Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 17:22

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 9:1-21

"Come Follow Me"

Nahum 1 The Lord is both powerful and merciful. Nahum 2-3

CFM Conf Talk

Robert D. Hales "Waiting Upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done" 10/2011

OctGenCon

Be True To God And His Work

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and His work." - Heber C. Kimball

Today I studied Emily Belle Freeman's books on Grace. I finished the first audio book and started the second and listened to it on the way to the temple and on the way home. I came up with somewhat of a definition for Grace and I started a definition notebook.

Grace - Grace is an invitation to come as your are. Grace is the promise that there is still room. Grace is radical generosity. Grace is the healing and restoring that is abundant in Christ. Grace is a place at the table. The Bible Dictionary defines Grace as: Divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.

 James spoke with Dave on the phone yesterday about working in Globe today. Dave had some news about Laura. The doctors told her that her heart would not make it through a lung transplant surgery.  In order for her to have a lung transplant she will have to first have open-heart surgery to replace a heart valve. Wow! This is very serious. Laura is fighting for her life.

Before James left for Globe I made him scrambled eggs, ham, and whole wheat toast

Today James worked with Dave in Globe. Dave said they are weighing their choices. He said the pill Laura will have to take after the heart surgery costs $23,000 a month. Their cost, after insurance, would be $500 a month. That's a healthy addition to your already fixed budget. Dave and Laura are both retired from the government. 

I shared this message with the family and Sheri said maybe we should all donate $10 a month to help. At first I wasn't sure, but the more I think about it the more I like it. If the entire family, including all of James's brother and sisters and their children did this we could come up with a big chunk of money. I think this is a good way to show our loves and support for them. What say ye?

I went to the temple today by myself. I had scheduled an initiatory appointment for 11:00. I had four names: Miss Strickland, Martha A. Rich, Maddie J. Tyson, and Addie Mae Williford. These are all my family names. My only concern is that on all of the cards except Martha's the endowment ordinance is xxxxed out. I don't know if this means it has already been done or what. If it had already been done, even though ordinances aren't supposed to be done out of sequence, sometimes they are, wouldn't they put the date in? I contacted Family Search and asked them plus I am going to ask my friend Maxine Thompson who is a family history consultant and does thousands of temple names. Donna Lundgren, a former member of our ward, was one of the initiatory workers. 

After I was finished at the temple I went to Sonic for a Slinger, then to Circle K for gas and on to Walmart to get some Christmas lights. Although Kim and Brian are in Disneyland, I asked Kim which color our lights were, cool white or warm white. She said warm. The Walmart in Taylor did not have any warm white lights with a green cord. No lights today. I am going to need more.

When I got to Vernon I stopped at the post office and picked up the mail. I had nine packages waiting for me. I had to make two trips to carry them to the car. I was glad to receive these packages. I have six more packages coming. 

When I got home I had groceries to put away and I had to open all of those packages and put everything away. It took awhile. When I was finished I sat down in the bedroom to relax and turned on my Christmas movie for the day, "Christmas at the Drive-Inn" starring Danica McKellar and Neal Bledsoe.

James got home somewhere between 4-5. He brought me a Subway sandwich on parmesan bread with ham, cheese, spinach, tomato, onion, and banana peppers. It was quite good.

This evening while James was working in the dining room, I worked in the bedroom. I finished my movie and started, "Steppin' into the Holiday." Mario Lopez and Jana Kramer star and dance in this movie. I won't finish it until tomorrow. I watched it while I walked and worked on my blog. James and I went to bed at 8:30 tonight.

Go Ruby!

My Christ name cards I got today

That's my girl!

Cozy Cottage

Monday, November 28, 2022: Lights on the tree - can't finish, Decorate in other ways, 60 mph winds, James @ Bartels, "CFM", Tamara's father passes away, "A Royal Corbi Christmas"

 

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 12:40

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:26-41

"Come Follow Me"

Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah "His Ways Are Everlasting" 

Nahum 1.

