THANKSGIVING

TUESDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2015

THANKSGIVING
"Let My People Go"
So when we liken the scriptures unto ourselves...Chesapeake Oil Company let my son go.  We all were so sad, but Chesapeake was kind.

We are blessed, in this family, to be able to be celebrating THANKSGIVING early this month. 

Our son, Ryan, was offered a job with Sonic, in their technology department, this morning.  He will begin working again on the 16th of November.  Congratulations Ryan!  Thank you, Sonic!  Thank You Lord!  We have arrived in the Promised Land.  "Come on in"!

 So to celebrate...we went to lunch at Fuzzy's Tacos, where we could share a warm fuzzy, with our son and his wife!  We are so thankful he is again employed.  

WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2015

Some days are just too important to not write down.  Our day began with Grandpa Arthur teaching about the Israelites crossing The Red Sea.  What do we do in our own lives when we can no longer go forward and we can't turn back?  Do we trust in The Lord?  Do we ask for His help?  Moses did and was able to be an instrument in the hands of The Lord to help his people walk across the highway, when the Red Sea parted.  Our seminary youth understood the principles of this lesson and we had a great discussion.

We came home and Grandpa "parted" the lawn.  

He is the man!

THANKSGIVING Manna is a gift from The Lord.

I have been broken hearted because my wheat grinder would not work.  It just stopped in the middle of grinding some seeds.  I have used this grinder since the children were babies.  I've been looking at it with sorrow all week.  If it dies, its time for me to die.  That is how I felt.  I read the manuel and was told to push the red button, on the back of the machine, to reboot the motor.  I tried this several times with no luck.  After the lesson this morning I prayed about this sorrow.  I felt impressed that I should take the back off and hit the button with a hammer.  Ok...so I took the back off this machine.

(Minion)

I said another prayer, and with all the faith I could muster I hit this button with a hammer.  The machine started!  I was dumbfounded.  I immediately said a pray of Thanksgiving and got the oil can out and oiled this whole machine.  I'm still in shock.  This was a miracle to me.  I understand just a little better about how Moses felt as he was guided by The Lord.  Grandpa Art said, "Now that you've oiled the machine, it will probably short out!"  Now our wheat bread can always have fresh flour!  That is if I ever cook some again since Grandpa Arthur gave our loaf pans away, but now the grinder works again.

This wheat grinder kind of reminds me of a Minion!

My grandchildren called and asked if I would drive them to school this morning.  They start late on Wednesdays.  I left too early, so took them to a park to play for a few minutes.

 A whole playset and they are climbing over each other..ha.

Thanks Grandma. 

I also watched them climb trees again last night.

Just a beautiful tree in their yard. 

Hi Leif!

Last Sunday I attended the meeting to welcome in the new OKC Temple Presidency and to say farewell to the old Presidency.  It was a very sacred meeting.  Sister Orgill came to play the piano for Sister Cardon who played the violin.  Sister Butts played a harp that her father made her 40 years ago.  They all are so talented.  I was overcome with the beauty of their music.   Each of the Old Presidency and the New Presidency spoke with us.  It was an evening full of tender mercies.

I went to Sister Butts home, after our meetings, and she gave me some sweet potatoes and tomatoes that she still has from her summer garden.  Grandpa Arthur has eaten two tomato sandwiches.  He is very thankful to The Butts for this great gift.

Sister Mendenhall told me, during Relief Society, that she had some Lamb Rib Steak that I could have for my lesson on Tuesday.  Because of her generosity this was perhaps the best lesson we have had so far.  The students were so cute as they partook of the Feast of The Passover.  The Lord provided the perfect atmosphere.  When the lesson ended we walked out into the clouds thick across the city.

 The Edmond Chapel was just getting covered as we drove into the denser fog.

Do you remember what was happening to the Egyptians as The Passover Feast was being eaten.  How many of you have seen "The Ten Commandments"?  Perhaps it's time to watch it again.

So I seared some lamb steak, the evening before.  I cooked it all night, to make it really tender, and then cut it into bite size pieces the next morning.

The Israelites must eat this meal quickly and while standing.  When the Savior was born, He too 

participated in the Feast of the Passover.  Just before His death, He introduced The Sacrament, as we remember Him now, at His last supper.

 We gave them parsley and lettuce for the bitter herbs and crackers for unleavened bread.  They pulled funny faces as they tasted these items.   I just laughed when they ate the parsley...some of the boys thought they needed to go get a drink, but I just went on to the unleavened 

bread and they survived.

 This lamb made for the best lesson ever.  We had the noisiest class today...ha...they pulled faces and complained but they all tasted everything.  The boys chowed down on the lamb once they tasted it and a couple of the girls did too..I told them the lamb was to be under a year old and one of the girls gaged and said...we just ate a baby lamb...how sad...and then another girl gaged and said don't talk about it!  Ha..I didn't tell them I didn't know how old this lamb was...It was a good thing that we had Elder Hollands video to show...it saved our

lesson.

 Thank's for being such a good class!  Some of our class were missing this morning.  We wished they could have shared this experience with us too.  I'm pretty certain these students, along with Grandpa Arthur and me, understand The Lord's Sacrament even better now.  We also are very thankful for our heritage and those who have paved our way in this life. 

Friday we served them "Manna and Quail".... we took this into class wrapped in foil and Tate made a plate out of his foil...I had to take a picture of this "boy scout" experience.   Our Seminary Students are awesome!

 Our class is grateful for Jesus Christ and His teachings!

THURSDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2015
On our way back from Seminary three deer ran across the road in front of our truck.  The fence was too high to jump. They began running along side the truck.  I was so excited at how they were running right with us I didn't video it.  To bad it would have been a fantastic video...enjoy my blurry photo's of the three deer!  Thanksgiving dinner will not be venison road kill...for which we are thankful.

Sister Roberts, an assistant matron at the OKC Temple phoned and asked if I could serve on Tuesday
evenings , in the office, for awhile.  I will begin on Tuesday, 17 November 2015...after our daughter
Heather has her surgery on the 10th.  I want to be there to help with her recovery.

SATURDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2015
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TO MY MOTHER, FAY ROSETTA GARDNER.
She would have been 89 today.
This is a picture of her riding "Topper".  My Grandpa Ford trained Topper for Hopalong Cassady (William Boyd).  

I watched "Peter Pan" today in Fay's memory.  "Hook is just a mean ol' man without a mommy".  It's nice to know Fay is back home with Our Heavenly Father today.  I know she (Wendy) & Malcolm (Tootles) have found their marbles....thinking happy thoughts of you both today...."Happy Trails to you" until we meet again!  "Follow your stars in peace".
Perhaps Fay has even dined with Robyn Williams and Nana.
 "To live would be an awfully big adventure."
Happy Birthday on your new and big adventures!
Grandpa Arthur and I stayed up until 2 AM this morning watching the BYU game....They beat San Jose 17 to 16.  That was so close.  "That was a great game".  Congratulations to the son's of Bronco!

It is an absolutely beautiful day, outside the cave, in Oklahoma today.  Grandpa Arthur has spent time, in the gazebo, enjoying the November, THANKSGIVING, sunshine.

This bloomin' bulb is on the counter in the caves kitchen.

So with all that is happening in the world and church I could write a book.  Tomorrow is our Regional Conference from Salt Lake City.  It is also two of our Grandchildren's Birthdays.  Jacob will be turning 14!  Brenna will be turning 12!  Both are reaching milestones in their lives.  So this blog is going to be too long for me to reread if I continue.  I'm closing with one of our Scripture Mastery's to ponderize.
Exodus 19:5-6:   5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Listen to Moses and follow The Prophets.  Pray for them and the leaders of our Nation.  Count your family as your treasure.  Love them with all your heart and tell them often so they can endure and enjoy this earthly existence.  We are living in a month of THANKSGIVING.  We give thanks for each of you.  May The Lord bless each of you and may we baby "boomers" remember the pixie dust and what awaits those who believe!  Lets not get "Hooked" on only this life time of adventures.  The best is yet to be.
Hebrews13: 19:
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you 
"The Sooner".

Time to go watch some more football...go OSU cowboys...touchdown!
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TOMORROW

FRIDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2015

Yesterday I lost a gold crown, off my molar, on the bottom right side of my jaw.
I am so blessed to have the best son-in-law ever.  He had me in the office by 10 and my molar was re-glued  and back on by 11am.  He warned, Grandma candy, that this repair may not make it for another 50 years...but it just might!  Ha.  Thank you Dr. Michael Hansen!

So how has your Halloween week been?  Grandpa Arthur is really enjoying his travels with Ken and Darrell.  No pictures of the three Amigo's have been sent, but lots of Geology photo's.

Grandpa Arthur took a picture of Kenneth under the rock...scary, Happy Halloween!

The three Amigo's!

 Burr...Colorado is cold!

I went up to my daughters to pick persimmons.  I asked her younger children to help.  Luke yelled, "Hi Grandma".  I looked all over the yard and couldn't find him.  "Where are you Luke?"  "I'm up here Grandma!"  Sure enough:  "I see your feet."

Lily climbed up to be with Luke.

They are so cute!  I'm so blessed to have half of our grandchildren living by us.  Do you remember how fun it was to climb high in a tree?  Thank's for the memory Lily and Luke.  Love these two.
They, along with Leif,  really helped me shake persimmon trees and collect the fruit.  They worked hard.  We laughed when the fruit fell and hit us on our heads....Happy Halloween.

This week has been some interesting lessons in Seminary.  We buried Jacob and Joseph and finished the Book of Genesis.  The Book of Exodus has been the best to discuss during this spooky time of year.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Jacob and Joseph were embalmed before they were buried...now a funeral directors granddaughter must explain this procedure, right?  After all who understands zombies and the walking dead more than a "mortician's granddaughter"!
The Addam's Family...perhaps?
Moses is born and saved from death as his mother hid him in the bullrushes.  He was raised by the Pharaoh's daughter and slews an Egyptian and hides him in the sand...not good.  He runs away into the wilderness and meets his wife.  Her name is Zipporah...was the zipper named for her?  They have a son, Gershom.  Moses is tending his flock and sees a burning bush and The Lord speaks to him from the fire...Happy Halloween.  So of course I took my new fireplace.  We all removed our shoes as we came into the hallowed ground.

The God of The Old Testament, Jehovah (the pre-mortal Jesus Christ), tells Moses that he is to deliver Israel from bondage.  Terrifying for Moses.  Moses is promised help by The Lord.  The Lord calls  Moses' older brother Aaron who is to be Moses' spokesman.
Moses is taught the priesthood power that The Savior has.  Moses sees his walking stick turn into a snake...yikes.
The Lord has him put his hand into his coat, above his heart.  Moses pulls his hand out and it was leprous as snow, zombie like, right?

Moses puts his hand back into his bosom and removes it again and his hand is healed!   The Lord gives him these signs so the Egyptians will believe Moses is sent to deliver the Lords children from bondage.  If these two signs don't work, then the water from the Nile will be turned into blood... HAPPY HALLOWEEN
You better believe we believe.
This morning we watched the video, by our Prophet, President Monson.  It is entitled "Dare to stand alone".  I found these yummy cookies, in WalMart, called "Dare" made with Maple Leaf Cream.  These are perfect for the season and for this lesson.

Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known.

"We are never alone when we stand with Our Heavenly Father."
May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, just as Moses did.
I gave the students a Dare cookie, a donut & an apple...and caramels...a lazy teacher's treat, a new version of carmel apples.

I know, I know, you all wish you could have been in this class...such a great treat.   Next week we learn of all the plagues the Egyptian's suffer before Moses can remove his people from bondage.  Then off into the wilderness we go...follow along with us?  Read the Book of Exodus! 
"Let My People Go."
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
It has been raining this Halloween week.  This is a bonus for we in Oklahoma.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 
We went to the 7th Ward Chili cook off.  I think it was like the loaves and the fishes. There was more than enough food for a huge crowd of people.  I have never seen so many children!  We feasted on hot dogs and chili and I think Leif and Luke had 2 donuts and a couple cupcakes each!  Then they got to go trick or treating around the classrooms because it was still raining outside.

Luke is Prince Charming & he stuck with Grandma so he could eat all the sweets!

SATURDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2015
The evening is finally here.
I awoke this morning with a soar leg.  One place where they removed a vein on my right leg has been hurting.  I got brave and squeezed it today.  Puss came out and I could see a glue ball way down inside left from them glueing the incision together...so I got some tweezers and did some surgery and pulled a big ol' blob of glue out.  It hurt like the dickens, but relieved the pressure.  I cleaned it all out and put a butterfly bandage on....now it should finally heal.  Yep, now I am officially Grandma Nurse Gene.
Our daughter Heather has scheduled her heart surgery for November 10th at 1pm.  Please remember her in your prayers on that day.  
Sunday, 1 NOVEMBER 2015
My son Ryan and his wife Sarah invited me over, last evening, to have homemade chicken noodle soup.  I got to pass their candy out for Halloween.  I enjoyed seeing the children in their costumes.  Thanks to daylight savings I slept in an extra hour this morning!

After taking their children out for a HAPPY HALLOWEEN they played games with their friends.

My Grandchildren enjoyed being out with their parents on this spooky night!

 I saw how Brenna's friend was sorting her candy in the window and had to take a picture...she must be related to Grandpa Arthur...everything in order!

Cute, cute girls in their costumes.

Their mom, Sarah, helped them make this fun pumpkin.

Well, its almost time for 7th Ward Church meetings to begin.  Its a long drive over to Surrey Hills Building, but the sun is shinning and it will be a beautiful drive.
The temple presidency is now finished with their calling and are turning the keys over to President and Sister Campbell.  They are having a farewell party for them at 5:00 pm, so after our meetings I am just staying at the church so I can attend this party.  Thank you President and Sister Hansen, President and Sister Applegate, President and Sister Campbell for your great example these past three years.  The Bushman family is extremely grateful for your service in our behalf.  May your future be peaceful, healthy and full of joy!  Our love and prayers go with you.
The new Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple President:
President and Sister Campbell

Holiness To The Lord, The House Of The Lord

 We have a great month of November to remember all we are thankful for.  May each of you enjoy the coming weeks and the changing of seasons.  We are so thankful for our children, our health, our home, our knowledge of Our Heavenly Parents, our church and national leaders, our environment and for each of you.   God Bless America.
We hope you had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene