2024 Journal

 31 Dec 2024, Tuesday Priorit ized Daily Task Deborah 'Debbie' McAlpin's 73rd Birthday 5:30 pm Harvest Restaurant and Luminary Thanksgiving Point Note: Message in Debbie's birthday card, " How can I find a present for the most wonderful wife?  What present can I give you that you will appreciate, and be a blessing to you? While you were away, I did a little work but nothing like what you are doing almost all the time.  I did some work in the kitchen, finished washing, drying and folding the clothes, and did some dusting.  I had to bind over some of the and it did not take to long before my lower back was hurting as if I had been hoeing or picking cotton.  I realize you do this all the time.  You never complain or hardly ever ask me to help.   Before I ever met you, I remembered what was told me about you.  “I went over to Pat and Anndalyn’s who was home with a newborn baby and an older son in the hospital with cancer.  Debbie was on...

 30 Dec 2024, Monday Priorit ized Daily Task Karlene and Joe L Higham's 43rd anniversary 7:00 AM - Beth picking me up to go to the cabin in Heber 9:00 am - return Legacy Pass and pick up Subaru Outback key Debbie Beth called and woke me at about 6:50 am and was on her way to pick me up.  I had my personal prayer; I packed last night, and Debbie got up and saw me off.  We drove over to Jeff Nelson's and JC dropped Tucker, Maggie, and Andrew off.  Beth drove Jeff's pickup truck and we met Matthew, Madeline, Bella, Brett, Rae Lynn, Ethan, Luke, Owen, Brody, and Weston at Park City Ski Resort.  Melodie stayed at the cabin with Ava.  The children skied and had lunch at the restaurant and lodge.  I did not ski, but took some pictures.  The children are getting better at skiing all the time.  On the way home we stopped at 7-11 convenience store and got some hot chocolate.  Beth took the children back to Kent and Cyd Davis', JC's parents in...

 29 Dec 2024, Sunday Priorit ized Daily Task 9:00 AM - Lehi 7th Ward Sacrament 10 AM - Abbington Memory Center Christmas and Birthday card I was up at 7:22 a.m., had prayer, dressed for church, and let Debbie sleep, I borrowed her keys to the Subaru and drove to the church building. I found part of the chairs already set up in the overflow. I started setting up chairs, and in about 10 minutes, Brother Adams and some of the brothers from the 18th Ward came in, and we finished in no time. I drove down to the Legacy Center to exchange the temporary pass they gave me for my key to the Outback.  The Legacy Center is closed on Sundays.  I came home and Debbie was getting ready.  We attended the 7th Ward Sacrament Meeting at 9 am and then drove over to Abbington Memory Center.  The 12 Ward was late today.  Bishop Price brought his family and the residents had a nice program.  His son and daughter, both return missionaries spoke.  After church servic...

 28 Dec 2024, Saturday Priorit ized Daily Task Olin Brown Reynolds 2nd Birthday I was up a little after 7 AM, had prayer, showered, and had prayer with Debbie on the phone.  I sent Olin a happy 2nd birthday text to his mother to read to him.  Beth took me to the Legacy Center at 11 am to exercise.  She and Jeff Nelson picked me up at 2 pm.  We visited and I showered and shaved.  Debbie called and was on her way home from Wellsville.  Abbey won her last high school basketball game.  I listened to some podcasts while I was at the gym.  Debbie took Abbey home and drove back home.  I helped her unload the car.  She has flowers from Shirley Hobbs' grave and brought them home.  She is drying the flowers for family members who want them.  We watched BYU win the Southern Colorado football game in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.  Afterward, we watched the news on TV,  we had prayer, and got to bed before 10:30 ...

 27 Dec 2024, Friday Priorit ized Daily Task Today would have been my sister, Ora's 79th Birthday Debbie and I had prayer, showered, and got dressed for Shirley Whitehead Hobbs' funeral.  She was born in 1929 and had many family members here, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.   It is raining here and snowing in the mountains.  Matthew came down to rent skis and boots.   Debbie and I stopped at Zuppus for soup and sandwiches to go.  Matthew is coming by the house.  He could not use the 220 V electric dryer to charge the Tesla at the cabin.  I was going with Debbie to the grave services in Farmington, UT.  Matthew, Melodie, and the girls are coming over and Beth called me at the funeral and has a Christmas gift she wants to give us.  I took my travel case and clothes out of the Subaru and Debbie drove up to Wellsville and picked Abby up to accompany her to her great-grandmother's grave services.  Abby ha...

