all have to have the same talents.  We can benefit by enjoying or utilizing the talents of others.  We need to embrace one another and share our gifts with others and enjoy having that ability to appreciate the gifts of others.

There are many members of the “Come Follow Me” facebook page who will share their talents just by commenting or posting.  One such member is exceptional at pulling gems from different “Come Follow Me” podcasts and videos and making up power points bringing many views together.  I think it is awesome.

I still learn so much from videos I watch.  I am constantly taking screenshots and sorting “slides” for my own personal comprehension and I always study as though I am going to teach.  Well, I try to anyway. 

Last year I followed John Hilton religiously with this “Book of Mormon Master Class” videos.  And I have followed Scott Woodward with his “Doctrine and Covenant” backstory and message videos.  

He made up 15 of them three years ago. Unfortunately there aren’t any after section 19.  He currently does a podcast with Casey Griffiths.  I really wish he had continued with the “nutshell” videos.  I think they’re quite informative and am grateful that they’re still available for view.   

What a LONG and Exciting Day . . . for Richard

                Though the word “Exciting” is generally related to being a positive adjective, one’s anxiety level does not always mean the “excitement” is positive.  Take yesterday for example.  My, what a long day –

          It started out as a dry run to the dump – just to explore without first loading up and appearing to be lost.  I told Richard he should ask questions while we were there.  He didn’t.  That’s on him.

          As we were passing downtown anyway, Jaime wanted to stop by Tommy’s to get a treat. We loaded up the truck after we returned.

          The truck was purchased from a member who is going through a divorce.  He said that it needed a new battery which we have not purchased yet.  I think we need to do that.

          Point is we haven’t had the truck that long.  I have ridden in it myself but Jaime has not and so I wanted her to have that opportunity.  Good call on my part as whatever all I had eaten at Tommy’s had gone right through me (TMI) and I had problems different from the ones that Richard was about to endure.

          So while I was fighting my own battles with TMI – Richard and Jaime drove back to the MC dump only to be told they would have to go to Roseburg.  After offloading in Roseburg they got back in the truck and it wouldn’t start.  They said a prayer.  It started.

          They then went to Auto Zone to get something.  Got back in the truck.  Wouldn’t start.  Said another prayer.  It wouldn’t start.  Went back into Auto Zone and made a purchase for some other item that didn’t work to their (well Richard’s) expectations.  An employee figured out the problem and drove to the other Auto Zone (apparently Roseburg has two) and obtained the right part.

          Lot of sadness going on with the truck still not starting and Richard sending Jaime home (she had called a friend who came and got her and dropped her off) Finally a mechanic got the truck started and Richard then went to Costco to get some gas.  The truck died again at the fuel pumps.  Workers pushed him out of the way.  I don’t remember how he happened to start again or why he thought he needed to come home and have us follow him back. (Jaime drove as I cannot see at night) and we left the truck at a mechanics in Roseburg.  I think buying a new battery to begin with would have been less costly.  Certainly a lot warmer.

          Meanwhile Jaime had taken her car as she needed gas – which we filled up in Winston.  Richard was not thrilled to learn that neither her defroster or heater work.  Her car will be going to another mechanics tomorrow.  Oh what joy. 

            Perhaps I should mention that both vehicles are Fords.  Her Focus is 1995 and the pick up is 1999.  Fun fact.  Or maybe not FUN - or exciting.

Cold Grey Skies

 

The high today will be 42 – or perhaps that’s already taken place and now it is going back down.  Weird. 

On Tuesday we were told that we would get a storm come Thursday but Wednesday would send a mixture of snow followed by rain. 

We had our snow on Wednesday.  This is what is looked like at 7 a.m. 

 

Two hours later it was gone. 

Throughout the day we saw flurries of snowfall.  

Haven’t seen it since. 

I’m so glad Jaime hasn’t had to drive in it. 

She has had the challenge of fog however. 

Which I suppose could be worse.

It Still Makes Me Laugh

          When we moved from Salt Lake to Oregon we were expecting daily rain – though that hasn’t been the case.  We left polluted smog for light fog which seems to have become more dense with every passing year.  This year has been especially cold – a cold I have definitely felt while living in Utah.  It’s been below freezing at least four times this year.

         Yesterday we got snow.  It started coming down before Jaime left for work.  But it doesn’t stick.  It rarely ever sticks.  This morning there was no sign of it across the street, and barely even noticeable on our own.  Currently it can only be seen in the hills above us.  I don’t know how long it will last.

         And now we have this warning.

 

  In Oregon the snow falls in incheds.  In Utah the snow falls in feet.

A Plea to ALL Civilians of EVERY Nation

                 I have been irritated by the ignorance of those portrayed in so many cowboy pictures that my husband watches – only it isn’t just that time period.  It has been with us through the beginning of time.  I am so ashamed of what is taking place currently.

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/pettiest-protests-
president-donald-trump-united-kingdom-visit

       The entire population of the American population did not vote for Trump.  I’d dare say less than half – but Trump cheats.  I would dare say in all three elections.  I find it hard to believe that ALL seven swing states voted Republican.  He cheats.  He’s a bigger criminal than those he is trying to deport. 

      Just because Trump is an ass does not mean that all Americans are.