OctGenCon

We Can Do Hard Things Through Him

Elder Isaac K. Morrison

Of the Seventy

While some challenges may come because of willful disobedience, we know that many of life's challenges come because of other reasons. Whatever the source of our challenges, they can be a golden opportunity to grow.

Up at 4 a.m. Hooray! After my prayer journal I studied for an hour or so from "The Holy Invitation". This is Anthony Sweat's book which helps us in understanding our sacred temple endowment.

I also studied a section of For the Strength of Youth on truth:

Your Heavenly Father is a God of truth. He is all-knowing. All truth comes from Him and leads to Him. You show that you value truth as you seek learning, live with integrity, and bravely stand for what you know is right - even if you have to stand alone. (FSY, Truth will make you free, p. 31).

James went to get his bloodwork done this morning. When he returned he went straight to the bed and said: "I hurt inside and my back hurts so bad I can't stand it. I can't concentrate on anything."

This makes me so sad and is one of the reasons I wish he did not have to work or would find a less physical way to make a living.

Today he worked at Bartel's and Deven Crane was his helper. I went to pick James up this afternoon and the wind was blowing about 60 mph, or at least it seemed like it. 

Tonight we have our "Come Follow Me" group coming over. James called everyone yesterday and the Crane's, Barbara Bartels, and the Goodman's said they would be coming. The Peeler's will be out of town. Our goal was to finish putting the lights on the Christmas tree and decorate it. I am sorry to say that this did not happen.

I began putting lights on and tried to copy the way Kim did it but it is taking longer than I thought. I put at least 10 strings of lights on before I gave up. I also don't think I am going to have enough lights to finish. So instead of focusing on the Christmas tree, we got out some other decorations. James set up the nativity, I decorated the family room, and dining room table. James cleaned out the fireplace and built a fire. I got the refreshments ready and then went into the bedroom to get myself ready. Here are a few pictures. 

Christmas is coming!

The Crane's arrived right before six. A few minutes after James called the Goodman's and Barbara Bartel. Pierce said Susan was sick so they wouldn't be coming. Barbara was on her way but was lost. Chuck went out to find her and they were both back in a few minutes. In the meantime Kathy and I were visiting. Guy Wilhelm, Tamara Applegate's and Kathy's daughter-in-law Susan's dad passed away this morning. 

The lesson was quite short but there were a lot of scriptures to read. At one point there was a talk by Elder Hales that we could read but Chuck didn't want to because it would be too long so we skipped over it. Chuck had a hard time reading because he has cataracts. He is having surgery in January. 

For refreshments we offered pumpkin delight, cherry pie and ice cream or triple berry pie and ice cream. Barbara had some pumpkin delight and loved it, and Chuck had both cherry and triple berry pie with ice cream. Kathy said she was going to pass. James and I both her cherry pie and ice cream. After we said our goodbye's and everyone left, I turned on a Christmas movie I had been watching in the family room. James did some walking while watching. I was already finished with my steps. The name of the movie was "A Royal Corgi Christmas." We went to bed before it was over, around 9:30.

I am so grateful for this sweet family

Sunday, November 27, 2022: Up @ 5:30, Church mtgs, James's family history mtg, lunch & rest, blog, index, "A Christmas Present"

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Son of man

Luke 12:8

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Book of Mormon

Mormon 8:12-25

Seeking Jesus

#3 Jesus Christ as Creator and Covenant Maker.

#4 Jesus Christ and the Law of Moses.

OctGenCon

Nourishing And Bearing Your Testimony

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As I share my thoughts, I invite you to reflect upon these four questions:

1. Do I know and understand what a testimony is?
2. Do I know how to bear my testimony?

3. What are the obstacles in sharing my testimony?

4. How do I keep my testimony?

Up at 5:30. Studied Elder Renlund's conference address, "A Framework for Personal Revelation."  

I happened to look at Facebook this morning and Lindsay had a post about a vacation they are on in Florida. She took a picture of her parents, Cid & Michael Elmer, and said they were moving to Houston next week. Jared might be happy to hear this. The Elmer's were our neighbors, Cidnie was my good friend, and Michael was our bishop. He is the one who called me as a ward Relief Society president. Carly, their daughter who drowned, is buried in Chandler so I am surprised they are leaving. I guess Lindsey can watch over her grave. Their daughter Jilley lives in Houston so I assume that is why they are moving there.