 26 Dec 2024, Thursday Priorit ized Daily Task Matthew, Melodie and the girls fly to Provo, UT, picking the Tesla up, and staying at the cabin in Heber 4 PM Return the rental car to Sixt 7:05 PM - Depart SAN to SLC and arrive at 10:05 PM  I got up at 5 AM, had prayer, showered, and shaved before riding with Matthew and family to the San Diego Airport. We got there at 6:40 AM. On the way back, I called and talked to Debbie. When I got home, I called Debbie again, and we had prayer. I took my thyroid pill and supplement before packing and weighing my bags.  I weighed and over the holidays put on 5 pounds.  Later, I did some situps and pushups before going downstairs at about 10:30 AM to eat breakfast.  I called Elbert Angel, the land surveyor who surveyed the William Alexander and Manaha (Matilda) McAlpin, Old Indian Graveyard, at Pleasant Hill, Haralson County. (Dec. 22, 2022 He is going to send me the GPS coordinates, longitude and latitude to put on a bron...

 25 Dec 2024, Wednesday (Christmas Day) Priorit ized Daily Task Luke Olin Lively's 14th Birthday Open presents at Matthew, Melodie, Madeline, Bella, and Ava's I got up at 5:30 am and everyone was sleeping.  I went back to bed and Ava came and woke me at 7 AM and we went downstairs.  Everyone was up, Vickie came over, and the family opened presents on and off all day in our PJs.  Ryan face-timed me from Logan, UT, and wished us a Merry Christmas.  I watched KC beat Pitsburg in an NFL game.  I face-timed Debbie in Twin Falls at Tony and Jody's family.  Laura and George were there with Clara and Allison.   I face-timed Beth in Utah, Rae Lynn, and her family in Clovis, CA.  I talked to Michael and later Ethan.  I called Luke Olin Lively in Heber Utah and wished him a happy 14th Birthday. Matthew and Melodie fixed a nice Christmas dinner, sugar cured ham, smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, and rolls.  Matthew cooked the ch...

24 Dec 2024, Tuesday Priorit ized Daily Task  Note:   The personal nature of the Lord’s ministry as the Master Shepherd should be the pattern for all who shepherd the flocks of Israel. The depth of His love, His willingness to give freely of Himself, His undeviating loyalty and devotion to the cause shared so completely with His Father, and His constant attention to the needs of the one stand as hallmarks of the true shepherd’s calling. Some years ago, it was my privilege to visit the country of Morocco as part of an official United States government delegation. As part of that visit, we were invited to travel some distance into the desert to visit some ruins. Five large black limousines moved across the beautiful Moroccan countryside at considerable speed. I was riding in the third limousine, which had lagged some distance behind the second. As we topped the brow of a hill, we noticed that the limousine in front of us had pulled off to the side of the road. As we dr...

 23 Dec 2024, Monday Priorit ized Daily Task  I slept in.  Debbie got to Jody and Tony's in Twin Falls after lunch.  I had prayer and worked on getting my quotes and thoughts from my 2024 journal's notes.   I have them ready to print but getting to this point has been one thing after another.  Now it will not accept my mailing and billing address.  I called StoryWorth customer service and the operator I spoke with was having difficulty so I told her I will wait until after Christmas and try again.  There must be a reason why I am to wait to print the 2024 Quotes and Thoughts from my Notes in my 2024 Daily Journal.  I walked with Ava, Bella, Madeline, and her friend, Tammy, down to Starbucks for refreshments.  Madeline called Matthew and he picked us up.  Matthew talked to Andy Morris today and the MIA, Carol, called him.  Matthew and Melodie went to finish their Christmas shopping and for dinner tomorrow evening....

 22 Dec 2024, Sunday Priorit ized Daily Task  9:00 AM - Marblehead Ward Sacrament Christmas Program I woke at about 7 AM; had prayer, showered, shaved, and got ready for church.  I got a text from Debbie.  She was at the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert in downtown Salt Lake City.  I planned to attend the Capistrano Beach Ward where Michael, Autumn, and the children belong.  I put the location in my GPS and had prayer before leaving.  In the car I tried to put the map on the screen in the rental car but it did not show the GPS from my cell phone.  I was trying to move it and pushing buttons on my phone screen, and "Wrong Location" came up.  I turned and drove to their old ward building at 310 Avenida Vista Montana in San Clemente.  The ward chapel and overflow was full.  Four priests were blessing the sacrament and had to use the microphone at the podium.  The deacons ran out of cups of water and had to go back seve...

 21 Dec 2024, Saturday Priorit ized Daily Task  Expedia itinerary number: 72988101655467 Fresno to San Francisco – UA 5974 Dec 21, 2:15 PM–3:23 PM Take-off Sat, Dec 21, 2:15 PM Landing Sat, Dec 21, 3:23 PM Flight duration 1 hr, 8 min Passenger name MCALPIN/JAMESLEONARD Confirmation number - MW9LY5 Sat, Dec 21, 2024 04:50 PM 06:28 PM San Francisco, CA, US (SFO) Orange County, CA, US (SNA) Flight Operated by SKYWEST DBA UNITED EXPRESS. MCALPIN/JAMESLEONARD eTicket number: 0162444662614 Seats: FAT-SFO ----- SFO-SNA 22D Purchase Summary Method of payment: Visa ending in 2159 Date of purchase: Wed, Dec 18, 2024 Airfare: 335.21 U.S. Transportation Tax: 25.14 U.S. Flight Segment Tax: 10.00 Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 5.60 U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 9.00 Total Per Passenger: 384.95 USD Total: 384.95 USD I was up before 7 AM; some of the children were already up.  I had prayer, showered and shaved, and called and talked to Deb...

 20 Dec 2024, Friday Priorit ized Daily Task  Tony and Jody Traveller's 28th Wedding Anniversary I had my personal prayer, and saw the younger children off to school.  I showered and shaved; later I had prayer and talked to Debbie.  Brett took Weston and Brody to school and went to work, and Rae Lynn went to the gym.  I finished organizing the 2024 Quotes and Thoughts from my 2024 journal notes.  Ethan and Luke did not have school.  I took Ethan and Weston when he got home from school to the Golden Carrol Buffet in Fresno for a late lunch.  The children are at friends and when Brett got home we watched some football on TV.  I helped Ethan take the two dogs for a walk this evening.  I was copied on an email from Andy Morris needing the children to sign the extension on the Dade County Nursing home and get it back to him, which they did.  I called and talked to Debbie.  Jared was over at the house visiting.  We watched ...

 19 Dec 2024, Thursday Priorit ized Daily Task  I was up before 7:00 AM.  Had my personal prayer.  I texted Debbie.  She was on her way with Laura Gourley, her daughter to see Shirley Hobbs.  The children all got off to seminary, school, and Brett to work.  After Rae Lynn dropped Weston and Brody off, she went to the gym to exercise.  Matthew had a meeting on the phone this morning and at 2 PM meeting with a nursing home that Brett a regional over.  I paid bills and worked on getting my 2024 notes sent to Storyworth to print in a hardback book.  I stopped on editing at the titles,  Human Interest Stories.  I went with Weston and Rae Lynn to Brody's basketball at Dry Creek Elementary School.  Brody is in the 5th grade and scored the last two points on a fast break and his team won.  Everyone got home.  Matthew came by after his training meeting at Brett's facility.  Rae Lynn was the last to get home....

 18 Dec 2024, Wednesday Priorit ized Daily Task  12 Noon - Paul Ellison, Attorney in Bremen, GA - preparing deed for 1.6 acres of land for Pleasant Hill Baptist Church  I woke this morning when the children were getting ready for school.  I had prayer, got dressed, and went downstairs.  Matthew had slept on the couch last night and was up.  Ethan and Luke went to early morning seminary.  Rae Lynn took Westin and Brody to school and then went to the gym.  Brett took Owen and dropped him off at a friend's to ride to school.  Matthew went to teach a group at a nursing home how to use his software.  I called and talked to Debbie.  She spent the night with Shirley Hobbs and is going over again to stay until a family member can come and be with her.  Hospice has her on medication so she is not in any pain.  She is not being fed or anything to keep her alive.  Curt Lathon, a deacon in the church, has Paul Ellison, an At...

 17 Dec 2024, Tuesday Priorit ized Daily Task  James Reynolds's 10th Birthday Ride with Matt up to Brett and Rae Lynn's in San Clemente Note:  Joseph Smith taught that the everlasting covenant was entered into by the three members of the Godhead, God the Father, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.  It was renewed upon Abraham but its origin was before the fall, before the creation, before the council in Heaven and He sent angels to do the work of those covenants.  Justin Collins and Tyler Griffin, podcast Come Follow me                                                                    "..... that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men." ...

 16 Dec 2024, Monday Priorit ized Daily Task  Michael and Autumn spend the night Up early, had prayer, and called and had prayer and talked to Debbie.  Beth took Andrew and Maggie to school and met Michael and me at Life Time Gym.  I exercised and climbed steps for about an hour and a half.   Gavin, Alex, and Fuz came and joined Michael, Beth, and me for brunch.  I came over to Michael's and worked on indexing my notes for 2024.  The house cleaners came over this afternoon and cleaned the house.  Autumn went to dinner with a group of her friends that have been getting together for the last 10 years and Gavin left to see his friends.  When Michael got home, he, Gracie, their dog Joeie, and I went to dinner at Nomads in San Clemente.  Alex had gone to take Fuz, her friend, to see Santa.  We brought dinner back home for them.  Alex wrapped Christmas gifts and I put the gifts I brought under their Christmas tree.  We...

 15 Dec 2024, Sunday Priorit ized Daily Task  6:30 AM - drive up to 136 N. Sunset Canyon Dr., Burbank for Sacrament meeting 9:30 AM - Baylen’s farewell     El der Baylen Johnson has been called to serve in the Argentina Tucuman Mission                                                       Church     -       136 N. Sunset Canyon Dr., Burbank, CA 6:00 PM - Celebrate Gavin’s birthday at home in San Clemente  I got up at 5:15, had prayer, showered, and shaved.  Everyone here at Matthew and Melodie's was sleeping.  I drove to Robyn and Bart's at 8:45 AM.  I woke Baylen and gave him his farewell card and present.  The rest of the family was getting ready for Sacrament meeting at Sunset Canyon Ward.  There was a large attendance today.  Baylen has lots of family ...

 14 Dec 2024, Saturday Priorit ized Daily Task  Jodi Traveller's 52nd birthday Michael and Beth's I had prayer, showered, shaved, washed, and dried a load of clothes.  I called and talked to Debbie; she was on her way to take Abbie to her basketball tournament.  I watched Bella and Ava while Matthew went to the gym to exercise.  I studied scriptures and worked on organizing my notes and thoughts for 2024 to be printed.  I watched the girls, Bella and Ava,  and spent time with Matthew.  Matthew took Ava to spend part of the afternoon with her friends.  They came home with her and spent the night.  I watched the beginning of a movie with everyone.  I had prayer with Debbie before going to bed. 

 13 Dec 2024, Friday Priorit ized Daily Task  Matt and Melodie's Ralph for English walnuts and pecan in the shell - 2.4 mi · 306 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd · (760) 891-0607 (or peanuts in their shells) I woke. early this morning, had prayer, called, and talked to Debbie.  Stephanie brought Abbie over.  She is sick with a cold and can not be with the girls on her basketball team.  They did not want the team to get ill and unable to play.  Debbie and I had prayer.  Matthew came in to check and see how I slept.  He worked here in the office until the early hours of the morning.  At 7:30 AM I took Melodie and Madeline to the SAN Airport to catch their flight to Houston Texas for the cheer competition.  I got back home a little after 9:30 AM.  Matthew was working; he was on the phone with a client.   I worked on wrapping Christmas presents, reading, and working on 2024 notes from my journal.  Before we went to lunch, Matt ...

 12 Dec 2024, Thursday Priorit ized Daily Task  1:50 PM - Andrew's trombone at his school Matt and Melodie's I was up before 6 AM, had prayer, and got ready for the day.  I read scriptures and did not wake anyone.  When Beth got up I took Charlie, the dog, for his morning walk so she could get the children breakfast and ready for school.  I texted Debbie but she had left for her weight training class.  Jeff Nelson called and she talked to him while she was getting Andrew, Maggie, and Tucker ready for school.  I checked my email and text messages and Curt Lathon.  He sent me a copy of the platt for the land Pleasant Hill Baptist Church will build their family center on.  It is 1.6 acres extending from the present church lot to on Pleasant Hill Road to the Jacksonville Road.  It is more land than I planned to give but it is enough for them to expand and grow and the church has access from the Jacksonville Road, the main road to Alabam...