Tuesday, November 29, 2016

G

This was my view this morning.

Mormon 9:1-21

What experiences have you had that confirm that God is still a God of miracles?

* One of the greatest miracles I have seen is the transformation of peoples lives as they accept and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I was privileged to be a ward missionary when both Laura and Cathi accepted the gospel.  There is no greater joy in this life than to see someone accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and to align their lives in accordance with His teachings.  It is truly a miracle.  One of the reasons I love the Book of Mormon is because it teaches so clearly the steps we must take to return to the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  Jesus Christ and His Atonement is our greatest miracle.  I am thankful for my mom and grandma (Nannie), who accepted the gospel.  I am thankful for Laura, Cathi, Brian and Ian in our family today for accepting the gospel.  The Plan of Salvation is a miracle which bring families together for eternity.

GC:     God Shall Wipe Away All Tears by Elder Evan A. Schmutz

" When we view the difficult experiences of life through the lens of faith in Christ, we are able to see that there can be godly purpose in our suffering.  The faithful can experience the truth of Peter's seemingly contradictory counsel.

He wrote, 'If ye suffer for righteousness sake, 

happy are ye.'" - Peter 3:14

GC: No Greater Joy Than To Know That They Know by Elder

K. Brett Nattress

"If all that your children knew of the gospel came from you -

as their only source - how much would they know?

If there any greater gift we can give to our children than a memory

burned deep into their hearts that we know that our 

Redeemer lives?  Do they know that we know?

And more important, have they come to now for themselves

that He lives?"

At seven o'clock this morning it was 18 degrees. The high for the day was around 30.  James said there was raccoon tracks on our porch and now the raccoon is hiding in the woodpile.  I love it when the sun shines on the snow because it makes it sparkle!

Snow makes everything more beautiful.

Neuschwanstein Castle.

Kaeli, Natalie and baby Guy and I visited Jean today.  We got stuck in the snow going up one of the hills going to their house which is in a thickly wooded area.  I called James but he is almost 30 minutes a way.  In the meantime an older guy with a hat and a long beard comes by in a truck and stops and asks if I need help.  "Yes, I do."  He asks me to get into the back seat and he gets into the driver's seat.  We back up probably almost a half mile and then he guns it and makes it up the hill.  "Thank you, Wyatt.  You are my guardian angel."

This is Ruby with a styrofoam tube which she

calls her elk call.  This is something she

learned from James.

Some good news for Kacey and Jared.  Kacey got the job in San Antonio.  She starts on January 2nd which is just a little over a month away!  Congratulations!

This evening we went into town to get our hot and sour soup and we decided to stay for dinner.  It was a mistake.  Much of the food had been out since lunch under the heat lamps and it was not good.  That will be the last time we will eat there for a long time.  From now on it is just the hot and sour soup. The one good thing that came from this trip besides the soup, was the huge, I mean probably a 100, elk in the field across from the post office.  We noticed them after we turned on to highway 60.  We hurried back to get my camera but we were not able to get a good picture.  It was amazing.  I have never seen that many elk together before!

Multnomah Falls in Oregon.

When we got home we read from "United We Stand" by the fire and then watched a new Christmas movie, "Journey Back to Christmas" starring Candace Cameron Bure.

Family Fotos:

Adam and James fell in love with the Hangar Cafe at

the Chandler Airport when they were working on 

the Hatch job in 2014.

Emmy and Molly recovering in the ER 

after their roll over accident on 

Thanksgiving 2014.

A few years back Alex helping Rowan

learning to fish at Power Ranch.

Monday, November 28 2016

Mormon 8:26-41

Generations are affected by the choices you make.  Your decisions today determine your destiny.  In a day when some people might be inclined to abandon faith in the face of great difficulties, Moroni's words teach us to see miracles and revelations as evidence that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Although the spiritual and social conditions in the world may be in a state of constant change and decline, God's covenant people can have full confidence that He is eternally the same.  

Some notes from these verses: The Book of Mormon will come in a day when it shall be said miracles are done away.  It shall come even as if one shall speak from the dead (v.26).  The way the Book of Mormon came forth is a miracle and the book teaches of the miracles of God to the obedient and faithful.  The Book of Mormon has been a miracle in my life! ... look ye unto the revelations of God...(v.33).  The Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly comes (v.34).  Jesus has shown you unto me and I know your doings (v.35).  What kind of "pollutions" do you you see in the world today?  Do we love money more than we love serving and caring for others, especially the poor (v.37)?  Are we ashamed to bear testimony and stand as a witness of Christ or do we look for opportunities to do so everyday?  Just some food for thought.  

GC:                       Serve by Elder Carl B. Cook

"As we serve, we draw closer to God.  We come to know Him in

ways that we otherwise might not.  Our faith in Him increases.

Our problems are put into perspective.  Life becomes more

satisfying.  Our love for others increases, as well as our desire

to serve.  Through this blessed process, we become more like God,

and we are better prepared to return to Him."

GC:            Lest Thou Forget by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Jesus Christ knows about fierce struggles and trials.

He gave His life for us.  His final hours were brutal, beyond

anything we can comprehend, but His sacrifice

for each one of us was the ultimate expression of

His pure love."

GC:     God Shall Wipe Away All Tears by Elder Evan A. Schmutz

"When we view the difficult experiences of life through the lens of faith in Christ, we are able to see that there can be godly

purpose in our suffering.  The faithful can experience the

truth of Peter's seemingly contradictory counsel.

He wrote 'If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye.'"

1 Peter 3:14

We have about 1 1/2 inches of snow, and more is falling.  Sometimes I think it's falling but it's just blowing off the trees.

James took this picture of the sunrise.

It looks like powdered sugar on the mountains and ground.

James and I drove into town this morning to get the oil changed in our car at Walmart.  It snowed on us most of the way and much of the time we were there.  While the car was being serviced, we walked over to Firehouse Subs for lunch. Btw it was freezing outside.  We saw our missionaries, the ones that stood us up for dinner on the 19th, at Firehouse.  James went over and spoke with them.

  We were going to stop on the way home for some hot and sour soup but for some reason, we forgot.  It made me quite sad when I got home and was soupless.

We finished "Justice of Affliction" on the way home.  Book number seven is called "United We Stand." 

For FHE we listened to Elder Schmutz's conference talk, "God Shall Wipe Away All Tears."  I watched "A Bunny for Christmas" while working on my blog.  It is one of my favorites.  I think Florence Henderson should have gotten an Emmy for her performance!

Kim sent me some of the pictures she took of Ian, Sheri and their kids for their Christmas cards.  I love them!

When I say I love them I mean the pictures and

most especially the family!

Who needs a professional photographer

when they have Kim!

Sunday, November 27, 2016"

I love this scene!

Thanks honey!

Mormon 8:12-25

How can Moroni's words: "For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled," strengthen us as we labor in the Lord's cause?

We know that no matter what happens the Lord is in charge and His eternal purposes will be accomplished.

GC:     "If Ye Had Known Me" by Elder David A. Bednar

As the Savior concluded the Sermon on the Mount,

He emphasized the eternal truth that 

"only by doing the will of the Father is the saving grace

of the Son obtainable."

GC:     "The Doctrine of Christ" by Brian K. Ashton

Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught:

"Being born again, unlike our physical birth, 

is more a process than an event.

And engaging in that process is the central purpose

of mortality."

This was in my Primary lesson this week.

Moroni 7:45 says:

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Moroni had the pure love of Christ.  Explain the qualities of charity found in Moroni 7:45 using terms the children can understand.  

*Suffereth long: Is patient -  Moroni lived alone for over thirty-six years patiently keeping the records. (Mormon 8:5).

*Kind: Not cruel, or mean, loving - Moroni prayed for us, and he loved his brethren. (Ether 12:36, 38.)

*Envieth not: Is not jealous - Moroni saw our day and counseled us to not be envious or proud. (Mormon 8:35-37.)

*Not puffed up: Humble, not proud - Moroni was humble because of his weakness in writing. (Ether 12:23-25.)

*Seeketh not her own: Is unselfish - Moroni unselfishly worked and prayed for us that we would have a knowledge of Jesus Christ. (Mormon 9:36; Ether 12:41.)

*Not easily provoked: Slow to anger, quick to forgive - Moroni forgave his enemies and worked hard to write things that he hoped would be of worth to them. (Moroni 1:4.)

*Thinketh no evil: Is trusting, looks for the good - Moroni exhorted us to hold to good and touch not evil. (Moroni 10:30.)

*Rejoiceth in truth: Is honest - Moroni was honest. (Moroni 10:27.)

*Beareth all things: Is obedient - Because Moroni would not deny Jesus Christ, he had to wander alone for his safety. (Moroni 1:2-3.)

*Believeth all things: Is faithful - Moroni encouraged us to believe in Jesus Christ. (Mormon 9:21.) So great was Moroni's faith that he was able to see Christ face to face. (Ether 12:39.)

*Hopeth all things: Is optimistic, trusting - Moroni understood the importance of hope. (Ether 12:32.)

*Endureth all things: Is patient, persistent - Moroni was faithful to the end. (Moroni 10:34.)

I love Moroni, he is one of my heroes.

I sure do love these two!

Judy Hunter was back at church this week.  It was so good to see her.  She has been sick for over a month.  Now Sean Hunsaker is in the hospital.  He has very serious heart problems.  We as a ward were ask to pray for him.

The Grapp's spoke in sacrament meeting.  Cammy spoke about five minutes and Thomas spoke 40 minutes.  I could have listened to him another 40 minutes.  He spoke on how to be actively involved in the ward.  He gave personal examples of people in their previous wards who have been an example in their family's lives and then he shared a scripture to go with each example.  These are the scriptures he shared: Mosiah 18:9, D&C 121:37, 4 Nephi 1:12, D&C 18:15, Matthew 4:19, Mosiah 3:19, Mosiah 2:17, D&C 137:9, 3 Nephi 18:22, 2 Nephi 31:20, and Proverbs 31:10.

He talked about the temple and how important eternal families are and expressed love for his wife and children.  It was amazing!

I had three kids in my Primary class today.  Curtis, Zemira, and a visitor, Baden. I miss Braylin and Kacey so much!

 During the third hour we had our teacher's council meeting.  Brother Wilhelm ask us: How can we make teaching in the Church connect with teaching in the home?  We had a good discussion.

We got to spend a little time with Kim and Brian before they left for home:

Playing a game of Five Crowns.

Brian ended up winning.

They chose to get their picture taken in front of the

Christmas tree instead of the front door.

I got a text from Kim when they reached Heber:

It's snowing.

It didn't start snowing here until after 5 p.m.

Kim loves snow!

Brian does too!

There is snow in your beard Brian!

They forgot the tree stand for Stacy:

Uh oh.

Our marriage class was cancelled so James and I had the afternoon and evening to ourselves.  We had chili and hotdogs for dinner.  James did some indexing and I did some gospel study.

This was a tough batch to read.

We also read a chapter from Justice of Affliction and watched "Operation Christmas" before going to bed.  We are so boring and predictable.

This is Nemo.  I got it at last year's White Christmas

Party.  Alexis, Michael's friend, made it.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Guess where we went this morning?

We met a friend at the front desk who is from our ward and was officiating the session would be in.  His name is Blain.  He ask us to be a witness couple.  We could not refuse.  

Mormon 7:1-8:11

Why am I grateful for the Book of Mormon?  I feel the Spirit when I read the Book of Mormon, and my life is so happy and blessed when I apply its teachings.  The truths contained in it will answer my questions about the times I live in.  The Book of Mormon is essential to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It testifies of the Bible and they come together to testify that Jesus is the Christ.  It is my peace and my comfort.  It brings me closer to Jesus Christ.  "Whoso treasureth up my word shall not be deceived." So many wonderful testimonies and witnesses of Jesus Christ in this book.

GC:     Gratitude on the Sabbath Day by President Henry B. Eyring

"I give unto them a commandment saying thus: 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy might, mind and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him...Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God

in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and

a contrite spirit." (D&C 59:5,7-8).

It was an overcast, cold day today.  Brian and Kim loved it.  They even went for a Razr ride.  I love having a fire and a Christmas tree on days like these.  

Today I watched Christmas movies, did some laundry, read to James, and worked on my Primary lesson and my blog.  All of this after my gospel study and going to the temple.  It did seem like a short day.  James and I are still eating Thanksgiving leftovers so I did not make any dinner.  Kim worked on her Christmas puzzle and James sealed our front porch and sidewalk so they would not crack.

He also covered up our wood pile because it is suppose to snow tonight.  

My Primary lesson tomorrow is on Moroni.  He was alone for 36 years keeping the Nephite record and adding to it.  Some of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon are those written by Moroni.  He is definitely one of my heroes.

James sealing the sidewalk so it wouldn't crack.

It has to be over 50 degrees to do this.  I think it was 53 as the

high today.

It was a little warmer in the valley than it was here.  

Shana, Alex, Sheri went on a hike.

Max, Evan, and Rowan played barefoot

football in the backyard.  When Evan got hit in the face

with the football he said:

"Don't worry, it's only a sprain."

Ian said: "A brain sprain?"

Oh dear.  

Chandler friends who have now moved

to Gilbert.

This place looks magical.

How fun would it be to live on this street!

The highlight of the weekend for some people was Chandler High

School winning the State Football Championship!

Friday, November 25, 2016

The Christmas season is officially here!

Mormon 6:6-22

Mormon asks his people why they rejected the open arms of Christ.  Mormon taught that their reunion with the Savior would have been joyful.  We too must prepare ourselves to stand before the Lord at the Judgment.  President James E. Faust explained: "We long for the ultimate blessing of the Atonement - to become one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love.  How gloriously sublime this experience will be if we can feel worthy enough to be in His presence.  The free gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us is the only way we can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see Him face to face.  The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each of us.  It is a love full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering and, above all, forgiving.  The evil influence of Satan would destroy any hope we have in overcoming our mistakes.  He would have us feel that we are lost and that there is no hope.  In contrast, Jesus reaches down to us to lift us up.  Through our repentance and the gift of the Atonement, we can prepare to be worthy to stand in His presence. (CR, October 2001).

GC:      "The Righteous Judge" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins

In His mortal life, Jesus Christ was a loving judge, uncommonly wise and patient.  He is known in the scriptures as "the righteous judge," and His counsel to us is to also "judge righteous judgment" and "to put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good and to judge righteously."

 I just couldn't resist.

There were over 20 cows in our yard today and James had to chase them away twice. After the second time he said: "I need a dog.  I guess the Dobson's just opened the gates and let them go."

We spent a relaxing day at home eating leftovers, and watching Christmas movies.  I am sorry to say that I ate a little too much.

Kim and Brian went on a Razr ride.  Kim was happy because they got to see snow and she got to feel the wind in her face.

James wrapped up in his polar bear blanket on the couch

watching "An Old-Fashioned Christmas."

He is such a romantic at heart.

I am grateful to James for keeping the fire going all day, and for building us such a beautiful home,  and for his desire to make constant improvements.

Sheri, Max, and Evan went over to visit at Darrel and Trina's today.

Lola was upstairs but when she saw Evan she yelled:

"Evan, come here, I need you!"

 Better than shopping on Black Friday!

Lola takes Sheri for a ride.

Some sad news in this entertainment world today.  Florence Henderson, the mother on the "Brady Bunch" TV show passed away today. She was 82 years old.

The last time I saw her was in September on "DWTS"

when she paid a surprise visit to Maureen McCormick, who played her daughter Marcia Brady on the "Brady Bunch."

This evening while we were watching Christmas movies, James, Kim and I, Brian went upstairs to watch the annual ASU vs. UofA

game.  Sad to say there won't be much celebrating in Tempe tonight unless it is by the Wildcat fans.  

Here are the movies we watched today: "An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving," "An Old Fashioned Christmas," "Christmas Homestead," and "Christmas List."

Some photos of guys that I love:

Grandson James two years ago on Thanksgiving.

Rusty and Jackson from our ward.

These are two of the kindest, thoughtful,

and polite boys you will ever meet.

Rusty is a return missionary and Jackson is a state

wrestling champ from last year as a junior.