Sunday, July 27, 2014

But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

 Morning sunrise over Sierra Mentosa

James left around 5:15 for high council and told me to go out and look at the sunrise.  I am so glad he did.  After high council and then he will be speaking in the Pinedale ward at 11am with Jimmy Applegate.  He said Jimmy gave an excellent talk.

Our speakers in the Vernon ward today were Maddie Carroll, and Chris and Kaeli Nicoll.  Maddie spoke on faith and used the "For the Strength of Youth" manual.  She said we need to pray and read our scriptures daily.  We must never lose hope and always exercise faith in Jesus Christ.  Strong faith is especially important for youth in today's society.

Kaeli is our RS president.  She has been a member almost four years.  She based her talk on a talk by Sister Burton: "Wanted Hands and Heart to Hasten the Work."  How can we be better disciples of Christ.  Disciples serve others through home teaching and visiting teaching.

Chris Nicoll spoke on the Priesthood.  The priesthood is the power of God delegated to man for the salvation of the human family.  Moses 1:39 is accomplished through the priesthood.  Temple covenants, the whole armor of God, and the Holy Ghost are some of the blessing of the priesthood.

In Sunday School we discussed Solomon who was a man of wisdom and a man of foolishness.  Part of the lesson was Solomon's building and dedicating the temple in Jerusalem.  Here is a quote from the lesson:

"In the peace of these lovely temples, sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life.  Under the influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there.  Temples are places of personal revelation.  When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers.  These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

Here is one of my very favorite temples:

Gilbert, Arizona

Today in Young Women's Trenda Wilhelm was set apart as the Laurel class president by Bishop Miller.  Trenda has been gone for the past two months and we are so grateful to have her back home.

Sister Ruth Wilhelm, or nana as she is known by Trenda and Alice, gave our lesson today on why we need the Holy Ghost.  These are the young women who attended: Hope and Heaven Lootans.  Heaven brought her American Girl who looked like her and was dressed like her.  They funny thing is Heaven had on 5 inch heels.

Shelly and Jordyn Applegate, Alice and Trenda Wilhelm, Maddie Carroll, and Kelly Reynolds were also in attendance.  We had three visitors: Karly Reynolds, Noelia Muniz who is Hope's friend, and Shaylyn who is Tina and Steve Allen's niece from Boise, Idaho. 

When I got home from church I was glad I had put a roast in the crockpot.  It was a tasty lunch and when James got home he was starving too.  After lunch we had a nap.  I had a meeting to attend at 2:30 and I woke up from my nap at 2:16.  I had to hurry to get to the meeting less than five minutes late.  The meeting was with the RS presidency, Kaeli Nicoll, Ann Miller, and Tamara Applegate and the RS activities director Wendy DeWitt.  We discussed the upcoming activity on August 23rd which is a clothing exchange.  The young women have been asked to help setup and then run the dressing rooms.  They will have first choice of the clothing available.

 When our meeting was over a storm had blown in and it was raining when we left and rained for several hours afterwards.  James took a picture of our thermostat outside which was at 60 degrees and sent it to Brian in Chandler.  When he saw it he said: "You are killing me!"

I read to James and then he left for the valley.  Usually he doesn't leave until Monday but since he has a pour at 6am he had to leave this evening.  It was a lonely Sunday evening for me.