Colter Hunsaker was the youth speaker in church. He had just come home from spending Thanksgiving in Roswell, New Mexico with his parents. His sister Makenzi lives there. He said on the way home they passed a guy carrying a cross. He was going to California and he had a sign that told how long it would take him to get there. This reminded Colter of the Savior and how he hung on the cross for each of us. I guess this is why he shared it. He also talked about "For the Strength of Youth." He quoted from the First Presidency: Turn to the Savior. Jesus Christ is the strength of youth. Make Jesus Christ your Rock, your solid foundation.

Donna Peeler - For the Strength of Youth.  Elder Uchtdorf's conference address. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. He will lead you the right way. He is your strength. The Savior's message to you: He loves you. "Fear not." "Doubt Not." "Let not your heart be troubled". the Savior would ask you to repent and follow Him. 2 Nephi 28:32 - I will be merciful to them if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts. The Savior is the most glorious Being in the universe. All truth is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John 14:6 - I am the way.... The power of true doctrine. Jesus Christ is your strength.

Ward Choir - "For the Beauty of the Earth." - Kathy Crane, Chris Brady, Carmalynn, Alicia Hunsaker, Katie Hahn, Tamara Applegate, Wendy DeWitt, Susan Goodman, Mike Brady, Dave Westbrook, Jacob Robles, Brother Brown, Bishop Husaker.

Owen Peeler - I don't like using a paper. The first thing Owen did was ask all of the youth between the ages of 12-17 to raise their hands. Then he asks them to raise their hand of they remember hearing Elder Uchtdorf's conference talk. Very few raised their hand. 

Brother Peeler shared some of his testimony with us. What keeps me close to the gospel? Repentance, my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and knowing Jesus is waiting for me with open arms. When Brother Peeler was 14 he needed to know of a surety that what he believed was true. He knelt down and said a prayer. Heavenly Father, I need to know, is Joseph Smith a prophet of God and is the Church true. He said he received a powerful spiritual witness, a warmth throughout his body that this was true. He also learned that we can overcome anything in the flesh, with the help of the Lord.

Relief Society was taught by Natalie Robles. Natalie is a great discussion leader. She acts lots of meaninful questions.  The lesson was based on Elder Dale G. Renlund's conference talk, "A Framework for Personal Revelation." I sat by Kathy Crane and across the aisle from Catherine. Sue Hubble is not here today. She has a cough. Sad to say, there are no more Zoom meetings.

After the block James had a family history meeting. During the meeting I made a trip to the post office. We have a yellow slip which means a package awaits. Good, because I have lots of orders still out.

Back to the church parking lot. It was me in my car and Resten Tesarek and his dog. Resten was riding his bicycle. 

When we got home we had some lunch, chicken tacos, and pumpkin delight. Now it's time for a nap. James slept in the bedroom. I tried to sleep next to him but I just couldn't go to sleep so I slipped out with a book to the family room. The book I chose was, "The Hidden Christ Beneath the Surface of the Old Testament." 

This afternoon I helped James runoff his ministering district. He just couldn't figure it out. I also worked on my blog, listened to "Seeking Jesus", indexed for about an hour, and the worked on family history. I found four sisters I need to do initiatory for so I scheduled the 11:00 session on Tuesday at the Snowflake temple. I'm also going to the temple to an endowment session on Thursday with Sue Hubble, Catherine Halcomb, and Ruth Wallace. 

This evening around 7:30 I was tired and just wanted to sit down and watch a movie. I knew the new movie by Candace Cameron Bure would be good and have the true meaning of Christmas. I was right. James liked it too.

This is from John Hilton III's

"Seeking Jesus" class

Elmer's in Florida

Sweet Charlie

Scarlett

The Chuck & Kathy Crane family

(Some of them)

Lambson Christmas Memories