Merry Christmas

Monday 28 December 2015

It's been raining and icy for three days now, and our roof has not leaked...Merry Christmas to the Bushman Cave!  However, the OKC Temple is without electricity so will be closed till further notice.

December 21, 2016 was a dear friends birthday.  Sherry Renfroe used to have the best Christmas Day parties.  To celebrate her birthday this year, since she now resides on the other side, we met with the girls in her family.  We had dinner with her family and friends.  It was a fun evening and memories were shared.  Happy Birthday Sherry Renfroe.

Our Daughter, Heather and her family went to the Dominican Republic for Christmas.  We watched their children open presents early after midnight on Saturday when they returned from this great mission experience.

The two older children helped their dentist dad, Mike, assist the patients.

This was a great mission for Mike, Heather and his family.  The electricity was powered by the generator that Lily is standing next to.  She said it was very noisy.

Here are a few highlights of our Merry Christmas Celebration.  Happy Birthday to Jesus Christ on the 25th, Joseph Smith on the 23rd, Sherry Renfroe, Jeffrey Bushman (Grandpa Arthur's brother) on the 21st, Our Granddaughter Hannah Gene Bushman who turned 16 today December 28th, and our daughter Heather Gene Bushman who turns 40 on the 30th!

Jacob & Leslie Mendenhall invited us to their barn to read & enact the nativity with their family on Christmas Eve.  Thank you Mendenhall's for the best way to begin our Christmas Eve.  Leslie has her birthday on the 29th..Happy Birthday Leslie!  It was so fun to attend this barn social with friends and family.  The treats were enjoyed on this Christmas Eve and the days that followed.  We love Salt Water Taffy!  Thank You!!!

 

Sarah, our animal lover of the family, had to go visit with this cute donkey before the reenactment began.

Cannon was chosen as one of the wise men.

Angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus the Christ.  Luke's scriptures of the event were read.

We had two granddaughters dressed with sheep ears & costumes...they watched over the new parents and baby Jesus.

Brother Taylor was the narrator.

Brother Mendenhall took a moment to find the owner of this little lost shoe.  He closed this celebration with his testimony of Our Savior and we all sang several Christmas Carols.  

The livestock enjoyed this celebration also.  We prayed for peace on earth and good will toward all men at this "Home on the Range."  Merry Christmas to the Mendenhall family.  Thank you for allowing the Bushman family to experience this eve with you.

To celebrate Jesus's Birthday, we watched Ryan & his family open presents.  Rachel needed dad's help.

Cannon loved his Star Wars gift!

Brenna loved this watch, but broke out in tears of joy when a cell phone rang under the couch for her!

Cupcake, the family dog, got a new blanket and was tucked under it several times during the day.  This dog loved her new blanket.

We then hurried home to watch Todd and his family open gifts at our cave.

The old stuffed panda's accompanied them to open their gifts.

Tanner received a special wrist walking counter.

Elizabeth received a special desk to do her drawings on.  I gave our Toddy hershey kisses.

Todd gave Allyson a special Mickey she has been looking at each time they go to Disney.

We then went back to Ryan and Sarah's for a Merry Christmas breakfast.  It was delicious.  Thank you Ryan and Sarah.

We had a ham dinner that evening at the cave.  Allyson was a great hostess and fixed us the best Christmas dinner ever.

We got fun pictures after...can you see Ryan?  These are my babies and their wives.

Grandma Gene with two of her favorite baby boys, Todd and Ryan.

Ryan's family went to Vegas to celebrate Great Grandpa Cameron's 90 birthday and we spent three lovely days with Todd and his family watching lots of Hallmark movies, football, and of course we went to Star Wars....thanks to Todd!  It was fun to listen to Grandpa Art ask questions about that movie...ha.

Tonight, Grandpa Arthur lit the first fire in the ol' cave stove.  The city is once again covered in ice...worse over by the OKC Temple in Yukon Ok.  We are warm and toasty while those who reside by the temple do not even have electricity.  There were lots of cardinals and other birds in the yard today.  We emptied the frozen bird seed onto a paper plate and watched the birds enjoy the seeds.

As we conclude this blog and ponder our blessings this year, we are thankful that we have been blessed to visit with all of our children this year.  We hope each of you, our family and friends, had a very Merry Christmas and we pray you have a peaceful New Year. To our friends & family who have such worrisome health issues, we pray for you every day.  Just as our granddaughter Hannah turned sixteen, so we enter the era of 2016.  

"There's no place like Home"
"Dorothy: A place where there isn't any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain...

