OUR FAMILY: Thursday, October 10th, 2019

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

163rd operating temple

Dedicated: 14 Apr 2019

By: Dale G. Renlund

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Ezekiel 34:12

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 3:1-10

New Testament: Ephesians: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

General Conference

Witnesses, Aaronic Priesthood, Young Women Classes

President Russell M. Nelson

"The adjustments we will now announce are intended to help young men and young women develop their sacred personal potential."

James took a picture of a big elk in our yard before leaving for the valley. He was right behind the storage shed.

These photos were taken before sunrise with

the camera James got me for my birthday

a few years ago. That's why they are a

little cloudy.

On our property right behind the

storage shed.

I know this looks like Mr. Bull Elk is

yelling at one of his wives, but James says he was

responding to his cow call, inviting him

over to the harem.

Part of the harem

"Rescuing Wayward Children", (henceforth "RWC")

Our Children's Descent

President Joseph F. Smith describes the Fall as below all things. We fell into spiritual darkness from Celestial glory.

Just as the Savior descended below all things so that we could ascend above all things, we too have to descend to ascend.

As I was listening to this morning's book webinar on my phone, the phone rang. The number was from Atlanta, Georgia, so I ignored it. I noticed that whoever it was that called left a message so I checked the message. It started out, "Hello, this is Liz Kelly. Over 20 years ago I served in Chandler, Arizona as a missionary. You might remember me as Sister Bush."

Of course I remember Sister Bush. I returned the call and we spoke for about 45 minutes. Liz lives in Dallas, Georgia. We went to her wedding and know where Dallas is and what her 100 year old house looks like. She has three birth children, Lauren who is serving a mission in the Ukraine, Trey who will be 18 in May and is looking forward to serving a mission, and Miles who is 13 and is trying to survive at the "ghetto" junior high he attends. He and his cousin are the only LDS kids in the school.

Liz and her husband took in a homeless boy whose name is Kyle. They told him he would be expected to take his turn at family prayer, attend FHE, and help teach the "Come Follow Me" lessons. Kyle is now getting ready to go on a mission.

Liz's husband, James, is the bishop of their ward. She has several callings, one being the gospel doctrine teacher.

The reason she called me today was to tell me she is coming to Arizona for a friend's wedding. She would like to visit us on November 7th. As soon as I hung up I texted Laura and set it up for Liz to come to Dave and Laura's home. Liz, Sister Bush, was one of the missionaries who helped teach Laura. Liz fixed them a "Bush-a-toni" dinner at our house.

Liz said because of her parents divorce while she was serving a mission, she was very discouraged. She said she doesn't think she would have survived without us welcoming her into our family after she felt like hers was falling apart. She made the comment, "You may not know in this life how grateful I was for you. You saved my mission." She also said each Saturday when we had missionary meetings at our home that I would fix everyone a big breakfast. Funny, I don't remember doing that. It was so great to hear from my favorite sister missionary and I am so looking forward to seeing her in November.

This evening the older boys were playing a game and Joshua was sitting by himself on the couch. I asked him if he wanted to play Uno and he did. We play three rounds. Joshua won the first two and I finally won the third. Afterwards he thanked me for playing with him.

Here are some other things that happened this evening. James got home from the valley, the boys went to town to get wings, later they played gray wolf outside and scared the elk away. Upstairs after we went to bed, Kaitlin gave the boys facials.

James saw Dr. Memon, painted with Michael at Stacy's. He had a nice visit with Michael. He is working at a clinic where he counsels children with autism. Good training for when he gets his degree.

It's going to get down to 25 degrees tonight.