OUR FAMILY: Sunday, January 14, 2024: Woke up thinking about Darrel & Trina, BM 30min-1hr study, Sacrament mtg, combined EQRS, Jared's new calling, Charlie, Scarlett, Goodbye to our boys, Sister Workman

Bangkok Thailand

185th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2023

By: Ronald A. Rasband

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 6

6:4 - For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

Come Follow Me

"Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives" by President Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference.

October General Conference

"Hallmarks of Happiness' by Elder Gary B. Sabin

I woke up at 4:09 this morning thinking about Darrel & Trina. I need to send a message to them.

When I walked into the chapel this morning about 5 minutes before sacrament meeting was to start I noticed how noisy it was. It is hard to feel the Spirit and prepare for the sacrament in a noisy environment. The Vernon ward is a friendly ward and we like to visit.

As James and I sat down in the second row, left side of the chapel as you face the podium, I realized I had forgotten my journal, journal notebook, and conference notebook. I changed Sunday bags, today using my purple one as I had on my purple outfit, and left my notebooks on the bench of the coatrack.

James had a small notebook I could take notes in and I found a pencil in my bag.

Another thing I noticed about our meeting today was how many announcements there were. Too many in my humble opinion.

One of the announcements that was made was that our ward conference is scheduled for next week. Our leaders are concerned about the reverence in our sacrament meetings and have given us two talks to read on the sacredness of the sacrament and reverence in sacrament meeting. Talk number three is from the last conference and is by Elder Dale G. Renlund, "Jesus Christ is Our Treasure."

We had two youth speakers today, Ruthie Wilhelm and Colter Hunsaker. Ruthie spoke on ways to share the Book of Mormon. Her talk was sincere and I am quite sure she wrote it herself.

Colter's talk was on finding peace and rest through Jesus Christ. It was good but I think he may have had some help writing it, which is fine. We can find peace and rest even amid our trial when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. Overcome the world by trusting the doctrine of Christ. Mosiah 3:19. We need to become humble followers of Christ. We need to listen to the Spirit to overcome the world.

Teresa Hein was the first adult speaker. She is a recent convert and I think this is the first talk she has ever given in sacrament meeting.

It was based on President Freeman's conference talk, "Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ." Here are some notes:

I am a beloved child of God who has covenanted to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ. I am in a committed covenant relationship with Him.

Enoch and Jacob were called to walk with God. The Lord gave Jacob a 5-finger promise as found in Genesis 28:10-22. Teresa says she recites this to her son Scott every night before he goes to bed.

Scott is mentally-challenged. He is such a delight and loves to clap.

Here is the 5-finger promise: 1.) I am with you, 2.) I will keep you safe, 3.) I will bring you home again, 4.) I will not leave you, 5.) I will keep my promise to you.

Tina Allen was the last speaker. She spoke on Elder Robert D. Hales conference address given in April 2017, "Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ." It is the last conference address ever given by Elder Hales and it is such a good talk! Here are a few notes:

As disciples of Jesus Christ we need to work to develop Christlike characteristics, such as: Virtue, faith, knowledge, temperance, patience, trust, godliness, and charity. Possessed of charity, the pure love of Christ, is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ. It is faith, hope and charity that qualify one for God's work.

There should be no disparity between the kindness we show our enemies and the kindness we bestow on our friends.

Come unto Him with all your heart.

Relief Society and Elders Quorum met together in the chapel and we watched, "Emissaries for the Church" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland which is all about home teaching, which is now called ministering.

After the video was complete we had a discussion led by Ron Hall and Collin DeWitt. Wendy was supposed to lead part of the discussion but she went home with family and asked Collin to do it.

Ministering is caring and helping others.

After the meeting was over Kathy Crane introduced me to Heather Workman who just moved in to our ward. Heather is a single mother with six children living at home in a toy hauler. Chuck says the conditions are dire. With Heather was her 18 year old daughter Aubrey and two year old, Dominique. I asked her if they needed any blankets and she shook her head no. I was surprised because Chuck said when he visited the entire family was all huddled around a tiny wood stove in their RV. Maybe she just has a hard time asking for or accepting help.

James had a presidency meeting after the block so I left for home by myself. He will get a ride home with Chuck. As I was leaving the church parking lot I noticed Denice Hall walking from the road back to the church with the youngest Bowen boy, who is about 2. Ron was in their car waiting for her across the street. I suppose little boy Bowen was taking a walk down the road by himself. I wonder how that happened.

When I got home the guys were all sitting around the dining room table playing cards. They had obviously fixed breakfast because there were scrambled eggs sitting on a plate on the counter and a dirty skillet in the sink. I headed for the bedroom ate a little popcorn from the bag I got at the white elephant game from Kim and changed my clothes. I went back into the kitchen and heated up some chicken enchiladas to finish off my lunch. I worked on my blog until James got home.

James and I were just settling in to take a nap when Alex knocked on our bedroom door to tell us the propane truck was here. We were very low on propane so James ordered some from Owens Energy and they said their normal day to deliver in Vernon was on Friday but they are running behind so it would probably be delivered on Saturday. Last night James was concerned we would run out during the night so he turned the thermostats down and built a big fire. We were down to 4%. We also said a prayer.

It was nice of Owens's to deliver today. They are LDS and don't normally deliver on Sunday. They really did have the best price. I budgeted $2,000 and the cost was $1,870. It makes me happy when we go under budget. More money for my Disney account.

By the time the propane guy left the boys were ready to go home.

We all went out on the front porch and I took pictures. Nick wanted to know if I wanted a picture with my grandkids and I said I would rather not be in a picture. I really don't like having my picture taken.

Michael, Max, Nick, Alex, Carter, and Joe

The dogs: Numara and Bruce

A very nice group of boys. James especially enjoyed visiting with Nick. He is someone you instantly like. A great guy.

Max drove Sheri's car and Alex and Nick left together in Nick's car. I told them to let me know when they got home and Max did. Thank you Max.

I have lots of towels and sheets to wash, but I don't mind. I am glad our grandsons like coming to see us.

Michael left some shrimp linguine and that's what I had for dinner along with one of his bagels. I ate too much. Not conducive for my plan to lose weight.

I am worried about our friend Donna Peeler. Chuck told James that she looks worse than she ever has. She's not eating. It is so sad.

I listened to John Hilton III talk about Come Follow Me. Also started listening to Ben Wilcox on "Teaching with Power."