[begins to sing "Over the Rainbow"]"
Our Granddaughter Hannah wanted to be Dorothy when they went to Disney World this year.

"He is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father. He is our Exemplar and our strength."

                —Thomas S. Monson, "Be and Example and a Light"

Happy Birthday to Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to each of you.

"We Believe"

Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene

Arthur & Gene

BLUE SKIES SMILIN'

"BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME

NOTHIN' BUT BLUE SKIES DO I SEE..." 

TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2016

It is an absolutely beautiful blue skies smilin' at me day in Edmond OK today.  We did have enough rain over the weekend to show that Grandpa Arthur got most of the leak fixed in the other corner of the cave.  The roof above our bedroom still has a leak that Grandpa is trying to find now...almost there...never ending, but we have been blessed with perfect weather to enjoy as we repair the cave.

"Peek a boo" up there Grandpa Arthur, how's it going?

We had a lovely Sabbath last Sunday and enjoyed spending time with our daughter and her family.  They leave for the Dominican Republic tomorrow afternoon.  We hope they have the best mission ever.

Meanwhile we are going to care for the animals while they go take care of other peoples teeth!  Mia is already whining at me in the mornings.  Ha.  I guess I need to get her another ham bone to chew on since her family is leaving her behind.  

As we were driving to Seminary on Monday morning a white tailed buck ran across the road in front of us.  Yes, it frightened the buck and us but we did not make contact...as we were going to do The Lord's errand. Ooh Rah!

Our lesson this morning was kind of enlightening.  We finally started taking the Israelites over the Jordan River into the Promised Land!   "And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Joshua 3: 5.  As the priests stepped into the water, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the spring flooded waters parted and the people walked over dry ground to the other side!   Then the waters, in the river, returned to its course!  Joshua showed he now had the keys that Moses had held.  They built a memorial out of the stones collected at the bottom of the river to remind them of this great event.  No more Manna for this group.  I asked the youth if I should quit bringing them treats now...Abby said, "till next year perhaps".  Ha, they only have three days left of classes in 2015...they are so witty!  

So while we wait for this ol' world to get better remember: "You better watch out. You better not cry.  Better not pout.  I'm telling you why.  Santa Claus is coming to town".

The Israelites experienced a Christmas Gift from The Lord, but boy they had to be good before they earned it.

Tomorrow we march around Jericho with the Ark and 40 thousand soldiers...and blow rams trumpets and shout!  Don't you wish you could be in our class?  We will discuss taking all the lands and the spoils of the people.  Joshua 6: 24 "And they burnt the city with fire and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord."   We will discuss Achan and how he took "presents" for himself instead of giving all silver, gold, brass & iron into the treasury of The Lord.  His quest for The Promised Land was stopped short for his family because of his greed.  Joshua 7: 24-26  

So milk and honey was not the only thing that the promised land flowed with. 

"The Lord God of Israel fought for Israel".

So the council Joshua gave his people is the same President Monson gives us today:

Stay on The Lord's side and you will be blessed, in this the Promised Land.

"BLUE SKIES SMILIN'"

We have been receiving lots of beautiful notes and cards from family and friends this season.  Thank you to each of you for remembering us this time of year.  Merry Christmas to all!

Grandpa Arthur and I decided to go for a walk because it is so beautiful this afternoon.

There are still a few persimmons hanging on to this tree.

Luke and Leif came over after school looking for snacks.  Luke decided the raindeer would make a good chair!  "Giddy up" reindeer!

WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2016
JOSHUA FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Chorus:
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
and the walls came a-tumbling down

You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may talk about the men of Saul
But there's none like good old Joshua
at the battle of Jericho (that mornin')

(Chorus)

Up to the walls of Jericho
They marched with spears in hand
"Come blow them ram horns," Joshua said
"'Cause the battle is in our hands."

(Chorus)

Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Joshua commanded the children to shout
and the walls came a-tumblin' down (that mornin')

Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
and the walls came a-tumbling down

Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
and the walls came a-tumbling down.
African-American Spiritual Copyrighted By Jay Roberts 1865
We read Joshua 6-10 today.  We discussed how Joshua 10 had the soldiers put the Kings on the ground and put their foot on their necks. This was done to show the stiff necked Kings who was in charge....then off with their heads.  This was an "R" rated lesson if we showed the graphics....we just read of the take over and that was gory enough.
Sh..We walked around the tables 6 times and blew our rams horns 6 times.

Sh...everyone remained quiet and we carried the Ark seven more times around the tables and the 7th time blew the rams horns and shouted.  Pretty soon people from the other classes were coming in to see what all the shouting was about.  Today, the Freshman Class of Edmond,  defeated the Canaanites and entered The Promised Land.  Harrah for Israel!  Off they all went to conquer their exams at school!  We are the triumphant  teachers of the mighty, mighty freshmen! We are blessed by The Lord. BLUE SKIES SMILIN' today.

I drove my grandsons to the Elementary School for their mother today.  We were early and sat in the car for 10 minutes...that is 10 minutes too long with these two energetic souls!

Grandma Gene can we just go in the school now?

SATURDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2016
We are just about ready to watch BYU play Utah in Vegas football game...Hoot, hoot!
BYU basketball team beat Central Michigan last night 85-98!  Grandpa Arthur was very pleased with the outcome!  But, he was hoarse after the BYU vs. Utah game.  BYU lost 35-28...great game even if there were tears for Bronco and his former sons.  Thanks for the memories Coach Mendenhall.


It is another BLUE SKIES SMILIN' day in Edmond OK.  So Grandpa Arthur decided we best cut limbs off four more huge broken branches.  So Grandma Gene cut through a ton of brambles and made a new path to the gully.  I felt like I was cutting into Sleeping Beauties forest.  The vines ripped at my wrists and pant legs, but I finally got a path cut.  I had fun seeing if I could toss the limbs across the gully to the other side.

Can you see all the thorny brambles that grow among the trees behind Grandpa Arthur...that is what I had to cut through to get a path to the gully.  It definitely is like the brambles in the Sleeping Beauty story...yawn.

Grandpa Arthur cuts the limbs up so I can haul them to the gully.  He had to take the bigger ones, I'm such a weakling!  He can haul twice as much as I can.

Grandpa Cleaning up the last of the limbs...we took about three truck loads into the gully again.  We only have about four more big broken branches left.  I keep thinking of "The Sacred Grove" as we clean up our own grove forest around the property.  They leave the Sacred Grove natural.  Anything that falls remains in place...yes, our yard has a lot of fallen trees, branches and brambles...Oh well.

Our daughter and her family are now in the Dominican Republic.  The children are having a mission Christmas helping the people of that country with their dentist dad.  This should be a very educational Christmas for their children.  Our love and prayers are with them all as they share their time and talents with these great people.

Our Son, Ryan, and his family on an outing in downtown OKC.

So yesterday I received a call from Dr. Hennebry's nurse.  Our Humana insurance denied my final surgery.  The nurse said that Dr. Hennebry wants to see me at the end of February and take another echo of the back of my right leg and see how the Phlebitis is doing?  If it is still bad then they will resubmit the request.  Do you think the Phlebitis will heal on its own?  We shall see.  I was very relieved that I don't have to have another surgery this month, but distressed that not having the final surgery may prevent my leg from healing after all.  Isn't life fun?  If I didn't know better I would think someone from my government insurance reads this blog..ha.  I suppose lugging downed trees isn't that good on the legs...maybe if I called it exercise instead of work?  Toot, Toot, Hurrah for Israel!  It sure would be nice if Grandpa Arthur could give me a healing blessing and I could be done with this...insurance business...Ha...a Christmas present from the Christ Child Birthday Boy?
I'm sure my present is that I have veins, air and life!  I am grateful to Our Savior, Jesus Christ for this earthly experience.  "Star Wars" began showing two days ago...will the heavens ever be safe again?

 He is Comfort, Hope Peace and Joy!  Merry Christmas.
BLUE SKIES SMILIN' TODAY

SUNDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2016
It is the official week of Christmas!  BLUE SKIES SMILIN' is not happenin' in Oklahoma today.  The clouds are covering the sun.  It's an Oklahoma Christmas Everyone!  May you all enjoy this week and bring the message of The Christ Child into this important Holiday.  Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.  We are thankful this week for Angels in fields,  Rooms in Inn's, Kings born in Stables and raised in Caves!  Children who come home for Christmas. Children who choose to serve their families instead of being home.  May we all, "with one accord, sing praises to Our Heavenly Lord".  We remember a Donkey spoke to Balaam and Joshua held the same keys of the Priesthood as Moses...and led his people into The Promised Land.  May we feel the peace of The Redeemer as He prepares to have those keys returned to Him.  Blessings upon those who hold these keys this Christmas.  He is the Gatekeeper!  Yes, we believe.
Let us be kind to our family's and teach them of this great love through our examples.  Hug's to each of you.
Always,
Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene