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