Choose The Right

THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2015
Our love and prayers are with Elder Scotts family.  He passed his earthly test on Tuesday 22, 2015 and his funeral is Monday, 28 September 2015.  We thank you, Elder Scott, for your example and devotion to Christ.  On this important day we thank you for your family ties and your lovely wife Jeanene.  May you enjoy eternity together.

For we who are left behind, we thank each of you, Elder's L. Tom Perry, Boyd K. Packer and Richard G. Scott for Choosing The Right, for your dedication to Our Savior Jesus Christ, for your goodness, faithfulness and sacrifice and service for each of us.  May God bless you in your new callings and we look forward to hearing and being with you again.  May The Lord Bless you and your families.

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again"

So, I went to the heart hospital this morning and they stamped a big YES on my right leg, Choose The Right, so they could do my third surgery on my veins today...now I am hobbling around with another bandaged leg for two days again.  This time both legs are weak, so I am not doing really well at walking or standing for long periods of time.  They lazered two veins in my right leg this morning, so perhaps I am going to be finished with my surgery's now...we shall see...

Hospital "gowns" are so beautiful.  I look like I need surgery..Ha! 

The nurses mentioned it was Dr. Hennebry's birthday this week.  I asked him how old he is.  He said 45.  I told him I sort of remember when I was that young!  He asked if I had watched any of Pope Francis's address to our congress this morning?  I said, "yes, but I didn't see much, however I think he is a very nice man and I am thankful he is representing the Catholic Church so well."  He agreed with me that Pope Francis is doing good in America.   I hope Pope Francis enjoys visiting Eastern America.   Dr. Hennebry said that his Irish ancestry hasn't made him the most religious man.   He asked what church I belonged to and then began telling me about all his Mormon friends and that they are good people.  Thank's to those members who have been a good example to Dr. Hennebry. 

He said that he has even read The Book of Mormon!  I told him that made me feel way more comfortable having him working on my leg.  He was pondering that, I could tell...he commented small world isn't it. 

Dr. Hennebry asked me if I knew who John Moses Browning was?  Then he told the staff, in the room with us, that Browning was a Mormon who created the machine gun that is still in use today...of course I said he had many gun patents.

They asked me if I played the lottery? "No, but I have a brother Terry whom I like a lot"!  Dr. Hennebry said he went to Las Vegas, to a convention, with a Mormon Doctor from Boston.  The strongest thing they drank while there was Coke...they all had a good laugh...I told them I was hurting so they deadened my leg more...with XyloCAINE.

We also learned that we have a common friend, Lyle Clemens, who fly's out of Sundance airport by our Surrey Hills Church Building.  Dr. Hennebry said his wife is a flight instructor there and that he has a "Tex" plane that he flies from there at least twice a week.  He is the Irish blog with the Tex plane!  All this time he is putting needles in my leg and running tubing and wires into my veins...yes, he is a good doctor!  I did not kick him once.   Thank's for the distractions Dr. Hennebry.  Please thank the hospital staff for their kindness during my surgeries.

Choose the Right

Speaking of religion

I suppose I will not be going to the Oklahoma State Fair tomorrow night to see Donald Trump speak.  I will watch him on the news.  I hope some of our ministering missionarys represent The Church there.  "Great job Donald Trump"!  Thank's to Mr. Trump I remembered to close the garage door before going to bed last night too!

We have been studying Abraham & Sarah this week in Seminary.  I was walking out in the field, by the cave, yesterday and found a box turtle...so I took it back to Heather's to show her children.  Then I took it to Seminary this morning so the students can ponder, Choosing The Right and "Winning The Race"!  Look close at the grass and you can see the turtle when I let him go this morning...we thought we heard him yell, Mommy!

 This turtle was about the size of my hand.

I showed our Grandchildren, Luke & Leif, the Persimmon tree the turtle was walking under.

 Luke wanted to tell the little turtle goodbye.

 They liked how quickly the turtle moved on the grass!

Leif let me borrow his fish tank to take the turtle to our Seminary class.  All the students had to come in and see the turtle!  Grandpa Art said it was a popular distraction!  Ha.

This morning we studied Abraham 3 in The Pearl of Great Price...I thought you might like to find the answers to the quiz.  It is awesome to teach of Heaven and Earth and Humankind.  Be nice to everyone please.

Choose The Right

Do you have the same answers...and what would you put under 1 Cor. 15: 40-41?  Do you think you were known as a great and noble one?

Grandpa Art did a good drawing...can you name the planets, and stars?

Grandpa Art served in the temple last night.  He came home and told me he had learned that a good friend of ours, Charles Devol, is in intensive care at Baptist.  His wife Evelyn passed away on the 19th and her funeral was on the 22nd.  I know that Evelyn was glad to pass  her tests of this life, and I felt so bad that we didn't know about her funeral...we go to a different Ward than her and so we learned after the fact.  Evelyn was such a lovely lady and told me that her last name, spelled backward, is Loved!  She is indeed loved!  Blessings to her family.

Evelyn Mae Devol

June 29, 1930-September 19, 2015

She did Choose The Right.

FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2015
Our whole Seminary class was in attendance this morning!  We had a quiz between schools.  We have four students who attend Memorial High and 7 students who attend Santa Fe High.  They are great students...you can ask them who won...to us they were all winners this morning!

188 years ago on 22nd of September, Emma waited at the bottom of The Hill Cumorah for Joseph as he received the plates to translate The Book of Mormon.  Thank's Bishop Christensen for the challenge to finish The Book of Mormon again this week.  The Hill is beautiful at this time of year.  Thank's for reminding us of this Brother Reynolds!  We were at a meeting on the hill last year at this time.  Once again the leaves are changing.

We have some  beautiful deer that meander through our yard daily.  They have eaten all the flowers on our winter pansies...and a couple of mums planted, even the roots were tasty.  Oh well.

Her babies are growing!

Someday we will have a heavenly garden, right?

SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2015
This morning we have a Seminary meeting at the Institute Building in Edmond.  Grandpa Art is going but very nervous that he might miss the kick off with the game BYU vs Michigan!  I hope he can concentrate on instructions we are being given this morning.  The meeting was great, thanks Brother Valletta for the great lesson and helps.
So BYU did great the second half but lost to Michigan 0-31....ouch.  We hope the sons of Bronco, at least, got good grades in their school work this week!  Ha!

Heather and Lily came over and watched the Women's Conference with me last evening.  We enjoyed the speakers and the subjects.  Lily enjoyed the choir.  It is nice that we can have all girls 8 and older with us at this meeting.  Thank you to my beautiful daughter and granddaughter for watching with me.  I propped my leg up and enjoyed the meeting.  Thank's to each speaker for their encouragement, advice and stories.  Hurrah for Israel!

 We also were well represented by the Priesthood Brothern!

SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2015
I removed the bandages off my leg last evening.  I think I will need the last surgery after all...I've gone this far...might as well get both legs working good for the remainder of my days.  Life is good.

We are going to watch Ryan & Sarah's children in their Primary Program this morning.  This is my favorite program of the year.  This is our granddaughter Brenna's last Primary program as she will be moving on to Young Women.  Time goes by quickly when we are having fun, right.

We are also looking forward to viewing the blood moon this evening...if the clouds allow.  It can be viewed in Edmond at 10:00 PM...guess we will need a nap so we can stay up that late and still get to Seminary on time Monday!  We are looking forward to "the great and terrible day" Joel 2:30.  So we think this evening would be a good day for the "City of Enoch aka Zion" to return and unite us all.  This is a Seminary teachers wish today, Joel.

Whatever, we do not need to be afraid, but to have faith and hope, right?  May you enjoy your week and your future.  Be kind to all you meet.  We must make sure our children and grandchildren know they are loved.  Smile at the darkened moon and at all the stars in heaven this evening...and enjoy this Sabbath day of Sunshine and beauty that surrounds us.
Sing "Autumn Day" P. 247 in the Children's Song Book.
Smile and know you are loved.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT
Hug's to each and every one of you.
Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT

THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

So this week we returned to the Pre-Existence and watched as the Earth was created.  We stepped into the Garden of Eden and enjoyed the peace that existed in that beautiful environment.  We contemplated our existence because Adam and Eve chose to die and leave behind the easy life.  We pondered their great family and their sons Cain and Abel and the sorrow they experienced over Cain's choices.  We learned of  their son Seth and of his having the Holy Priesthood of God.  We learned of Enoch and his righteous city that was translated.  We look forward to greeting this great man someday.  Here is a picture of Grandpa Art helping the class figure out how big the Ark was!

We pondered Methuselah and his "being left behind" and becoming the Grandfather of Noah.  And today we discussed the flood and the experience of Noah sitting with his family, in the Ark, for seven days before the rains came.  Lots of questions and discussions happened this week and our class is now prepared for the next introduction of the rainbow and after the flood.  If I didn't know better, I would think we were studying our day and age and not the Old Testament.

I ended our class today by trying to take a picture of them all and backing up into the white board.  I tripped and skidded across the carpet...and fell right on my back.  I should have told them that I have fallen for each of them...and for the scriptures...Ha.  Getting old and being uncoordinated do not go together. 

We also decided to attend the OKC Temple yesterday.  We needed to do something good for ourselves as well, and for others, and we always feel comforted after serving there.  President and Sister Hansen met us at the door.  They only have six weeks left in their presidency.  I asked President Hansen if my paperwork had arrived yet?  He said no, so he sent it off again.  Before we left that day my paperwork was there.  Grandpa Arthur is beginning his temple service next week.  President Hansen suggested we both get set apart as ordinance workers before we left yesterday.  I know it will be at least 6 weeks before I can serve as I still have two surgery's to go on my right leg.  No problem, so we both received the keys to be ordinance workers again yesterday.  It feels so good to know I am again serving in The House of The Lord. Now we just must worry when we will find time to do our Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching. 

So to prepare for tomorrow I baked some treats for the Seminary students.  I think tomorrow will be a good day, sweets for the sweets!  As The Lord scatters the children in language, at the Tower of Babel, our students scatter quickly after prayer is said...tomorrow they can lick their fingers and think sweet thoughts about how Noah and his family fed themselves for 150 days on the Ark!  Life is Good.

  FRIDAY, 18 September 2015

Did you know that The Tower of Babel was waterproofed?  Ha...just in case the rains came again...the people had a way to reach heaven and stay dry...go figure.

I went to the elementary school and watched Leif, our grandson, in a program this afternoon.  There were tons of us cramped into a gym and boy did it smell like sweaty children...nice memory for Grandma Gene.  I would not want to have been in the Tower of Babel in an emergency, or the Ark for that matter!  Ha!

As I went for my walk this morning I saw the persimmons were getting ripe, so I ate three of them and opened some of the seeds.  They all have spoons.  According to folklore that means we are going to be shoveling snow this winter...so prepare!

SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2015

Good Morning!

We stayed up all night watching the BYU loose to UCLA 23 to 24.  It was a good game even if the "angels" were just watching both teams and not taking sides...Ha!  I asked Grandpa if he thought The Lord felt sad for the BYU team...He said, "I doubt The Lord cares".  Grandpa was sad, I was sleepy.  

Then about 4:00 AM WE woke up to thunder and lightening and a gentle rain, Rain,  GLORIOUS RAIN. Ha!  So far we have received almost two inches.  Too bad that California can't absorb our midwest rain...We know they are in desperate need in that state...I told Grandpa that I think The Lord has a good sense of humor and so the Lord sent us "the rains"!  Our outdoor plants are loving this! 

We are glad today is Sunday and we can attend Sacrament Meeting and be preached to by those in authority!  WE hope our Seminary youth smile at our Sunday Ark experience.  

This week we move on to the introduction of the Abrahamic Covenant in the Old Testament.  I wonder what great lessons await us this week?

We will be watching The sons of Bronco to see how they're own BYU studies go this week, and how our land accepts these mighty warriors.  Until the next newsworthy game, enjoy your life, your families and your many blessings here on earth and above.  Remember that we are not alone and that we are truly loved.  Lets endure well to the end and liken the scriptures unto ourselves.  Give your families extra hugs this week and make sure they know they are loved.

Thank's to each of you for your examples and friendship's.  "Stay on the boat".

Hug's always,

Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene

Gene & Arthur

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT

BIRTH DAY

WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2015

Last Sunday we ate at our son Ryan's home.  His wife, Sarah, surprised me with a birthday cake and presents.  This Saturday I join Grandpa and turn 69.  That means I begin my 70th year soon after.  This is not a joyful thought for me, so it was with some relief I enjoyed the attention and spoiling.  We all smiled when Sarah gave me their Ward cook book.  I will have to try cooking something from it just so I can say I used it.  They also gave me a gift card for the half price bookstore by the college in town.  The cake and cupcakes were made with crushed Oreo's...yes, it was delicious!  All the Grandchildren that were there sang happy birthday with their parents and I felt very loved.  Thank you, Bushman's and Hansen's for making it a rewarding day for Grandma Gene.  I can do this, I can endure well to the end...I think I can, I think I can.

We enjoyed Labor Day and just had a quiet time at home together.  Grandpa was thinking of going to Heathers to swim, but it was over 100 degrees out and we chose to stay cool and quiet...we even slept in since there was no school on Monday, so that meant no Seminary.  

The Stake Presidency called Sister Kim McCullough to teach the 11th and 12th grade classes, so we invited her to join us in our class on Tuesday AM!  We were kind of heart broken that we would not be teaching all the students.  However, we had renewed hope that now we can learn the 9th grade Students names! 

I drove to the bookstore on Labor Day and enjoyed searching for interesting items.  I returned back to our cave with four books and a DVD of Peru!  I have been enjoying reading every since.  Thank you, Sarah and Ryan for the discovery of that bookstore and your kindness.

So Tuesday morning we drove to Seminary in the rain.  It poured on our way home and we welcomed it.  The area cooled off for awhile until the humidity took over...got to love Oklahoma in the summer.

I walked the grounds when returning...trying to not think about how I miss swimming everyday.  Heather's dog trotted along with me.  I laughed as she had to be on the other side of the fence from me....the grass is always greener, right?  She always follows me home for a doggie treat and then disappears back down the road to the Hansen's.

As I pondered our quiet lives now I read this message below from facebook.  I love this quote and it made me thankful.  Thank you "Jesus Daily"!     

I'm so thankful to be on this earth and enjoy this quiet time of life...even if I will be getting up at 5 AM to teach all year.  The 12 students we now have are just a delight.  The subject matter is one I have studied since my own youth and yet both Grandpa and I find we have forgotten many of the teachings and are so grateful for the review.

Today I have my ultra sound for the surgery last week.  Dr. Hennebry took time to visit with me about my other two surgerys coming up.  He also told me that he heard from the records department that I had been calling trying to get things settled so the insurance would pay his bill.  That surprised me.  We had gotten papers saying our hospital bills have been handled by Humana, but because of code errors none of the doctor bills were paid.  He thanked me for thinking about his bill...and told me the records department was working on it.  My ultra sound looked good, so the surgerys are going well.  Maybe by Christmas all the paper work will be handled correctly too.
Honestly, I am so thankful this evening that I live in America and can get help when in pain.  Life is good in  warm ol' Oklahoma!
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2015
This Saturday is not only my Birth Day, but my twin sons will be turning 42.  I also have a granddaughter, Lauren, who was a gift on my birthday.  Lauren will be 15.  Our Daughter in law's father, Denton Cameron was also born on this day.
This is Todd and his family.  They

just announced he has taken a new job and they are moving to Austin, TX.  Happy Birthday Todd.  We love you!
Troy and his family live in Wisconson.  They are taking their children to Disney World for his birthday.  We hope you have the best time ever, Troy.  We love you!

Lauren is taller than her siblings now and such a pretty girl.  Happy Birthday, Lauren.  We love you!

I got the best Birth Day gifts ever!  Life is GREAT!  This is a picture of my three older boys in 1974.
Sweet Birth Day memories!  Grandpa Arthur  and I never realized how much love our hearts could hold until we had children and grandchildren.  Happy Birthday to me!

SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2015
So since we teach Seminary, I decided to get donuts for my birthday...since the Seminary students like them so well...ha!  They tasted great, but felt like lead in the stomach...ha.

Last night my Hansen grandchildren stopped by with their parents.  Leif wanted to give me a bag of grapes for my birthday.  They were cotton candy grapes.  Thanks Leif these are really good!

"These plump, juicy, all-natural green grapes are one of our newest varieties, and they're one that everyone is excited about. Cotton Candy® grapes taste exactly like the pink spun-sugar treat you loved as a kid at the circus—and we mean exactly. Pop some in your mouth, close your eyes, and you're that kid again! And here's a bonus: these grapes aren't sticky and loaded with granulated sugar like the fluffy stuff you munched on back in the day. But they're just as sweet—and much juicier. This is fresh fruit you can snack on all you want. Everyone who's tried these one-of-a-kind grapes has had a jaw-dropping, totally amazed, reaction."   Grapery USA
I heard laughing this afternoon while I was out weeding our flower beds.  I went to investigate and found the Hansen grandchildren jumping on a trampoline their dad put together for them.  They were so cute and happy that I had to include this photo with this memorable day.  Birth Day gift for Grandma Gene...children giggling!

Before the BYU game against Boise State began, our grandson, Jake, brought some of our Seminary Students over to wish me a happy birthday.  I was in my pj's already so had to run and put a robe on!  This was the best present ever even if I wasn't very presentable!

SUNDAY 13, SEPTEMBER 2015
Breaking Sabbath Morning News:

Yay BYU!
In the wee hours of the morning we got my final Birth Day gift!  This is a lovely way to begin my 70th year of life!  Also got to attend 3 lovely hours of meetings today at the OKC 7th Ward.  I sure hope 70 is our lucky # !
We are off to sup with our daughter, Heather's family, so will sign off on this blog.
In our Sacrament meeting today, Brother Villareal, said he had a friend that told him the meaning of the word bible:
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH!
With this reminder to study The Word. I want to thank each of you for the lovely memories I have of turning 69 yesterday.  In this world of uncertainty Grandpa Arthur and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.  May The Lord bless each of you.  May you feel loved and not get discouraged.  May blessings pour into your lives and sin run away from you.  You are always in our love and prayers.  Be kind to each other, and choose to be happy.
The Bible holds the key to the great plan of happiness...this plan  can be ours forever.
Always,
Grandma Gene & Grandpa Arthur
Arthur & Gene

SEMINARY

THURSDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2015

Yesterday I had my second surgery on my left leg.  They did not use the laser this time.  They cut the veins apart at various places and pulled them out with an instrument that looked like a crochet hook.  Dr. Hennebry showed me one of the veins he removed and it looked like spaghetti!  Thank you to each nurse and doctor assistant that helped yesterday.  This surgery hurts today, but I know I will heal and be able to walk better now.  Our son-in-law, Michael, helped Grandpa Arthur give me a blessing the night before surgery and I felt my seminary classes prayers for me during surgery.  Thanks to all for your prayers and kindness to me.  My daughter-in-law, Sarah, brought us a good spinach noodle casserole for dinner...I thanked her for making them green. Ha!  They were yummy!

Our Seminary youth come dressed in some of the most unusual things.  Today was dress in the dark day...ha...different shoes etc.  At the first of the week we had a student arrive in shoes that lit up and changed colors..I thought she should dance for us, but she didn't..her shoes were great.  Another showed up in this tutu and we just had to take a picture.  She said this skirt was very annoying to wear at school..ha.

 

Today we talked about the creation of the earth and how it is a gift to us all.  I brought a Persimmon branch to show them.  All Oklahoman's should know about the persimmon tree that was created on the third day in Moses, right?  We have beautiful gifts from Our Heavenly Father here in the State of
Oklahoma and we talked about some of the wonders The Lord created here in our own area.

I was able to stand and teach today even though I had surgery yesterday.  This calling has blessings attached!
SUNDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2015
Some of the highlights of this week.
Grandpa Arthur waterproofed the gazebo so it should be good for a couple more years now.  We just wish for some time to use it when it is liveable outdoors.  It has been so hot this week that we have just stayed indoors.
I read a series of books that Grandma Hansen bought  our granddaughter Lily.  They are "The Books of Bayern".  Lily had three and I borrowed the fourth from our city library.
Of course Football started this week, so while Grandpa Arthur watched his list of games he copied off the internet, I read.  Yesterday afternoon the BYU game was so intense that I didn't finish the fourth book yet!  We felt so sorry that Taysom Hill broke his foot during the game.  It was really interesting to watch the "returned missionary from Chile", Tanner Mangum take his place, as a freshman, in his first college game.  In the last second of the game Mangum threw a Hail Mary pass and Mitch Mathews caught the toss to win the game for BYU 33-28!  They were playing Nebraska in the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.  We had several friends who drove up to watch the game in person and they were well rewarded for their efforts.
Hurrah for BYU!
Now we can teach our Seminary class what great power you have if you serve a mission...ha!  Congratulations to the BYU Football team and Coach Mendenhall.  It was as much fun to watch the aftermath of joy after the game as it was watching the game being played.  Of course we also watched Nebraska and that was heartbreaking...and that my grandchildren, is why this Grandma  Gene doesn't play games...we are all winners, right?

So today is Fast Sunday and I know many BYU Alumni (and other alumni students from other schools) are fasting and thanking Our Father in Heaven for the labor intensive time we all had before our  graduation from BYU.  Seminary is a requirement for entrance into the Church School.  Anyway, that is what we are told to teach.  So that makes our responsibility as teachers weigh heavily on us.  The Lord wants us to be prepared not only temporally to enter the world work force, but spiritually too.   Getting up so early in the mission field, for Seminary Students, is a real challenge...and for their teachers too.  It is a great shield and protection for the remainder of the day, however.  Are all of you reading your scriptures and saying your prayers daily?  May each of you recognize the shield and protection these actions give to our individual lives.
Well, the back of my knee is hurting a bit, so I will end this blog for now and go prop up the leg before our three hours of meetings soon!
Enjoy this beautiful September and the National Holiday tomorrow.  Be grateful for life and the beauties that surround us.  Have faith in a better day tomorrow.  Be patient with yourselves and your children.  Remember that Heavenly Father knows and loves each of you.  We are so thankful for each of you and the examples you are to us.  May the wind be gentle at your back and the sun kiss & hug your lives and bring hope and peace to each of you.  Good Sabbath.
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene