OUR FAMILY: August 2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017

Papeete, Tahiti

25th operating temple

Dedicated: 27-29 Oct 1983 By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 12 Nov 2006 By: L. Tom Perry

Atonement

3 Nephi 11:14

Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of:

3 Nephi 26:5

If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began.

Alma 54:12-55:14

How are Moroni and Ammoron different in their motivations for war?

*Trujillofamilyjournal, bofm365, Instagram:

"In Alma 54:13 Moroni says, 'ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.' In Alma 54:16-17 it says Ammoron is fighting for revenge and power. Moroni is motivated by love, which is unselfish, just like our Savior Jesus Christ. Ammoron, on the other hand, is motivated by power, hate, and selfishness, like Satan. We can learn from this account to let love be our motivation for all we do."

DC 122:1-9

How do trials and tribulations help us?
scripturestudy: "Trials and tribulations help us humbly look to God and they help us love like only God does. Love this section Verse 7, 'that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.' We can turn to God and find the good in our situations and circumstances or we can turn away from Him and become bitter and angry. Verse 9, 'Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.' We need to hold on and look to God, for He is the way to peace and complete happiness."
General Conference

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"We must act on the first prompting. First promptings are pure inspiration from heaven. The still small voice points us to opportunities to teach the gospel, to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and the Restoration, to offer support and concern, and to rescue one of God's precious children."

Around 10 a.m. James and I left for Snowflake. We are going to the distribution center to get the clothes we will need to officiate in the temple. Our first stop was El Cupido's so I could get a breakfast burrito. I was starving!

Our temple clothes are 1/2 off the first time we purchase them. We spent over $140 and it came to $77 after taxes.

We read from our new book, "Lily of the Manor." I love it. It is the best one we have read in a long time. I read several chapters in our car ride.

James has caught two squirrels now. They have become a nuisance and he takes them down by Chocolate Lake and drops them off. Our neighbors are not so kind to their vermin.

I made a batch of Doubletree Inn cookies. We both love them because they have oatmeal in them.

Trump is in Phoenix tonight and there is a big rally. He pardoned Joe Arpaio. We are glad. Sheriff Joe is just trying to do his job.

Evan got his Amazon toy from me today. He ordered Link.

"Feel good" for poking his foot.

Photos:

One of the squirrels James caught.

This guy was hanging out near the Hampton Inn

in Show Low.

I want this book!

After a walk, it's time for some R and R.

I call them James's pets.

Can you see the cougar?

(It's a shadow)

I love this photo of the Mesa temple.

Monday, August 21 2017

Santiago, Chile

24th operating temple

Dedicated: 15-17 Sept. 1983 By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 12 March 2006 By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Atonement

Helaman 5:9

O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of:

3 Nephi 1:13

Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow came I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Alma 53:18-54:12

What can we learn from the stripling warriors courage?

*The lesson I learn from the stripling warriors is that sometimes there are challenges in this life that we have to face, that we really don't want to face. If we go with courage, with faith in God, and with obedience to His commandments, we need not fear. The end result will be a blessing to us. - capew on Instagram

DC 121:34-46

How does one come to be chosen?

*By being righteous (see verse 36). By persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness and meekness, by love unfeigned, by kindness, and pure knowledge. (v. 41-42). Full of charity, having the Holy Ghost as our constant companion. (v. 45-46).

General Conference

Don't Look Around, Look Up!

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

Elder Choi's father said to him when he was discouraged:

"Do not lose your faith because of the people around you, but build a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. Don't look around, look up!"

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, feat not."

DC 6:36

Other gospel study: The Family Proclamation, the Living Christ, and my Primary lesson.

James left this morning on the Razr to pick up his wildlife camera. He was gone about three hours. I was beginning to worry. He came back and said it was raining on the mountain.

I had an appointment with Dr. Moffat today to discuss my thyroid. He says according to my labs I have too much thyroid and that has the same symptoms as having too little. He asked if I was tired and I said yes. Am I hot when everyone else is cold? Yes! He told me to only take 195 mg. instead of 260 mg. Hopefully I will start feeling better!

Next stop, Aliberto's for tacos. I am addicted.

Stacy had good news about Jared Ammon today. He agreed to go to rehab again. I also texted with Jared about his kids today.

Stacy also said that she feels like the Lord is watching over her. Her bishop called her in and asked what he could do for her. When she asked what he meant he said: "I have not been able to stop thinking about you for several days now."

For FHE James and I listened to Sister Joy D. Jones's talk, "A Sin-Resistant Generation." Afterwards we watched the newest Garage Sale Mystery/Medieval.

Photos/News:

Happy 90th Birthday President Monson

Eclipse Mania

I wonder if he knows he needs to go
outside to see the eclipse.

Most schools let the kids go outside to watch.
Rowan even got to be on the news!

Salt Lake City

Best Photo Yet!

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Sunday, August 20th, 2017

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983 By: Russell M. Nelson

Alma 53:1-17

How can we build a "fortified city" to protect us?

*President Henry B. Eyring said: "As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril."

How do we build fortifications?

By keeping our covenants. They are the way to access the power God has promised to send us.

DC 121:21-33

Does God punish later generations for the sins of their parents?

*We are punished for our sins not what our parents do, but sometimes the choices/actions of our parents can cause pain and lead later generations to suffer and be led in the wrong direction. Elder Richard G. Scott said: "Every individual born on earth is given a detecting capability, a divinely appointed gift to distinguish truth from error. We call it our conscience. God calls it the Spirit of Christ. When we properly use the gift, we are naturally drawn to truth and repelled from error."

General Conference

The Power of the Book of Mormon

President Thomas S. Monson

"Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children."

A Sin-Resistant Generation

Sister Joy D. Jones

"Our children don spiritual armor as they establish patterns of personal daily discipleship. Perhaps we underestimate the abilities of children to grasp the concept of daily discipleship. President Henry B. Eyring counseled us to 'start early and be steady.' So a third key to helping children become sin-resistant is to begin at very early ages to lovingly infuse them with basic gospel doctrines and principles - from the scriptures, the Articles of Faith, the For the Strength of Youth booklet, Primary songs, hymns, and our own personal testimonies - that will lead children to the Savior."

We had a pretty amazing sacrament meeting today. Madison Deatherage was the youth speaker. The other speakers were Sister Gillespie, and Brother Miles from the high council. Sister Gillespie's talk was pretty amazing and Brother Miles's was great too.

Sister Gillespie's talk was based on Elder Holland's conference talk, "Songs Sung and Unsung." Here is a quote:

"Among the realities we face as children of God living in a fallen world is that some days are difficult, days when our faith and our fortitude are tested. When we can't sing, we need to stand close to the Savior, He will hear the songs we cannot sing."

A quote from Brother Miles's talk:

"We must know God in order to become like Him."

I got to see Trenda and Emery today. They were here to hear Sister Gillespie speak. She is Trenda's aunt. Trenda and Emery live in Flagstaff where he goes to school to become a civil engineer and Trenda is working.

Today my Primary class consisted of: Jace, Colter, Curtis, Gracie, and Liana. Sister Kuffer was here to teach her class. Our lesson today was on Adam-ondi-Ahman, the Second Coming and the Millennium.

Sharing time was about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Sister Husaker asked Bailey if it was okay to shop on Sunday. Bailey said: "Well if you need nail polish or stuff like that you shouldn't shop, but if you are out of eggs, or milk or bread I think it would be ok. Oh dear. We had just talked about not shopping on the Sabbath but evidently more teaching needs to take place.

I had my Panda chicken, noodles and rice for lunch and I shared with James. Afterwards I had a piece of my french vanilla birthday cake.

James and I started a new book today. It's called "Lily of the Manor."

This book is about a wealthy widow who has

adopted 11 orphans and is in need of hiring

a school teacher for them. I think I am going to

really like it.

James said that the Scott's are back but Millie has damaged both of her arms and a foot because of falls. Also, Donna Peeler is still sick.

James had a High Priest Group meeting at the stake center at six this evening. He went with Brother Peeler and our neighbor Chuck. After the High Priest meeting there was a stake priesthood meeting for all Melchizedek priesthood holders, so it was after nine before James got home.

Jared called me this evening and I went out on the front porch to talk to him. I realized right away that there was a herd of elk and I spooked them. They ran around to the side yard. It was so dark, I couldn't really tell where they went after that.

I watched two new Hallmark movies while James was gone, "Eat, Play, Love," and "Home in Mitford." I should have been working on my blog or doing some other Sabbath day activity. Shame on me.

Photos:

Trenda and Emery

I just can't help it.

I love Trenda!

Elk in our yard, but not the ones I saw tonight.

It was too dark to get a picture of them.

Vernon Sunflowers

Lambson Sunflowers

Saturday, August 19th, 2017

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983 By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Rededicated: 4 Sept 2005 By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of:

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Alma 52:19-40

How can working together allow us to overcome difficult tasks?

*We all have different strengths and talents which we are commanded to use to build up the kingdom. Working together is so much easier, and often more effective than working independently. I always learn when I work with others and feel strengthened. My love for others and the Savior increases.

DC 120-121:1-20

Do the enemies of the Church prosper?

*They shall not have right to the priesthood and shall be damned!

General Conference

"Walk With Me"

President Henry B. Eyring

"Walking with the Savior in priesthood service will change the way you look at others. He will teach you to see the through His eyes, which means seeing past an outward appearance and into the heart. This is how the Savior was able to see Simon not as an impulsive fisherman but as Peter, the rock-solid future leader of His Church. This is how He was able to see Zacchaeus not as the corrupt tax collector others saw but as an honest, upright son of Abraham. If you walk with the Savior long enough, you will learn to see everyone as a child of God with limitless potential, regardless of what his or her past may have been. And if you continue walking with the Savior, you will develop another gift He has - the ability to help people see that potential in themselves and so repent."

Happy Birthday!

To me!

James asked me what I wanted today. I said I wanted to take a picture of the sunflower field, get some orange chicken at Panda Express, and go to Book Barn to get scriptures for a couple of kids in my Primary class. We did all three.

I got texts, phone calls, and over 80 Facebook happy birthday wishes today. I have a wonderful family and lots of great friends.

It almost rained today, but not quite. It was cloudy and overcast when we sat out on the porch to read.

This evening James made me a steak dinner which was quite delicious. I worked on my Primary lesson "Adam-ondi-Ahman."

Vickie called me today and we had a nice visit. Rachel is struggling with her new baby. It's a hard adjustment for her.

I got texts from Joe, Michael, Alex, Addy and Anna today, which was the best!

Photos: