Monday, May 7th, 2018

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, birth of

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 24:16-25:14

*How can we lift our voices to praise God?

- amberadamson: "I think there are many ways to praise God...prayer, song, speaking kind words to others, etc. I think we can also do it by what we don't say... not complaining, not judging others, etc. The most important thing is to recognize and remember...recognize all that we have been blessed with and remember that everything we have is a gift from God, then we naturally praise Him in our thoughts, words, and actions."

Old Testament

1 Samuel 18-20

18 Jonathan loves David - Saul sets David over his armies - David is honored by the people, and Saul becomes jealous - David marries Michal, a daughter of Saul.

19 Saul seeks to kill David - Michal saves David by artifice - David joins Samuel and the company of prophets.

20 David and Jonathan make a covenant of friendship and peace - They take leave of each other.

General Conference

Meek and Lowly of Heart

Elder David A. Bednar

" Even though he had previously hardened his heart, Amulek obeyed the voice of an angel, received the prophet Alma in his home, and provided nourishment to him. He was spiritually awakened during Alma's visit and was called to preach the gospel. Amulek then forsook 'all his gold, and silver, and his precious things...for the word of God, and was rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred.'"

One More Day

Elder Taylor G. Godoy

"Personal sacrifice strengthens us and gives value to the things we sacrifice for."

James left for the valley after family prayer at 4:10 a.m. I love this guy so much. He sacrifices so much for me.

 Here he is making a stone-throwing sling for

my Primary class. This was last year.

"To obey is better than sacrifice" says Samuel to Saul. 1 Sam. 15:22

I like this statement from the Old Testament Student Manual:

Many young people of today are great joiners. They attach themselves to this or that organization or group because they wish to make the world a better place. They need a purpose for living, a reason to be - they need a cause.

That cause should be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love these words by David in 1 Samuel 17:45-47:

45 Then said david to the Phillistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

46 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

I watched the Church young adult fireside given by Elder and Sister Kearon last night,  Elder Kearon:

"There is power in gathering. Am I focused on the wrong things?

Do I focus on my self or on serving others?

President Nelson is laying out a higher and holier way of serving."

Russell M. Nelson 10/02, #40 - Blessed Are The Peacemakers

"Peace is a prime priority that pleads for our pursuit."

I somehow missed this talk by President Nelson so went back and listened to it today. I am glad I did because in this talk he talks about and honors President Hinckley.

Russell M. Nelson 10/97, #30 - Spiritual Capacity

"We need an example - someone to show us how spiritual capacity can be developed. I have selected as a model ... President Gordon B. Hinckley."

Dale G. Renlund,Melchizedek Priesthood, Chapter 6, Oaths and Covenants.

My project for the day was to work on stripping the polish off the wood floor in the family room. I applied too much remover and it was difficult to work with. Next time I need to do a smaller application. I did not get as much done as I had wanted to. I am finding that is the case with much that I do at the tender age of 69 3/4's. 

I may have had the television on while I was working, and I may have said, "If Mountie Jack is really dead on 'When Calls the Heart,' I'm through watching." We shall see.

At 7p.m. this evening James was still at work on the golf course. He is staying at Kim and Brian's tonight.

Stacy gave me a call today about the anniversary party concerns she has. She thought swimming at the condo and then going to the church for the program might be too much. I told her to have the kids bring their pillows and blankets to the church and they could lie on the floor. She liked that idea.

My friend Pam had this to say about her husband Ricky's surgery today:

"Surgery went good. Home, resting.

So unprofessional. I filed a Quantros while

he was still in pre op. Not happy about the experience.

My mind is blown.

Official complaint.

He was taken back by a person who never greeted him or asked 

his name. She walked way ahead of him. gave him product to 

clean himself, rattling off orders. 

Coughs in her hand and then opens sterile materials. 

Then a doctor at the deak says; 'We need more guinea

pigs to practice on, so they won't need to go to Flagstaff.'

Which sent his blood pressure 160/100. He was so upset.

The OR director came to talk with me. Then when he got back to recovery the first thing he told me was, a nurse dropped her glove, picked it up and put it on. I wanted to puke!"

These are the very reasons people go to Flagstaff or the valley when they need surgery or medical attention.

Happy 21st Birthday Autumn!

I need to make sure I look at my birthday calendar

at the beginning of each month. I moved it

from my bedroom to the main calendar in

the kitchen. Autumn, I am sorry that your

card and gift will be a little late. I hope you

had a wonderful day!

I went out and fed and watered the bunnies today. I think

they prefer nibbling on the patch of green grass in the back.

I mean I like cabbage, but really?

I must keep a visual record that my roses

actually bloomed!

Dunalastair Castle

I wonder if the Maxwell clan had a castle.

Aunt Gene said when she was in Scotland a lady

in the court records office told her the 

Maxwell's all fought and killed each other.

That is sad and if that's true, how did we get here? 

Those are not happy faces!

I like to end on a positive note.